Electroair has received the first FAA Supplement Type Certificate (STC) for a pure electronic general aviation piston engine ignition system. The initial STC is for all Lycoming four-cylinder engines installed on Cessna aircraft, with additional aircraft expected to be added over the next several months, company officials said on opening day of AirVenture.
Performance and economy improvements have been documented in the use of Electroair’s ignition systems, according to company officials, who note that when installed on the company’s test plane powered by an O-360, fuel consumption dropped from 11.2 gallons an hour to 9 gallons an hour. “Users can see a 10% to 15% fuel savings,” said Michael Kobylik, the company’s president.
Electroair officials said getting the STC was a “four-year process,” to get the electronic ignition systems which has been used in the experimental world and “fine-tune it and re-engineer it” to get its STC’d for certified aircraft.
The Electroair electronic ignition system replaces one magneto with an RPM measurement device, a manifold pressure sensor, and a high output coil all controlled by a versatile controller to advance timing according to altitude and provide a significantly hotter, longer duration spark than previously available, company officials explained. The system, which is now available, is priced at around $3,400 for certified aircraft and takes four to six hours to install, officials added.
Electroair officials said they anticipate obtaining STCs for all six cylinder Continental and Lycoming engines over the next several months.
For more information: 866-494-3002 or Electroair.net
