GRAHAM WARWICK / WASHINGTON DC
Energy & Engine Technology (EENT) is continuing its rapid expansion into aviation through an agreement with RPM Management to pursue aircraft remanufacturing, air-cooled to liquid-cooled engine conversions and turbocharger retrofits. High-power piston twins like the Aero Commander and Cessna 421 are initial targets.
Under the agreement, EENT has acquired turbocharger and Aero Commander supplemental type certificates (STC) from RPM Management for its Wind Dancer Aviation Services subsidiary in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. Previously the company had purchased a range of STCs for piston-engine turbo-normaliser kits originally developed by Rajay (Flight International, 15-21 July).
RPM Management, meanwhile, plans to develop air-to-liquid-cooling conversions for the Continental GTSIO-520 and Lycoming IO-540 series that will increase power, reduce drag and allow the six-cylinder engines to run on automotive gasoline, says company owner Dick McCoon. The first of these, for the Cessna 421, could be available within nine months, with Wind Dancer responsible for manufacturing and supplying conversion kits to selected installation centres.
The planned third part of the venture, establishment of an aircraft remanufacturing operation in Mexico, is still some 18 months away, says McCoon. It would provide "as-new" refurbishment of aircraft, starting with the Aero Commander, incorporating air-to-liquid-cooling engine conversions, new interiors and modern avionics. Other types would follow, he says.
Re-engining of Aero Commanders with 600hp (450kW) Orenda OE600 liquid-cooled V8 piston engines by McCoon's other company, Mr RPM, is "stalled", he says, following the decision by Orenda Recip's parent company Magellan Aerospace to abandon the programme (Flight International, 6-12 May). Talks are under way with potential buyers of the Orenda engine programme.
Source: Flight International
