Superior Air Parts And Lancair Team Up

April 15 –– Two of the true innovators in sport aviation have teamed up to create an engine and airframe package that will deliver kit aircraft builders an amazing level of performance at surprisingly affordable prices.  

Superior Air Parts, Inc.  and Lancair International have partnered to install Superior’s TNIO-360 Turbo Normalized XP-360 Engine® on the popular fixed-gear Lancair Legacy sport plane. “Ever since the Legacy FG was introduced at last year’s Sun ‘n Fun, builders have been asking for an engine option that will deliver the performance they want at higher altitudes,” explained Lancair’s Sales Manager, Kim Lorentzen. “After reviewing the Turbo XP-360’s performance numbers we knew we had found the perfect match.” 

“To achieve the performance numbers they had targeted, Lancair was looking for a 200-horsepower engine for the Legacy,” added Terry Wood, Superior’s VP Sales. “But when we showed them that we could beat those numbers with our 180-horsepower, turbo normalized engine the decision was automatic.” 

“In fact,” added Superior consultant and Principle of AvPower, LLC, Bob Minnis, “when you turbo normalize a 180-horse engine you will actually get a lot more power than even a normally aspirated, six-cylinder engine can deliver at higher altitudes. The turbo normalized XP-360 will deliver 75-percent power up to nearly 25,000 feet.” 

And although the engine/airframe combination is in the very early stages of flight-testing, if the early results are any indications, the turbo normalized XP-360 is going to beat expectations. “The initial flight tests are proving out to exceed our predictions for climb performance and cruise speeds,” said Tim Ong Lancair’s Engineering Manager. “The turbo normalized XP-360 significantly out performs the original engine we had in the airplane. It’s not even close.” 

Another advantage that Superior’s Turbo Normalized XP-360 Engine has over comparable power plants is its Turbo, pressure relief valve and fixed point controller are all automatic. “We use a completely automatic system,” Minnis added. “The pilot flies the airplane just like a normally aspirated engine with no worry over extra controls or settings. The fixed point controller automatically maintains a max power condition all the way to cruise altitude.” 

Minnis also said that while the XP-360 may be an “experimental” engine, the Kelly Aerospace turbo normalize system and all the associated components are FAA certified with hundreds of systems in operation. “There’s nothing experimental about this system,” he said. “We’ve taken a highly proven product with a history of exceptional performance and reliability and married it to the XP-360 Engine.” 

Superior Air Parts, Inc., is the world’s leading manufacturer of FAA approved replacement parts for Lycoming and Continental aircraft engines. The company is also a leading manufacturer of aftermarket and new replacement engines. For more information call 972-829-4609. Web: www.xp-360.com