As of 17 Dec 2022 I still have no engine. It IS being built at ASAP, Bakersfield, California. First ordered early 2018, this has been a process. It is a new design engine based on a Lycoming. Or if you rather, its a Lycoming engine with a ‘kit’ containing different cylinders and a liquid cooling system rather than air cooled. My engine is being purpose built from the case up with every care possible and for the maximum possible power to weight ratio. We are shooting for 260HP from a wight that usually supplies 160HP. Its a big ask.

The engine is designated a Gladiator LIO-390 and is designed by Andrew Higgs, President of AC-Aero. I talked with Andy all those years ago as his ideas fitted my mission perfectly. It is finally getting closer to reality. That said, delays have been beyond frustrating. I had planned to be ready for taxi tests by the end of 2022 at the latest. I had a more unrealistic goal of the previous year! Without the engine I am delayed until it arrives plus 4-6 months, at best. There is a lot of R&D to do for my cooling system as well as the firewall backwards install.

We have an engine block.

As you can see here, roller bearings. The case has now been painted ‘Lycoming Grey’.

Parts as they waited for assembly.

Rings gapped with precision.

Pistons and con-rods balanced and weighed.

Pistons Installed, well two of them in the picture. The others are in I am told.

As you can see no engine! I can’t even paint the cowls until I am sure it doesn’t need more modifications.
I can see a few weeks of even more delays here at the end of the build.

After 11 solid years the build has come to a standstill. I still have no delivery date.
I’m now hoping before the end of January 2023.