How Greenwood Aerospace Supports DOI Aviation with Lycoming Engine Solutions

The United States is so vast that it is hard to fully understand it, even if you have lived here your whole life. It has dozens of unique climates and microclimates that make it culturally rich and diverse, and rich in natural resources. 

The continental U.S. gets particularly sparse the farther west you travel, especially once you get across the Rockies and the Continental Divide. Also, once you cross the Great Plains and hit the Rockies and west of there, the states are made up of vast swaths of federal land; by some estimates, almost 90% of Nevada is public land. The only practical way to observe this area, devoid of population, roads, etc., is by air. 

Here is how Greenwood Aerospace supports the federal aviation missions of the Department of the Interior. 

Introduction to the DOI’s Aviation Role

The DOI Office of Aviation Services is not the actual operator of most DOI assets; it provides safety standards and guidance for aviation operations across DOI agencies, namely the USDA, U.S. Forest Service, and others. 

The OAS also manages maintenance, procures new and replacement aircraft, procures major components like engines, and even handles other bureaus to determine whether aircraft should be purchased, owned, leased, contracted, or chartered. Here is a breakdown summary of the primary functions of the OAS:

Key Functions of OAS

  • Aviation Safety: OAS leads aviation safety initiatives, including mishap investigations, program evaluations, and disseminating safety alerts and bulletins. Safety is a principal focus in all aviation activities.
  • Fleet Management: OAS manages the acquisition, assignment, and disposal of DOI-owned aircraft, including manned and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
  • Technical and Training Services: The office develops and implements professional aviation user training programs to ensure DOI and interagency personnel are qualified and current in aviation operations.
  • Policy Development: OAS issues department-wide aviation policies, procedures, and standards, including those related to UAS operations, privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties.
  • Coordination and Compliance: The office collaborates with internal bureaus, other federal agencies, and external partners to coordinate aviation activities, ensure compliance with federal regulations, and participate in audits and inspections.
  • Contracting and Acquisition: OAS manages centralized contracting for aviation flight services across the DOI and other federal and state agencies through the Interior Business Center's Acquisition Services Directorate.

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Oversight

OAS has specific authority and responsibility for managing, developing policies, and overseeing UAS operations within the DOI. This includes establishing operational procedures, safety standards, and privacy protections, as well as coordinating with relevant authorities for operations in restricted or special use airspace.

Regulatory and Policy Framework

OAS operates under federal aviation regulations (Title 14 CFR), the Departmental Manual (112 DM 12 and 350 DM 1), and other departmental and interagency directives. It also issues Operational Procedures Memoranda (OPM) to provide timely guidance and interim procedures for aviation activities.

Historical Context

OAS was established in 1973 following a departmental review highlighting the need for a centralized aviation authority due to a history of accidents and losses. Its creation aimed to improve safety, efficiency, and accountability in DOI aviation operations.

To Summarize:
OAS is the central authority for all aviation activities within the Department of the Interior, providing leadership in safety, fleet management, policy, training, and interagency coordination to ensure that aviation resources are used effectively and responsibly to support the department’s wide-ranging missions.

The Role of Lycoming Engines in the DOI Fleet

The DOI agencies operate a solid mix of fixed-wing, rotary-wing aircraft, and piston-powered aircraft. While turbine aircraft offer much higher power-to-weight ratios, they are not the best option for all operations. For one, their cost to procure and operate is much higher than that of piston-powered aircraft. Also, they use far more fuel and are not practical for operations where only 1-4 people need to fly. 

High-wing monoplanes, namely the Cessna 182/182 T and Cessna 206/206 T, which use Lycoming IO-540 engines, remain some of the most widely used and popular aircraft for these missions. Also, the Piper PA-18 Super Cub remains a service staple, flying with a Lycoming O-360 out front. 

Agencies Flying Under the DOI Umbrella

A few agencies rely on the DOI OAS for guidance, quality assurance, maintenance management, and procurement. 

Bureau of Land Management

BLM's land covers a considerable portion of the Western United States, so it uses a fleet of aircraft to monitor and maintain it. Utility aircraft are used for fire watches, personnel movements, and other assorted functions.

With so much ground to cover, these light aircraft are a lifeline. They need to be reliable, and the heart of a reliable plane is a reliable engine. Lycoming offers brand-new and factory remanufactured engines, which are given a zero-time status and a brand-new logbook. 

Greenwood Aerospace has partnered with Lycoming to procure both new and remanufactured engines for federal government agencies. 

National Park Service

The National Park Service operates a fleet of airplanes that are owned and managed by the DOI OAS. Some of their more common aircraft include the Piper PA-18 Super Cub and the Cessna 206, both of which are well-suited for the kind of rugged work they perform with the NPS. 

Procurement and Maintenance of Lycoming Engines

Greenwood Aerospace is an authorized distributor of Lycoming engines to provide unrivaled access to their most popular models. Additionally, we can source and procure nearly any Lycoming OEM part you need for your maintenance shop. 

We can get whatever it takes to keep your Lycoming engines in the air, and we work hard to deliver them at the best price possible. 

How Greenwood Aerospace Supports the DOI’s Air Mission 

For over forty years, Greenwood Aerospace has been the reliable partner you need for procurement, logistics, and contracting. We are proud to partner with Lycoming engines to connect eligible agencies like the DOI OAS with the engines they need for their fleet of Lycoming-powered aircraft. Whether you are looking for a new engine or want to exchange your engine for a factory remanufactured engine with a zero-time logbook, Greenwood Aerospace is in your corner. 

Greenwood Aerospace is a U.S. Department of State ITAR-registered company, enabling us to partner with large defense contractors on various military initiatives involving the export of ITAR-controlled items.

  • UEI: KVSUYYSJS174
  • DUNS: 604006874
  • Cage Code: 2Y735
  • ITAR DDTC Export Compliant
  • AS9120B QMS Certified
  • NAICS: 488190, 336413, 332722, 336411, 336413, 481212, 532411

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If you have any questions about what we offer or stock, give us a call at (580) 762-2580 or email us at contact@governmentprocurement.com.

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