The U.S. Government’s Lycoming-Powered Aircraft Fleet
When we think of aircraft owned and operated by the federal government, we usually think of the numerous Beechcraft King Airs used by the DoD (including the C-12 Huron, M-12 Liberty, RC-12 Guardrail, etc.), Cessna Citations, Gulfstreams, Challengers, and a slew of turbine-powered helicopters.
However, the federal government also operates several hundred piston-engine-powered fixed-wing aircraft. Most of these aircraft are powered by Lycoming piston engines, which we sell both new and used, plus we supply a full line of OEM replacement parts for the most common Lycoming engines.
1. Civil Air Patrol (CAP): Training & Search-and-Rescue Backbone
The Civil Air Patrol is the single largest user of piston-engine aircraft in the federal government, with a fleet of several hundred aircraft. The primary purpose of the Civil Air Patrol is to conduct Search and Rescue (SAR) operations, and it is the official civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force.
They own several hundred fixed-wing aircraft, all of which are high-wing aircraft for observation capabilities. The most prolific aircraft in their fleet are the Cessna C-172 Skyhawk and the Cessna C-182 Skylane, which are two of the most common aircraft in the world. In fact, the Skyhawk is the most common aircraft in the world, as it is the most-produced airplane of all time, and the Skylane is #8 (both according to Statista.com).
The CAP also uses the Cessna 206, which is powered by the Lycoming IO-540 (more than one model is used depending on the aircraft variant), and then finally the GippsAero GP8, which is powered by the Lycoming IO-540-K1A5.
2. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP): Eyes on the Border
Another prominent user of Cessna aircraft is the CBP. The CBP maintains a fleet of Cessna 206H and T206H Stationair aircraft. These are used by the Air and Marine Operations (AMO) unit for surveillance, tracking, and reconnaissance missions, particularly along the border.
Using small, piston-engine aircraft for ISR missions makes a lot of sense. These aircraft are reliable, relatively very inexpensive, and can operate at almost every public airport in North America. They offer CBP much greater endurance than helicopters at a significant reduction in costs, and they also blend in with civilian traffic.
The Stationair fleet used by CBP AMO uses a crew of two personnel for missions: one pilot and one Tactical Flight Officer who operates the electro-optical camera, mapping system, and video recording and downlink equipment.
3. U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), Office of Aviation Services (OAS): Public Lands & Wildfire Support
The U.S. Department of the Interior Office of Aviation Services (DOI OAS) is the entity responsible for managing and coordinating aviation operations across several agencies within the DOI. These include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, and the Bureau of Land Management.
One of the primary missions of the DOI OAS is to manage the aircraft fleet, encompassing both government-owned and contractor-owned aircraft. They are the party responsible for oversight of procurement, maintenance, and airworthiness issues within their assigned agencies. So, the DOI is not in itself a major operator of aircraft, but is a contract manager and provider of safety and training syllabi.
4. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Quiet Power for Surveillance
The FBI operates a fleet of probably around 100 piston-powered aircraft. Unlike other agencies, the FBI usually uses shell corporations and fictitious LLCs to own and operate its fleet of aircraft. Also, they typically maintain a purely civilian paint scheme since their purpose is to blend in with their surroundings.
Either way, Cessnas owned by shell companies and operated by the FBI still need Lycoming parts and will eventually need to be overhauled, too. Greenwood Aerospace has worked with numerous federal agencies over the past four decades and is your go-to source for all Lycoming parts and engine procurement.
5. U.S. Forest Service (USFS): Wildfire Recon & Forest Health
The USFS uses a mix of both agency-owned and contracted aircraft for wildfire response and suppression, and forest health inspections. For their piston-engine fleet, the USFS uses Cessna 182 Skylanes and Cessna 206 Stationairs, both of which are powered by variants of the Lycoming IO-540 engine (which we can supply in either a new or factory-remanufactured condition).
Both of these aircraft are very rugged and well-suited for operating in mountainous terrain and out of unimproved strips. The Lycoming engines are second to none in terms of reliability and power.
6. National Park Service (NPS): Managing America's Natural Treasures
The National Park Service is another prolific user of piston-powered aircraft in the federal government. Mountainous regions where the NPS generally operates necessitate the use of aircraft for many missions simply because there are no roads available.
A rugged job calls for rugged aircraft, and the Piper Super Cub and the Cessna 206 Stationair are preferred aircraft in those regions, both of which are powered by Lycoming engines (Lycoming O-320-A2A and IO-540-AC1A or TIO-540-AJ1A for any T206s in NPS use).
A considerable portion of the NPS fleet operates in extremely remote regions of Alaska, so reliability is paramount, and Lycoming delivers. When the NPS fleet of Lycoming engines requires repair or replacement, Greenwood Aerospace is your source for efficient and cost-effective procurement.
Greenwood Aerospace: Lycoming Engine Procurement for Government Agencies
Greenwood Aerospace is working to revolutionize the government procurement process for Lycoming engines, both factory-rebuilt and brand new, by leveraging our GSA schedule and GSA Advantage shop.
We offer all the most common Lycoming piston engine models in new or rebuilt condition, with a fixed price, so you know exactly what you pay for. Here are the models we offer:
Lycoming is an industry leader in piston aircraft engines, powering thousands of aircraft worldwide every day. The company has been around for decades and makes an excellent product. Moreover, they rebuild a fantastic product, and Greenwood Aerospace is your trusted partner in federal, state, local, and even tribal procurement for Lycoming engines and OEM parts.highly rugged and well-suited for operating in mountainous terrain and from
Questions? Give us a call at (580) 762-2580 or email us at contact@governmentprocurement.com. We'll walk you through our catalog, process, and anything else you need to know!
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