Why Government Agencies Should Order Lycoming Engines Before They Need Them

Piston aircraft engines are incredibly reliable and proven machines, with millions of flight hours to prove their reliability. However, even the most reliable machines will break down at some point. Over many decades of exposure, extensive research, and field observations, Time-Between-Overhaul (TBO) cycles have been established to ensure engines are either rebuilt or replaced before they fail. 

Most Lycoming engines have a TBO of 1,800-2,000 hours, although Lycoming recommends overhauls every 12 calendar years regardless of hours to mitigate age-related breakage and deterioration. 

Greenwood Aerospace is the trusted source for Lycoming engines and OEM parts procurement for approved government agencies. Here’s why we suggest getting ahead of the curve and placing your orders well ahead of your TBO. 

1. Lycoming Engine Lead Times Can Exceed 24 Months

The Number one reason to order your new or factory-remanufactured Lycoming engines ahead of time is the wait time for engine deliveries from the Lycoming factory. 

 All models have different lead times, so you will need to consult with the factory team to determine your specific requirements. However, we suggest that you start preparing at least 24 months before your anticipated Total Block On (TBO) per aircraft. Also, have your contract officers talk to our team to procure your engines now, before your aircraft goes into Hangar Queen status. 

2. Mission Readiness Depends on Engine Availability

For private general aviation owners, having your airplane down for maintenance is definitely inconvenient. For your federal aviation mission, it is a non-starter and means mission failure. For the CAP, it might mean missing a real-world SAR mission. For CBP, it might mean a portion of the border goes without observation. 

3. Fleet Aircraft Have Predictable Maintenance Cycles

Government fleets usually have a fairly predictable operations tempo and allotted annual flying hours, so their annual hours are easy to predict and plan around. For example, suppose a flying unit is allotted 200 flight hours per year per aircraft, and their Lycoming engines are on a 2,000 TBO cycle. In that case, you are good for roughly ten years between overhauls, with two years of slippage for the 12-year overhaul recommendation. 

4. Avoiding Emergency Procurement Saves Budget and Stress

Planning ahead always saves money, and with engines, it is always a good idea to procure ahead of time. 

Look, you cannot control when an engine decides to catastrophically fail. It does not matter if that engine has 20 or 200 hours remaining until overhaul; if it fails, it fails. But failing to plan ahead and procure a new or factory remanufactured Lycoming engine is planning to fail. 

Plan ahead and contact our team of procurement experts to source your Lycoming engines and save yourself a headache or two. 

5. Greenwood Aerospace Can Simplify the Procurement Process

Greenwood Aerospace has partnered with Lycoming engines to provide government agencies with access to several of their most popular engines. Not only does Greenwood Aerospace have access to new and factory-remanufactured Lycoming engines, but we can also source a full line of OEM Lycoming engine parts for your fleet of Lycoming-powered aircraft. 

6. GSA Advantage and Other Contract Vehicles Streamline Ordering

The simplest and fastest way to source replacement engines is through GSA Advantage. Greenwood Aerospace is on the GSA schedule, and we list our entire line of Lycoming engines on there to take out the guesswork. No guessing on the price, no haggling. What you see is what you pay. 

7. Backed by Factory Support and OEM Warranties

Unlike the rebuilt engines that independent repair shops offer, new and factory remanufactured Lycoming engines have a factory warranty. This is significant; Lycoming stands by its engines and factory OEM parts. 

8. Ideal for Agencies with Large Fleets, Like Civil Air Patrol and DOI

The CAP has about 560 aircraft, almost all using Lycoming engines. The Department of the Interior also operates several hundred Lycoming-powered airplanes. The easiest way to procure them is through a GSA-approved vendor, where the engines are listed at approved prices on GSA Advantage. 

This makes budget planning a breeze for contracting officers and procurement specialists in their respective agencies.

9. Ordering Ahead Reduces Aircraft Downtime

We talked about this earlier, but the lead time is significant for new and factory-remanufactured Lycoming engines. When you are about one to two years' worth of flying hours away from TBO, go ahead and check with Greenwood Aerospace about getting an engine on order. These engines are shipped straight from the factory with a brand-new log book and zero time. There is nothing wrong with having a new engine stored on-site while the final hours are flown down off of the engine on the aircraft. 

Order ahead, and replace the engine on time. 

10. Partnering with Greenwood Delivers Long-Term Procurement Confidence

After over forty years in business, Greenwood Aerospace's goal is to deliver a great product for a great price and to do it on time. We have worked with most branches of the military and numerous federal and state agencies, so you know that you are working with the best in the business. 

We are here to support you in your government procurement needs, from hardware and gaskets to whole engines, major components, GSA, and even aircraft procurement. 

We can also source and procure just about any OEM Lycoming engine part you need, so if you know what you need, go ahead and start an online quote here. For all other requests or general inquiries, give us a call at (580) 762-2580 or email us at contact@governmentprocurement.com.