Kelly Aerospace Inc. announces receiving FAA-PMA approval for the manufacturing of the new Lycoming engine X-Drive starters. The X-Drive starter is newest in the lightweight, high torque starter lineup from Kelly Aerospace. Targeted toward users that want the lightest but most powerful starter on the market, the X-Drive delivers the same high torque, low current draw, and superior duty cycle that had previously been available only to E-Drive customers. The introduction of the X-Drive starter allows Kelly Aerospace to service virtually all OEM and aftermarket Lycoming applications.
The X-Drive is the latest starter offering from Kelly Aerospace to be designed and engineered by its vast development engineering team. The X-Drive is not simply a repackaged automotive starter. Every aspect of the X-Drive was designed, tested, and optimized to provide the market with a starter that meets the unique needs of the aerospace industry without compromise.
The X-Drive starts with the same high performance permanent magnet motor as the EDrive starter. This motor offers low current draw and class leading torque and duty cycle. The motor delivers torque through an all metallic planetary gear reduction system that has the strength and durability to crank the largest piston engines, and still deliver TBO life performance. But the key characteristic of the X-Drive is its side mounted solenoid actuation system. Available in left and right hand versions, the side mounted solenoid allows a very compact design, and removes the problematic mechanical Bendix drive. The design and metallurgy of the pinion drive was the result of an extensive development and testing venture with a leading designer and manufacturer of drives for several industries. And holding it all together, the drive end housing was optimized using computerized finite element analysis and extensive engine testing, providing the X-Drive with strongest and lightest design possible.
The X-Drive is the perfect starting solution for Lycoming engine owners who want to replace original equipment heavy weight starters, or unreliable automotive based starters. Technical and warranty information as well as starter comparisons are available on our website www.kellyaerospace.com.Kelly Aerospace, Inc, headquartered in Montgomery, Alabama, is a leading subsystem supplier to general aviation OEM and aftermarket customers. The Kelly Aerospace organization is: Kelly Aerospace Power Systems, Inc. manufacturing facilities and corporate offices in Montgomery, Alabama; Kelly Aerospace Turbine Rotables, Inc. an FAA certified repair station located in Wichita, Kansas; and Kelly Aerospace Thermal Systems, LLC manufactures air conditioning and ice protection systems for general aviation aircraft. Thermal Systems design and development facility is in Willoughby, Ohio.
