Olympia, WA – May 1, 2016 - Soloy Aviation Solutions has secured agreement with SMA Engines to incorporate the French engine manufacturer’s latest version of its SR305-230E compression ignition (CI) aircraft engine installation STC for the Cessna 182 Skylane airframe.
Soloy Aviation, a world leader in the engineering and manufacturing of turbine and piston engine STC re-powering programs for a wide range of fixed wing and rotorcraft announced the agreement during AERO Friedrichshafen 2016 in Friedrichshafen, Germany.
Under the agreement, Soloy will co-develop an engineering program with SMA to provide the Cessna 182 performance using the more powerful SMA SR305-230E CI engine as well as improve its installation and aerodynamics package for Cessna 182 aircraft. Applicable C182 aircraft models will be finalized as the program gets underway.
The engineering and testing program will be completed and validated at Soloy Aviation Solutions’ US based facility in Olympia, Washington (KOLM) under EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) regulations.
Under the agreement at the program’s completion, Soloy Aviation will become the STC (supplemental type certificate) holder of the engine conversion program and intends to market the conversion STC globally.
James Cowan, Soloy’s CEO, sees tremendous opportunity with this program. “The future of current 100LL aviation fuel around the world is in question. We view the opportunity to use and improve upon SMA’s Cessna 182 engine installation STC which will be a valid solution to the thousands of operators of Cessna 182 aircraft around the world. At the program’s completion, we expect to be able to offer a wide variety of Cessna 182 owners the chance to convert their current avgas engines to this efficient and powerful engine platform either at overhaul or anytime during TBO under the revised Soloy STC. This program would make a total of 11 Soloy engine conversion STC’s completed.”
Dave Stauffer, Soloy’s Chief Operating Officer and a 38-year employee, has been through many Soloy STC programs and views the SR305-230E project as having great potential. “Our initial focus from a mechanical and engineering standpoint will be to take advantage of the engine’s power and reliability. There are performance improvements to be gained through redesign of the current engine installation and aircraft nacelle and cowling configuration. There are many 182s out there and we believe we have a great option for them long term.”
Soloy and SMA will get the program underway immediately and expect to complete the program within 12 months.
About Soloy Aviation Solutions
Founded in 1969, Soloy Aviation Solutions is a Washington state based company specializing in fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft power and performance improvements, including turbine engine conversion/upgrade programs for the Beechcraft A36 & A36TC Bonanza, Cessna 100/200 series aircraft and the Airbus (Eurocopter) AS350 helicopter.
In addition, the company currently has over 60 STCs and has converted 750 aircraft operating in 35 countries around the world. Soloy also provides contract engineering and aviation parts manufacturing services. For more information, visit: www.soloy.com.
