Lycoming IO-580 selected as engine of choice for Commander 114 conversion

LAKELAND, FLORIDA (Sun ‘N Fun, D-041, D-042) – April 5, 2006 – Lycoming Engines announced today that Aerodyme Corporation has successfully tested the IO-580-B1A engine in efforts to achieve a 315 horsepower application for the Commander 114 aircraft via Supplement Type Certificate.

The Commander 114 originally hosted a 260 horsepower IO-540 engine. Upon reviewing the specifications for the newest power plant option from Lycoming, Aerodyme opted for a new, certified IO-580-B1A engine as its engine of choice.

“The airplane loves the engine,” stated Jim Richards, Aerodyme’s president. “It’s unbelievable, almost magic! There have been no down sides to this conversion. It’s a perfect marriage between engine and airframe.”

Lycoming’s general manager, Ian Walsh stated, “Lycoming’s mission is to be the premier aviation engine company known for our products, innovation, and customer service. Our engine design and manufacturing innovations resulted in this new and more powerful engine, perfectly suited for the retractable gear Commander 114 aircraft.”

According to Aerodyme, the IO-580 engine has outperformed expectations on many fronts. Performance estimates for this new engine were delivered or exceeded. With a slight increase in overall engine weight, the engine offers additional horsepower performance. Aerodyme reports that the modified Commander 114 can fly on old or new performance settings. The fuel consumption has a large range--from 118lb/hr at 100% to 78lb/hr at 60% and the cruising altitude that has been reached with this new engine has been exceptional. The test aircraft achieved over 22,000 feet within a 30-minute climb, with oil temperatures remaining within limits.

Lycoming Engines specializes in Engineering, Manufacture, Service and Support of piston aircraft engines. Headquartered in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Lycoming piston engines power more than half of the world’s general aviation fleet – both rotary-wing and fixed-wing. Lycoming Engines is a division of Avco Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc. More information is available at www.lycoming.textron.com.

About Textron

Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) is a $10 billion multi-industry company operating in 33 countries with approximately 37,000 employees in continuing operations. The company leverages its global network of aircraft, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO and Greenlee, among others. More information is available at www.textron.com.

Aerodyme is an independent aircraft engineering and modification team located in South Burlington, Vermont, specializing in inspection, maintenance, and modification of the single-engine Commander line of aircraft. Aerodyme operates FAA-Certified Repair Station CRS ED5R294X, is a PMA holder for Rockwell parts, and plans other performance STC's for the Commander. More information is available at www.aerodyme.com.

Media Contact

Communications
652 Oliver St.
Williamsport, PA 17701
(570) 327-7247

Communications@ lycoming.textron.com