Propelled by a New Power

A roundup of what's new in the world of general aviation engines.

Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at 05:24 PM ET

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A technician tests a Thunderbolt engine built for Red Bull Air Race at the Lycoming engine factory. [Credit: Balazs Gardi/ Red Bull]

Key Takeaways:

The aviation industry is at a crossroads in 2023, with new piston and turbine engine technologies actively being deployed on aircraft, while fully alternative power sources like electric and hydrogen remain in testing.
Piston engine innovations include Rotax's higher-power 915 series, Continental and Austro's efficient Jet-A burning diesel engines (CD and E4 series), and Lycoming's electronic ignition (iE2 series) and customized powerplants.
Turbine engine advancements feature Pratt & Whitney's PT6E series with integrated electronic controls and extended service intervals, and GE Aerospace's clean-sheet Catalyst turboprop, which is in advanced testing for high power and reduced complexity.

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What powers the latest aircraft?

Though we’ve answered the question in the pages of FLYING over and over through the years, we’re truly at a crossroads as we begin 2023. While real alternative power sources—such as electric motors enabled by evolving battery solutions or liquid hydrogen—remain firmly in test mode, for the first time since the jet engine debuted, pilots can find new technology in both piston and turbine powerplants in operation on the flight line today.