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, with new technologies in both piston and turbine powerplants becoming operational, while alternative power sources remain in testing.
Piston engine innovations are driven by jet-A-powered diesel engines (e.g., Continental CD, Austro E4) offering improved fuel efficiency and commonality, alongside advanced gasoline engines (e.g., Rotax 915, Lycoming iE2) featuring electronic controls and higher performance.
Turboprop advancements include Pratt & Whitney's PT6E series with integrated electronic propeller and engine control systems (EPECS) and extended TBOs, and GE Aerospace's clean-sheet Catalyst engine designed 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.