Alfred Moeckli has taken a number of flights in a Cessna "across the pond" from his home in Switzerland, including a trip in his Cessna 182 to Kansas for his 300hp Air Plains upgrade. Read about his process for the journey.

WELLINGTON, KS (June 26, 2021) – Air Plains Services, a world leader in general aviation engine and avionics upgrades, announced today company representatives flew N182AP – it’s signature upgrade project – to AirVenture 2021. The Cessna 182, owned by Michael McRobert of Kansas City, represents the most extensive upgrade project to date for the company, a complete tip-to-tail refurbishment that included a 300hp engine upgrade. The story of the refurb of the 1976 182Q was featured in a three-part series on Cessna Flyer Magazine in the summer of 2018. “We were thrilled for Mike McRobert to let us feature his airplane this year at Oshkosh,” said Rafael Soldan, Air Plains head engineer who is at the show this year. “We are very proud of this project and eager to have people come by for a look.” N182AP is parked on Row 611 in the general aviation parking area. Air Plains managed the project for McRobert, who did much of the research and planning himself. The airplane now features, in addition to the 300hp XP engine upgrade, Flint Aero tip tanks with new LED lighting, Garmin G500, GTN 750 and a GTN 650, JPI EDM930, Stormscope WX-500, new interior and headliner, new wind screen and new custom paint. General aviation has remained fairly strong over the past year and sales at Air Plains remained steady. Over the past year, the company has added a number of new items to its line of products and upgrades including the new Lycoming EIS for 180hp Cessna 172s, the Hartzell Tailblazer prop for 300hp Cessna operators and new avionics including the Alpha Systems AOA stand-alone angle of attack indicator. The company has also added new PMA parts including an adjustable airbox bracket and airbox gaskets, both added to the company’s new online store. Air Plains also recently announced it will have a formal exhibit later this summer at both AOPA Aviator Showcases scheduled for August 27 in Manassas, Virginia, and October 1 in Fort Worth, Texas. For more information about any of Air Plains products or services, call 1-800-752-8481 or +1-620-326-8904, visit www.airplains.com. For online shopping, visit the Air Plains web store at https://shopairplains.com.

Flying the Great Northwest, from the beach to the backcountry mountains, Fred Osterhout has a lot of fun in his Cessna 172, upgraded by Air Plains Services.

WELLINGTON, KS (April 29, 2021) – Air Plains Services, a world leader in general aviation engine and avionics upgrades, announced today it plans to exhibit at both AOPA Aviator Showcase events later this year. The events, scheduled for August 27 in Manassas. Virginia, and October 1 in Fort Worth, Texas, will feature aircraft sales displays, technology-related seminars, and a large exhibit hall with product displays. AOPA has worked to ensure the events align with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “We are so excited to be getting back to face-to-face interaction with our customers,” said Katie Church, head of marketing at Air Plains. “We’ve been very lucky to have kept a steady workload the past year, but we really miss being around our fellow aviators at events like this. “We’ve added new products over the past year and we’re eager to show off our expanding product line to new and current customers alike,” Church said. The most popular new product is the Lycoming drop-in electronic ignition system for the Air Plains 180hp engine upgrade for Cessna 172s. The Lycoming EIS has no mechanical parts that wear and features all solid-state electronics providing a 2,400-hour operating service time and a more consistent spark with no inspections, no rebuilds, no overhauls. Air Plains also recently added an STC for the new Hartzell Trailblazer propeller for its 300hp engine upgrade operators. The swept-tip, scimitar-shaped airfoil is designed for optimal take-off acceleration and climb performance and is designed and constructed to perform well in demanding backcountry operations. The Trailblazer is approved for use with wheels, floats, and skis. The company also added Alpha Systems AOA stand-alone angle of attack systems to its line of avionics that includes Dynon, Guardian, and BendixKing (including TruTrak), Avidyne, Genesys, Appareo, L3, and Aspen products. For more information about any of Air Plains products or services, call 1-800-752-8481 or +1-620-326-8904, visit www.airplains.com. For online shopping, visit the Air Plains web store at https://shopairplains.com

The Cessna 182 is a great candidate for skydive operators. Oliver Carl of Carl Aero states, "The performance upgrade has proven to be extremely popular among skydive operators, as it drastically reduces operating costs while increasing efficiency at the same time. Typically the stock 182 requires 35-45 minutes per lift while the 182 equipped with Air Plains 300 horsepower can do the job in 15 minutes at only two thirds the cost." If pairing your engine upgrade with other great products such an Electronic Ignition System, STOL Kit, WingX wing extensions, larger tires, skydive or seaplane application, engine port and polish, or tuned exhaust system, please share your list with Air Plains. Air Plains can perform the installation in house or ship complete with the engine upgrade STC kit. Many Cessna 180 and 182s owners pair Air Plains 300hp engine upgrade with float installations and get the most out of the planned downtime. Contact Air Plains for additional information and preferred installation facilities. For more information, visit us at www.airplains.com Call: 800-752-8481 or (outside the U.S.) +1-620-326-8904 Email: sales@airplains.com

The single housed mag, dual pack mag, the problematic mag… call it what you want. The design sounded like a good idea at the time because of the less complexity, less weight, less production cost, and allowance for more accessories to fit on the engine. However, after the single housed mag was put into service many problems in the field surfaced. These issues include, but are not limited to, cams loosening, impulse couplings failing, magneto movement, and ultimate failure of the magneto housing resulting in the magneto departing the engine. All these failure modes result in either a drastic reduction of power or complete failure of the engine. There is even the potential that internal engine damage was created by operating at an out of specification ignition timing, a problem you may not find out about until much later. The cost is also significantly higher for the single housed magnetos, presumably due to the liability surrounding the design. If you have the O-320-H2AD or O-540 with the single housed magneto design and it has not been an issue for you YET, it’s only a matter of time. Air Plains has an engine replacement solution for this problematic mag on the Cessna R182 and the Cessna 172N. For more information on engine upgrades contact Air Plains today. Phone: 1-800-752-8481 Email: Sales@airplains.com

WELLINGTON, KS (Jan. 4, 2021) – Air Plains Services, a world leader in general aviation engine and avionics upgrades, announced today it has gained a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) to offer the Hartzell Trailblazer composite propeller on all its 300hp XP Extreme Performance engine upgrades for Cessna 180 and 182 aircraft. “We’re very excited to be starting off the year with a new propeller STC, adding another option for our customers flying the upgraded 300 horsepower engine,” said Katie Church, head of marketing. “The Trailblazer enhances performance, really looks great on the airplane, and it’s the ultimate backcountry prop. “We’ve been flying it on N180AP, our own Cessna 180 with the 300-horsepower upgrade and we’re very happy with the performance we’ve seen,” Church said. Hartzell says its Trailblazer propellers all have unlimited blade life and are approximately 20 percent lighter than comparable propellers with aluminum blades. “Our STC is unique in that it also uses Hartzell’s lightweight hub design, which means our conversion is 10 pounds lighter than any other available Trailblazer STC for these aircraft,” Church said. “We are sure that 180 and 182 owners looking at their options will appreciate the added useful load.” The swept-tip, scimitar-shaped airfoil is designed for optimal take-off acceleration and climb performance and offers improved low-speed thrust as well as cruise speed improvement when compared with wood core props. The Hartzell Trailblazer’s carbon fiber construction features an innovative mesh erosion shield and field-replaceable, nickel-cobalt leading edge, ensuring it can withstand demanding backcountry and bush flying. The Trailblazer is approved for use with wheels, floats, and skis. For more information about Hartzell propeller options or any of Air Plains other products or services, call 1-800-752-8481 or +1-620-326-8904, visit www.airplains.com. For online shopping, visit the new Air Plains web store at https://shopairplains.com.

While both fuel injection and carburetors have been used in the aircraft industry for decades the debate continues on which is better. Cessna began using fuel injected 470 and 520 cu. in. engines in 1960 in Cessna 210's and Cessna 182's. As different models of aircraft were added to production they were equipped with fuel injected engines. Cessna chose the Fuel Injected engines for horsepower and economy. Fuel injection provides even distribution of the fuel to all cylinders since a fuel nozzle is placed in each cylinder and fed individually with a line from the flow divider valve. In carbureted engines the fuel is introduced into the induction system at the carburetor venturi thru a single nozzle and then must make its way along a circuitous route to be introduced into the cylinder for combustion. The result of this circuitous route is that some cylinders get excessive amount of fuel and some get an insufficient amount of fuel. Fuel injection allows the engine to perform to its full potential. A Fuel injected engine from Continental will produce 300HP for both the IO-520 and the IO-550 engine. An engine built as an O-520 or O-550 engine is de-rated and will produce significantly less horsepower. A side note to the fuel injected vs carbureted discussion, Continental has never produced a carbureted O-520 or O-550 engine. Continental engineering determined that the most efficient was to operate the high horsepower engine is with fuel injection. Besides a more efficient engine, another big advantage to fuel injection is the potential of carburetor ice is eliminated. Carb ice is caused by rapid expansion of air as it passes thru the venturi in the carburetor which in itself cause’s the air temperature to decrease. That temperature drop is enhanced by atomization of the fuel which is introduced to the air at the same point. On engine’s that have the carburetor suspended from the induction system like the O-470 and O-520 engines the creation of carb ice can be a significant problem. On days of high humidity and 50° F frost may form on the induction system just above the carburetor. Cessna 180’s and 182’s are actually approved in the owner’s handbook to operate with partial carb heat during takeoff, climb and cruise. So what does Air Plains do to a Cessna 180 or 182 to change it from a carbureted O-470 engine to a fuel injected IO-550 engine? The airframe has some slight changes made to accommodate the change to fuel injection. The O-470 Engine is removed and replaced with 300HP IO-520 or IO-550 engine. Along with a factory remanufactured engine, Air Plains installs a new 2 or 3 blade propeller and propeller governor. A fuel reservoir tank is added to provide a constant supply of fuel to engine in all attitudes. This fuel reservoir tank is installed in every Cessna single engine aircraft that has fuel injection installed. These would include restart 172’s, 182’s and 206’s. Instead of beating on the firewall with a hammer to provide clearance for the high capacity oil pump and the engine driven fuel pump, Air Plains installs a small relief panel in the firewall. An electric fuel pump is added to the aircraft which aids starting and serves as a backup to the engine fuel pump. The result is a smooth running, fuel efficient engine system that is designed to give many years of safe operation. There are no excuses and no compromises with a fuel injected engine. For more information, visit us at www.airplains.com Call: 800-752-8481 or (outside the U.S.) +1-620-326-8904 Email: sales@airplains.com

Dan Dunlap's son Sam always wanted to fly, so Dan learned, too. Based in beautiful Marfa, Texas, an art and soaring mecca, they both found joy at the controls of aircraft. Sam went on to a career in the USAF flying C-130Js and Dan flies the skies over Marfa in his Cessna 172, upgraded with an Air Plains 180hp Lycoming. It's a pretty cool story featured in CPA Magazine in 2020.

WELLINGTON, KS (July 29, 2020) – Air Plains Services, a world leader in general aviation engine and avionics upgrades, announced today it is offering the newly certified Lycoming Electronic Ignition System for its Lycoming 180 hp engines. The Lycoming EIS is a drop-in replacement for one mag, requires no maintenance through TBO and provides precise starts every time. “The new Lycoming EIS is designed and tested to provide trouble-free operation and installation is not an issue,” said Katie Church, head of Air Plains marketing. “We’re offering it now as a stand-alone replacement of one mag and we’ll be adding it to our future XP kits as a no-cost option which we believe will be the most popular way to go.” The Lycoming EIS, developed with SureFly, has no mechanical parts that wear and features all solid-state electronics providing operators a 2,400-hour operating service time with no inspections, no rebuilds, no overhauls. It promises a more consistent spark with higher accuracy than traditional magnetos and results in a more efficient operation, using less fuel. Air Plains has delivered more than 2,500 172XP upgrades based on the Lycoming 180 hp engine and currently offers two STCs designed to meet almost any requirement. For more information on the Lycoming EIS, call Air Plains at 800-752-8481 or (outside the U.S.) +1-620-326-8904.

WELLINGTON, KS (July 23, 2020) – Air Plains Services, a world leader in general aviation engine and avionics upgrades, announced today the addition of Alpha Systems AOA products as an authorized dealer, offering the company’s full line of stand-alone angle of attack systems for a variety general aviation aircraft, including most Cessna piston models. “We have been very impressed with the performance and reliability of the kits from Alpha Systems AOA and we’re very happy to add them to our growing lineup of avionics and aircraft systems,” said Eric Papon, Air Plains avionics service manager. “They are affordable, easy to install, extremely versatile, and they add an extra level of safety that is always welcomed in a modern cockpit.” Alphas Systems AOA currently produces four models that feature a variety of cockpit displays including a glare-shield mounted head-up display, perfect for when visibility is critical and panel space is limited. Some also feature audio feedback and optional dual displays. In the past year, Air Plains has also added Dynon, Guardian and BendixKing (including TruTrak) avionics to its array of avionics suppliers including Avidyne, Genesys, Appareo, L3 and Aspen, giving Air Plains customers a wider array of options to meet almost any requirement. Alpha Systems AOA, a division of DepotStar, Inc., has been in the forefront of angle of attack technology for General Aviation since 1996. Based in Ramsey, MN, it designs and manufactures AOA display solutions for certified and experimental, pressurized and non-pressurized airplanes. This privately-held firm is owned by a pilot whose mission is to improve aircraft operation and flight safety. For more information about any of Air Plains products or services, call 1-800-752-8481 or +1-620-326-8904, or visit www.airplains.com. For online shopping, visit the Air Plains web store at https://shopairplains.com

WELLINGTON, KS (June 17, 2020) – Air Plains Services, a world leader in general aviation engine and avionics upgrades, salutes the iconic Cessna 172 Skyhawk, celebrating 65 years since its first flight, and still going strong. According to Textron Aviation, Cessna has produced more than 45,000 aircraft under the 172 umbrella – the most produced aircraft model in aviation history. Air Plains has provided 180hp engine upgrades to more than 2,500 of those aircraft, with more engine upgrades being installed or shipped worldwide regularly. Air Plains also manufactures a variety of PMA parts for the Skyhawk including baffle kits, airboxes and airbox brackets and gaskets, and propeller bulkheads. The Cessna 172 is also the world’s most famous primary trainer aircraft, used by flight schools around the world. The upgraded 180hp engines sold by Air Plains improve the aircraft’s suitability in flight school or training environments. Installation cost of a new 180hp is comparable to the cost of a scheduled overhaul, and the upgrade offers more reliable performance, more efficient operation, and increased payload to make it a true four-place aircraft, all making the total cost of ownership preferable to other options. For more information about any of Air Plains products or services, call 1-800-752-8481 or +1-620-326-8904, or visit www.airplains.com. For online shopping, visit the Air Plains web store at https://shopairplains.com

WELLINGTON, KS (May 19, 2020) – Air Plains Services, a world leader in general aviation engine and avionics upgrades, announced today it has gained Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) from the Federal Aviation Administration for an improve d Cessna 172 airbox support bracket providing a tighter fit and longer service life than the original part. “Our new, adjustable airbox bracket, developed after decades of experience replacing factory brackets, removes a lot of the stress that came from production variability,” said Shane O’Day, an Air Plains engineer. “If you’re replacing a damaged bracket or airbox, we think our new PMA bracket is going to be a great, lower-cost option for extending the life of the part.” The bracket is approved for certain Cessna 172 L and M models as well as for all B through M models upgraded with the Air Plains 180hp Lycoming O-360 engine (STC SA4428SW). Air Plains bracket part number APS0552120-2 replaces either 0552120-2 or 0552120-1 and fits all approved models. O’Day said the common issue with factory brackets is a variation in bracket height – as much as one-quarter inch from bracket to bracket – sometimes resulting in a poor fit of the bracket and airbox to the engine. The poor fit, coupled with common engine vibration, increases stress, and ultimately causes cracks in the assembly components. Air Plains has incorporated two innovative features into its new FAA PMA bracket: The new PMA bracket is adjustable during installation which compensates for any misalignment in height. The Air Plains bracket features a steel upper bracket, improving the strength where it matters most. Air Plains is also developing similar adjustable PMA brackets for other Cessna single-engine piston models. The airbox bracket is available at the Air Plains Services online store, along with a variety of new PMA and like-new airboxes as well as new PMA airbox gaskets, all at competitive prices. For more information about the new PMA bracket (including model eligibility) or any of Air Plains other products or services, call 1-800-752-8481 or +1-620-326-8904, or visit www.airplains.com. For online shopping, visit the Air Plains web store at https://shopairplains.com.

WELLINGTON, KS (February 25, 2020) – Air Plains Services, a world leader in general aviation engine and avionics upgrades, will feature its newest avionics packages as well as its industry-leading line of Cessna engine upgrade STCs at the AOPA Fly-In in San Marcos, Texas, May 29-30. “We’ve added new lines of avionics components in the past year as well as new parts and services we are eager to share with customers in San Marcos,” said Katie Church, head of marketing for Air Plains. “We are very excited to showcase our new online store. The design makes it easy for people to see at a glance our FAA PMA parts, along with a photo and a list of approved models, making it easy for customers to make a decision while purchasing replacement parts.” The company will have a flight line exhibit featuring two aircraft: a Cessna 180XP with a 300 hp upgrade, a new custom instrument panel, and a new composite propeller that is expected to gain STC approval in the near future (watch for more news soon); and a Cessna 182XP, also featuring a 300 hp upgrade along with a tip-to-tail refurbishment that was managed by Air Plains Services. The 182XP on display, N182AP, was a milestone aircraft for Air Plains as its 500th 300 hp XP upgrade. The complete story of the project written by owner Mike McRobert was featured in a three-part series in Cessna Flyer in 2018. In the past year, Air Plains added Dynon, Guardian, and BendixKing (including TruTrak) avionics to its array of of avionics suppliers including Avidyne, Genesys, Appareo, L3, and Aspen, giving Air Plains advisors even more options to pair with a customer’s unique requirements. Air Plains recently gained Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) from the Federal Aviation Administration to manufacture new replacement airboxes for a variety of Cessna 180, 182 and 188 aircraft. The airbox, Part Number APS0750144-33, is certified for use on Cessna 180s produced since 1960 (C thru K), Cessna 182s produced from 1959 thru 1986 (B thru R), and Cessna 188s produced from 1966 thru 1975 (thru B). Earlier this month, Air Plains launched an online store for many of its STC and PMA parts including the new PMA-certified airboxes. The store is at https://shopairplains.com/. Air Plains is well-known for its popular 180, 260 and 300 horsepower engine upgrades for Cessna 172, 180 and 182 aircraft which can be installed by Air Plains or shipped worldwide. The XP line of upgrades consists of a 300 hp upgrade for Cessna 182 H through R model aircraft, a 300 hp upgrade for Cessna 180s, a 300 hp upgrade for Cessna retractable gear models R182, and two 180 hp upgrades for a large number of Cessna 172 models. The company also offers STCs for a 260 hp upgrade for Cessna 182 S and T model aircraft and a 260 hp upgrade for Cessna RG182. For more information about Hartzell propeller options or any of Air Plains other products or services, call 1-800-752-8481 or +1-620-326-8904, visit www.airplains.com. For online shopping, visit the new Air Plains web store at https://shopairplains.com.

WELLINGTON, KS (Jan. 20, 2020) – Air Plains Services, a world leader in general aviation engine and avionics upgrades, has gained Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) from the Federal Aviation Administration to manufacture new replacement airboxes for a variety of Cessna 180, 182 and 188 aircraft. The airbox, Part Number APS0750144-33, is certified for use on Cessna 180s produced since 1960 (C thru K), Cessna 182s produced from 1959 thru 1986 (B thru R), and Cessna 188s produced from 1966 thru 1975 (thru B). This airbox is also eligible for installation on French Built (REIMS F182). “We’re excited to now offer our customers new PMA airboxes to complement our popular airbox repair business,” said Katie Church, Air Plains Services head of marketing. “Our new PMA airboxes, like our certified repaired airboxes, are a fraction of the cost of an OEM part, and that makes a big difference for the discerning aircraft owner.” Air Plains has incorporated several improvements into the new PMA airboxes based on its extensive experience repairing OEM airboxes. Improvements include: A carburetor heat control arm made from a thickened, machined billet that reduces wear; Oil-impregnated bronze bushings replacing needle bearings, also reducing wear and eliminating the possibility of detached needles being ingested into the engine; Precision-ground, corrosion-resistant shaft to prevent accelerated wear due to corrosion; Adhesive bonded joints at select connections to distribute stress and reduce fatigue cracking. “The improvements we’ve designed into our new PMA airboxes give our customers added value when compared with other options on the market,” Church said. “Foremost, our high-quality design and manufacturing process means they will last longer, and that cuts downtime and cost that comes with more frequent repair.” Because of its location, airboxes are subject to engine vibration which can lead to cracking and significant wear to moving components. Depending on the damage, the OEM airboxes can be repaired but eventually will need to be replaced. In addition to the new PMA airboxes, Air Plains also offers standard, like-new, repaired airboxes for Cessna 172 aircaft, usually in stock for immediate shipment. Air Plains is best known for its Cessna engine upgrades, installed in Kansas or shipped as a complete kit anywhere in the world. The XP line of upgrades consists of a 300 hp upgrade for Cessna 182 H through R model aircraft; a 300 hp upgrade for Cessna 180s, a 300 hp upgrade for Cessna retractable gear models R182, and a 180 hp upgrade for a large number of Cessna 172 models. The company recently added new STCs for a 260 hp upgrade for Cessna 182 S and T model aircraft, a 260 hp upgrade for Cessna RG182s, and a 180 hp upgrade for Cessna 172R models. Air Plains offers other replacement PMA parts not only for its XP upgrade kits, but for a variety of aircraft. For more information about Hartzell propeller options or any of Air Plains other products or services, call 1-800-752-8481 or +1-620-326-8904, visit www.airplains.com. For online shopping, visit the new Air Plains web store at https://shopairplains.com.

Air Plains Services specializes in engine upgrades for Cessna 172, 180, 182, and 182RG aircraft. Air Plains holds the STC to improve the useful load for 172D-R aircraft equipped with Air Plains 172XP-180HP. See options below. Air Plains’ gross weight increase STC SA2196CE is available for 172 D thru P and R aircraft equipped with engine upgrade STC SA4428SW. 172D thru L Gross weight increase of 200 lbs available for aircraft equipped with Air Plains 180 Horsepower engine upgrade, STC SA4428SW. If not already in place, this requires a one-time installation of three stringers in the tailcone, flap limitation, airspeed indicator, placards, and 6 ply tires. A diagram of the stringer location is available upon request. 172M, N 172 M, N Gross weight increase of 250 lbs available for aircraft equipped with Air Plains 180 Horsepower engine upgrade, STC SA4428SW. 172P 172 P gross weight increase of 150 lbs available from 2400 lbs up to 2550 lbs gross weight. 172R Gross weight increase of 100 lbs is available for aircraft equipped with Air Plains 180 Horsepower upgrade, STC SA4428SW or SA10406SC. Engine replacement not required. 172N Without STC SA4428SW(engine upgrade) Keep the existing O-320-H2AD engine and improve the gross weight from 2300 to 2400 lbs. Replace the O-320-H2AD with O-320-D2J, STC SA2714CE, and also receive 100 lbs useful load. 182P, Q Gross weight increase of up to 150 lbs. This STC is offered by Troll Tune Corporation and requires no modifications. The useful load improvement pairs nicely with Air Plains 300 Horsepower engine upgrade, or can be installed during routine maintenance. For more information, visit us at www.airplains.com Call: 800-752-8481 or (outside the U.S.) +1-620-326-8904 Email: sales@airplains.com

WELLINGTON, KS (Aug. 15, 2019) – Air Plains Services, a world leader in general aviation engine and avionics upgrades, will be exhibiting a Cessna 180 with one of the company’s signature 300hp XP engines and talking aircraft transformation at the AOPA Fly-In in Tullahoma, TN, September 13 and 14. “We’re excited to be traveling east, getting to know aircraft owners in a different part of the country than we normally do,” said Mike Kelley, Air Plains owner. “Tullahoma, like our own Wellington, Kansas, has an interesting history and strong ties to aerospace, making it an ideal spot for an AOPA Fly-In.” Air Plains is widely known for its industry leading range of high-horsepower piston engine upgrades, including its famous XP line of extreme performance upgrades for Cessna 172, 180 and 182 models, as well as new STCs for 260hp upgrades for Cessna 182 S/T and Cessna 182RG models. Air Plains is unique in the industry as it also ships complete engine upgrade kits anywhere in the world. The company’s kits include not only the engine and propeller (for most kits), but every part, baffle and bolt needed for installation. Air Plains has delivered or installed more than 3,000 engine upgrades in more than 40 years in business. “Just as in Wellington, engine technology is a specialty in Tullahoma, thanks to Arnold Air Force Base,” Kelley said. “Beginning in the 1960s, they’ve tested just about every important jet or rocket engine used by the Air Force, so we’ll find a knowledgeable audience there.” Tullahoma Regional Airport is also home to the Beechcraft Heritage Museum. Walter Beech was born in nearby Pulaski, eventually relocating to Wichita, Kansas, just north of Wellington, where he went on to fame as a pioneer in general aviation. Air Plains experts on hand are also ready to discuss its range of Dynon, Avidyne, Guardian, Appareo, L3, Aspen, FreeFlight, and TruTrak avionics systems and components. Air Plains also specializes in spare parts, offering more than 500 PMA part numbers, including certified airbox replacements at prices on a par with repaired boxes and at a fraction of OEM prices for new boxes. The Cessna 180 on display by Air Plains features the Inpulse ADI system, allowing piston aircraft owners the option to safely use unleaded 91/93 octane fuel (MOGAS) in certain high-compression aircraft engines, offering a long-term solution to the uncertain future of 100 low lead aviation fuel. For more information on the Fly-In in Tullahoma, visit AOPA. For more information about any of Air Plains products or services, visit www.airplains.com or call 1-800-752-8481 or +1-620-326-8904.

By Al Rice Chief Pilot Silverhawk Aviation Academy People look at upgrading their 172 engine for a number of reasons, and there’s a great deal of validity for them all. It’s not that much more expensive than a rebuild for TBO. It goes faster, climbs faster, and gives the owner a bit of bragging rights on the ramp. For Silverhawk Aviation Academy, there were more practical reasons. We just added our sixth 172, and all have the Air Plains 180hp upgrade, known as the 172XP. We think the added horsepower gives us the best utility and value from the airframe for our requirements, which are not unlike those of many other flight academies. Silverhawk is Idaho's leading flight academy for rotor and fixed-wing aircraft. We offer a variety of Part 141 degree programs through our association with Treasure Valley Community College as well as Part 61 training for U.S. and international students. We also offer FBO and charter services, all at our facilities at Caldwell Industrial Airport (EUL/KEUL), just outside Boise. We started as a helicopter flight school just over 20 years ago. As our reputation grew, we expanded our service and fleet, now operating 14 Robinson helicopters, six Cessna 172s with the Air Plains 180hp upgrade, one Cessna 172RG and one Cessna 177RG, and a Beechcraft BE-76 Duchess. The company has more than 30 flight instructors, administrators and mechanics, all with a passion for training and helping people begin new careers in aviation. But back to our 172s. When we started to add fixed-wing aircraft, we specifically targeted the Air Plains 180hp Cessna 172 modification, primarily because both the mod and the company have solid reputations. Caldwell is at the western entrance of the Treasure Valley, and although our home field elevation is not all that high (2432 ft. MSL), the surrounding area has airport elevations up to 5000 ft. MSL. During the summer months, this can equate to density altitudes up to 8000 feet. The 180hp engines add an additional safety margin when operating at the higher DAs. The Air Plains 172XP upgrade also brings a gross weight increase that gives us more than 1,000 pounds of useful load. That makes it a true four-place aircraft that is so useful for lessons with more than one student. Because of the unique nature of Silverhawk, we found another useful reason to employ the Air Plains. The Lycoming O-360 engine used on all six 172XPs gives us commonality with nine of our Robinson helicopters that are powered with either an IO-360 or O-360. This makes for a much more manageable parts inventory and maintenance knowledge and familiarity. The annual flight time for the school continues to grow and in 2018, we flew over 10,000 hours. The Cessna fleet flew 3000 of those hours, with most of those flown by the 172s. From the start, we’ve opted to go after 172s already upgraded with the Air Plains upgrade, and even though we purchased our aircraft with various amounts of engine time, we have had few issues. When we do have issues, the Air Plains staff has always been friendly and helpful. For us, the STC is well designed and trouble-free . The market for the Air Plains 180hp upgrade seems to be getting tighter and they are harder to find. But for Silverhawk Aviation, I have no doubt that when we need another aircraft, we’ll have Air Plains at the top of our list.

By Al Rice Chief Pilot Silverhawk Aviation Academy People look at upgrading their 172 engine for a number of reasons and there’s a great deal of validity for them all. It’s not that much more expensive than a rebuild for TBO. It goes faster, climbs faster, and gives the owner a bit of bragging rights on the ramp. For Silverhawk Aviation Academy, there were more practical reasons. We just added our sixth 172, and all have the Air Plains 180hp upgrade, known as the 172XP. We think the added horsepower gives us the best utility and value from the airframe for our requirements which are not unlike many other flight academies. Silverhawk is the leading flight academy in Idaho for both rotor and fixed wing aircraft. We offer a variety of Part 141 degree programs through our association with Treasure Valley Community College as well as Part 61 training for U.S. and international students. We also offer FBO and charter services, all at our facilities at Caldwell Industrial Airport (EUL/KEUL), just outside Boise. We started as a helicopter flight school just over 20 years ago. As our reputation grew, we expanded our service and fleet, now operating 14 Robinson helicopters, six Cessna 172s with the Air Plains 180hp upgrade, one Cessna 172RG and one Cessna 177RG, and a Beechcraft BE-76 Duchess. The company has more than 30 flight instructors, administrators and mechanics, all with a passion for training and helping people being new careers in aviation. But back to our 172s. When we started to add fixed wing aircraft, we specifically targeted the Air Plains 180hp Cessna 172 modification, primarily because both mod and the company have solid reputations. Caldwell is at the western entrance of the Treasure Valley, and although our home field elevation is not all that high (2432 ft. MSL), the surrounding area has airport elevations up to 5000 ft. MSL. During the summer months, this can equate to density altitudes up to 8000 feet. The 180hp engines add an additional safety margin when operating at the higher DAs. The Air Plains 172XP upgrade also brings a gross weight increase that gives us more than 1,000 pounds of useful load. That makes it a true four-place aircraft that is so useful for lessons with more than one student. Because of the unique nature of Silverhawk, we found another useful reason to employ the Air Plains. The Lycoming O-360 engine used on all six 172XPs gives us commonality with nine of our Robinson helicopters that are powered with either an IO-360 or O-360.  This makes for a much more manageable parts inventory and maintenance knowledge and familiarity. The annual flight time for the school continues to grow and in 2018, we flew over 10,000 hours. The Cessna fleet flew 3000 of those hours, with most of those flown by the 172s. From the start, we’ve opted to go after 172s already upgraded with the Air Plains upgrade, and even though we purchased our aircraft with various amounts of engine time, we have had few issues. When we do have issues, the Air Plains staff has always been friendly and helpful. For us, the STC is well designed and trouble free. The market for the Air Plains 180hp upgrade seems to be getting tighter and they are harder to find. But for Silverhawk Aviation, I have no doubt that when we need another aircraft, we’ll have Air Plains at the top of our list.

SANTE FE, NM (Sept. 15 2018) – Air Plains Services, a world leader in extreme performance upgrades for a variety of general aviation aircraft models, today announced at the AOPA Regional Fly-In in Santa Fe it has added three engine upgrades approved through supplemental type certificates (STC) for Cessna single-engine piston aircraft to its existing range of popular STC-approved engine upgrades. The addition of these three STCs gives Air Plains one of the industry’s widest ranges of engine upgrades for Cessna’s most popular single-engine piston aircraft. As with all Air Plains engine upgrades and spare parts, these upgrades can be installed at the company facility in Kansas or shipped as a complete kit anywhere in the world. The new STC upgrades consist of a 260 hp upgrade for Cessna 182 S and T model aircraft, a 260 hp upgrade for Cessna 182RGs, and a 180 hp upgrade for Cessna 172R models. “We’ve had a tremendous amount of interest and support for adding more options to our range of engine upgrades and these three, the 260-horsepower upgrade for S and T model 182s in particular, are going to satisfy a lot of the global demand for better performance for these popular aircraft,” said Mike Kelley, founder and owner of Air Plains. “Air Plains is known for expert customer service and our experience with engine upgrade STCs comes from years of doing our own installations, as well as providing ongoing support for customers who choose to do the installation themselves. Customers for these new STCs can expect the same level of expertise and commitment to total customer satisfaction.” Cessna 182S/T 260HP The engine upgrade for Cessna 182 S and T models uses a new Lycoming IO-540 260 hp engine for a 13 percent increase in power over the original 230 hp engine. The upgrade can use the existing three-blade propeller to save cost or use a new McCauley propeller. The existing propeller governor is converted to 2700 RPM and the upgrade comes with a new tachometer. Performance enhancements include a 10 percent takeoff distance reduction and a 20 percent increase in rate of climb. The new engine weighs essentially the same as the original so there is little or no reduction in useful load, and no airframe modifications are required. Cessna 182RG 260HP The retractable gear Cessna 182 now has a second engine upgrade option from Air Plains, this one using a 260-hp Lycoming IO-540 engine. Air Plains can install the upgrade in Kansas – no airframe modification needed – or ship it anywhere in the world as a complete kit, ready to be installed by your local mechanic. The kit includes a new McCauley three-blade propeller and spinner, a new electric fuel pump, governor, tachometer and fuel flow/manifold pressure indicator. A new Slick dual magneto replaces the D2000 magneto which is no longer supported by the manufacturer. With the new fuel-injected engine, owners will have access to 25 more horsepower for improved take-off distance, climb and cruise speed. Fuel injection also improves fuel economy while eliminating the chance of carburetor ice, and it eliminates the horizontal carburetor, resulting in a more reliable, even fuel distribution. Cessna 172R 180HP The new 180 hp STC for Cessna 172R models is similar to Air Plains’ existing 180 hp upgrade and not only increases performance, but increases the useful load by 100 lbs. Since the upgrade uses the original engine, there are no airframe modifications required. The kit includes a new propeller, tachometer, airspeed indicator, and fuel flow/EGT indicator. “We are very excited about adding these new upgrades to our product range,” Kelley said. “This means more options and more opportunity to get the most out of your airplane for years to come.” In the past year, Air Plains celebrated delivery of both its 2,500th 180 hp XP upgrade for Cessna 172s and its 500th 300hp XP upgrade for Cessna 180s and 182s. The three new STCs were originally developed by Alamo Aerospace and purchased by Air Plains. For more information, visit us at www.airplains.com or call 800-752-8481 or (outside the U.S.) +1-620-326-8904.