EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2016: Exhibitors - Engines and Fuel

Fred Harl and Carmelo Turdo

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2016 exhibitors represented many aviation support products, including the vital engines and fuel that make air travel possible.  Several powerplant makers displayed their products in the aircraft typically using them.  Swift Fuels also is an annual exhibitor that has an effective product that should be offered in more locations. 

Blackhawk Modifications provides powerplant upgrades to turboprop engines for popular general aviation and business class aircraft.  Blackhawk is based in Waco, TX, along with Blackhawk Composites in Bowling Green, KY and Vector-Hawk Aerospace in Daleville, AL.

The Chevrolet air-cooled, six-cylinder automobile Corvair engine has powered experimental aircraft for decades.  It is roughly equivalent to the Continental 0200, and offers reliable service with a ready stock of spares available.  

 

Duc Helices Propellers produces carbon composite propellers in Lentilly, France.  The lightweight, durable propellers are ideal for ultralight aircraft and light sport aircraft.  Beringer Aero has provided landing gear, brakes and related products to the aerospace industry since 1985.  The Tallard, France-based Beringer Aero is shown as a sponsor of Skip Stewart's highly modified Pitts Special.   

 

The Lycoming Engines exhibit featured engine displays and colorful aircraft fitted with the company's powerplants.  From humble beginnings as a sewing machine and bicycle manufacturer in 1845, Lycoming began making automobile engines in 1907 and aircraft 9-cylinder radial engines in 1929.  Lycoming continues to manufacture 4, 6, and 8-cylinder general aviation engines that are preferred by many aerobatic pilots.      

 

Rotec Radial Engines has been operating in Australia since 2000.  They manufacture the classic radial engine for experimental aircraft, and as illustrated here, for other machines as well.  The seven and nine-cylinder engines produce up to 150hp. 

 

Powering these engines could be Swift Fuels 102-octane no-lead aviation fuel.  Swift Fuels also produces a 100% renewable SwiftJet jet fuel (non-petroleum) now in development.