Textron Lycoming and Unison Industries are collaborating on development of a digital control system for piston aeroengines.
Unison president Fred Sontag says the Electronic Propulsion Integrated Control (EPiC) system will control propeller, fuel, manifold pressure and ignition settings through one panel-mounted lever and a digital controller that activates the appropriate controls for optimum power and economy. The EPiC system will also provide mechanical redundancy for all systems through small controls below the main power lever.
Unison expects fuel consumption to be 10-20% less than with current control systems, while providing equal or better power and durability. Overhaul cycle times could also increase by as much as 20% as the system enters the market on newly certificated engines from Lycoming.
Costs for engines equipped with the EPiC system will be the same as units now offered, Sontag says. The first EPiC-equipped engines are to be available in 2000, according to Lycoming.
Source: Flight International
