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| Lycoming O-320 | |
|---|---|
| Name | Lycoming O-320 |
| Type | Four-cylinder aircraft engine |
| Manufacturer | Lycoming Engines |
| First run | 1953 |
Lycoming O-320 The Lycoming O-320 is a family of four-cylinder, air-cooled, horizontally opposed aircraft engines produced by Lycoming Engines and used widely in light aircraft by manufacturers such as Cessna, Piper Aircraft, Beechcraft, Grumman and Mooney. Introduced in the early 1950s, the O-320 powered training, private, and utility aircraft used by organizations like the United States Air Force, Civil Air Patrol, Royal Canadian Air Force and civil operators worldwide. The engine's use in models such as the Cessna 172, Piper PA-28 Cherokee, Beechcraft Musketeer and Grumman American AA-5 cemented its reputation during the postwar expansion of general aviation.
The O-320 was developed by Lycoming Engines in response to demand from manufacturers including Cessna and Piper Aircraft for reliable, light-displacement engines after World War II and during the Korean War. Designers at Lycoming drew on earlier families like the Lycoming O-290 and Lycoming O-235 to create a compact, horizontally opposed layout that emphasized parts commonality with the Lycoming IO-360 series and serviced fleets used by the Federal Aviation Administration, Royal Air Force, and private flight schools such as Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University. Certification testing involved agencies and standards organizations including the Civil Aeronautics Administration era rules and later Federal Aviation Regulations oversight. The O-320 uses aluminum alloy crankcase and magnesium accessory housings influenced by material practices used in engines from manufacturers like Continental Motors, Inc..
Lycoming produced numerous O-320 variants to meet certification and operational needs for companies such as Cessna, Piper Aircraft, Mooney, Grumman American, and American Champion. Major groups include carbureted models used in Cessna 172 production blocks, fuel-injected versions akin to systems tested on Piper PA-28R variants, and aerobatic configurations certified for maneuvers performed by operators like Reno Air Racing Association. Military or government-adopted versions were supplied to agencies including the United States Air Force and Civil Air Patrol auxiliaries. Specific suffixes denote features: "-A" and "-B" series for accessory and crankshaft variations, "-D" and "-E" for fuel injection or carburetion differences, and "-H" series for higher-compression or alternate magneto timing used in models bought by Beckett Air-type operators. The family also includes FAA-approved conversion kits and remanufactured units provided by overhaul facilities such as Standard Aero and AAR Corporation.
General characteristics: - Type: Four-cylinder, horizontally opposed, air-cooled piston engine used by Cessna, Piper Aircraft, and Beechcraft. - Displacement: 320 cubic inches, related to displacement classes employed by Continental Motors, Inc. designs. - Power output: Typically 150–160 horsepower; certified ratings used by Cessna 172 Skyhawk and Piper PA-28 Cherokee production. - Bore and stroke: Shared lineage with Lycoming IO-360 family dimensions and crankshaft arrangements used across Lycoming product lines. - Fuel system: Carbureted and fuel-injected variants delivering fuel via systems comparable to those in Teledyne Continental Motors engines. - Ignition: Dual magnetos with components produced by suppliers like Bendix and Electroair; many operators rely on Champion Aerospace spark plugs. - Materials: Aluminum alloy crankcase, forged steel crankshaft similar to practices at Pratt & Whitney Canada for small reciprocating engines. - Cooling: Air-cooled cylinders and fins consistent with designs used by Wright Aeronautical and other piston-engine manufacturers.
The O-320 powered numerous production aircraft and special-purpose types built by major manufacturers including Cessna (notably the Cessna 172), Piper Aircraft (Piper PA-28 Cherokee series), Beechcraft (Beechcraft Musketeer), Mooney (Mooney M20 early variants), Grumman American (Grumman American AA-5) and American Aviation/American Champion. Military and government users included the Civil Air Patrol, various flight training academies such as Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University and national air forces like the Royal Canadian Air Force for liaison and training roles. Remanufactured and conversion examples appear in homebuilt and kit designs supported by organizations like the Experimental Aircraft Association.
The O-320 became a mainstay through the 1950s–1980s general aviation boom, used in primary trainers and private aircraft ordered by companies such as Cessna, Piper Aircraft, and Beechcraft. Maintenance and service operations by firms including Standard Aero, AAR Corporation, and independent shops under oversight by the Federal Aviation Administration kept large fleets airworthy. The engine has featured in incidents reviewed by investigators from agencies like the National Transportation Safety Board when carburetor icing and fuel system mismanagement were causal factors in general aviation occurrences. Its longevity is tied to widespread parts availability through suppliers such as Aircraft Spruce and Specialty Co. and parts remanufacturers that serve fleets at flight schools, clubs like Experimental Aircraft Association, and national organizations including the Civil Air Patrol.
Maintenance guidance for O-320 engines follows Airworthiness Directives and Service Bulletins issued by Lycoming Engines and regulatory bodies including the Federal Aviation Administration. Overhaul shops such as Standard Aero and component suppliers like Champion Aerospace publish service recommendations; common maintenance items include magneto timing used by Bendix systems, cylinder inspections influenced by advisory circulars from the Federal Aviation Administration, and adherence to oil change intervals advocated by overhaul providers. Operators such as Cessna and Piper Aircraft routinely incorporate Lycoming service bulletins into aircraft maintenance programs; flight schools and organizations like Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University and Civil Air Patrol maintain records consistent with FAA maintenance inspector guidance.
Category:Aircraft engines