Gentlemen,
Your comments on the Lycoming "geared" engines are truly fascinating and far from reality. I have owned and re-built three Helio Super Couriers in which one was modified to the IGSO-480-G1A6 (340 HP) with the high out-put alternator.
Every one exceeded TBO by 200 hours and as of 2010 I got FAA approval to extend TBO to 1600 hours. The geared engine syndrome is far-fetched and if you know how to fly them, they are bullet-proof. I can manhandle the GO-480 all day long, and where to get parts is easy. Central Cylinder in Omaha, Nebraska has all the type certificates for all Lycoming geared engines.
They like to be run at high RPM, if you sit on the tarmac at 900 RPM for a while you get loaded up and have to replace plugs, they don't like that.
Want the real deal on "geared" engines? I'll be happy to set things straight.
Cheers
Mr. Helio
