Lycoming IO-390 explained

The Lycoming IO-390 engine is a horizontally opposed, four-cylinder aircraft engine, manufactured by Lycoming Engines.[1] [2]

There is no carburetted version of the engine, which would have been designated O-390 and therefore the base model is the IO-390.[1] [2]

Design and development

The engine was originally conceived in the 1970s as the IO-400-X, but the project was never pursued.[3]

The IO-390 family of engines, which Lycoming refers to as the IO-390-X, produce 2000NaN0 to 2150NaN0. The IO-390 was developed from the similar IO-360 engine, to increase the O-360's cylinder bore. (Although the IO-390 cylinder assembly[4] is not the same part number as the IO-580,[5] the cylinder barrels of both have a 5.318 bore and 4.375 stroke dimension.)

It features a tuned induction system, roller tappets and Slick Start ignition. The engine has a fuel injection system which meters fuel in proportion to the induction airflow with fuel vaporization taking place at the intake ports. The engine has a displacement of 3902NaN2. The cylinders have air-cooled heads.[1] [2] [3]

The IO-390 was first introduced at AirVenture 2002. It has a factory recommended TBO of 2000 hours and requires a dynafocal engine mount.[2] [3]

The IO-390 was initially marketed through Lycoming's custom engine subsidiary, Thunderbolt Engines, prior to the engine's certification and was at that time only available for installation on non-certified aircraft. The IO-390 was certified on 30 March 2009 to FAR 33.[1] [2] [3] [6]

In January 2009 the base price of the IO-390-EXP version was USD$32,650.00.[7]

In November 2009 Lycoming announced that it had obtained an FAA Supplemental Type Certificate to replace the originally fitted Lycoming O-360 engines in the Mooney M20E, M20F and M20J with a new or remanufactured IO-390-A3A6 engine.[8] Also on November 12, 2009 Commander Aircraft received an STC for its model 112B using the MTV-12-B/188-59b propeller.[9]

Variants

IO-390 models

IO-390-X
  • Four-cylinder, fuel-injected, horizontally opposed, air-cooled direct drive, 3902NaN2, 2100NaN0 at 2700 rpm, dry weight 3080NaN0, The "X" designation is a generic indicator for all engines in the family.[1] [2]
    IO-390-EXP
  • Four-cylinder, fuel-injected, horizontally opposed, air-cooled direct drive, 3902NaN2, 2100NaN0 at 2700 rpm, dry weight 3080NaN0, non-certified engine for experimental aircraft assembled by Lycoming's Thunderbolt division.[10]
    IO-390-A1A6
  • The initial certified version: four-cylinder, fuel-injected, horizontally opposed, air-cooled direct drive, 3902NaN2, 2100NaN0 at 2700 rpm. This model includes provisions for a single-action controllable-pitch propeller. Certified 30 March 2009.[3] [6]
    IO-390-A1B6
  • Certified version: four-cylinder, fuel-injected, horizontally opposed, air-cooled direct drive, 3902NaN2, 2100NaN0 at 2700 rpm. Same as the A1A6, except that the propeller governor is located on left front of crankcase. Certified 21 January 2010.[6]
    IO-390-A3A6
  • Certified version: four-cylinder, fuel-injected, horizontally opposed, air-cooled direct drive, 3902NaN2, 2100NaN0 at 2700 rpm. This model includes provisions for a single-action controllable-pitch propeller. This model is similar to the A1A6 but has its propeller flange bushings reindexed. Certified 27 August 2009.[6]
    IO-390-A3B6
  • Certified version: four-cylinder, fuel-injected, horizontally opposed, air-cooled direct drive, 3902NaN2, 2100NaN0 at 2700 rpm. Same as the A3A6 except that the propeller governor is located on left front of the crankcase. Certified 5 April 2012.[6]
    IO-390-C1A6
  • Certified version: four-cylinder, fuel-injected, horizontally opposed, air-cooled direct drive, 3902NaN2, 2150NaN0 at 2700 rpm. This model is similar to the IO-390-A1A6, except with a lightweight oil sump, cold air induction housing, tuned intake pipes and an RSA-10 fuel injector. Certified 25 January 2016.[6]
    IO-390-C1B6
  • Certified version: four-cylinder, fuel-injected, horizontally opposed, air-cooled direct drive, 3902NaN2, 2150NaN0 at 2700 rpm. This model is the same as the C1A6, except that the propeller governor is located on left front of the crankcase. Certified 25 January 2016.[6]
    IO-390-C3A6
  • Certified version: four-cylinder, fuel-injected, horizontally opposed, air-cooled direct drive, 3902NaN2, 2150NaN0 at 2700 rpm. This model is the same as the C1A6, except that the propeller flange bushings are reindexed. Certified 25 January 2016.[6]
    IO-390-C3B6
  • Certified four-cylinder, fuel-injected, horizontally opposed, air-cooled direct drive, 3902NaN2, 2150NaN0 at 2,700 rpm, dry weight 296 lb (134 kg). This model is the same as the C3A6, except that the propeller governor is located on left front of the crankcase. Used on Cirrus SR20 G6.[6] [11]

    AEIO-390 models

    AEIO-390-A1A6
  • Certified version: aerobatic, four-cylinder, fuel-injected, horizontally opposed, air-cooled direct drive, 3902NaN2, 2100NaN0 at 2700 rpm. This model is the same as IO-390-A1A6, except that it is equipped with an inverted oil system kit for aerobatic flight. Certified 5 April 2012.[6]
    AEIO-390-A1B6
  • Certified version: aerobatic, four-cylinder, fuel-injected, horizontally opposed, air-cooled direct drive, 3902NaN2, 2100NaN0 at 2700 rpm. This model is the same as IO-390-A1B6, except that it is equipped with an inverted oil system kit for aerobatic flight. Certified 5 April 2012.[6]
    AEIO-390-A3A6
  • Certified version: aerobatic, four-cylinder, fuel-injected, horizontally opposed, air-cooled direct drive, 3902NaN2, 2100NaN0 at 2700 rpm. This model is the same as IO-390-A3A6, except that it is equipped with an inverted oil system kit for aerobatic flight. Certified 5 April 2012.[6]
    AEIO-390-A3B6
  • Certified version: aerobatic, four-cylinder, fuel-injected, horizontally opposed, air-cooled direct drive, 3902NaN2, 2100NaN0 at 2700 rpm. This model is the same as IO-390-A3B6, except that it is equipped with an inverted oil system kit for aerobatic flight. Certified 5 April 2012.[6]

    Applications

    Amateur-built aircraft
    Certified aircraft
    Military Aircraft

    See also

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: Lycoming IO-390-X. 2009-01-07. Lycoming Engines. n.d. . https://web.archive.org/web/20120321032313/http://www.lycoming.textron.com/engines/series/390-series-engines.html . 21 March 2012.
    2. Web site: Specialty datasheet. 2008-12-20. Lycoming Engines. 2004 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120526140101/http://www.lycoming.textron.com/engines/series/pdfs/Specialty%20insert.pdf . 26 May 2012.
    3. Web site: Lycoming's Certified IO-390 Series Engine. 2009-01-07. Lycoming Engines. 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120213105005/http://www.lycoming.textron.com/news-and-events/featured-stories/archive/io-390-series-engine.html . 13 February 2012.
    4. Web site: IO-390-A Series Engine Illustrated Parts Catalog. pdf. Lycoming. 25. Part number 16A26081, Cylinder and Head Assembly, Nitrided. 2022-07-21.
    5. Web site: IO-580-B1A Parts Catalog. pdf. 3-3. Lycoming. 2022-07-21. Part Number 16A22887, Cylinder Assembly.
    6. Web site: TYPE CERTIFICATE DATA SHEET NO. E00006NY Revision No. 6. 29 January 2017. Federal Aviation Administration. 25 January 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170202064224/http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/6268f8dc27fbfc98862580b40060457a/$FILE/ATTPV8EP.pdf/E00006NY_REV6.pdf. 2 February 2017.
    7. Web site: Thunderbolt Engine Configurator. 2009-01-06. Lycoming Engines. January 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110714005855/http://www.lycoming.com/thunderbolt_configurator/ . 14 July 2011.
    8. Web site: Lycoming Gets IO-390 STC For Legacy Mooneys . 2009-11-15. Grady. Mary. November 2009.
    9. Web site: Supplemental Type Certificate, STC Number: SA00291BO. 30 March 2014. Federal Aviation Administration. 12 November 2009.
    10. Web site: How to Buy: For Experimental Pilots - Lycoming . 22 March 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120322015029/http://www.lycoming.textron.com/how-to-buy/for-experimental-pilots.html . 2012-03-22 .
    11. Web site: Cirrus Aircraft SR20. Aircraft. Cirrus. cirrusaircraft.com. en-US. 2017-01-30.
    12. Web site: Van's on Top. 29 July 2022. Dye. Paul. KitPlanes. 25 July 2022. https://archive.today/20220726134921/https://www.kitplanes.com/vans-rv-15-on-top/. 26 July 2022. live.
    13. Web site: Cessna News Update: ASTM Compliance For SkyCatcher . 2009-07-28. Grady. Mary. July 2009.
    14. Web site: Lycoming: Bringing More Technology To An Airplane Near You . 2009-07-28. Burnside. Joseph E. (Jeb). July 2009.
    15. Web site: Cirrus G6 announcement. 2017-01-04. January 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170327232514/http://cirrusaircraft.com/G6/. 27 March 2017. dead.
    16. Web site: Cirrus Updates SR22 And SR20. 6 January 2017. Grady. Mary. AVweb. 4 January 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20201007235039/https://www.avweb.com/ownership/cirrus-updates-sr22-and-sr20/. 7 October 2020. live.
    17. Web site: AVwebFlash Complete Issue: Volume 14, Number 31e. 2008-08-01. AVweb Editorial Staff . August 2008.
    18. Web site: P2010 P Twenty-Ten - Tecnam. tecnam.com. 7 April 2019.
    19. Web site: Lancair To Provide Colombian Air Force With Training Aircraft. 31 July 2010. Aero-News Network. February 2009.

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