ACE 2026 - September 8th
The bimonthly news publication for aviation professionals.
Lycoming Engines has released Service Instruction 1009BF, expanding Time Between Overhaul (TBO) intervals to 2,600 hours for a broad range of Lycoming factory-new and factory-rebuilt engines.
The new 2,600 hour TBO applies to multiple engine families, including the O-320, IO-320, O-360, IO-360, IO-390, O-540 and IO-540 series, when operated and maintained in accordance with all applicable Lycoming technical publications and FAA airworthiness requirements.
Benefits of the extended 2,600 hour TBO include:
– Lower operating costs: the 2,600 hour interval reduces overhaul frequency, delivering significant cost savings over the engine’s service life.
– Greater aircraft availability: the added 600 hours of operating margin supports increased fleet utilisation for training, private and commercial operators. Offering an additional 400 hours to previous base TBO on fixed wing aircraft and an additional 300 hours to previous base TBO on rotorcraft.
– Proven performance: extended intervals are backed by endurance testing and fleet data confirming strong durability under compliant operating conditions.
“Lycoming's updated TBO schedule represents our ongoing focus on delivering maximum value, reliability and performance to aircraft owners, operators and maintainers,” says SVP Jim Wright. “This enhancement reflects decades of engineering experience combined with the latest fleet data.”
Service Instruction 1009BF includes updated cautions, parts guidance and clear instructions for engines affected by AD 2012-19-01. The FAA has approved the instruction as an AMOC for specific provisions of the AD, providing a transparent path for operators choosing to adopt the extended intervals.