The entire cylinder market has been racked by ADs, bulletins and recalls. Lycoming’s factory jugs have been standout performers.

By Joseph E. Burnside

One perennial rite of passage for aircraft owners is what to do about cylinders at overhaul. Whether we’re talking about top-end work on a mid-time engine, or one well past its published TBO, which cylinders to install can be a major decision.

And it’s not getting any easier. In fact, there’s an element of crisis in the cylinder business. Superior Air Parts was once a major supplier, but is gone from the scene. Continental and ECI have both suffered significant quality issues affecting thousands of cylinders. A recent AD impacts owners of existing Superior cylinders, rendering what was once the cream of the cylinder crop as one-run wonders. …