I’ve been following your discussions about delivery issues in the engine market and can weigh in. I placed an order for a Lycoming IO-540 Thunderbolt engine for my Van’s RV-10 project in February 2022, understanding I would have to take delivery by the end of 2022 to avoid a price increase. It was ordered through a Lycoming preferred dealer (a Lycoming salesperson even placed the order) because I wanted it with the new E-MAG ignition system—an option not offered through Van’s at the time.
To date I still don’t have the Thunderbolt engine. I have been told multiple times over the last two years that Lycoming is resetting the build schedule, there are supply chain issues and delivery is a few months out. In December of 2023 (nearly two years after I ordered the engine and a year and a half after I was told I could take delivery), I got a call from the dealer that Lycoming had a slot for several Thunderbolts that were on order with them. Finally, the engine will be in production and I should have it early in 2024. This was approaching my limit on working around not having an engine, but I would make it work. January and February go by and I heard nothing. I emailed Lycoming again and was given the same explanation as two years prior that the company is resetting the build schedule and has supply chain issues.