The town ofWilliamsport, Pennsylvania, may not be instantly recognizable to most. Some readers of FLYING Magazine may only fully understand its significance once I mention that it is the county seat of Lycoming County. Then it suddenly clicks. Yes, that Lycoming. Situated deep in the Pennsylvania Wilds Region, Williamsport is well known among the general public for hosting the Little League World Series each year. There is even a museum dedicated to Little League Baseball. Although the Lycoming factory may not make headlines, the company has quietly established itself as one of the cornerstones of general aviation. In an industry that has seen its fair share of entities rise and fall, the fact that Lycoming Engines not only still exists-but remains an industry leader-provides a testament to its brand. Founded in 1845 as the Demorest Manufacturing Company, Lycoming has called Williamsport home from the beginning. Charles Lindbergh's transatlantic flight ignited the company's aviation spark, and in 1929, Lycoming began producing aircraft engines. Since then, the company has delivered many variations of aircraft engines, but none are as iconic as the 0-320. The FAA issued the first 0-320 type certificate on July 28,1953, and production began later that year. According to Type Certificate Data Sheet No. E-274, the O-320 characteristics represent a basic model-four-cylinder, horizontally-opposed, air cooled, direct drive with automotive type generator, and a starter providing for a single acting controllable pitch propeller. Lycoming later rebranded the original 0-320 as the O-320-A1A.
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