Continental IO-550
Encyclopedia
The Continental IO-550 engine is a large family of fuel injected six-cylinder, horizontally opposed, air-cooled aircraft engines that were developed for use in light aircraft
by Teledyne Continental Motors. The first IO-550 was delivered in 1983 and the type remains in production.
The IOF-550 is an Aerosance FADEC
equipped version of the same basic engine, the TSIO-550 is a dual turbocharged
version and the TSIOL-550 is a liquid-cooled variant.
There is no O-550 engine, which would be a carburetor-equipped variant, hence the base model is the IO-550.
This engine family competes with the Lycoming IO-580 series which are also six-cylinder engines with similar power output and weight.
series, with the stroke increased from 4.00 to 4.25 inches, increasing the displacement to 552 in³ (9.05 l). The engine family covers a power range from 280 hp to 360 hp.
The engines were first developed in the early 1980s and first certified on a regulatory basis of FAR 33
, 1 February 1965 amendment, 33-8, 2 May 1977. The first IO-550 model was certified on 13 October 1983.
IO-550-B
IO-550-C
IO-550-D
IO-550-E
IO-550-F
IO-550-G
IO-550-L
IO-550-N
IO-550-P
IO-550-R
IOF-550-C
IOF-550-D
IOF-550-E
IOF-550-F
IOF-550-L
IOF-550-N
IOF-550-P
IOF-550-R
TSIO-550-B
TSIO-550-C
TSIO-550-E
TSIO-550-G
TSIO-550-K
TSIOF-550-J
TSIOF-550-K
TSIOL-550-B
TSIOL-550-C
IO-550
TSIO-550
TSIOF-550
TSIOL-550
GIO-550
Light aircraft
A light aircraft is an aircraft that has a maximum gross take-off weight of or less.Many aircraft used commercially for freight, sightseeing, photography and scheduled flights are light aircraft.Examples of light aircraft include:...
by Teledyne Continental Motors. The first IO-550 was delivered in 1983 and the type remains in production.
The IOF-550 is an Aerosance FADEC
FADEC
Full Authority Digital Engine Control is a system consisting of a digital computer, called an electronic engine controller or engine control unit , and its related accessories that control all aspects of aircraft engine performance...
equipped version of the same basic engine, the TSIO-550 is a dual turbocharged
Turbocharger
A turbocharger, or turbo , from the Greek "τύρβη" is a centrifugal compressor powered by a turbine that is driven by an engine's exhaust gases. Its benefit lies with the compressor increasing the mass of air entering the engine , thereby resulting in greater performance...
version and the TSIOL-550 is a liquid-cooled variant.
There is no O-550 engine, which would be a carburetor-equipped variant, hence the base model is the IO-550.
This engine family competes with the Lycoming IO-580 series which are also six-cylinder engines with similar power output and weight.
Design and development
The IO-550 family of engines was developed from the IO-520Continental O-520
-External links:...
series, with the stroke increased from 4.00 to 4.25 inches, increasing the displacement to 552 in³ (9.05 l). The engine family covers a power range from 280 hp to 360 hp.
The engines were first developed in the early 1980s and first certified on a regulatory basis of FAR 33
Federal Aviation Regulations
The Federal Aviation Regulations, or FARs, are rules prescribed by the Federal Aviation Administration governing all aviation activities in the United States. The FARs are part of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations...
, 1 February 1965 amendment, 33-8, 2 May 1977. The first IO-550 model was certified on 13 October 1983.
Variants
IO-550-A- 300 hp at 2700 rpm, dry weight 430.72 lb (195.37 kg). Certified 13 October 1983.
IO-550-B
- 300 hp at 2700 rpm, dry weight 421.61 lb (191.24 kg). Certified 13 October 1983.
IO-550-C
- 300 hp at 2700 rpm, dry weight 433.2 lb (196.5 kg). Certified 13 October 1983.
IO-550-D
- 300 hp at 2700 rpm, dry weight 437.1 lb (198.3 kg). Certified 23 June 1988.
IO-550-E
- 300 hp at 2700 rpm, dry weight 450.5 lb (204.34 kg). Certified 20 December 1989.
IO-550-F
- 300 hp at 2700 rpm, dry weight 437.1 lb (198.3 kg). Similar to the IO-550-A,B & C, with a top-mounted induction system and 8-quart oil sump. Certified 23 June 1988.
IO-550-G
- 280 hp at 2500 rpm, dry weight 428.97 lb (194.58 kg). Certified 17 March 1989.
IO-550-L
- 300 hp at 2700 rpm, dry weight 438.5 lb (198.9 kg). Certified 23 June 1988.
IO-550-N
- 310 hp at 2700 rpm, dry weight 429.97 lb (195.03 kg). Similar to the IO-550-G with increased power rating. Certified 16 August 1996.
IO-550-P
- 310 hp at 2700 rpm, dry weight 429 lb (195 kg). Similar to the IO-550-N with oil sump from the IO-550-L. Certified 1 March 2000.
IO-550-R
- 310 hp at 2700 rpm, dry weight 439.5 lb (199.4 kg). Similar to the IO-550-N but with the oil sump, oil suction tube and mount legs from the IO-550-B. Certified 1 March 2000.
FADEC models
IOF-550-B- 300 hp at 2700 rpm, dry weight 447.1 lb (202.8 kg). Similar to the IO-550-B with an Aerosance FADEC fuel and ignition control system. Certified 4 February 2002.
IOF-550-C
- 300 hp at 2700 rpm, dry weight 453.2 lb (205.6 kg). Similar to the IO-550-C with an Aerosance FADEC fuel and ignition control system. Certified 4 February 2002.
IOF-550-D
- 300 hp at 2700 rpm, dry weight 455 lb (206.4 kg). Similar to the IO-550-D with an Aerosance FADEC fuel and ignition control system. Certified 4 February 2002.
IOF-550-E
- 300 hp at 2700 rpm, dry weight 462.8 lb (209.9 kg). Similar to the IO-550-E with an Aerosance FADEC fuel and ignition control system. Certified 4 February 2002.
IOF-550-F
- 300 hp at 2700 rpm, dry weight 460.1 lb (208.7 kg). Similar to the IO-550-F with an Aerosance FADEC fuel and ignition control system. Certified 4 February 2002.
IOF-550-L
- 300 hp at 2700 rpm, dry weight 455 lb (206.4 kg). Similar to the IO-550-L with an Aerosance FADEC fuel and ignition control system. Certified 4 February 2002.
IOF-550-N
- 310 hp at 2700 rpm, dry weight 460 lb (208.7 kg). Similar to the IO-550-N with an Aerosance FADEC fuel and ignition control system. Certified 4 February 2002.
IOF-550-P
- 310 hp at 2700 rpm, dry weight 460 lb (208.7 kg). Similar to the IO-550-P with an Aerosance FADEC fuel and ignition control system. Certified 4 February 2002.
IOF-550-R
- 310 hp at 2700 rpm, dry weight 470.5 lb (213.4 kg). Similar to the IO-550-R with an Aerosance FADEC fuel and ignition control system. Certified 4 February 2002.
Turbocharged models
TSIO-550-A- 360 hp at 2600 rpm, dry weight 442 lb (200 kg) plus two turbochargers of 28.2 lb (12.8 kg) each.
TSIO-550-B
- 350 hp at 2700 rpm, dry weight 442 lb (200 kg) plus two turbochargers of 28.2 lb (12.8 kg) each. Similar to the TSIO-550-A except with a 12 quart sump, sonic venturii removed and the two stage fuel pump replaced by a single stage fuel pump.
TSIO-550-C
- 310 hp at 2600 rpm, dry weight 442 lb (200 kg) plus two turbochargers of 28.2 lb (12.8 kg) each.
TSIO-550-E
- 350 hp at 2700 rpm, dry weight 442 lb (200 kg) plus two turbochargers of 28.2 lb (12.8 kg) each. Similar to TSIO-550-C with the oil sump and maximum continuous power rating of the TSIO-550-B.
TSIO-550-G
- 310 hp at 2700 rpm, dry weight 554 lb (251 kg) plus two turbochargers of 28.2 lb (12.8 kg) each. Similar to the TSIO-550-E with smaller surface area intercoolers, different oil sump capacity and power rating.
TSIO-550-K
- 315 hp at 2500 rpm, dry weight 522 lb (237 kg) plus two turbochargers of 28.2 lb (12.8 kg) each. Similar to the TSIO-550-E with new oil sump and capacity, decreased maximum continuous power, increased turbo boost pressure, decreased engine speed rating and tapered cylinder barrel fins.
Turbocharged & FADEC models
TSIOF-550-D- 350 hp at 2600 rpm, dry weight 558 lb (253 kg) plus two turbochargers of 35.2 lb (16 kg) each. Similar to the TSIOF-550-J except the exhaust system and low voltage harness.
TSIOF-550-J
- 350 hp at 2600 rpm, dry weight 558 lb (253 kg) plus two turbochargers of 35.2 lb (16 kg) each. Similar to the TSIO-550-E except for FADECFADECFull Authority Digital Engine Control is a system consisting of a digital computer, called an electronic engine controller or engine control unit , and its related accessories that control all aspects of aircraft engine performance...
fuel injection and ignition control, turbochargers, tapered cylinder barrel fins, oil sump and capacity, maximum continuous speed and manifold pressure rating.
TSIOF-550-K
- 315 hp at 2500 rpm, dry weight 537.3 lb (243.7 kg) plus two turbochargers of 28.2 lb (12.8 kg) each. Similar to the TSIO-550-K but with FADEC fuel injection and ignition control.
Liquid-cooled models
TSIOL-550-A- 350 hp at 2700 rpm, dry weight 402 lb (182 kg). Similar to the TSIO-520-NBContinental O-520-External links:...
but with a new cylinder design that uses liquid cooling. The coolant manifold is on top of the cylinder head, with a coolant pump fitted to the starter adapter, driven by the starter adapter shaft and the oil cooler is mounted on the airframe, not the engine. The engine has an AiResearch TA81 turbocharger.
TSIOL-550-B
- 325 hp at 2700 rpm, dry weight 557 lb (253 kg). Similar to the TSIO-520-UBContinental O-520-External links:...
but with a new cylinder design that uses liquid cooling. The coolant manifold is on top of the cylinder head, with a coolant pump fitted to the starter adapter, driven by the propeller shaft using sheaves, the oil cooler is mounted on the airframe, not the engine. A coolant tank and coolant lines are added to the installation. The engine has an AiResearch TS06 turbocharger.
TSIOL-550-C
- 350 hp at 2600 rpm, dry weight 546 lb (248 kg). Similar to the TSIOL-550-A but with the exhaust system and turbocharger bracket from the TSIOL-550-B. The engine is modified to accept the AiResearch TA81 turbocharger. Neither oil nor coolant radiators are provided with the engine.
Geared models
GIO-550-A- A special non-certified geared engine developed for the RU-38 Twin CondorRU-38 Twin CondorThe Schweizer RU-38 Twin Condor is a two or three-seat, fixed gear, low wing, twin boom covert reconnaissance aircraft.RU-38 is the US military designation for the aircraft, indicating Utility, Reconnaissance...
covert reconnaissance aircraft, incorporating 3:2 gear reduction to 2267 rpm.
Applications
- Beechcraft BaronBeechcraft Baron|-See also:- Further reading :*Harding, Stephen. U.S. Army Aircraft Since 1947. Shrewsbury, UK:Airlife Publishing, 1990. ISBN 1-85310-102-8.*Michell, Simon. Jane's Civil and Military Aircraft Upgrades 1994-95. Coulsdon, UK:Jane's Information Group, 1994. ISBN 0-7106-1208-7.*Taylor, John W. R....
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TSIO-550
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- Mooney M20TNMooney M20The Mooney M20 is a family of piston-powered, propeller-driven general aviation aircraft, all featuring a low-wing and tricycle gear, manufactured by the Mooney Airplane Company.The "M20" was the twentieth design from Al Mooney, and his most successful...
- Velocity TXL-RGVelocity XLThe Velocity XL is the eXtra Large version of the canard pusher aircraft from Velocity, Inc..-Standard propeller-driven XL:The standard Velocity XL is available in 4 seat or 5 seat configurations. Powered by either a Lycoming , IO-540 engine or a Teledyne Continental IO-550, the XL offers a...
- Cirrus SR22T
TSIOF-550
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TSIOL-550
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GIO-550
- RU-38 Twin CondorRU-38 Twin CondorThe Schweizer RU-38 Twin Condor is a two or three-seat, fixed gear, low wing, twin boom covert reconnaissance aircraft.RU-38 is the US military designation for the aircraft, indicating Utility, Reconnaissance...