Penn Yan Aero’s 180 horsepower SuperHawk® STC will make your 150 or 160 horsepower 172 a better, safer, more valuable airplane.

With full fuel and two adults, the standard 150 or 160 horsepower 172 doesn’t carry much – maybe a couple of light overnight bags and maybe a flashlight. But, that’s it. The limited performance can be a safety concern.

The SuperHawk STC was designed and developed by master mechanic and legendary engine man Daryl Middlebrook. It allows Penn Yan Aero to overhaul and convert your 1968 - 1976 Cessna Skyhawk models I, K, L, or M with a 0-320-E2D engine, or 1977 - 1980 Cessna Skyhawk model N with a 0-320-H2AD engine or 1981 - 1986 Cessna Skyhawk model P with a 0-320-D2J engine to a certified 180 horsepower O-360-A4M engine.

Test results from the Penn Yan Aero’s Cessna 172 plane showed an increased cruise speed to 151 mph; a decreased takeoff distance to 400 feet (700 feet with a gross weight of 2,400 lbs.); an increased rate of climb to 1,020 feet with gross weight at 2,400 lbs.; a ceiling of 19,500 feet; and a gross weight capacity increase up to 2,550 lbs.

With the 180 horsepower SuperHawk installed in your 172, you’ll have shorter take-offs, faster climb rates, higher ceiling and cruise speeds, and greater load carrying capability. Your 172 will be safer and more fun to fly. You’ll fall back in love with your 172 and won’t have to sell it to get a 182 with an expensive to operate Continental engine.

Here’s how it works: Once you’ve decided to purchase the SuperHawk, we’ll set a convenient date with you and reserve time in our production schedule. We’ll arrange to have a truck come pick up your engine. Round-trip shipping in the contiguous United States is included in the price (check our Shipping Policy under INFO in the nav bar for all other locations). And the quoted price is the price as long as you have an acceptable core engine.

When your core engine arrives at Penn Yan Aero, we’ll make sure that your crankshaft and crankcase is in good shape and useable (repairable). Assuming that it is, we’ll begin the overhaul and conversion process. If it isn’t, we’ll get right back to you with options.

The Penn Yan Aero overhaul process has been developed over 72 years of experience overhauling thousands of Lycoming and thousands of Continental engines installed in all kinds of airframes flying in all kinds of environments around the world. The FAA Approved proprietary process incorporates dozens of unique techniques that result in a smoother-running, longer-lasting engine that helps make flying safer and lowers operational costs. The Penn Yan Aero overhaul process is second to none.

The overhaul and conversion to a 180 horsepower O-360-A4M includes the following:

  • Dynamically balanced crankshaft and ring gear support
  • Matched set of four new Lycoming pistons, rings, wrist pins, and connecting rods
  • Cylinder Options
  • New camshaft and lifters
  • New bearings - crankshaft and connecting rod bearings
  • New seals, gaskets, engine mount rubbers
  • New oil cooler fittings, scat hose kit, alternator belt, vacuum hose & baffle seal material
  • New fuel and oil hoses, seals, bushings, and gaskets
  • New Slick ignition harness and eight new Champion spark plugs
  • New SkyTec Lite Weight starter
  • Two New Slick Magnetos
  • New or rebuilt oil pump
  • New air filter and Champion oil filter
  • Certified carburetor, set-up and fully tested
  • New air box adapter assembly
  • New High Flow K&N Air Filter
  • New miscellaneous nuts, bolts, washers, bushings, and springs, as required
  • Provision for recalibrated airspeed indicator and cowl door modification as needed
  • Installation manual, parts, and STC with all FAA Approved paperwork

The STC includes a new 76” Sensenich land propeller. The installation will add about 25 hours to normal engine removal and installation time.

The SuperHawk is backed by the industry’s best warranty: 100% parts and labor for three years or to Lycoming’s TBO, whichever occurs first. The warranty is supported worldwide and transferable from one owner to the next.

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