Adept Propulsion Technologies

Adept Propulsion Technologies develops liquid-cooled piston engines for general aviation. It was set up in 2020 as a Texas corporation. The company says its team brings more than 20 years of engine research and development.

Adept builds its engines around a 120 degree V6 layout. The company says this design is compact and light, with good balance and even cooling. Each engine has a closed liquid cooling system, sequential fuel injection and dry sump oil. A Bosch engine control unit and electronic ignition replace magnetos. The engines send data to cockpit displays over RS-232 or CAN.

The current line has four models. The 250N and 280N are normally aspirated engines with 250 and 280 horsepower. The 320T and 360T are turbocharged, with 320 and 360 horsepower. A 425T with 425 horsepower is in development. The company also states a maximum of 600 horsepower for future work. Engine weights run from about 320 pounds to 355 pounds dry for the current models.

Adept says its engines can run on 91UL, 93UL, 100LL and E15 fuels. It points to this as useful while leaded aviation fuel is being phased out. The company states target times between overhaul of 2,500 to 3,000 hours. It compares this with 1,600 to 2,200 hours for legacy engines. It also states lower weight, better fuel use and lower cockpit noise than legacy air-cooled engines.

The company sells in four channels. Experimental aircraft is first, since no FAA certification is needed. Adept names Lancair, Velocity, Comp Air, Helio Courier and Vans RV builders as early interest. The second channel is the Department of Defense, mainly for drones. The third is OEM work with makers of certified aircraft. The fourth is retrofit for older aircraft, through STC partners.

Customers can ask for a quote on each engine through the site.

Services

• Liquid-cooled aviation engines
• Normally aspirated V6 engines
• Turbocharged V6 engines
• Engine installation support
• Quotes for experimental builders
• Drone engine development