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GENER AL AVIATION 10 MAY 2017 AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY methods now, you're going to have a bet- ter crank than the one that came new with your engine 20 years ago," Campbell notes. Using rotables decreases build time, sometimes by weeks, since some items are processed only in batches. Part of the big parent-company upgrade is a full test cell (dyno) for the Fairhope facility, to enable more efficient testing on both overhauls and new Titan engines. Today, overhauled or repaired engines get a one- to two-hour run (new Titan engines are run for three hours) on one of the two instrumented test stands, to ensure they meet all established performance param- eters. After that test, which Campbell is strong to note isn't a full break-in, they drain the oil, open and inspect the oil filter, and prepare the engine, inside and out, for shipment. All this attention and testing take a surprisingly short time. Depending some- what on the season and particularly on the extent of repair and parts replacement necessary, turnaround — from receipt to shipping — is typically about three weeks, for the 500 or so engines that get overhauled or repaired in Fairhope every year. TITAN ENGINES Titan Engines serves the Experimental market, affording certified quality and process, plus near-limitless choice of con- figuration. Thousands of models are pos- sible, varying compression, fuel systems and pumps, propeller controls, starters, injection or carburation, turbocharger(s), ignition options, inverted oil systems, oil filters and coolers, sump design, displace- ment and configuration, and many minor and cosmetic options, as well. Sales manager at Titan, James "JB" Ball said that, in the case where the customer is building an airplane and building the perfect engine for it, "It's best to lock in the order and price five to six months before you'll need your engine. Titan engines are highly customized; the parts list is generated at the time of the order." Some customers have an exact configura- tion already in mind. Some have just a general idea. "The best part of my job is educating customers on the various advantages and disadvantages of each decision — prop, fuel system, ignition, even color — to match his engine to his future mission." With a current volume of about a hundred new engines a year, Ball smiled and estimated it will take "a lifetime" to build every possible model. For more information visit continen - talmotors.aero. TITAN ENGINE on test fixture. SOME PARTS can't be salvaged. FINAL ASSEMBLY; looks, performs like new. PHOTOS BY TIM KERN