Penn Yan Aero

What Penn Yan Aero does

Penn Yan Aero is a privately held, family-owned aircraft engine overhaul facility founded in 1945 in Penn Yan, New York, by Harold Middlebrook and continuously managed by the Middlebrook family for 80+ years. The company operates as an FAA Part 145 Approved Repair Station (Y2GR396Y) and holds authorized distributorship status with both Lycoming and Continental, providing new, rebuilt, and overhauled certified piston aircraft engines along with a full catalog of OEM and aftermarket parts. Penn Yan Aero claims the title of the world's oldest independent aircraft engine overhaul facility, having rebuilt thousands of engines for customers worldwide.

The company's core product set comprises Lycoming and Continental engine overhaul services, FAA-approved STC conversion programs (SuperHawk for Cessna 172 horsepower upgrade from 150/160 HP to 180 HP, RAM 160 for Piper Cherokee and Cessna 172, and DELTAHAWK for Cessna 172N), engine core exchange processing, and precision dynamic engine balancing using in-house proprietary techniques. All overhauled engines carry a 3-year warranty (or until OEM TBO expiration) that is transferable to subsequent owners. The company does not perform airframe removals or installations — its scope is strictly engine work.

Penn Yan Aero generates revenue through transaction-based pricing on custom-quoted engine overhauls, STC conversions, engine sales, parts sales, and engine core processing. Distribution is direct via phone and website, with free round-trip shipping within the contiguous United States and assisted international logistics. The customer base spans individual general aviation owners, flight schools and training fleets, and aerobatic pilots across the US and internationally. The company employs 1–10 people, including a President (Bill Middlebrook), VP Operations, CFO, Production Manager, Chief Inspector, and dedicated sales engineers and parts managers.

Name

Penn Yan Aero

Legal name

Penn Yan Aero

Website

https://pennyanaero.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1945

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Penn Yan Aero is the world's oldest independent aircraft engine overhaul facility, providing FAA Part 145 certified overhauls for Lycoming and Continental piston engines, FAA-approved STC horsepower conversions, and authorized engine and parts distribution to general aviation owners, flight schools, and aerobatic pilots worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aircraft Engine Overhaul Services

NAICS

Aircraft Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing (336412), Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413)

SIC

Aircraft Engines & Engine Parts (3724), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)

akta.pro primary industry

Engine MRO (Shop Visits, Overhaul & Module Repair) (IMABALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Parts Distribution & Spares Management (Aftermarket) (IMABALAK), Engine Control, Fuel & Ignition Systems (FADEC/Accessories) (IMABADAK)

Keywords

• Piston engine overhauls
• Lycoming Continental distributors
• FAA Part 145 repair
• Aircraft STC conversions
• Engine core processing

Headquarters

HQ city

Penn Yan

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Engine Overhaul Services: Complete overhaul of Lycoming and Continental certified piston aircraft engines using FAA-approved processes with proprietary techniques. Includes 3-year warranty or until OEM TBO expiration.
2. SuperHawk STC Conversions: FAA-approved STC conversions upgrading Cessna 172 aircraft from 150/160 HP to 180 HP. Includes engine conversion, new Sensenich propeller, STC paperwork, and all hardware. Three options available: conversion, new factory engine, or kit only.
3. Lycoming and Continental Engine Distribution: Authorized distributor providing new, rebuilt, and overhauled engines along with full catalog of parts for Lycoming and Continental manufacturers.
4. Parts and Accessories Sales: Sales of OEM Lycoming and Continental parts, aftermarket parts and accessories, and cylinder assemblies.
5. Engine Core Processing: Core exchange program where customers receive deposit refund upon return of engine core meeting specifications. Process includes inspection of crankshaft and crankcase, machining services, and quality verification.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Penn Yan Aero is the world's oldest independent aircraft engine overhaul facility, providing FAA-certified overhaul of Lycoming and Continental piston aircraft engines using proprietary techniques and dynamic engine balancing, backed by a 3-year (or until OEM TBO) transferable warranty. The company is also an authorized Lycoming and Continental distributor selling new, rebuilt, and overhauled engines, OEM and aftermarket parts, and FAA-approved Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) horsepower conversions such as the SuperHawk, RAM 160, and DELTAHAWK for Cessna 172 and Piper Cherokee airframes.

Product overview

Penn Yan Aero is the world's oldest independent aircraft engine overhaul facility (established 1945), specializing in Lycoming and Continental certified piston aircraft engines. The company operates as a single unified service offering centered on engine overhauls, augmented by supplemental type certificates (STCs) for horsepower upgrades including SuperHawk, RAM 160, and DELTAHAWK conversions. Additional offerings include engine core processing, FAA Part 145 repair station services, and authorized Lycoming and Continental engine and parts distribution. All overhauled engines are backed by a 3-year warranty and free round-trip shipping within the contiguous United States.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SuperHawk: SuperHawk STC conversion for Cessna 172 models, upgrading 150/160 HP engines to 180 HP. A registered trademark of Penn Yan Aero.

Products and services

• Lycoming Engine Overhauls FAA-certified overhaul services for Lycoming aircraft engines, using proprietary techniques and dynamic engine balancing to produce smoother-running, longer-lasting engines backed by a 3-year/until-OEM-TBO warranty. Targeted at general aviation aircraft owners, flight schools, and fleet operators.
• Continental Engine Overhauls FAA-certified overhaul services for Continental aircraft engines, backed by FAA-approved proprietary techniques, in-house cylinder and crankcase repairs, and the same 3-year/until-OEM-TBO warranty offered across the overhaul line.
• SuperHawk STC Conversion FAA-approved Supplemental Type Certificate converting Cessna 172 I/K/L/M/N/P land or sea planes from 150/160 HP to 180 HP, replacing O-320 engines with Lycoming O-360-A4M engines and including a new Sensenich propeller, STC paperwork, and installation hardware. Available in three options: conversion package, new factory engine, or kit only.
• RAM 160 STC Conversion FAA-approved STC for a horsepower upgrade to 160 HP applicable to Piper Cherokee models PA-28-140 and PA-28-151, or to Cessna 172 models I, J, K, L, and M; positioned as the least expensive horsepower-increase option.
• DELTAHAWK STC Conversion FAA-approved STC for Cessna 172 Model N allowing installation of O-320-D2J or O-320-D2G engines in place of O-320-H2AD, increasing gross weight capacity by 100 pounds and adding dual magnetos for enhanced safety.
• Lycoming & Continental Engine Sales (Authorized Distributor) Authorized distribution of new, rebuilt, and overhauled Lycoming and Continental engines for general aviation customers, leveraging Penn Yan Aero's distributor standing with both OEMs.
• OEM and Aftermarket Parts & Accessories Sales Sales of OEM Lycoming and Continental parts, aftermarket parts, accessories, and cylinder assemblies to general aviation owners, flight schools, and maintenance shops.
• Engine Core Processing (Core Exchange Program) Core exchange program in which customers receive a deposit refund when returning an engine core that meets specifications, with Penn Yan Aero performing visual inspection, disassembly, crankshaft and crankcase inspection, machining services, and quality verification.
• Shipping and Logistics Services Round-trip shipping logistics arranged by Penn Yan Aero for overhauled engines at no charge within the contiguous United States, with paid international shipping assistance covering customs, storage, broker fees, duties, surety bonds, terminal charges, and customs inspections.

Quantifiable outcome

• Increased aircraft value with Penn Yan Aero overhauled engine installed
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• LycomingcoreTechnology or IntegrationPenn Yan Aero is an Authorized Lycoming Distributor providing new, rebuilt, and overhauled Lycoming engines along with full catalog of parts and unmatched service and support. Phone: 1-800-727-7230 or 1-315-536-2333.
• ContinentalcoreTechnology or IntegrationPenn Yan Aero is an Authorized Continental Distributor providing new, rebuilt, and overhauled Continental engines along with full catalog of parts and service support.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• Sensenich Propeller: Sensenich is the propeller supplier bundled with Penn Yan Aero's SuperHawk STC conversion. Functions as an ecosystem partner rather than a competitor in the engine overhaul market.
• Hartzell Propeller: Hartzell is a complementary supplier of aircraft propellers. While Penn Yan Aero bundles Sensenich propellers with SuperHawk conversions, Hartzell represents an adjacent ecosystem participant in piston engine upgrade paths.

Direct peers

• RAM Aircraft: RAM Aircraft is a direct peer providing engine overhauls, parts distribution, and STC horsepower upgrades (including its own RAM 160 STC referenced by Penn Yan Aero). Both companies target the same Cessna/Piper general aviation piston market with comparable product offerings.
• Air Repair Inc. Air Repair is a direct peer operating as an FAA-certified piston engine overhaul facility focused on Lycoming and Continental engines. Offers comparable engine overhaul services to the same general aviation customer base.
• Engine Components, Inc. (ECI Aircraft): ECI is a direct peer that manufactures and overhauls cylinders, crankshafts, and related engine components for Lycoming and Continental engines. Serves overlapping piston GA customers with complementary component-level services.
• Pacific Continental Engines: Pacific Continental Engines is a direct peer specializing in Continental and Lycoming piston engine overhauls and cylinder services. Competes for the same owner-operator and flight school customers in the general aviation market.
• Leading Edge Airfoils: Leading Edge Airfoils is a direct peer providing Lycoming/Continental cylinder overhaul, repair, and new cylinder assemblies. Serves the same piston engine overhaul ecosystem, including competitors and MROs like Penn Yan Aero.

Broad incumbents

• Precision Aviation Group (PAG): PAG is a broader MRO incumbent providing engine, avionics, and accessories services across business and general aviation. Overlaps with Penn Yan Aero in engine overhaul but serves a wider portfolio of aviation services.
• Continental Aerospace Technologies: Continental is the other broad incumbent OEM and partner of Penn Yan Aero. As a duopoly partner in certified piston engines, Continental's product roadmap and authorized distributor program directly affect Penn Yan Aero's revenue.
• Lycoming Engines: Lycoming is the broad incumbent OEM and a core partner of Penn Yan Aero (authorized distributor). As the dominant certified piston engine manufacturer, Lycoming shapes the aftermarket economics Penn Yan Aero depends on.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/penn-yan-aero

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Penn Yan Aero