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There are approximately 250,000 aircraft registered in the United States. Today, the majority are powered by one of two types of powerplants; either a reciprocating engine or a turbine engine. Each has its own distinct advantages and disadvantages. There is, however, a distinct gap between the two types of engines that has had a negative impact on aircraft development. Currently, there are no reciprocating engines in production that produce more than 400 horsepower. Consequently, an aircraft design requiring more than 400 horsepower must use a turbine engine, which at 3-4 times the price of a reciprocating engine, can make the project economically prohibitive. To supply this higher horsepower without the additional cost, Hawker Siddeley Canada, Orenda Division is developing a 500-750 horsepower V-8 reciprocating engine designed for aviation. That engine is presently being certified by Transport Canada and the FAA and will be offered as a retrofit as well as for new aircraft.