Ignition Systems

Champion Aerospace is the world’s leading manufacturer of aircraft ignition systems for turbine engine powered aircraft. With more than 300 different igniter designs, 150 lead designs and more than 50 exciter designs, Champion’s ignition system products are specified as original equipment on products from Allison, CFM International, General Electric, Honeywell, Pratt & Whitney, Pratt & Whitney Canada, Rolls-Royce, Solar, Sundstrand, Teledyne, Turbomeca, Volvo, Westinghouse, and Williams International. Champion Aerospace also produces ignition systems for U.S. and European industries, including land and marine power plants; oil, gas, and coal furnaces; oil rig operations; and pumping stations.

Virtually all components found in Champion Aerospace-brand products are manufactured at its Liberty South Carolina facility by highly trained and dedicated employees. Advanced computerized systems enable its employees to exercise meticulous control over each manufacturing phase throughout the entire operation, including the in-house production of ceramic insulators and the assembly of exciters, igniters and leads. This vertical integration means Champion Aerospace maintains absolute control and is never dependent upon products manufactured to quality standards less demanding than its own. ISO 9001-quality is engineered in every product—at every stage of development.

Through their unmatched efforts, numerous patents have been secured for products and systems that make aviation safer and more efficient. Champion Aerospace’s in-house innovations and technological advancements have helped prolong component life and reduce maintenance time, cost, and effort.  All prototypes are developed in-house. Computer manufacturing and fabrication processes are designed to meet exacting tolerances, and those specifications are met on every single product.

There are three components of a turbine engine ignition system: the exciter; the ignition lead; and the igniter. The exciter takes input current from the aircraft electrical system, steps up the voltage and delivers a high voltage output signal through the ignition lead to the igniter. The igniter sparks once its gap is ionized and the field between the center electrode and igniter shell breaks down.  Champion’s ignition systems are optimized to reduce to total cost of ownership for the end user.  Many of its exciters incorporate solid state switching technology to extend the on engine life of the exciter and to provide the ideal electrical waveform to assure reliable engine starting.  Champion’s ignition leads are matched to its exciters and igniters to minimize line losses within the system. They offer higher delivered energy than similarly constructed competitive brands, with less flashover and greater electrical shielding. The igniter designs benefit from over 100 years of spark plug and igniter design and manufacturing experience.  The result is the longest lasting, most reliable igniter designs in the turbine engine industry.

With breakthrough technology, such as the patented Series 21™ igniters, PPT-Powered™ exciters, and long-life igniters, Champion Aerospace is the benchmark for aviation innovation.  In aviation, the brand name Champion on the outside means reliability on the inside.