April 2011 Readback

Flight Design Fights Fires

Top Stories

A firefighting department based at 8,300 feet in the Ecuadorian Andes has acquired a Flight Design CTLS light-sport aircraft as its aerial support unit. With support from John Hurst and Jeremy Endsley of Sebring Aviation, the Air Volunteer Fire Department of Basin began operations at the Mariscal La Mar airport. Hurst and Endsley traveled to Ecuador to train fire department employees in assembly, maintenance and flight. "Using the CTLS in this way, our fire department has an effective tool to help in search functions, recognition and support of ground operations by providing a better service to the community of Cuenca," fire department leader, Hugo Cobo said. "The aircraft will certainly improve the fire department's response capability, giving more and better information about different emergencies we will be dealing with. The CTLS will be a helpful tool we can depend upon." Visit www.flightdesign.com.

IndUS In China

Dallas-based IndUS Aviation is progressing with Chinese partner IPI Technologies and private investors in China to move production of the Thorpedo LSA to the LuYangHu General Aviation Development Zone in Weinan, China. The partners will operate a new company presently called "IndUS-IPI." An agreement involves equity positions between IndUS and IPI, with the support of the Weinan government. "We hope to start the building construction this quarter and start filling the facility with tooling and jigs later this year," reports Ram Pattisapu of IndUS. "Production should begin late this year...to ramp up to almost 100 units in 2012, with greater capacity in 2013." Visit www.indusav.com.

Recurrent Training Center

Recurrent Training Center has acquired a new FAA-certified Level 6 Cirrus SR22 flight-training device. It features an Avidyne avionics suite with S-TEC autopilot, and has a 180-degree wraparound visual. Up to 30 of the 40 hours of the Cirrus SR22 instrument rating course can be completed in the simulator under RTC's 142 training certificate. RTC also will offer SR22 recurrency and initial Cirrus transition. Visit www.rtcpilot.com.

Pan Am Sim

Miami-based Pan Am International Flight Academy has received Level C qualification for its A320 simulator, leased from GE Capital Aviation. The A320 sim is the Academy's first such model, and is the 66th simulator owned, operated and/or marketed to airline clients around the world. Visit www.panamacademy.com.

3000+ Patients Flown

In 2010, Corporate Angel Network arranged flights for specialized treatment for 3,021 cancer patients. In September, Corporate Angel celebrated another milestone when it transported its 35,000th cancer patient since the charity was founded in 1981. It has now flown more than 36,000 patients. The 35,000th flight carried William Relyea, 16 months, and his mother from Westchester County Airport, N.Y., to his home in Syracuse, N.Y. William had been receiving treatment for neuroblastoma at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Visit www.corpangelnetwork.org.


FAA Approval

Cirrus Aircraft has received FAA approval and has begun delivery of new aircraft equipped with Perspective Electronic Stability and Protection (Perspective ESP), and Hypoxia Recognition and Automatic Descent Mode. Jon Dauplaise, Vice President of Domestic Sales, said, "Just as the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System brought the equivalent benefit of automotive airbags to general aviation, Perspective ESP now provides the protection in personal aircraft that traction and stability control offers in nearly all cars today. A Cirrus can now safely fly itself unassisted to lower altitudes in the rare case that the pilot is nonresponsive for a period at altitudes where oxygen is required." Key features of the Perspective ESP system include operation when the Garmin GFC 700 autopilot has been disengaged, and automatic activation when the airplane exceeds one or more flight parameters. A pilot can override it at any time. Visit www.cirrusaircraft.com.

Fly A Mustang Winner

The winner of the Fly a Mustang with Mossy Sweepstakes is Kevin Halliburton of Orange County, Calif. Kevin's name was randomly drawn from all valid entries submitted, and he'll receive a day of personal flight training in a Cessna Citation Mustang jet from the 2010 National Flight Instructor of the Year, Jeffrey Robert Moss, MCFI ("Mossy"). Visit www.flyinglikethepros.com.

Kestrel Sets Up Shop

Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority announced the landing of Kestrel Aircraft Company's JP-10 aircraft at the soon-to-be-disestablished Naval Air Station Brunswick. While the airfield isn't open to the public yet, the Navy granted special permission for the Kestrel to land on the runways so that the company can begin producing its composite-based turboprop. "Flying the Kestrel onto the runways at the future Brunswick Executive Airport was exhilarating," said Steve Levesque, Executive Director of MRRA. "This is a beautiful plane, and I am thrilled that it was the first aircraft to land since the Navy closed the airfield in January." Visit www.mrra.us and www.kestrel.aero.

Gobosh Acquired

Gobosh LSA and Aerospace Capital Partners have reached an agreement whereby Aerospace Capital Partners will acquire Gobosh for an undisclosed amount. Gobosh president Tim Baldwin says, "This acquisition is excellent news for current and future owners and operators of Gobosh aircraft. Aerospace Capital Partners has the financial resources and experience to take Gobosh to the next level." Visit www.gobosh.aero.

Solar Airport

A large solar energy array was completed at Cobb County Airport, a GA-only airport in northwest Atlanta. Thomas Huff, CEO of Atlanta Jet Center at KRYY, teamed with Doug Warner, a fellow pilot and CEO of local renewable-energy company Stonehenge Solar Energy, to develop a 140-kilowatt solar array built atop aircraft hangars at the airport. "This installation will generate 200,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually, and prevent seven million pounds of CO2 from being emitted over the 30-year life of the project," says Warner. The $1.4 million project was a cooperative endeavor between business and government. "Here we had Atlanta Jet Center, a leading FBO in the region, working hand in hand with our firm, the Cobb County government, the federal government, the FAA, and the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority to make this happen," said Warner. Visit www.stonehengesolar.com.


PRODUCT PREVIEWS

Flight Backpack

Sporty's Flight Gear Backpack has room for two headsets and a GPS, and features a pocket that's specially designed for an iPad. Padded compartments help keep items organized, and its top pocket is ideal for a cell phone or iPod. External pockets offer quick access to items such as a flashlight, fuel tester and pens. Personalization is available with up to three embroidered initials. Optional accessories include a transceiver holder, a sunglasses holder and an ID holder. Contact: Sporty's, (800) SPORTYS, www.sportys.com.

New Chart Guide

The updated 9th Edition of the Aeronautical Chart User's Guide by the FAA's National Aeronautical Navigation Services is now available from ASA. It's a learning aid and reference document for understanding how to read and interpret all FAA aviation charts and chart navigation publications. Updated topics include chart symbology, national security, special-use airspaces and flight-restricted zones. The book is available in softcover and measures 81⁄2x11 inches. Contact: ASA, (800) ASA-2-FLY, www.asa2fly.com.

Solo Shirt Tail

It's a long-standing tradition for the flight instructor to cut off a new pilot's shirt tail at the conclusion of his or her first solo flight. Sporty's now offers professional custom framing to preserve this memento. Each shirt tail is mounted on a sturdy background, then matted and framed for presentation. All framing is done by Sporty's in-house frame shop, and turnaround time is five business days. Two sizes of frames are available: The Small First Solo Frame accommodates shirt tails measuring up to 12x18 inches, and the Large First Solo Frame accommodates shirt tails measuring no larger than 18x24 inches. Contact: Sporty's, (800) SPORTYS, www.sportys.com.

Cell Phone Activaton

The new remote cellular phone switch from Aerotherm Heaters remotely turns on and off aircraft engine preheaters or any other electric device. The unit has two relay switches capable of supporting two devices, and can be turned on with a phone call or text message to the unit. Each relay can be programmed to stay on for up to 18 hours. The unit will recognize your phone number, drop the call and activate the switch. You can add an additional 199 numbers to be recognized. Contact: Aerotherm Heaters, (800) 401-4397, www.aerothermheaters.com.

Get A Signal Everywhere

SPOT Connect turns your smartphone into a satellite communicator, allowing you to send e-mails and text messages with GPS coordinates, or transmit an SOS message to activate emergency response. You can store up to 10 predefined messages for quick sending. As with the SPOT Messenger, you can track your flight on Google Maps for others to follow. Download the SPOT app to link your smartphone with SPOT Connect via Bluetooth. Contact: SPOT, (866) OK1-SPOT, www.findmespot.com.

Cessna Training Manual

Red Sky Ventures' Cessna Training Manual series is intended to be used in conjunction with the manufacturer's POH, and contains technical explanations, pilot's operating notes, performance planning and tips to improve operations. Photo-graphs, schematics and tables supportthe details. Authors Danielle Bruckert and Oleg Roud are professional airline pilots who also are active flight instructors in general aviation aircraft. Contact: Red Sky Ventures, +264 81-244-6336, www.redskyventures.com.

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