January/February 2011 Readback

Tecnam P2006T FAA Certified!

Top Stories

On November 10, the FAA certified the Tecnam P2006T, a four-seat piston twin aircraft. "We see the Tecnam P2006T next-generation twin as a real game changer,'' said Phil Solomon, CEO of Tecnam North America. "With eight dealers in place throughout the USA and other applications in process, the achievement of full FAA certification allows us to deliver a twin airplane for the price of a high-performance single! Next stop, Canadian certification." Visit www.tecnam.net.

Russia Data For Jeppesen

Jeppesen and the Russian Ministry of Transportation have agreed to a new contract that supplies Jeppesen with access to Russian domestic airport data. As Jeppesen had previously been granted access to Russian domestic-airway-system data, the agreement increases Jeppesen navigation and operations solutions available for Russian operators. Jeppesen's databases will contain all Russian airways and international/domestic airport and runway data. Domestic Russian approach, arrival and departure procedures will soon be added. Visit www.jeppesen.com.

Thunder Mustang

The Thunder Builders Group announced an agreement with Dean Holt Construction of Mount Vernon, Wash., to buy the Thunder Mustang molds and intellectual property. Production of the P51 replica kit will begin shortly. The Thunder Builders Group was formed to assure members the delivery of all the parts necessary to complete their kits after Papa 51 Ltd. ran into financial trouble in 1999. Once this goal was accomplished, the focus was to preserve the assets required to see this authentic P-51D replica go back into production. Thunder Mustangs have regularly competed at the Reno Air Races over the past 10 years. Visit www.thundermustang.com.

American Flyers

American Flyers has opened a new branch office in Wheeling, Ill., on the west side of Chicago Executive Airport. The school features 1,300 square feet of classrooms, testing facilities and flight training devices. American Flyers' founder Don Harrington remarked: "This is an exciting venture. We look forward to providing a convenient and professional environment for Chicago-area pilots to pursue their aviation education." Visit www.americanflyers.net.

MSU & ATP Offer Degree

Mountain State University (MSU) and Airline Transport Professionals (ATP) announced a new bachelor's degree option: the Bachelor of Science in Airline Transport Professional Pilot Operations. With flight training conducted by ATP, the new degree program will provide students with access to a highly focused professional pilot degree with extensive multi-engine flight training and nationwide airline job placement opportunities. The program allows students to complete flight training at any of ATP's 22 locatins across the country while attending classes through MSU. Visit www.mountainstate.edu and www.atpflightschool.com.


Phoenix East Orders Twin Stars

Daytona Beach-based Phoenix East has selected the DA42 NG for its multi-engine training fleet. With an initial order of two DA42 NGs, Phoenix East Aviation also plans to upgrade their existing DA42 TDIs with Austro Engine AE 300 powerplants and will eventually migrate their entire multi-engine fleet to the DA42 NG. "The DA42 NG offers our students, who are pursuing professional pilot careers, the most advanced multi-engine training platform in the industry," said Phoenix East CEO Ghassan Reslan. "With the DA42 NG's state-of-the-art engines, airframe and avionics technologies, our students will be well prepared for careers as jet pilots." Visit www.pea.com, www.diamondaircraft.com and www.austro-engine.at.

AirShares Elite Expands

AirShares Elite is extending service to the San Francisco Bay area, and will be hiring employees to aid with the expansion. The move will increase AirShares' network to a total of 19 cities across the country. "With the general aviation market showing strong signs of recovery," said AirShares Elite CEO David Lee, "AirShares is well poised to begin its next phase of growth and product innovations." Visit www.airshareselite.com.

Cessna Pilot Center Network Expands

Cessna has added five flight training schools to its global network of more than 270 Cessna Pilot Centers (CPC). The newest members of the CPC network are in Chino, Calif.; Thermal, Calif.; Georgetown, Texas; West Palm Beach, Fla. and Appleton, Wis. "Expanding our CPC network is part of the company's effort to make flying more accessible and to reenergize pilot training," said Julie Filucci, Cessna CPC manager. Visit www.cessnaflighttraining.com.

Avidyne R9 Matrix

Avidyne has received FAA Supplemental Type Certificate approval for the installation of the Entegra Release 9 Integrated Flight Deck (R9) in Piper PA-46 Matrix aircraft. The Entegra Release 9 retrofit for Piper PA-46 Matrix aircraft includes two XGA high-resolution IFD5000 displays; dual-redundant FMS900w systems with control/display keyboard; next-generation fully digital VHF NAV/COM radios and dual WAAS/RNP-capable GPS receivers. Avidyne developed Entegra Release 9 with turbine-class, single-pilot IFR operations in mind," said Avidyne president Dan Schwinn. "PA-46 owners will find that the Release 9 system will allow them to fly more confidently in the IFR system." Entegra Release 9 upgrade for the Piper PA-46 Matrix has a list price of $72,800, plus installation. Visit www.avidyne.com.

25th Anniversary Of Caravan

Cessna celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Caravan at the 63rd NBAA Annual Meeting and Convention. A Grand Caravan with a special 25th anniversary paint scheme was on display. "The Caravan has been a tremendous success for Cessna. Its order book has remained resilient for 25 years, including during this most recent economic downturn," said Roger Whyte, Cessna's senior vice president of Sales and Marketing. Cessna delivered its 2,000th Caravan, a Grand Caravan, in September. Visit www.cessna.com.

Avidyne Jepp iPad

Entegra Release 9 and Entegra Multifunction Display (MFD) customers who have CMax Chart subscriptions can now download a free version of their same charts subscription for use on an Apple iPad. "Jeppesen has developed an iPad application, Jeppesen Mobile TC, that allows general aviation pilots to receive information from their standard Airway Manual and VFR Manual in an easy-to-use electronic format," said Thomas Wede, Jeppesen senior vice president and general manager, Aviation. Visit www.avidyne.com and www.jeppesen.com.


PRODUCT PREVIEWS

On Freq

Sporty's VFR Communications is a complete course in all types of communications, including ATC, pilot-controlled fields and emergency situations. It also features real-world scenarios to help pilots communicate accurately. Use the program to prepare for your checkride or to booster confidence. An MP3 audio file is included on the DVD so you can listen to the program on your iPod or MP3-capable device. It's also available as a video download, for your laptop, iPhone or Android phone. Contact: Sporty's, (800)-SPORTYS, www.sportys.com.

A-2 Ace

Sporty's A-2 Ace Jacket is a modern version of the original military flight jacket worn by U.S. Army pilots in World War II. It's made with soft cabernet leather and incorporates details such as the bi-swing back construction so pilots can move their arms without restrictions. Additional features include full leather cuffs, a leather waistband and traditional A-2 snap and side pockets. Interior pockets can be used to store a cell phone, pens and more. Contact: Sporty's, (800)-SPORTYS, www.sportys.com.

The Pacific Theater

War in Pacific Skies fuses art and history in 192 pages of photographs and artwork that depict the air battles at Pearl Harbor, Coral Sea, Midway and much more. Authors Charlie and Ann Cooper and illustrator Jack Fellows put readers in the cockpit of warbirds such as the Lockheed P-38 Lightning, the Curtiss P-36 Hawk and the TBM Avenger. Contact: Zenith Press, www.zenithpress.com.

Logbook Bundle

The LogTen Pro iPad app and Mac software from Coradine Aviation Systems allow pilots to log their flight time digitally. It automatically tracks currency, certificates, ratings, endorsements, medicals and flight reviews, as well as calculates night hours. A powerful filter tracks totals based on most any attribute of flight. The app syncs with LogTen Pro for the iPhone and Mac. Plane & Pilot readers can use the discount code "planeandpilot" for 10% off any Coradine product. Contact: Coradine Aviation Systems, www.coradine.com.

Tire Pressure Gauge

A new digital, full-range tire pressure gauge from Tool Testing reads in PSI, InHg, Oz/SqIn, Inches or Feet/H2O, Kg/SqCm, Kpa and Bar, with ½% tolerance and as fine as 0.1 PSI resolution. It also holds peak readings and features a built-in bleeder valve. The TTL-300-DTG-K comes in a protective fitted rubber "skin." Angled and straight chucks mounted on tough flexible hose handles allow comfortable readings of virtually all Schraeder-valve pneumatic wheels and tubes. Quick-disconnect couplings allow instant chuck change-out. Because tires can look different under various conditions (dusty, clean, wet), the TTL-300-DTG-K includes a tire tread-depth gauge. The kit is housed in a rugged foam-fit plastic case. Contact: Tool Testing Lab, (937) 898-5696, www.ttlcal.com.

None

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get the latest Plane & Pilot Magazine stories delivered directly to your inbox

Subscribe to our newsletter