July 2009 Readback

ATP Provides TIS & Opens New Center
Airline Transport Professionals has announced a large-scale rollout of Traffic Information Service (TIS) by providing its entire staff of flight instructors with an MRX Portable Collision Avoidance System by Zaon Flight Systems. The MRX is a portable TIS with approximate range and relative altitude displayed for nearby traffic.

On May 4, ATP opened its Charlotte Flight Training Center at the Concord Regional Airport in Concord, N.C. The new center will offer single- and multi-engine training from private through ATP, including ATP's Airline Career Pilot Program. ATP is opening at least five new centers in 2009. Visit www.atpflightschool.com.

New Husky Tailwheel
Alaska Bushwheel has just completed the FAA's approval process for utilizing a new tailwheel assembly on Aviat Aircraft's Husky A-1C. The tailwheel features a three-leaf steel-tail spring that weighs 2.5 pounds less than the old five-leaf model and is approved for the Husky's 2,200-pound gross weight. The new Alaska Bushwheel tailwheel assembly is now standard equipment on the Husky A-1C and can be retrofitted to older Husky models. Visit www.aviataircraft.com and www.akbushwheel.com.

New Additions At Forward.Vision
Kate Dougherty has joined Forward.Vision as its new director of public relations. For the past seven years, Dougherty served as head of public relations for Cirrus Design. Also joining the team is air show star Patty Wagstaff, who will promote the safety benefits of the enhanced vision system, EVS-100. Additionally, American Champion Aircraft has announced that the EVS-100 will now be available on its aircraft product line. Visit www.forward-vision.net.

Online Wx Workshops
Chesapeake Aviation Training, in Fort Mill, S.C., is now offering online aviation weather workshops. Its subscription-based website will introduce pilots to many aspects of preflight weather analysis and planning. Website creator Scott C. Dennstaedt says, "The primary goal of this new website is to help pilots consistently recognize the location of adverse weather prior to departure, and show them how to formulate a plan to avoid it while in flight." AvWxWorkshops.com will feature weekly releases of one or more online mini-workshops tailored to make pilots more weather savvy. Visit avwxworkshops.com.

Summer Camp!
High school students over 17 years of age who participate at US Flight Academy's new summer camp will, at the end of three weeks, go home with a sport pilot license. Anyone younger than 17 will need to return for solo flight requirements as well as the checkride. Most students should be ready for the checkride with 30 hours of flight time. The three-week classes will run daily from 8 to 5, and have guest speakers and other activities. Program director Justin Shelley says, "Going home with a sport pilot license will be a little different than heading home with a clay ashtray. This could be a phenomenal graduation present." Visit www.ussportplanes.com.

Aspen Avionics Upgrade
Aspen Avionics now offers several upgrade options to its Evolution product line, including a flush mount kit, analog converter unit and autopilot attitude reference source replacement. The flush mount kit enables customers to mount Evolution Flight Displays (EFDs) flush with their instrument panels. The analog converter unit allows the all-digital EFD system to integrate with legacy analog systems, such as autopilots and VHF radios. The autopilot attitude reference source replacement lets pilots eliminate all mechanical flight instruments. Visit www.aspenavionics.com.

Friends Of Aviation
Plane & Pilot has joined the advisory board of a new nonprofit organization, Friends of Aviation. The group is dedicated to promoting aviation: the people, aircraft and airfields that make up the world of aviation and the passion and friendliness that exist in the flying community. The group's new website will offer extensive aviation information and promote networking and friendship among aviators. Sign up at www.friendsofaviation.org.

Avidyne Certifications
The Entegra Release 9 Integrated Flight Deck and FMS900w Flight Management System have been certified. Avidyne has received TSO approval for the Entegra Release 9 suite, which is being retrofitted into existing Cirruses. "Entegra Release 9 is the culmination of over six years of product development, human-factors evaluations and rigorous flight-testing," said COO Patrick Herguth. Visit www.avidyne.com.

New Beyerdynamic Headset
Beyerdynamic's newest offering, HS 600 DANR Manufaktur, allows users to create and personalize their own digital active noise-reduction headset. Using a microprocessor to generate an intelligent algorithm, the headset produces a counter sound to cancel surrounding noise. Additionally, HS 600 DANR emphasizes comfort and design: The headband pad is covered with soft leather, and the ear pads are viscoelastic. The ear caps have a "carbon look" and brushed-aluminum bezels. Contact: Beyerdynamic, (800) 293-4463, www.beyerdynamic.com.

Easily Access & Organize Your Charts
Jeppesen's new JeppView FliteDeck terminal chart viewer configuration offers an innovative way to quickly and easily access charts. Pilots can select a departure, destination and two alternate airports; then specific charts can be posted on each airport's clipboard---pilots can even choose the order in which the charts are displayed. Contact: Jeppesen, (800) 621-5377, ww.jeppesen.com.

Easily Move Heavy Twins
The Robotow is a lightweight electric towbar designed so one person can easily move an airplane in and out of a hangar. The new Heavy Duty model, available exclusively from Sporty's, has a 28-volt battery that's powerful enough to move heavy twins such as an Aztec, Baron or even a Cessna 421. Its cordless design requires no electrical outlet. Contact: Sporty's, (800) SPORTYS, www.sportys.com.

Get A Handle On That Mess
Sporty's Hangar Caddy is a wide-mouth bag offering an easy way to organize tiedowns, chocks, cleaning supplies, oil and much more. The Hangar Caddy is equally useful in both your hangar and the back of your airplane, and doubles as a tool bag. A rigid, removable handle supports more than 100 pounds of supplies, and mesh pockets easily hold rags, batteries and other small items. Contact: Sporty's, (800) SPORTYS, www.sportys.com.

Protect Your Plane
The AeroSpoiler is a lift-reduction device used for storm protection on aircraft parked outside during adverse weather conditions. Each kit contains 10 cup/receiver assemblies and eight 30x3-inch blade assemblies and offers 20 feet of wing coverage. Reduce the lift-producing capability of your aircraft wing by as much as 96% on the area covered by the AeroSpoiler. Extension kits are available for airplanes requiring more than 20 feet of wing coverage. Contact: Aircraft Spruce, (877) 477-7823, www.aircraftspruce.com.

Colorful Ball Vents
AveoAir Ball Vents are lightweight and machined from 2024 aluminum alloy, anodized in your choice of five different color finishes. With their simple two-piece threaded design, the ball vents offer easy installation, eliminating the need to drill for screws. The vents are perfect for small panel spaces and come with a choice of three diameters (1.5, 1.75 and 2 inches), so you can optimize your air flow. Contact: Aircraft Spruce, (877) 477-7823, www.aircraftspruce.com.