Piper Aircraft and Continental Motors have collaborated to obtain a European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Supplemental Type Certificate for Piper Archer aircraft powered by the Centurion 2.0S diesel engine. "This milestone development by Piper and Continental represents a continuation of Piper's strategy to provide multiple fuel solutions for our customers," said Piper President and CEO Simon Caldecott. "This is the next step in ensuring that future Piper owners and operators have access to more economical and readily available fuel supplies, especially in Europe where traditional leaded avgas is hard to find and expensive." Ground and flight tests on the Piper Archer, powered by a Centurion 155 hp Jet-A compression ignition engine, were conducted by the companies from Technify's airport facility at Altenburg, Germany. Technify's Centurion 2.0S engine is certified to use both Jet-A and diesel fuel and with the two fuels in any mixture ratio. The company has a long history with Piper aircraft. The first aircraft to fly with the Centurion 1.7 was a Piper Warrior which obtained the certification in 2001. Visit www.piper.com and www.centurion.aero.

Century Flight Systems received a Supplemental Type Certificate from the FAA for the installation of their Century 4000 Autopilot in Beechcraft Bonanza 35 aircraft models C to V. "Over 7,510 Bonanza 35 C-Vs were produced over the period of 1951 to 1982. Many of these planes are 50-60 years old and are now being upgraded in their avionics suites; the C4000 is an ideal autopilot candidate to add safety and performance-enhancing technology to these magnificent aircraft," said Bill Eubanks, Century Flight Systems' President. Other aircraft already with STCs for the C4000 are the Piper Twin Comanche, Cherokee and Saratoga, and the Cessna Skylane and Golden Eagle. Visit www.centuryflight.com.

As the ICON A5 moves closer to FAA approval and serial production, the ICON team continues to progress with assembly of the first production prototype A5. Engineering Serial Number 1 (ESN1), currently being built at ICON's facility in Tehachapi, Calif., is the first of several planes that will support the FAA compliance audit for LSA airworthiness. ESN1 is also the first aircraft from ICON to be manufactured using production tooling and is on target for completion later this year. In the third quarter of 2013, ICON's suppliers began manufacturing the hundreds of aluminum, steel, and carbon fiber molds Cirrus Aircraft is using to build the composite airframe components of the production A5. At the same time, other suppliers began construction of the assembly fixtures with which ICON is building the aircraft. Visit www.iconaircraft.com.

PilotMall.com announced the winners of the 2013 Bahamas Pilot Challenge conducted for the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism. Pilot Mall entrepreneur Neil Glazer, one of 13 Bahamas Flying Ambassadors who promote aviation tourism to the islands, administered the contest for North American flyers. Over 100 pilots entered the Challenge seeking prizes totaling 21 free nights at some of the Bahamas' grandest resorts. Winners were those who logged the most landings at Bahamas airports of entry. "We're delighted that contestants hailed from all over, not just the Southeast," said Glazer. "Clearly, last year's increase in government fees did not deter participants from flying to the islands." Visit www.pilotmall.com.

Cessna Aircraft is celebrating the milestone delivery of the 100th Cessna Grand Caravan EX. The aircraft has been supplied to Hussain Ali Rashid Almoalla for use at his aviation club in the United Arab Emirates. Almoalla, who also owns a Cessna Skylane and Cessna Stationair, is personally flying the Cessna Grand Caravan EX back to his home base in Abu Dhabi, a trip covering 9,000 nm. "The Cessna Grand Caravan EX, which was announced in 2012, is synonymous with versatility," said Christi Tannahill, senior vice president, Turboprop Aircraft. "The increased horsepower and configurable interior has resonated strongly with our customers around the world. Reaching this milestone delivery speaks to the strength of the program and the confidence our customers have in the product." Visit www.cessna.com.

Flying clubs who enrolled as part of Sporty's Flying Club Rebate Program have received their first quarterly checks. The rebates were easily earned by the flying clubs when their members made normal purchases at Sporty's. All the flying club had to do was provide the flying club roster, and Sporty's did all the tracking and bookkeeping. "We are pleased with the early results of this program," said Sporty's President Michael Wolf. "As more clubs sign up, we hope to issue larger rebates. It's really a simple program. Flying club members make a purchase, and their club gets a check." To participate in Sporty's Flying Club Rebate Initiative, visit Sporty's at www.sportys.com/flyingclub.

Bearhawk Aircraft announced that its Bearhawk four-place aircraft scored a first-place finish at the Texas STOL Roundup held April 11-13th in Llano, Texas. The winning aircraft competed in the heavy touring class (gross weight from 2,500 to 3,600 pounds). Over 200 aircraft were present, and each participant was scored on one run from the better of two sets of takeoffs and landings. Piloting the aircraft was Bearhawk Aircraft demo pilot Wayne Massey. Massey's combined takeoff and landing distance was 445 feet. "The Texas STOL Roundup was an excellent event for us to show off the Bearhawk. Backcountry flying is what the Bearhawk does best." said Mark Goldberg, president of AviPro. "We were pleased to be among other talented pilots and competitive aircraft. Although the event is held in the spirit of fun, we are extremely pleased to take home the first-place award." Visit www.bearhawkaircraft.com.

Sporty's and NFlight Technologies have introduced the first variable propeller filters for pilots flying with the GoPro or iPhone. These filters can be combined with headset audio cables to make complete cockpit video kits. With the new Variable ND Filter, pilots can adjust the darkness of the filter to suit different lighting conditions and different airplanes. For GoPro users, the filter snaps onto the GoPro waterproof or skeleton case and is removable for use outside the cockpit. For smartphone users, pilots simply attach the metal bracket to the outside of their phones and line up the filter over the camera lens. The adjustable case is compatible with most smartphones, with or without case, including the iPhone and Samsung Galaxy. Contact: www.sportys.com.

Lindbergh: The Tale of a Flying Mouse is a new children's book that features a fable of one mouse's triumph and adventure in the early 20th century in search of the New World. It's a suspenseful yet inspiring story of a little mouse that conquered a big challenge. Author Torben Kuhlmann, an aviation enthusiast and professional illustrator, set his book in early 20th century Germany when people were seeking a better life in the New World. The artwork immerses the reader in this often forgotten foreign time, and the illustrations are responsible for telling some of the most poignant parts of the story. Contact: www.torben-kuhlmann.com.

Capturing the elegance of the 1930s and '40s, the Twin-Tail Beech Desk from MotoArt is a timeless piece. Combining the tail rudder and the vertical wing stabilizer, this mirror-polish desk is small enough to fit into any room, yet big enough to provide a spacious work surface. The desktop surface includes a half-inch tempered glass top and optional data ports. Visit www.motoart.com.

ASA's new Airline Transport Pilot Checkride App is now available through the app store for iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch. Using a question-and-answer flashcard format, the Airline Transport Pilot Checkride App lists the questions most likely to be asked by examiners, check airmen and interviewers, and provides applicants with succinct, ready responses. Questions can be marked for further study from any subject to create a customized collection of flashcards focused on areas of concern and a student's particular learning needs. New questions and answers address recent changes in ATP Certification and experience rules, new rest requirements and risk management. Visit Apple's App Store or iTunes to purchase.