July 2015 Readback
Great weather, record-setting crowds and thrilling air show acts combined to create what many called the best Sun ‘n Fun in recent memory, which began on a high note for us on a demo flight with the AeroShell Aerobatic Team, compliments of team sponsor Bose.
Textron Aviation Launches "Top Hawk" University Partnerships
Textron Aviation has launched Top Hawk, a partnership with U.S. university aviation schools. Top Hawk will provide students with access to industry-leading aircraft, coupled with a unique internship opportunity, during the summer of 2015. Universities selected as the initial partner schools are Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Kansas State University, Liberty University and the University of North Dakota. Through Top Hawk, Cessna will provide partner schools with full use of a branded Cessna Skyhawk 172 aircraft for the remainder of 2015. Partner schools will use the aircraft for flight training, recruiting and promotional activities. In addition, one student from each school will participate in Textron Aviation's internship program in cooperation with the Textron Aviation Employees Flying Club. During the summer internship, students will get exposure to business operations, lead ground school classes, and continue to build flight hours through flying lessons and discovery flights. At the end of the summer, the interns will participate in a flying competition through which one aviator will be named Top Hawk. "This is a unique opportunity for the company and the participating universities," said Doug May, vice president, Piston Aircraft. "We've had long relationships with all four university aviation departments. We look forward to deepening those ties through Top Hawk as these schools continue training the next generation of pilots." Visit www.cessna.com/tophawk.
Eclipse And Kestrel Form ONE Aviation
ONE Aviation Corporation has been formed to design, develop and manufacture a family of aircraft, including the Eclipse 550 twin-engine light jet and the Kestrel K350 single-engine turboprop. "We are excited to announce the formation of ONE Aviation. I feel privileged to lead this experienced team of aviation professionals as we increase production of the Eclipse Jet, further the development of the Kestrel turboprop and build a suite of general aviation products second to none in the industry," said Alan Klapmeier, CEO of ONE Aviation. ONE Aviation will immediately gain operational and marketing efficiencies by consolidating and leveraging the Eclipse and Kestrel business operations, supply chain, and marketing and sales teams all under a single management team. Visit www.oneaviation.aero.
Sporty's Expands Aircraft Sale
Eastern Cincinnati Aviation, the FBO affiliate of Sporty's Pilot Shop, is now an authorized sales center for American Legend Cubs. Moreover, Eastern Cincinnati Aviation is also a sales and service center for Robinson Helicopters. "We believe in the Legend Cub and are excited to offer this aircraft for sale," says Eastern Cincinnati Aviation President Chuck Gallagher. "Sporty's will even be awarding a Legend Cub for our next sweepstakes." Based at Sporty's/Clermont County Airport, Eastern Cincinnati Aviation provides services for over 100 pilots whose aircraft are based there, as well as transient pilots who come to the airport to visit Sporty's. Visit www.sportys.com.
HondaJet World Tour
Honda Aircraft's HondaJet will travel more than 26,000 nautical miles during a world tour and stop in 13 countries along its flight route. "The HondaJet world tour is a tribute to Honda's challenging spirit to bring something truly innovative to business aviation," said Honda Aircraft President Michimasa Fujino. "We are excited to introduce the HondaJet to Japan and Europe for the first time. As part of this special tour, we will conduct demonstration flights to share what Honda has accomplished through the power of dreams." Visit www.hondajet.com.
NavWorx ADS600-EXP ADS-B Solution
NavWorx has announced an affordable solution for LSA and experimental aircraft owners with the release of its ADS600-EXP. This announcement came on the heels of the FAA's ADS-B rule change in February. The FAA concluded that devices must meet the "performance requirements" of TSO-C154c. The ADS600-EXP communicates with a wide variety of display systems via WiFi and RS232. Design of the NavWorx ADS600-EXP is based on the company's ADS600-B, an FAA TSO/STC- certified unit. Both comply with the ADS-B mandates of TSO-C154c and TSO-C145c. The ADS600-EXP is a Universal Access Transceiver (UAT) and provides full ADS-B In and Out operations. All ADS600 UAT devices come with NavWorx's patent-pending TransMonSPE, a device that installs on the aircraft's existing transponder coax cable to provide for single point of entry of the squawk code, ident and Mode A/C. For a limited time, NavWorx is offering the ADS600-EXP at $869. Visit www.navworx.com.
Continental Receives STC For Diesel Piper PA-28
Continental Motors received the validation of its European STC by the FAA for the Piper PA-28 family of aircraft powered by the jet fuel diesel cycle engines CD-135 (99 kW, 135 hp) and CD-155 (114 kW, 155 hp). The STC includes the Piper PA-28 models PA-28-140, PA-28-150, PA-28-151, PA-28-161, PA-28-161 Warrior II, PA-28-161 Warrior III, PA-28-161 Cadet and PA-28-180. Completed in partnership with Piper Aircraft, this will allow the direct conversion and certification of aircraft to Continental Motors' diesel powerplants in the United States. Visit www.continentalmotors.aero.
Epic Aircraft To Certify By Year Endl
With over 1,200 drawings approved, structural testing in full swing and the first conforming prototype scheduled to fly this spring, Epic Aircraft is pushing hard to achieve Type Certificate for its E1000 model by year-end, 2015. The company confirms it currently has over 60 reservations, with initial customer deliveries targeted for early 2016. "Certification requires collaboration across the entire organization and with the FAA. It is extremely demanding, but also rewarding, when you have an aircraft as exciting as the E1000. We are absolutely focused on reaching the finish line this year," said Doug King, Epic CEO. The final stages of certification, which involve proving that the aircraft complies with all FAA regulations, is accomplished through a rigorous series of flight, structural and fatigue testing protocols. To satisfy these requirements, Epic is building two conforming flight test articles (FT1 and FT2) and two conforming structural test articles (ST1 and ST2). Visit www.epicaircraft.com.
Lightspeed Aviation Foundation Finalists
The Lightspeed Aviation Foundation has announced the names of 12 charities, selected from hundreds of nominees, as the finalists to participate in the 6th Annual Lightspeed Aviation Foundation Pilots Choice Awards grant program. The selected charities are as follows: Angel Flight West, Civil Air Patrol, Experience Aviation, JAARS, Miracle Flights for Kids, Missionary Flights International, Mission Aviation Fellowship, New Tribes Mission Aviation, The Ninety-Nines, Patient AirLift Services, Patriots Jet Team Foundation and Pilots N Paws. Finalists will receive awards up to $10,000, depending on their final vote ranking. Vote ranking will be published regularly on the Lightspeed Aviation Foundation Facebook page, with the final award announcement coming in October. You can place your vote online at www.lightspeedaviationfoundation.org.
PRODUCT PREVIEWS
Pilot Tool Kit
CruzTOOLS, a manufacturer of tools and tool kits for motorcyclists and musicians, has entered the general aviation market with a tool kit aimed at pilots and aircraft owners. The Pilot's Tool Kit provides the most commonly needed tools and components, including a set of combination wrenches, an adjustable wrench, tire pressure gauge, locking pliers, six-in-one screwdriver, hex wrenches and diagonal cutters. A special aviation spark plug socket---also available separately---handles major spark- plug makes, and a precision mini-ratchet with socket set provides additional utility. The kit also includes a telescopic mirror, cable ties and 30 feet of aviation-grade safety wire. All contents are organized into a roll-up pouch that weighs 3.5 pounds and measures nine inches long with a three-inch diameter. Contact: www.cruztools.com.
New iPad mini & iPad Air Kneeboards
Made from eco-friendly leather, ASA's two new kneeboards both feature a wide hook-and-loop leg strap to hold it in place during flight and a clip on the front cover for securing a notepad or other paper documents for easy access in flight. A built-in adjustable easel folds to position the iPad at a tilted viewing angle; alternatively, it can lay flat. The dock connector/power port is easily accessible with the cover closed, and a window on the back cover exposes the camera lens for picture-taking. A small elastic loop securely holds a pen or stylus. Inside, the ultra-soft lining protects the screen from damage, and a pocket provides additional certificate and document storage. Measuring just over five inches wide, the iPad mini Kneeboard fits in smaller spaces and is compatible with iPad mini 2 and iPad mini 3. The larger iPad Air Kneeboard fits both iPad Air and iPad Air 2 models. Contact: www.asa2fly.com.
Breitling Connected Watch
The B55 Connected features an electronic tachometer, a system enabling a sequence of countdown and "long duration" timing operations, along with an aviation-oriented "chrono flight" device that is useful in recording flight times while memorizing the takeoff time, landing time and date. Owners of the B55 Connected can use their phone to perform certain adjustments such as time setting, time zones, alarms, display and operating parameters, night mode, etc. The user may also upload the results of various measurements from the chronograph to the smartphone to read them more easily, store them or pass them on. Utilizing a miniaturized rechargeable battery system, the watch may be recharged via the main grid or a computer USB port. Contact: www.breitling.com.
Smartphone Cradle
The MyGoFlight Sport-Phone Cradle is designed to support almost all smartphones with or without a case. When connected to any MyGoFlight Sport Mounts, it easily rotates between landscape and portrait positions in flight. Using a single knob on the cradle or the sport mount, you can easily insert and secure your phone in nearly any position you desire. The cradle is usable with one hand during critical phases of flight as required by the FAA. Contact www.banyanpilotshop.com.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Get the latest Plane & Pilot Magazine stories delivered directly to your inbox