March 2009 Readback

The U.S. Air Force Academy has ordered 20 Diamond DA40 CS aircraft for its Powered Flight Program, a course that utilizes academic study and flight training to introduce cadets to the USAF's core aviation mission. Visit www.diamondaircraft.com, www.slu.edu and www.usafa.af.mil.

Several corrections to "The Hottest Four-Seaters" [January/February 2009] follow: The Diamond DA40 XLS is the latest model; we incorrectly listed this as the DA40 XL. Maximum cruise speed for the DA40 XLS is 157 knots; at 10 gph, cruise speed is 150 knots. A base DA40 (CS model with G1000) starts at $259,950, and it has a useful load of 900 pounds; full fuel payload is 660 pounds. For full details, visit planeandpilotmag.com.

Expedition U.S. Certification
Found Aircraft Canada has been granted FAA type certification for the E350, which includes both day and night VFR and IFR for the tricycle-gear E350 and the E350 with Aerocet 3400 and 3500L floats installed. "Certification of the E350 is the culmination of over two years of development by our dedicated team of employees and suppliers who worked hard to make this day happen," said Drew Hamblin, director of marketing and sales. Visit www.foundair.com.

New Cubs At Tutima
Sean D. Tucker's Tutima Academy of Aviation Safety is the new California dealership for CubCrafters. Visit www.tutimaacademy.com/cubcrafters.html to get your Sport Cub, Top Cub or Carbon Cub Kit.

Flying Salukis Champs
The Flying Salukis of Southern Illinois University-Carbondale finished first in five of nine events to win their second consecutive regional title at the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) Region VIII championships, held in November 2008 at the Southern Illinois Airport. "We really went out there and had a good showing," said head coach Nathan J. Lincoln, a senior lecturer in the Department of Aviation Management and Flight. Visit www.siuc.edu.

2008 Careers In Aviation Scholarships
Saul Meza of Chicago, Ill., is Careers in Aviation's 2008 Flightline Group Scholarship recipient. Meza, an Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University student who will graduate in May with a B.S. in aeronautical science, will apply the $2,500 scholarship to flight time and finishing his degree. "Growing up in an inner-city neighborhood can give one a false sense of hopelessness!but like my parents, I vowed to seize every opportunity to reach my dream of receiving my degree, becoming a flight instructor and, eventually, becoming a corporate pilot. By reaching my goals, I would like to lead through example and demonstrate to these kids that hard work and persistence will take over when luck is cut short," asserted Meza. Visit www.careersinaviation.org and www.flightlinegroup.com.

Final S-LSA Of '08
The all-carbon fiber FA-04 Peregrine, from former East Germany's Flaeming Air, received ASTM approval just before New Year's. The bubble-canopied cruiser has an interesting feature: It easily morphs from tricycle gear to taildragger. Range is 620 nm at economy cruise; options include a BRS parachute, glider-tow setup and glass-panel configurations. Base price is $120,000. Learn more at www.hansenairgroup.com.

New Cirrus CEO
Alan Klapmeier, chairman of Cirrus Design, has named Brent Wouters to the post of CEO. Wouters is currently Cirrus' president and COO; he previously held the position of executive VP and CFO at Cirrus from early 2002 through March 2008. Klapmeier noted, "With both broad and in-depth experience in business and aviation, Brent will continue to build upon Cirrus' strong success, to date, in his new role." Wouters holds an M.B.A. from Georgia State University, an M.S. in aerospace engineering from Iowa State University and a B.A. in math and physics from Iowa's Graceland University. Visit www.cirrusdesign.com0.

Avidyne STC For Cessna 210
Through its partnership with Southern Star Avionics of Mobile, Ala., and Crownair Aviation of San Diego, Calif., Avidyne has received an STC for the retrofit installation of the Entegra integrated flight deck in Cessna 210 and T210. Visit www.avidyne.com, www.southernstar.aero and www.crownairaviation.com.

World Record!
CarolAnn Garratt and Carol Foy departed from Orlando International Airport on December 2, 2008, to set a new world speed record for flying around the world and to raise $1 million for ALS/Lou Gehrig's disease research. They landed on December 12, after flying for eight days and spending 158 hours in the air, setting a new unofficial around-the-world speed record with an average 115 mph speed. Make a donation at www.alsworldflight.com.

Forward.Vision STC For Cirrus
Forward.Vision's EVS-100 enhanced vision system is now STC'd for installation on Cirrus SR20 and SR22 aircraft. The self-contained and ready-to-mount system can operate day and night and is designed to be upgradeable. Visit www.forward-vision.net.

ANR Technology For Helicopter Pilots
With the Stratus Heli-XT, Telex has created a headset that specifically addresses the needs of helicopter pilots and passengers. Key features include ANR technology, Telex's patented ComfortCam system, an advanced FlexPower management system and individual volume controls for each ear cup. The headset comes with a five-year warranty. Contact: Telex, (877) 863-4168, www.telex.com/aircraft.

Streamlined Engine Preheating
The days of lugging around bulky engine preheaters are a thing of the past. Sporty's SureStart Electric Pre-Heater weighs just 16 pounds yet provides 20,000 BTUs of heat. It's capable of preheating most aircraft engines from 10 degrees F to starting temperature in only 45 minutes. The SureStart Electric Pre-Heater plugs into a standard 110-volt outlet and uses less than 15 amps. Contact: Sporty's, (800) SPORTYS, www.sportys.com.

GPSMAP 696/695 Checklists
Qref offers the first and only checklists for the new Garmin GPSMAP 696/695. Checklists come in two varieties: a multipage book that's tabbed into sections or a single-page card (for users familiar with the unit) that contains abbreviated info on the most-used features. They're printed in full color and are virtually indestructible. In addition to the 696/695, checklists are available for other systems by Garmin, Lowrance, Bendix/King, Avidyne, Cirrus and Diamond, among others. New releases are added regularly. Contact: Qref Media, (877) 660-QREF, www.qref.com.

The Electronic E6B Just Got Better
In addition to its 20 aviation functions and 14 aviation conversions, Sporty's electronic E6B has been updated with three new functions. Required Rate of Descent tells you just that. Top of Descent tells you how far out to begin your descent, and Specific Range finds the most fuel-efficient cruising altitude. It operates on just three AAA batteries and is authorized for use during FAA knowledge exams. Contact: Sporty's, (800) SPORTYS, www.sportys.com.

Powerful Learning Software
All of the tools you'll need to prepare for your private pilot flight test and FAA knowledge test (airplane only) are available from Powerful Learning software. This is the only software that includes an integrated aviation library that can be updated online! Multiple software versions are available, including Private Pilot, VFR Pilot, IFR Pilot and Instrument Pilot Study Systems. Contact: Aircraft Spruce, (877) 477-7823, www.aircraftspruce.com.

Wireless Tire Pressure Monitor
Southern Precision Components introduces its Wireless Tire Pressure/Temperature LCD Monitor (TPMS). With the flip of a switch, this battery-operated handheld displays the actual tire pressure and tire temp. Small, removable, electronic valve sensors transmit pressure and temperature to the LCD monitor within 25 to 50 feet of the aircraft. The monitor also has an alarm setting for high or low pressure. The battery has an average life of two years, and the TPMS comes with a one-year warranty. Contact: Southern Precision Components, (706) 376-7308, www.southernprecisioncomponents.com.

Lookin' Good
Family-owned Planewear Apparel, launched by former flight attendant Jennifer Longley, offers comfortable, unique travel-related apparel with an aviation theme for children. The clothing is manufactured from high-quality 100% Peruvian pima cotton and is designed to provide first-class comfort to future pilots and aviators. Children's garments run from infant through toddler and up to size six. Contact: Planewear Apparel, (866) 759-2358, www.planewear.com.

Time For An Island Vacation?
There are more small airports per square mile of land mass in the Bahamas and Caribbean than in any other region in the world, and they're all in the 2009 Bahamas & Caribbean Pilot's Guide. After 31 years in print, this 450-page, spiral-bound guide is the only single-source reference for island travel in the area. The guide is organized into tabbed sections for quick, easy use. Contact: Pilot Publishing, (800) 521-2120, www.flytheislands.com.