May 2009 Readback

Stimulus Bill
There's good news if you're planning to buy a new aircraft in 2009! Included in the $800 billion economic stimulus bill are incentives to buy new aircraft in 2009. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act allows for the return of bonus depreciation on new aircraft purchases. New, factory-manufactured aircraft purchased and placed in service between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2009, will be eligible for the 50% bonus depreciation. Also, improvements (such as the purchase and installation of new avionics) made to existing or used aircraft will qualify for the bonus depreciation. The Section 179 deduction allowing the immediate expense deduction of up to $250,000 for qualified (new and used) business aircraft subject to an investment limitation of $800,000 was retained for 2009. Additionally, a new provision will allow losses incurred in tax years beginning or ending in 2008 by qualified eligible small businesses to be carried back up to five prior tax years, allowing an immediate tax refund. Purchasing a business aircraft eligible for the bonus depreciation could result in a business loss that would be available for carryback by a qualified eligible small business.

Ukrainian LSA
One eye-catching entry at this year's Sebring U.S. Sport Aviation Expo came all the way from Ukraine. The Skyeton K-10 Swift is an S-LSA with a semi- monocoque, carbon-fiber- skinned fuselage. Its metal "monospar" wings have aluminum ribs, slotted flaps and lifting ailerons. The wings fold for trailering or small-space storage, a nice feature in an impressive debut effort. A BRS parachute recovery system is also available. Max speed is 120 knots, wingspan is 29.5 feet and max range is 540 miles. Currently, the Swift is undergoing certification in the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom. Visit www.skyeton.com.

Elite Delivers To Sky Chiefs
Elite Simulation Solutions has delivered an RC-1 Advanced Aviation Training Device (AATD) to Sky Chiefs Aviation of Gainesville, Fla. Ryan Foote, Sky Chiefs' owner, said, "This simulator uses the latest hardware and software simulation technology and will allow Sky Chiefs Aviation to significantly reduce training costs for students while greatly improving learning effectiveness and safety." The simulator is categorized as an AATD by the FAA, which allows pilots to log simulator time for their pilot ratings. Visit www.flyelite.com.

Mooney Speed Record
The first production Mooney Acclaim Type S, owned and piloted by Dr. Dave Craddock, was flown to set a world speed record on a trip from Minneapolis to New Orleans. Flying at an average speed of 333 knots (with a max ground speed of 357 knots), Dr. Craddock traveled 904 nm in two hours and 43 minutes. The record flight, submitted to the National Aeronautics Association for review and certification, spanned the entire length of the Mississippi River. The Acclaim Type S is the third new Mooney for the dentist from Kewanee, Ill. As vice president of the Flying Dentists Association, Craddock used the Acclaim to attend meetings in Minneapolis and New Orleans on January 31, along with setting the speed record. "Gone from home only 24 hours, I missed no clinic time," he noted. "I could have never, ever done that trip commercially."
Visit www.mooney.com.

A Safe Place To Land
Emergency Runways helps pilots locate a place to land in an emergency. Craig Maiman, an electrical engineer and glider pilot, came up with the idea: "If you're in a situation where the engine goes out, anything to improve your odds is good. Having someplace to land that's already vetted by other pilots is helpful---
especially if you're in the clouds or at night." Pilots register and then mark up a Google Map with places they've noticed that would make good emergency runways. Register with the website at www.emergencyrunways.com.

Robinson Production Record
Robinson Helicopter Company broke its own record by producing 893 civil helicopters in 2008, surpassing its prior record of 823 set in 2007. Introduced in 2002, the Raven II, a more powerful version of the original R44, accounts for 60% of the company's aircraft sales. The original R44, later designated the Raven I, accounts for roughly 20% of aircraft sales. Visit www.robinsonheli.com.

Texas Sport Kit In Brazil
Texas Sport Aircraft Company has made its first international customer delivery of a Texas Sport aircraft kit. Luiz Claudio Gonçalves, general manager of Flyer Indústria Aeronáutica, accepted delivery of his crated Texas Sport kit in Sao Paolo, Brazil. Visit www.txsport.aero and www.flyer.com.br.

Husky Upgrades
New or existing Huskys can now be equipped with the Garmin G600 IFR panel. The system will interface with most autopilots and provide GPS horizontal steering data for flying arcs, holding patterns and procedure turns. In addition, pilots will have the option to install an Electronic Instruments MVP-50 color engine-instrument monitor. New Huskys are also being fitted with vernier throttle and mixture controls and an enlarged entry door. Visit www.aviataircraft.com.

Jeppesen's New Online Course
The new Online Private Pilot Test Prep course from Jeppesen was built from the ground up using engaging, interactive content that maximizes learner retention. The comprehensive course fully prepares students to take the FAA written knowledge exam and provides detailed lessons that can be used by students and flight instructors. The course is offered in three versions and is the first in a series of online courses from Jeppesen. Contact: Jeppesen, (800) 353-2107, http://jeppdirect.jeppesen.com.

PRODUCT PREVIEWS
A Piece Of Aviation History
MotoArt's line of repurposed aircraft parts now includes the F-4 Ejection Bar Stool, which incorporates the original bucket seat from a Phantom Jet Fighter. It features the original paint with highlighted accents, high-performance upholstery and custom-fabricated aluminum legs that are powder-coated with reflective silver. [To learn more about MotoArt, read "MotoArt: Beautiful & Functional" from Pilot Journal March/April 2007.] Contact: MotoArt, (310) 375-4531, www.motoart.com.

Feel The Heat
When the temperature drops, it's imperative that you keep your airplane's engine warm. Instead of blasting extreme heat into the engine compartment like some heaters do, the AeroTherm Deuce evenly and consistently heats all parts of the engine by using the same principle as your home furnace. It's affordable, efficient, quick and easy to use! Contact: Aerotherm Heaters, (800) 401-4397, www.aerothermheaters.com.

King Schools' Online Avionics Courses
With today's capable but complex avionics, the days of switching casually from one aircraft to another---or even getting rusty and just playing it by ear---are over. King Schools offers an expanding line of avionics courses designed to provide the solution. Two more Pro Line 21 courses (for the CJ3 and the Falcon 20/50) have recently been added, complementing a full line of courses for avionics systems ranging from the Universal UNS-1 to the Garmin 430/530. Contact: King Schools, (800) 854-1001, www.kingschoolsonline.com.

Hands-Free Pilot's Light
With its fully flexible, three-inch neck, this flashlight can be twisted and turned to illuminate charts or provide emergency panel lighting. A clip allows the 2.5-ounce, eight-inch LED flashlight to attach to a hat, shirt or seat belt. This inconspicuous flashlight will stay in place and out of the way as you fly. It operates on one (included) AAA battery.
Contact: Sporty's, (800) SPORTYS, www.sportys.com.

Protect Your Wheel Pants
Your nose wheel pant is susceptible to scuffs and scratches from towbar use; protect your paint job with ­the easy-to-use Sporty's Wheel Pant Cover, a simple, lightweight and dependable solution to a common problem. Use the Velcro strap to fasten the cover around the wheel strut; an elastic band further secures the cover in place. A padded backing protects the wheel pant from scratches, while the bright red material reminds the pilot to remove the cover before flight.
Contact: Sporty's, (800) SPORTYS, www.sportys.com.

Lanyard Kit
Aviator West's Professional Pilot Lanyard Kit includes a quick-release lanyard, a flashlight and an ID badge clip. The quick-release feature detaches to separate the flashlight from the unit. The alligator-type ID badge clip can be unclipped and placed anywhere on the lanyard; it comes with a universal ID grabber for badges without a slot hole. Also included in the kit is a pair of Howard Leight 33 dB corded earplugs.
Contact: Aviator West, www.aviatorwest.com.