May 2010 Readback
On January 29, the Lindbergh Foundation held a ceremony to formally donate a factory-new 180 hp A-1C Husky to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) at the KWS Wilson Hangar in Nairobi, Kenya.
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Lindbergh Foundation Donates Husky
On January 29, the Lindbergh Foundation held a ceremony to formally donate a factory-new 180 hp A-1C Husky to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) at the KWS Wilson Hangar in Nairobi, Kenya. Lindbergh Foundation Chairman, President and CEO Larry Williams said, "I believe the Lindberghs would be proud that the foundation carrying their name is supporting the work of the Kenya Wildlife Service to help spot and discourage poaching of Kenya's precious wildlife resource." In addition to handing over the Husky's keys, the foundation sponsored a five-day training session for the KWS air patrol pilots, which was
led by Patty Wagstaff, Dr. Richard Sugden and Steve Phillips of Teton Aviation.
In March 2010, the first Lindbergh Prize will be unveiled at an event on the U.S. West Coast. The Lindbergh Prize is intended to stimulate innovative solutions to social, technical and environmental problems. Visit www.kws.org, www.lindberghfoundation.org and www.lindberghprize.org.
Aspen STCs
Aspen Avionics' EFD1000H has received STC approval for installation in Bell 206 and Bell 407 helicopters. The STC was developed in partnership with Keystone Helicopter. Aspen also has partnered with Chippewa Aerospace to develop an STC for installation of the EFD1000H Pro PFD, EFD1000H MFD and EFD500H MFD on Robinson R22 and R44 and Eurocopter AS350 and AS355 helicopters. Additionally, Aspen has added more aircraft to its FAA Approved Model List for the EFD1000. To see the complete model list, visit www.aspenavionics.com.
300th Citation Mustang
Less than three years after the first Mustang delivery in 2007, Cessna rolled out its 300th Citation Mustang at its assembly facility in Independence, Kans. "The aircraft continues to set the mark for entry-level business-jet operations around the world, and its demand has remained fairly resilient during the past year," said Cessna CEO Jack Pelton. The 300th Mustang will be delivered later this year to a retail customer in Australia. Visit www.cessna.com.
First International Texas Sport
American Legend announced the completion of its first international delivery of a Texas Sport aircraft kit. Delivered to Brazil in early 2009, the kit was assembled by Flyer Indústria Aeronáutica of Sao Paolo. The new owners took 10 months to complete the construction. Visit www.flyer.com.br. and www.legend.aero.
Cirrus & Red Bull
Cirrus Aircraft and Red Bull Air Race have announced a global partnership for the 2010 World Championship. At worldwide Red Bull Air Race events in 2010, guests attending in either the Race Club or the High Flyer's Lounge will have special access to both the SR22 series and the upcoming Cirrus Vision jet. Cirrus CEO Brent Wouters noted, "The Red Bull Air Race World Championship represents a passion for precision and performance in aviation. These same attributes are shared by Cirrus Aircraft, its employees and thousands of Cirrus owners and pilots around the world." Visit www.cirrusaircraft.com/airrace.
Seawind Update
The Seawind organization announced that the certified flight-test version of its amphibian has resumed testing. After the initial test of the aircraft systems, the Seawind will continue ground taxi testing at Saint Jean Airport, where the company's 82,000-square-foot manufacturing facility is located. After the ground test, the Seawind will be turned over to the Canada National Research Council to install all the flight-test instrumentation and complete the flight-test program. Seawind President Richard Silva said, "Everyone is elated to resume flight-testing, and we're looking forward to assembling the next test aircraft for IFR, autopilot and avionics options. Once we're assured that there will be no changes from flight-testing, we intend to start building customer aircraft to reduce the order backlog." Visit www.seawind.net.
Robinson Accepts R66 Orders
Robinson is accepting orders for its new turbine helicopter, the five-place R66. Serial numbers will not be assigned nor will delivery dates be confirmed until after FAA certification is complete. Preliminary specs include a 325 nm range, 1,000 fpm rate of climb and 1,280-pound empty weight. Visit www.robinsonheli.com.
King Schools Sweepstakes Winner
Rhonda Doyle of Ridgway, Colo., is the winner of King Schools' Future of Flight airplane sweepstakes. She wins a Cessna 172S Skyhawk that's equipped with a G1000 WAAS panel and GFC 700. "I was sitting at my desk, studying for my instrument rating and watching John King on my computer, when suddenly the phone rang and there he was on the line. I was a little confused at first, so when he told me that I had won, I didn't believe it," said Rhonda, a commercial pilot who supervises the Snowboard School at Telluride Ski Resort. Visit www.kingschools.com/winner.
L-3 Trilogy Gets Helicopter TSO
L-3 Avionics Systems has received FAA TSO approval for the Trilogy ESI-1000 Electronic Standby Instrument on Part 27 and Part 29 rotary-wing aircraft. The rotorcraft version of the Trilogy ESI is calibrated from 20 to 350 knots and from minus-1,500 to 55,000 feet; it can detect roll rates of up to 100 degrees per second. Visit www.l-3com.com.
Diamond In The Sky
The Diamond DA42 NG, which is approaching FAA certification, is one of two new versions of the world's most popular light twin. The innovative twin combines a proven yet state-of-the-art carbon-composite airframe, Garmin's industry-standard G1000 flight deck and autopilot, and Diamond's proprietary Austro Engine AE 300 jet-fuel-burning turbodiesel powerplants. Visit www.diamondair.com.
PRODUCT PREVIEWS
Check Tire Pressure
Tool Testing Lab's customizable Three-Piece Tire Gauge Kit includes three heavy-duty, brass-body analog gauges. Angled and straight chucks with flexible hose handles allow positive readings of virtually all pneumatic wheels and tubes filled with air or other inert gases. Choose from three separate styles of tire chucks: straight (with or without a hose) or dual-foot. A tread-depth gauge also is included. Contact: Tool Testing Lab, (937) 898-5696, www.ttlcal.com.
P-38 Polo Shirts
A classic P-38 Lightning silhouette is embroidered on Lost Squadron's heavyweight, pigment-dyed, 100% cotton Pique Polo/Golf Shirt. The preshrunk and ring-spun shirts are incredibly soft, and the pigment-
dyed pique develops easygoing character through repeated wear and washings. Additionally, the dye process infuses each garment with a unique appearance. Contact: Lost Squadron, (888) 977-5678, www.lostsquadron.com.
Look Sharp!
The AOPA Leading Edge Jacket offers exceptional comfort and modern styling. The lightweight, breathable construction is complemented by a durable wind- and water-resistant exterior and fleece interior. A zip chest pocket is ideal for storing a cell phone or iPod. Contact: Sporty's, (800) SPORTYS, www.sportys.com.
Border Crossings Made Easy
Developed by Lobo Labs, Flash Pass Net provides a more efficient alternative to Customs and Border Protection's eAPIS (Electronic Advance Passenger Information System), which requires pilots to file online manifests prior to crossing U.S. borders and carries heavy fines for incorrect information. Flash Pass Net enables pilots to comply with eAPIS rules by storing information and providing safeguards to eliminate common mistakes. Contact: Lobo Labs, www.flashpass.net.
Become An Airborne
Radar Expert Sporty's online Airborne Radar Training Course features narrated learning modules to explain the complex principles of thunderstorm formation, radar theory and radar operation. Hands-on interactivity, a hard-copy study guide and review quizzes combine to educate pilots of all skill levels. Contact: Sporty's, (800) SPORTYS, www.sportys.com/radar.
New Premium Headset
Beyerdynamic's unique HS 600 DANR Executive aviation headset is an upgraded version of its popular HS 600 DANR. Featuring glossy wood earcups, a leather headband and soft, viscoelastic-filled ear seals, the headset has a lacquer-coated audio box to which phones or MP3 players can be connected. The DANR headset has a fast microprocessor with a Beyerdynamic-developed software algorithm, eliminating pressure and sealing out cockpit noise. Contact: Beyerdynamic, (800) 293-4463, www.shop.beyerdynamic-usa.com.
WingX On Your iPhone
Hilton Software's WingX for iPhone Version 3.6 combines high-quality, animated DUATS weather images with improvements in efficiency. WingX 3.6's GPS-enabled, terrain-aware moving map displays Class B, C, D and special-use airspaces. Pilots can view the airspace's altitude range and other pertinent information. WingX 3.6 integrates Yelp information with the AOPA Directory to provide hotel and restaurant addresses, maps, photos and customer reviews. Contact: Hilton Software, (866) 42-WINGX, www.hiltonsoftware.com.
A Great Audio Panel, Improved
PS Engineering introduces its PMA8000B-Silver Edition, which improves on its flagship audio panel. Monitor mode will enhance the IFR approach environment, eliminating the need to decipher two simultaneous radio receptions. Multiple music muting modes allow pilots to decide, on the fly, how music will mute. Other enhancements are user-selectable telephone sidetone and music for the pilot while in ISO mode. Contact: PS Engineering, (800) ICS-AERO, www.ps-engineering.com.
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