May 2014 Readback

The Red Bull Air Race World Championship returned from a three-year break with a spectacular three-way battle for first in the bright blue skies over Abu Dhabi.

Red Bull Air Races 2014

The Red Bull Air Race World Championship returned from a three-year break with a spectacular three-way battle for first in the bright blue skies over Abu Dhabi. Britain's Paul Bonhomme took the win on Saturday in front of 100,000 in a pressure-packed finale, just ahead of his perennial rival, Austrian Hannes Arch. Canadian Pete McLeod finished in third place. Bonhomme, the defending Red Bull Air Race World Champion, had fallen behind both the red-hot McLeod, who notched a career-first podium, and his old nemesis Arch, in the penultimate round of the high-speed, low-altitude race, but managed to fly nearly two seconds faster in the final round and score the win with the day's best time---56.439 seconds. This narrowly bested Arch's time of 56.776 and set the scene for the Bonhomme/Arch rivalry to continue into the 2014 season. Visit www.redbullairrace.com.

Danbury Aerospace Announces New Business Unit

Titan Aircraft Engines announced that their "completed engine business" has been spun off into a new and separate company. Titan Aircraft Engines, based in San Antonio, Texas, is moving into its own facility and staffing up quickly to meet current and expected demand. "It's time that we facilitate the recent demand we have seen in our completed engine business with adequate facilities and staffing to meet that demand," said Ty Stoller, President at Danbury Aerospace. Over 1,600 customers have already benefited from Danbury's engine kit program launched several years ago through ECi, the distribution arm of Danbury Aerospace. This business has taken off with the recent agreements with Cub Crafters, Vertical Aviation and five other OEM manufactures. Danbury Aerospace has hired Kevin Eldredge to lead the new business to focus on customer service, branding of Titan and expanding the product offering for the homebuilt and LSA marketplace. Visit www.titanengines.com and www.danbury.aero.

Hartzell's Composite 5-Blade Swept Prop for TBM Earns STC

Hartzell Propeller has received FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval for the company's advanced swept-airfoil composite five-blade propeller to be installed on TBM 700/850 aircraft. Hartzell has taken orders for the advanced propellers, and deliveries to TBM owners are expected to begin shortly. "Our new propeller design for the TBM turboprop results in faster takeoff acceleration, higher cruise speeds and better climb, along with less noise," said Hartzell Propeller President Joe Brown. The new propeller is available directly through Hartzell's Top Prop conversion program or through Daher-Socata's distributor network. Visit www.tbm850.com and www.hartzellprop.com

Eclipse 550 Auto Throttle, Anti-Skid Brake Systems Receive STC

Eclipse Aerospace announced receipt of Supplemental Type Certification (STC) for both the Auto Throttle and Anti-Skid Brake (ASB) systems for the Eclipse 550 twin-engine jet. The Auto Throttle, developed in partnership with Innovative Solutions & Support, is a first for FAR Part 23 aircraft. Eclipse 550 pilots will be able to select the appropriate airspeed for the autopilot to maintain, and the autopilot will automatically adjust the engine's power settings in various phases of flight. The Anti-Skid Brake system, which can be retrofitted to all Eclipse 500 with the IFMS avionics package, allows for maximum braking energy and skid control. Visit www.eclipse.aero.

New Upgrades to G1000 King Airs

Garmin announced new capabilities for G1000-equipped King Air 200/250/300/350 series aircraft. These upgrades include several NextGen components like Automatic Dependence Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) compliance, as well as customer-requested capabilities such as creating user-defined holding patterns, and the approval of optional equipment to increase its global operating capability. "Our G1000 retrofit program for the King Air product line has received exceptional response, and Garmin will continue to provide King Air operators with the best technology available," said Carl Wolf, Garmin's vice president of aviation sales and marketing. "These new capabilities help minimize pilot workload, offer additional NextGen capabilities and provide a number of operational benefits to G1000-equipped King Air operators." Visit www.garmin.com/aviation.

Mooney's Management Leadership Team Takes Shape

After many dormant years and with great fanfare around the aviation industry, Mooney International CEO Dr. Jerry Chen recently fired up manufacturing, and the line is moving. "The key players are all finally in place," said Dr. Chen. "This is among the most experienced leadership teams in general aviation. They bring not only expertise to their roles, but they have tremendous passion for our vision." The team includes Barry Hodkin, Chief Financial Officer, Tom Bowen, Chief Operating Officer, Chad Nelson, Chief Manufacturing Officer, and Neal Pfeiffer, Chief Technical Officer. Currently, the Company has more than 70 employees working at the Kerrville, Texas, manufacturing facilities. Visit www.mooney.com.


Wearable WingX

Hilton Software announced WingX Pro7 for Pebble, which uses the watch's Bluetooth connection to integrate with WingX Pro7 running on an iPad or iPhone. WingX Pro7 for Pebble displays navigation information including GPS Speed, Track, Altitude and WAAS flag. It has vibration warnings to the pilot for the timer, when passing a fix, at a preselected altitude, and upon descending below 1,000 AGL. Dr. Goldstein, founder of Hilton Software, said: "At first I was skeptical of Pebble's use in aviation. Now I find its potential to be incredible. Pebble's e-paper screen is easy to read in bright sunlight, the timer is easy to use, and the navigation information is simple to understand. But what I find most intriguing is the vibration notification system. Pebble's vibration really gets your attention." Visit www.hiltonsoftware.com.

Sporty's Fly-In Held May 17

Sporty's 10th annual Fly-In will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2014, at the Clermont County/Sporty's Airport. In addition to the usual festivities, at this year's Fly-In, the winner of Sporty's 2014 Van's RV-12 sweepstakes airplane will be announced at noon. "Just fly in or drive in, and we'll roll out the red carpet," says Sporty's President Michael Wolf. "Tour the exhibits, attend seminars---and enjoy a free hot dog from Sporty's for lunch." Sporty's flight instructors will be on hand to offer introductory flights through Sporty's Academy, and tours will be available of Sandy's Airpark at Sporty's, where airport-based homes are available. Visit www.sportys.com/flyin.

PRODUCT PREVIEWS

Touch Trainer

The Touch Trainer is an FAA-approved training device that simulates performance on Cessna, Diamond and Cirrus aircraft. You can train, maintain and log time including IFR currency without an instructor, rehearse WAAS GPS LPV, LNAV+V, LNAV and ground-based approaches, and master G1000, G600, GNS 430W, Avidyne V7/8, STEC 55X, DFC 90 and other avionics. Contact: www.banyanair.com.

Pilot Wings Backpack

Sporty's newest backpack features organizational pockets and, at under three pounds, it's light enough to wear for extended periods of time. The Wings Backpack is durable, as well, with high-quality construction and heavy-duty zippers, including two zippered side compartments. Features include a fleece-lined drop-in audio pocket with a headphone exit port and a laptop sleeve that's perfect for iPads or up to 17-inch laptops. Contact: www.sportys.com.

Say Again, Please

Talking on an aviation radio and understanding air traffic control instructions can be one of the most intimidating aspects of flight training. In Say Again, Please, Bob Gardner explains how the ATC system works and teaches readers what to say, what to expect to hear, and how to interpret and react to clearances and instructions. This new fifth edition has been updated throughout to reflect current rules and operating procedures. Chapters cover communication etiquette and rules, understanding radio equipment, emergency situations, and both VFR and IFR communications and clearances. Contact: www.asa2fly.com.

New Breitling Chronomat

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Patrouille Suisse (the Swiss Air Force aerobatic team), Breitling is offering a 1,000-piece limited-edition Chronomat 44 GMT "Patrouille Suisse 50th Anniversary." It features a personalized dial and engraved case-back housing, chronometer-certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute. The brushed-steel case is distinguished by a black dial bearing the flight team logo at 9 o'clock, framed by a rotating bezel with inlaid rubber numerals. The second hour hand, tipped by the outline of a red F-5E Tiger II, serves to display the second timezone in 24-hour mode. Contact www.breitling.com.

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