Lycoming® — The Engines of
Choice Lycoming® produces the most
complete line of horizontally opposed, air-cooled four-, six-, and
eight-cylinder certified aircraft engines available, with power ranging
from 100 to 400 HP. For homebuilders, air race and aerobatic pilots, and
others looking for non-certified engines with Lycoming
dependability, Lycoming offers custom-built Thunderbolt Engines.
Lycoming piston engines have a reputation for reaching or
exceeding TBO.
For more information, please visit
Lycoming.com.
DIESEL
DA50 HEADED TO U.S. Diamond Aircraft used AERO
Friedrichshafen as the setting to announce the first delivery of a DA42
NG, with Austro engines, and to firm up timelines for various
certifications involving the in-house diesel. The first DA42 NG, which
was certified in Europe last month, went to a customer in Sweden. North
American customers can expect two Austro-powered Diamonds to be
available by mid-2010. Its DA50 Magnum AE300 Austro Engine diesel single
was announced as heading towards U.S. certification, probably by
mid-2010. A 300-hp gas-powered example -– or a newer high-powered
Diesel -– should follow with certification by 2012. Along with the
DA50 Magnum, Diamond's Austro Engine DA42 NG will likely achieve U.S.
certification sometime in 2010 at which time retrofits should also be
available for customers of their Thielert engined products.
More...
3 Airplanes ... 3 Levels ...
1 Edition ... Ice
New for 2009, Cirrus Aircraft shakes the lineup with a new way to
spec out your new Cirrus. SR20, SR22, andTurbo models are now available in three well-equipped trim levels
- "S," "GS," and "GTS"; Known Ice
Protection is ready to go on SR22 and Turbo models; or
choose an all-new premium interior and exterior upgrade package dubbed
"X-Edition."
Visit CirrusAircraft.com for
details.
INNOVATION
SHINES AT AERO FRIEDRICHSHAFEN Innovation was alive and well
at AERO Friedrichshafen, which showcased plenty of new and novel ideas
and designs. One of the more interesting aircraft on display included a
composite-based turboprop five-seat amphibian from Hungarian builder
Avana Industries Ltd. It looks like a Seawind on steroids. At the other
end of the scale was the German-made, two-seat, Rotax-powered Dornier
S-Ray 007 that made a subtle appearance at Oshkosh in 2007. Out of
Hungary again came another amphibian, the two-seat Hydropteron LSA from
IDEA Aircraft, which has Rotax power and is equipped with a ballistic
parachute. The Em11 Orka from Poland was on display. It looks like an
amphibian, but isn't. This striking four-seat high-winged twin is a
pusher propelled by two counter-rotating Lycoming IO-320 engines driving
three-blade constant speed props that give a 142-knot cruise at 75
percent power. More...
FLIGHT
DESIGN'S HYBRID AIRCRAFT AT AERO Flight Design GmbH, the
German creators of the popular CT line of light sport aircraft, used
AERO Friedrichshafen to announce details of their work on a new hybrid
engine concept. The propulsion package consists of a standard Rotax 914
turbocharged engine to which is mated a 40-hp (30 kW) electric motor.
The electric motor is coupled to the propeller hub using a poly-V-belt
drive that has no overloading impact on the crankshaft and, thus, allows
the motor to transmit its power directly to the point where it's needed.
Since the basic Rotax is left mostly untouched, its 130-hp output,
combined with the electric motor's 40 hp, provide for a combined 170-hp
output for the hybrid. The electric motor will be used for takeoffs and
climbs, and makes use of its full capacity over a maximum five-minute
span. In cruise, power comes entirely from running the gas engine at
full power. Twenty minutes is required for a full recharge on the 25
kilos of lithium ion batteries that power the electric motor.
More...
A Life Insurance Policy That
Returns All of Your Premiums? — YES
The Return of Premium Term policy available through Pilot Insurance
Center features fixed premiums and guarantees to return the total of all
premiums at the end of the policy. No aviation exclusions. Call (800)
380-8376 or
visit PICLife.com.
ROTARY
ENGINE CERTIFICATION EYED Rotary engines have been around for
decades in experimental applications but MISTRAL, a European company is
targeting early 2010 for FAA type certification of a 300-horsepower
normally aspirated rotary that it claims will "bridge the gap" between
piston and turbine power for GA. The company had its products on display
at AERO Friedrichshafen and explained that rotary engines "take the
best" from piston and turbine designs. The company, which has a U.S.
subsidiary in Deland, Fla., says rotaries will run happily on mogas or
avgas, will have a 3,000-hour TBO and run quieter than either piston or
turbine engines. Digital engine management will maximize efficiency the
company says. More...
SOLAR,
FUEL CELL POWER DISPLAYED Sunseeker II came to AERO
Friedrichshafen to start a European tour that will cover eight
countries: Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy,
France and Spain. The solar-powered aircraft has already completed
hundreds of miles of test flights over the U.S. Southwest, logging more
flight hours than all other manned solar-powered aircraft combined. Its
latest modifications include greater surface area for solar cell
coverage. A teetering propeller reduces vibration, and the new aircraft
is fitted with four packs of advanced lithium polymer batteries, which
are installed in the wings. Fuel cell power was also front and center at
AERO. More...
Sun 'n Fun — It's Like
Spring Break for Pilots Scheduled for April 21-26 in Lakeland, Florida. Featuring the
U.S. Army Parachute Team "Golden Knights." This annual event
includes more than 4,500 airplanes, 500 commercial exhibitors, over 400
educational forums, seminars, and hands-on workshops for virtually every
aviation interest. Plus a spectacular daily air show. All included in
your ticket price. Special online-only discounts.Get your tickets online now at
Sun-N-Fun.org.
CESSNA'S
PELTON: SHOUTING AND BEING HEARD In the midst of one of the
deepest economic downturns the GA industry has seen, Cessna's Jack
Pelton says that perception as much as dismal market conditions threaten
the industry's recovery. Speaking at the 51st Aircraft Electronics
Association convention in Dallas Thursday, Pelton said Cessna has
determined to take a leadership role in an unapologetic campaign to
reestablish the legitimacy of GA as a critical business tool. "We've got
to make it clear that it's OK to fly," Pelton told the opening session
of AEA.Listen to AVweb's podcast
with Pelton. More...
While ADS-B shimmers mirage like on the horizon as
(maybe) a really good idea, avionics manufacturers have been forging
ahead with active traffic and datalink systems. Avidyne has both, but to
cover all of its bets, at last week's Aircraft Electronics Association
(AEA) show in Dallas, it announced an intriguing ADS-B add-on option for
its popular TAS600 line of active traffic systems. Avidyne's Tom Harper
told AVWeb that the company believes that even in a world dominated by
ADS-B—a world that still appears years away—there will always
be a place for active traffic systems. More...
Dr. Blue Says, "Be Smart — Carry a
PLB!"
Flying, hiking, camping, riding your ATV or bike — accidents happen
that can become a life-threatening situation. Be prepared with a
Personal Locator Beacon (PLB). It's as easy as pushing a
button. PLBs from Aeromedix.com include the ACR MicroFix 406
MHz for pilots when you're enjoying activities in unpopulated
areas.
Click now to visit Aeromedix.com
for complete details.
FLIGHTS
CANCELLED FOR LUNCH Air New Zealand says it will have to
cancel 25 regional flights so tower staff at five small airports can
comply with new labor rules. The rules require lunch breaks to be
scheduled, rather than allowing staff to take them as workload permits.
The result is the five towers will have to be closed twice a day for up
to 45 minutes while staff have their meal break. "We appear to be the
victims of an overly rigid dictate to business on how to achieve a
healthy and safe workplace, not to mention further constraints to the
agility and adaptability we need in these incredibly challenging times,"
airline spokesman Bruce Parton told reporters. More...
Put AeroExpo Europe - Prague
and AeroExpo Europe - London on Your Show Schedule AeroExpo Europe - Prague (May 22-24, 2009) will showcase
everything from ultralights to helicopters to business aircraft in the
heart of Europe, marketing to the European and emerging Eastern European
and Russian markets. AeroExpo Europe - London (June 12-14, 2009)
includes aircraft from light aircraft, pistons, and turboprops through
to VLJs (very light jets) and all parts and services for these general
aviation aircraft.
Go online for exhibitor and attendee
details.
AVWEB'S
NEWSTIPS ADDRESS ... Our best stories start with you.
If you've heard something 200,000 pilots might want to know about, tell
us. Submit news tips via email to newstips@avweb.com. What have you
heard? More...
Rediscover Jet
City!
Make King County International Airport/Boeing Field your flight
destination! Conveniently located just 5 miles from downtown Seattle,
KBFI is positioned in the center of the growing economy of the
Puget Sound region, serving as a hub for business travel, private jets,
and general aviation travel. Partner with aviation experts when you fly
to Seattle. Make your destination King County International
Airport/Boeing Field!
For more information, visit
online.
IPOD
IN THE AIRPLANE? DECRANE AEROSPACE AUDIO MAKES IT EVEN
EASIER So busy you can't listen to AVweb podcasts on
the ground, but you'd love to catch up on our exclusive interviews while
you're making that cross-country flight? DeCrane Aerospace Audio
International has the tech you'll need to take your iPod aloft, and
Marcus Garrett gave our Paul Bertorelli the lowdown at this
year's AEA Convention in Dallas. More...
AVweb contributor Graeme
Peppler serves up photos from Aero Friedrichshafen 2009, sharing the
sights with those who couldn't make it to Germany this year.
More...
Jeppesen Pilot
Training
Smart pilots never truly fly solo. For 75 years, pilots have taken their
aviation partner along for the journey — Jeppesen. Pilots
(and future pilots) look to us for the tools and training they need to
fly safely and effectively. Throughout your career flight path, you can
count on Jeppesen. Choose the learning tools best for you with
our integrated system. Learn more at
Jeppesen.com/pilottraining.
If you're not attending the Aircraft Electronics Association Convention
in Dallas, Texas this week, you're missing some terrific new products.
One of the things we enjoy most about these trade shows is walking the
floor and seeing the latest tech in person, so we're sharing that
experience with a series of "AEA Product Minutes" — in which we
invite vendors to reveal (in one minute) the details of their hottest
product at the show.
EXCLUSIVE
VIDEO: AEA PRODUCT MINUTE — AVIDYNE Got time for one more "Product Minute"
from AEA? This time, Tom Harper from Avidyne explains how you can
bridge the gap from TAS to ADS-B with the company's new NextGen-ready
TAS600A. More...
EXCLUSIVE
VIDEO: AEA PRODUCT MINUTES — SANDEL, KANNAD, AND SOUTHEAST
AEROSPACE In this batch of product minutes,
Sandel Avionics' Chuck Freeland brings us up to speed on their
ST3400 HTAWS, Floyd Roney from Kannad shows off their 406 AF
compact ELT, and Joe Braddock of Southeast Avionics shares the benefits
of their TT21 and TT31 transponders. More...
EXCLUSIVE
VIDEO: AEA PRODUCT MINUTES — GARMIN, L3, AND MID-CONTINENT
INSTRUMENTS In this batch of product minutes, Jim
Alpiser from Garmin introduces the new G3X for sport aircraft,
Michele Stevenson of L3 Avionics talks about their Trilogy
Electronics Standby Instrument, and Tom Genovese from Mid-Continent
Instruments shows off the MD800 series lithium nanophosphate
battery. More...
Q: What's the Difference
Between a $10,000 Annual and a $2,500 Annual? A:
SAMM Mike Busch and his team of seasoned maintenance professionals are
saving their aircraft-owner clients thousands of dollars a year in parts
and labor — not to mention hours of hassle — by providing
professional maintenance management for owner-flown singles and twins.
Learn how they do it.
Judging by this
week's "FBO of the Week" nominations, many of our readers have had some
very pleasant (and successful) trips this week. Thanks to everyone who
nominated an FBO, and please — keep telling us about
outstanding FBOs you encounter in your travels.
Chris Archer sang the FBO's praises, telling us
about their "great service ... good instructors ... [and] best aircraft
in Hawaii, hands down." (Chris regularly rents a Cessna 172SP with G1000
from FSH and tells us he's "never had a flight cancelled for
maintenance.")
Economic Challenges Call for
Proven Advertising Results — AVweb Delivers
Results
Since 1995, AVweb has been the most comprehensive no-cost
aviation site online. Advertisers reach over 255,000 pilots, aircraft
owners, and aviation professionals via a unique and effective
combination of newsletter text messages and web site banner ads. Links
send readers directly to advertisers' web sites for instant
information.
Click now for details on AVweb's
cost-effective programs.
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