April 25, 2009

By The AVweb Editorial Staff

FIND THEM AT: D-028 D-029 D-030 D-031 D-032 D-033 Gulf Coast Avionics — Your One-Stop Shop for Avionics, Instruments and Pilot Supplies See us at Sun 'n Fun booths #D28-33! Take advantage of show-special rebates and pricing from major manufacturers like JPI, ICOM, and others. Stop by our booth daily for great deals on great products, and be sure to ask about instant savings on specially marked products. See our interactive showroom conveniently located on Lakeland Linder Airport or shop our comprehensive e-commerce site at GCA.aero.   Top News: Zenair on Zodiac "Flutter Problem" back to top  Zenair Updates Response To NTSB Report When the NTSB last week issued a report calling for the Zodiac CH-601XL aircraft to be immediately grounded due to concerns about aerodynamic flutter, it caught the manufacturers by surprise This week at Sun 'n Fun, Mathieu Heintz of Zenair provided AVweb with an update on the company's response to the concerns raised by the report. Independent researchers in Germany are conducting detailed tests on the airplane wings to explore any possibility of flutter issues, Heintz said. "We've seen very clearly that when we have tight control cables as per the design requirements, we do not have a flutter problem with the airplane," he said. Loose cables can result in flutter, he said, but proper maintenance should prevent that from happening. Many of the CH-601XL aircraft were sold as kits before the S-LSA version became available. Heintz said that videos and other data and reports from the independent testing now underway will soon be made available on the company's Web site, and he added that he met with FAA representatives at Sun 'n Fun this week. Click here to listen to AVweb's podcast of the full interview with Heintz. The CH-601XL airplane is sold in a kit version by Zenith Aircraft, which is run by Sebastian Heintz, and is also sold as an S-LSA by AMD (Aircraft Manufacturing & Design). The CH-601XL was certified as an S-LSA in 2005. In the six accidents cited by the NTSB, two of the aircraft were experimental amateur-built (one in California and one in Utah), one in California was an S-LSA manufactured by AMD, and one in Florida was an S-LSA built by the Czech Aircraft Works. The other two crashes were in the Netherlands and in Spain. Click here for AVweb's report on the NTSB recommendation, and click here for the initial response from the FAA and the industry. FIND THEM AT: Bose Pavilion SNF-009 Fly with Bose® Aviation Headset X® Enjoy an unmatched combination of full-spectrum noise reduction, clearer audio, and comfortable fit. Voted the #1 headset for the eighth consecutive year in Professional Pilot's 2008 Headset Preference Survey. Purchase by May 2, 2009 and also receive a complimentary Bose premium flight bag ($80 value). Learn more and order. Quote reprinted with permission: Professional Pilot, 2007 Headset Preference Survey, 12/08. Getting to Sun 'n Fun — In an Ultralight back to top  Across The Country, Flying A "Pipe With Wings" Arty Trost, 65, has been flying her "fat ultralight" MaxAir Drifter, which is now classified as an experimental LSA, for more than 19 years, and this year she flew it from her home in Oregon all the way to Sun 'n Fun. Altogether, the seven-week round trip will cover about 7,500 miles, all of it poking along low and slow, and Trost revels in it. She's motivated not only by her love of flying, but also by her passion to inspire the next generation of aviators, especially girls. "I believe that as they see what another woman is able to accomplish -- in a sport that has very, very few women -- it will inspire them to dream big and live life fully," she wrote in a blog about the trip. Trost flew south to the southern edge of California, then east along the southern border of the U.S. to get to Lakeland. On the way back, she plans to head farther north, crossing the Rockies near Albuquerque and passing through Monument Valley on the way home. A friend, Randy Simpson, has joined Trost for most of the trip, but her husband of 45 years stayed home on their farm. "This might be my longest trip ever, because seven weeks is a long time to be away from home," she said. But she plans to continue to fly in her trusted Drifter for a long time yet. Trost uses her flights to promote Girls With Wings, an organization that encourages girls to reach their full potential. The Penelope Pilot Project seeks to increase girls' participation in aviation events and activities, as well as encourage them to test their wings in other ways. For more about Arty and her trip in the Drifter, click here to view our exclusive AVweb video, and click here to go to her blog. FIND THEM AT: C-092 C-093 C-094 C-095 AV8OR™ Handheld The AV8OR Handheld is the portable and affordable MFD built specifically for pilots, by a company that knows pilots. With navigation routing, planning, and weather information for the aircraft and the automobile, the AV8OR Handheld uses aviation software and symbology you understand. Its 4.3-inch touch screen is larger and easier to read than competing GPS systems, with an intuitive interface derived from the pilot-friendly, panel-mounted Bendix/King multi-function display systems. For more information, visit BendixKing.com/AV8OR. T&T to Put Lycoming LSA Engine Through Its Paces back to top  Lycoming Chooses LSA Engine Tester Lycoming's entry in the Light Sport Aircraft engine derby will be flight tested by T&T Aviation, of Washington, Pa. in a Falcon LSA that it imports from Corvus Aircraft, of Hungary. Flight tests will begin soon with an eye to limited delivery of the 200-210 horsepower engines by the end of the year. The engine, which will compete directly with Continental's LSA-modified 0-200, will put out a maximum of 116 horsepower at 2,800 rpm or 100 horsepower at a more realistic 2,400 horsepower. Derated models at 90 and 80 horsepower will also be available and the engine will be able to run on avgas or 91/96 octane unleaded car gas that meets D4814 or EN 228 standards. The engine is based on the company's O-235 workhorse but there are enough differences to give it the new designation. The new mill features dual electronic ignition, throttle body fuel injection, high speed induction system and roller tappets, among other changes. It uses 5.25 gph at 75 percent power and TBO is 2,400 hours. FIND THEM AT: D-051 D-052 D-053 It Isn't Just One Thing About the Zulu That's Making Pilots Change Their Mind — It's the Total Package Not only do you get broader noise attenuation over the entire audible range than you'll get with any other headset, but you also can't beat the comfort. And Zulu is the only headset with Front Row Center and Bluetooth. Go to ZuluChangeYourMind.com and see what more and more pilots are saying. LoPresti Innovation Award back to top  LoPresti Award Goes To Retractable Wheel Pants A pair of wheelpants that open up on the ground and close up in flight to completely cover the tires won this year's LoPresti Innovation Award, company spokesman RJ Siegel announced at Sun 'n Fun on Friday. The award comes with a plaque and a year's worth of support and advice to help bring the product to market. The wheelpants were designed by James Bede Jr. of BedeCorp. Siegel said he expects to see the pants in production and available for sale by EAA AirVenture at Oshkosh later this summer. "The first ones will fit an RV-7 or RV-10," he said, "and will add as much as 8 knots to cruise speed." Those wheelpants will sell for $1,995 a pair, he said, and he hopes to soon add more designs for more aircraft, including certified airplanes. The award was established last year in honor of the company founder, Roy LoPresti. The company accepts applications for the award year round, and soon will have a place to submit them at their Web site, Siegel said. The applications are reviewed by a panel of seven judges that includes engineers, marketing experts, and business people, who look for ideas that are not only innovative but marketable. FIND THEM AT: Cessna Display SNF-001 SNF-002 You Won't Need SVT to See Where No-Cost Fuel Can Take You, But We're Throwing It in Anyway If you buy one of a limited number of 2008 Cessna 350 or Cessna 400 aircraft from existing inventory, Cessna will supply you with $25,000 in fuel at no cost to you and upgrade your state-of-the-art Garmin G1000 integrated flight deck with new Synthetic Vision Technology. Supply of eligible aircraft is limited, so act fast and contact your Cessna representative today. Amid the LSAs, a Giant ... back to top  Missionator Displays Beech 1900D Versatility It's not often that airliners are on display at Sun 'n Fun but Raytheon's Beechcraft 1900D "Missionator" demo aircraft was in the commercial area showing the versatility of the design. And no, that's not a misprint. When Raytheon sold off what is now Hawker Beechcraft, it kept the airliner division, even though the aircraft are built by Beech. The 1900D is the current generation of the aircraft, which was designed specifically as a 19-seat regional airliner. Company spokesman Skip Gallagher said in a podcast interview it wasn't long before operators discovered other uses for the versatile turboprop with the stand-up, box-like interior. The Missionator cabin is divided into three sections showcasing its capability for medevac, passenger and cargo operations. Gallagher said the ubiquitous short-haul airliner is still enjoying strong sales, even in the tough economy. Most of the sales are coming from outside the U.S., however. The Missionator tour started in California and went as far north as Calgary, Alberta before heading to Sun 'n Fun. After Florida, it heads for an extensive tour of South America. FIND THEM AT: MD-035-A 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, and Turbo 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. Our Sun 'n Fun Image Galleries back to top  AVweb's Sun 'n Fun 2009 Galleries: Day Five — The Air Shows Click for more photos We've been at Sun 'n Fun for a few days now, and we finally got a chance to take in the afternoon air show! Well, at least our photographer Mariano Rosales did — and, as always, his shots are the next best thing to being there. Click here to view photos. SPONSOR Like a 696 on Steroids The new Flight Cheetah FL 210-S is the most advanced GPS Moving Map system available today. The Flight Cheetah incorporates the most powerful and comprehensive list of features that you will find anywhere. For more information and live video demonstrations, click here. AVweb Audio — Are You Listening? back to top  AVweb's Sun 'n Fun 2009 Podcast #9: Zenair Updates Response to NTSB Report File Size 5.8 MB / Running Time 8:25 Podcast Index | How to Listen | Subscribe Via RSS When the NTSB last week issued a report calling for the Zodiac CH-601XL aircraft to be immediately grounded due to concerns about aerodynamic flutter, it caught the manufacturers by surprise — but this week at Sun 'n Fun, Mathieu Heintz of Zenair provided AVweb's Mary Grady with an update on the company's response to the concerns raised by the report. This podcast is brought to you by Lightspeed Aviation's Zulu Headset and Gulf Coast Avionics. Click here to listen. (5.8 MB, 8:25) AVweb's Sun 'n Fun 2009 Podcast #10: Missionator Mission at Lakeland File Size 2.9 MB / Running Time 3:08 Podcast Index | How to Listen | Subscribe Via RSS The Beech 1900D is one of the most versatile regional airliners available in the under-20-seat range. Raytheon (yes, Raytheon) spokesman Skip Gallagher explains how they're taking that message to the world with a unique world tour. This podcast is brought to you by Bose Corporation and WxWorx XM WX Satellite Weather. Click here to listen. (2.9 MB, 3:08) FIND THEM AT: C-024 C-025 C-026 N-036 Having XM WX Satellite Weather On-Board Is Not a Luxury — it is a necessity, and when it comes to getting the most accurate and reliable weather information onboard, more pilots trust XM WX Satellite Weather than any other satellite-delivered weather service. Come see the latest from XM WX Satellite Weather at booth #C-024 during Sun 'n Fun 2009, or visit us online at XMWXweather.com/aviation.   AVweb Media: Look, Listen, Laugh and Learn back to top  AVweb's Sun 'n Fun 2009 Video #9: Lycoming Update — IE2 Engine Progresses Original, Exclusive Videos from AVweb | Reader-Submitted & Viral Videos With an industrial development grant from the state of Pennsylvania formalized, Lycoming is move forward with its IE2 electronic engine initiative. Here's a video update from AVweb's exclusive Sun 'N Fun coverage. This video is brought to you by Bose Corporation and WxWorx XM WX Satellite Weather. Don't see a video screen? Try disabling ad blockers and refreshing this page. If that doesn't work, click here to download the video directly. AVweb's Sun 'n Fun 2009 Video #10: Cross Country on a Pole Original, Exclusive Videos from AVweb | Reader-Submitted & Viral Videos Experimental aircraft pilot Arty Trost flew an open-cockpit 55-mph aircraft from Oregon to Florida for the Sun 'n Fun air show. The cross-country aircraft is a Maxair Drifter. This video is brought to you by Gulf Coast Avionics and Lightspeed Aviation's Zulu Headset. Don't see a video screen? Try disabling ad blockers and refreshing this page. If that doesn't work, click here to download the video directly. FIND THEM AT: C-071 Avidyne Introduces Release 9 of the Entegra Integrated Flight Deck Avidyne's Entegra Release 9 Integrated Flight Deck System represents the next generation of integrated flight deck systems for light general aviation. The Entegra Release 9 retrofit for Cirrus SR20 & SR22 includes dual XGA high-resolution IFD5000 displays, dual-redundant FMS900w systems with a QWERTY-style control/display unit, next-generation fully-digital VHF radios, and dual WAAS/RNP-capable GPS receivers. Find out more about The Best Flight Deck in Aviation at Release9.com. The Top Reporter on Our Crack Staff ... Is You! back to top  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. You're a part of our team ... often, the best part. Names Behind the News back to top  Meet the AVwebFlash Team AVwebFlash is a weekly summary of the latest news, articles, products, features, and events featured on AVweb, the internet's aviation magazine and news service. The AVwebFlash team is: Publisher Timothy Cole Editorial Director, Aviation Publications Paul Bertorelli Editor-in-Chief Russ Niles Contributing Editors Mary Grady Glenn Pew Features Editor Kevin Lane-Cummings Webmaster Scott Simmons Contributors Jeff van West Mariano Rosales Click here to send a letter to the editor. (Please let us know if your letter is not intended for publication.) Comments or questions about the news should be sent here. Have a product or service to advertise on AVweb? A question on marketing? Send it to AVweb's sales team. If you're having trouble reading this newsletter in its HTML-rich format (or if you'd prefer a lighter, simpler format for your PDA or handheld device), there's also a text-only version of AVwebFlash. For complete instructions on making the switch, click here. Aviate. Navigate. Communicate.