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| AVflash! Van's New Flavor of RV | back to top |  |
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Van's Introduces RV-14, Up-sized Two-Place
Van's Aircraft added one more design to its stable this week with the introduction of the RV-14, an aerobatic two-seat kit airplane, similar to the company's RV-7 but with a roomier cabin and more baggage space. "You can also think of it as a two-seat version of the four-seat RV-10," Ken Krueger, chief engineer for Van's, told AVweb at EAA AirVenture on Tuesday. The new seats will hold folks up to 6'4" in comfort, the company said. With full fuel of 50 gallons, the RV-14 can handle 510 pounds of people and cargo. Wing kits should be available this fall, the company said, at an estimated price of $9,000. Kits for the empennage, fuselage, and finishing "will be released in due course," the company said, and a quick-build kit will become available after the standard kits are released.
Krueger said builders will find new refinements in the kit that make it easier to build. "The canopy plastic is pre-trimmed and the canopy frame is now all sheet metal, so it's easier to fit together," he said. "There's a lot more system integration work, such as building in the wire runs and runs for the fuel and brake lines. All these changes aim to make it easier for the builder but still flexible." The prototype is on display all week at AirVenture. It features a 210-hp Lycoming IO-390 engine. At gross weight, the airplane will fly at 203 mph and take off in 630 feet. Maximum range is 938 miles. |
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| Avidyne's IFD440: Something for Everyone | back to top | |
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Avidyne's Latest Plan: IFD440 GPS For Replacing Garmin's GNS430
If you're itching for a modern replacement for your dated GNS430 GPS then Avidyne has a solution with the IFD440 retrofit navigator. Think of the IFD440 as a space-saving alternative to the previously introduced IFD540 –- a box that was designed as a drop-in for Garmin's GNS530 navigator. The smaller IFD440 affords the same plug-and-play easy upgrade process as the larger IFD540 and retains the same hybrid control feature set of touchscreen and conventional knobs and buttons. It also brings the same NMS-intensive operating logic that trickles down from the company's R9 integrated glass. Despite being smaller, the IFD440 shares the same level of capability as the IFD540 including a virtual keyboard, geo-fill flight planning and a crisp map display.
Trying it on for size, the smaller box is expected to measure a standard rack width of 6.30 inches, stand 2.65 inches high and require 11 inches of depth behind the panel. It weighs 8.5 pounds with interface connectors. Its 4.8-inch diagonal, LED-backlighted LCD touchscreen might seem small in comparison to the IFD540 but its VGA-like screen clarity is its saving grace. While the unit won't be available for at least a year, Avidyne will take your money now for a drastically reduced price point of $8500. It's expected to retail for $14,995. For more information, visit Avidyne.com.
Video: Avidyne Announces the IFD440Original, Exclusive Videos from AVweb | Reader-Submitted & Viral Videos
It'll be a year before you can get one, but Avidyne announced its plan for a drop-in replacement to the almost ubiquitous Garmin GNS 430. It will have a touchscreen and buttons, as well as advanced capability for two units to work together.
This video is brought to you by Sennheiser |
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| Outside Oshkosh: Fighter Pilots Breathing Easier? | back to top | |
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F-22 Oxygen Problem Resolved?
The Air Force now thinks that a faulty valve installed in pressure vests -- not oxygen contamination -- has been causing the hypoxia-like symptoms reported by some F-22 Raptor pilots. Twelve incidents involving hypoxia-like symptoms were reported between April 2008 and January 2011, and one fatal crash has been linked to oxygen-delivery problems. At least one report even indicated toxins had been found in the blood of Raptor pilots. The Air Force briefly grounded the roughly $80 billion fleet of 180 Raptors while it failed to source the problem and then attempted a list of fixes without results. Some attention had already been directed at the pressure vests. Now they believe a faulty valve on those vests can prevent the vest from deflating and that, they think, is the problem.
After the grounding, the Air Force then restricted how the F-22 was flown. Then it equipped the Raptors' oxygen system with charcoal filters to remove contaminants, but those were removed after some pilots began coughing up black mucus. In June, the Air Force ordered pilots to stop wearing their pressure vests. No pilots have reported symptoms since March. In June, reports about the pressure vests suggested that they weren't properly fitted for some pilots, but fixing the problem wasn't expected to resolve the hypoxia-symptom issue. At that time, Air Combat Command spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Edward Sholtis said the vest had not been identified as the root cause of the problems and the vest had not been implicated as the cause of reported incidents. Last month, the Air Force was looking at issues regarding the layering of clothing and flight suits with regard to the vest. |
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| Eagerly Anticipated Diamond D-JET Arrives Thursday | back to top | |
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D-JET Coming To OSH With Something New
The aerodynamic configuration of Diamond's D-JET has been frozen with the inclusion of one specific change that Diamond says it will show Thursday when prototype 003 arrives for static display at AirVenture's Phillips 66 Plaza. According to Diamond, that one detail "has a positive effect on the stall speed and roll control, but also the overall aesthetics." D-JET prototypes have so far amassed nearly 700 hours of testing. In the air, testing has expanded the aircraft's speed envelope to 346 KTAS. More work has been done on the ground, and production is on the horizon.
Diamond's recent air work has focused on verifying that the jet's handling, stability and control fit the confines of the FAR 23 Flight requirements, throughout the weight and balance envelope. Testing has checked basic systems and configurations and tuned control forces. On the ground, a full-scale test article has gone through more than 30,000 pressure cycles. Structural and landing gear tests have been performed along with composite material qualification testing. Diamond is now preparing for production of the next prototype, S/N 004. Once that aircraft is in the air, Diamond will work toward Type Certification and initial deliveries, currently scheduled for late 2014. |
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| Aspen Avionics' CG-100 May Be Next iPad Must-Have | back to top | |
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Aspen's Connected Panel Gains a TSO
Looking forward to the not-too-distant day when an iPad or tablet computer might control all of the avionics in the panel, Aspen Avionics said Tuesday that it's CG-100 in-cabin wireless module has gained TSO approval and should be ready for manufacturing and shipping within a few weeks. The $2499 product is a small blind-mounted box that provides an in-cockpit wireless network to connect a tablet computer directly to panel-mount hardware such as Garmin navigators and Aspen's popular Evolution line of aftermarket EFIS products, Aspen's Brad Hayden said in a podcast interview. For now, the system will be capable only of transferring flight plans back and forth between the equipment but going forward, Aspen envisions expanding capability that could provide tablet control of virtually everything in the modern panel.
The CG-100 is actually the first product in a series of products and is called Connected Pilot, and the hardware requires an app called Aspen Flight Connect. The system automatically links up through the CG-100 when the iPad comes into range of its standard wireless prototocol. Further, said Hayden, Connected Pilot will interface with seven of the popular iPad planning apps and as it evolves, the product will provide ever more capability between the iPad and the panel. Hayden told AVweb that the FAA's certification hurtles included proving that the WiFi is secure and requiring a means for the pilot to verify any information before it's sent into the panel equipment. Find out more about Connected Pilot at AspenAvionics.com.
Podcast: Aspen Connected Panel Gets TSOFile Size 4.7 MB / Running Time 10:12Podcast Index | How to Listen | Subscribe Via RSS
Aspen Avionics has received a TSO for its CG-100, a wireless wonderbox that ties all the screens on your panel with your tablet. AVweb's Paul Bertorelli talks to Aspen's Brad Hayden about what that means to you.
This podcast is brought to you by Aspen
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| Time for a New Turboprop? You Tell Cessna | back to top | |
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Cessna Invites Feedback On Turboprop Mockup
Cessna has been considering for some time adding a single-engine turboprop to its line to fill a gap between the Corvalis and the Mustang, and this week at EAA AirVenture the company has a cabin mockup on display to help collect customer feedback on the design. Cessna spokesman Andy Woodward told AVweb on Tuesday that so far customers have been enthusiastic about the "space and comfort" the mockup offers. Cessna staff wouldn't allow any photos of the interior, but it was roomy and easy to get around in. On entering the cabin, passengers find a bench seat to the right with an open baggage area behind it, large enough for golf clubs and bags, and two rear-facing seats to the left. So far, Woodward said, visitors have been positive about the "space and comfort" the mockup offers.
The open area between the two sets of passenger seats is wide enough to stretch your legs in flight, and the mockup hints at built-in amenities such as work tables and cup holders. A space between the two forward seats, about a foot wide, provides access to a spacious cockpit with plenty of elbow room. The cabin would be pressurized to 8,000 feet when flying at 25,000, Woodward said. "No decisions have been made yet about engine choices or avionics," he said. "We still need to make the market case that we need to build this airplane." |
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| Continental Delves Deeper into Diesel | back to top | |
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Continental: Diesel Line Expanding, STC's Planned
Continental Motors' Rhett Ross said Tuesday that the company has no intention of abandoning its large-displacement avgas engine customers, but that diesel technology has become the company's short-term developmental focus. "The most important thing for us is diesel technology," Ross said in a press briefing, adding that Continental's China-based parent, AVIC, has provided the necessary capital and expects development to go forward aggressively.
Accordingly, Ross said the Continental's launch diesel, the four-cylinder TD-300 with an output of 200 to 250 HP, is scheduled for FAA certification later this year, with serial production in place by early 2013. When asked if Continental had any OEM commitments for the TD-300, Ross was noncommittal. But he did say Continental sees a viable market in the very territory SMA recently abandoned for its diesel: diesel conversions for the Cessna 182. SMA did a handful of these in North America and Europe, but never found much traction for the idea, although owners we've talked to seem to like the conversion.
As we reported on Monday, Cessna surprised many with its announcement that it would certify a diesel-powered Skylane with the SMA SR305-E, its latest version of a four-cylinder Jet A piston developed more than a decade ago. Although the license agreement prevents it from saying so, Continental based its diesel engine on technology bought from SMA in 2010 with the idea of advancing development on its own. However, that agreement is for base technology, not production or licensing of the engine itself.
And according to Ross, Continental has done just that. It plans two other versions, the TD220 in the 160- to 180-HP range and the 300- to 350-HP TD450, a market no one has cracked yet. Ross said such engines could find a market as replacements in popular cabin-class twins or singles, many of which use Continental large-displacement engines. But Ross was careful to say Continental won't abandon its avgas customers. "Please don't walk out of here thinking were abandoning our higher horsepower avgas engines," Ross said. He said the factory will continue to provide parts and service for those engines and will work in the recently announced FAA avgas replacement framework to find solutions for customers that work no matter what the fuel. "Continental is agnostic on fuels," Ross said, adding that it will provide engines that the market demands. As for the STCs for conversions, Ross said it wouldn't approach these as demonstration projects, as SMA did, but as full-scale programs aimed at model populations large enough to be profitable. AVweb will have a podcast interview with Ross later in the week. |
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Podcast: Lycoming to Service SMA DieselsFile Size 4.1 MB / Running Time 9:02Podcast Index | How to Listen | Subscribe Via RSS
Lycoming announced that its service network will look after repair and maintenance of the SMA diesels that will be standard in Cessna 182 Turbo models from now on. AVweb's Paul Bertorelli spoke with SMA's Thierry Hurtes about how it will all work.
This podcast is brought to you by Aspen
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| This Little Piper ... Isn't Exactly a Piper | back to top | |
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Video: Redbird's J-3 Cub SimulatorOriginal, Exclusive Videos from AVweb | Reader-Submitted & Viral Videos
AVweb takes a spin in Redbird's Cub simulator at AirVenture 2012.
This video is brought to you by Aspen
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| Having a Wonderful Time, Wish You Were Here | back to top | |
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AirVenture 2012 Photo Gallery
With AirVenture 2012 in full swing, it was tough to find time to snap a few photos just for fun — but somehow we managed.
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| Opinion & Commentary | back to top | |
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AVweb Insider Blog: AirVenture 2012 -- Two LSA Amphibs
Did you ever stop to think that LSA sales aren't zooming because the things aren't enough fun? With sleek, sporty amphibs, Icon and LISA say they're addressing the fun deficit. On the AVweb Insider blog, Paul Bertorelli charts the fun, price, range, and speed of these competitors.
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| We Ask, You Answer | back to top | |
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Survey: Have You Had Your Aircraft Interior Refurbished?
Have you had your aircraft interior redone in the past five years? If so, our sister publication, Aviation Consumer, wants to hear about it. Please take a moment to answer this completely confidential survey and help your fellow aircraft owners find the best shop to replace their 1970s Royalite-and-velour with something less embarrassing.
Click here to take the survey.
The results will appear in a future issue of Aviation Consumer. For subscription information, click here. |
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| The Top Reporter on Our Crack Staff ... Is You! | back to top | |
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AVweb's Newstips Address ...
Our best stories start with you. If you've heard something 255,000 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. |
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— from the company that started an aviation communication revolution.
| Names Behind the News | back to top | |
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Meet the AVwebFlash Team
AVwebFlash is a twice-weekly summary of the latest news, articles, products, features, and events featured on AVweb, the world's premier independent aviation news resource.
The AVwebFlash team is:
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