SONEX EXPLORES ALTERNATIVE ENGINES
On Tuesday morning at EAA AirVenture, Sonex Aircraft made public its AeroConversions division's E-Flight Initiative, which started in 2006 with the intention to pioneer alternative energy research and development for sport aircraft engines. The unveiling included a proof-of-concept 80-hp-equivalent electric powerplant installed in a Sonex Waiex airframe and news that the company is testing an AeroVee 2.0 engine that will run on E85 (a blend of up to 85 percent ethanol with 15 percent gasoline). According to Sonex, the E-Flight Initiative has three major areas of focus -- electric power, ethanol fuel and engine efficiency enhancements -- that take a diverse approach to the problems of rising energy costs and environmental effects of burning fossil fuels to provide near, intermediate and long-term "green" powerplant solutions. Addressing the first focus area, Sonex has developed a prototype brushless DC cobalt motor that is the size of a coffee can but weighs only 50 pounds. More...

POWERPLANT DEVELOPMENTS INTRODUCES THREE-CYLINDER ENGINE FOR GA MARKET
A three-cylinder, opposed piston two-stroke diesel engine may seem like a strange configuration, but Derek Graham, chairman of the U.K.-based Powerplant Developments, says the design has been around in aircraft since the 1930s. His engineering team believed the concept could be updated with new technology and deliver a high weight-to-power ratio. "Everyone wanted an engine that would deliver 100 horsepower at a 150 pounds, but it was thought to be impossible," he said. The new Gemini engine delivers 100 hp at 166 pounds installed, according to Graham. "And the design eliminates the need for a camshaft, valve gear and cylinder head joints -- three main causes of unreliability and high maintenance costs of older-generation piston engines," he said. More...

ASPEN UNVEILS COMMON PFD/MFD PLATFORM
Aspen Avionics on Tuesday morning at EAA AirVenture introduced the Evolution Flight Display system glass cockpit system for certified general aviation aircraft. The system is not only modular, expandable and upgradable, but the company says is easy to afford, install and own. According to Aspen, the evolution line includes three primary flight display (PFD) models starting at $5,995 and twomodels of multifunction displays (MFD) starting at $4,995.The Evolution system enables aircraft owners to upgrade their primary flight instrument "six pack" to glass cockpit technology all at once, or in stages. “At Aspen Avionics, we believe that installing the latest avionics technologies and safety advances in GA aircraft shouldn’t have to mean emptying your bank account,” said Vice President of Marketing Doug Cayne. “And you shouldn’t have to throw out the old every time you want to add something new.” Starting with a common hardware platform containing a miniature solid-state air data, attitude and heading reference system (ADAHRS), the EFD1000 slides easily into existing three-inch instrument panel holes, requiring little to no panel modification or mounting of heavy remote boxes. More...

AVIDYNE AND WSI GET SIRIUS ABOUT WEATHER
Avionics maker Avidyne and weather provider WSI have teamed to provide Sirius satellite-radio-delivered weather information to aircraft. Under the agreement, Avidyne's Safety Systems Group in Columbus, Ohio, is developing and manufacturing WSI’s new AV-300 data receiver and AV-350 data/audio receivers, and the MLB700 receiver specifically for Avidyne EX500 and EX5000 multifunction displays. Meanwhile, WSI is providing its InFlight weather service via the Sirius satellite network for the datalink receivers. According to Avidyne, the AV-300 and AV-350 systems will be compatible with a wide array of multifunction displays and available as upgrades to existing WSI AV-100 and AV-200 receivers. The MLB700, which is available in a $4,795 data-only version or a $5,495 data/audio combo, is schedule to start shipping in the third quarter. All of the Avidyne datalink receivers use advanced chipsets that improve receiver performance and reception and eliminate interference from ground-based signals. The AV-350 and data/audio version of the MLB700 come with a remote controller to select audio programming from the more than 130 channels of Sirius sports, news, talk, and commercial-free music programming that can be heard through an aircraft's audio system. More...

MOONEY GETTING ON ITS FEET
After a flurry of product announcements in recent years, Mooney Airplane Company is concentrating on turning the resulting orders into black ink. CEO Dennis Ferguson told the media at EAA AirVenture on Tuesday that the product line is set for the foreseeable future as the focus turns seriously to "getting Mooney on its feet financially." The venerable Kerrville, Texas company has been through several ownership changes, including a brief period as a public company, and has struggled financially, but Ferguson says he's optimistic about the future. The Acclaim, a turbocharged version of the M20 that was introduced in the spring of 2006, has enjoyed particular success, with 50 copies delivered since last November. More...

THIELERT PLANS INCREASED U.S. PRESENCE
"We have no new engine models in the works," Frank Thielert said at EAA AirVenture on Tuesday morning. But a lot of work is under way to expand the U.S. service network, improve the TBR of the Centurion diesel engine and secure additional STCs so the engine can be mated with more airframes. "The trend is definitely toward diesel, especially in Europe," Thielert said. "We're certain that the diesel trend is real and right." When he flew into Paris Le Bourget several weeks ago, Thielert said there was no avgas available there, and it is the biggest GA airport in all of Europe. He said that as more engines are returned to the factory for replacement, each one is torn down and inspected, and as the database builds up, that statistical information about engine wear can support a change in TBR. Currently the engines are replaced after 1,000 hours of use. More...

ELECTRONIC CHARTS NOW APPROVED FOR PART 91
Jeppesen spokesman Todd Krawczyk told media at EAA AirVenture that the FAA has formally recognized electronic charts for use in Part 91 operations and cleared up all the ambiguity that has been his industry's biggest marketing impediment. The FAA issued Advisory Circular 91-78 on Monday that gives specific guidance to Part 91 operators on the use of electronic charts. "This just completely clears things up," Krawczyk told AVweb. In a nutshell, electronic charts in Class 1 and Class 2 electronic flightbags can be legally used in all phases of flight in lieu of paper documentation. The AC suggests (but doesn't require) back up, but it says that back up can be another source of electronic charts and doesn't have to be paper, although it's pretty easy to print out the electronic charts. More...

NATCA PRESIDENT PAT FORREY TESTIFIES ON WORKING CONDITIONS
The president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) told the House aviation subcommittee on Tuesday morning that while the group supports modernization efforts, the bricks and mortar that house that equipment and controllers are from the Stone Age. Patrick Forrey described problems ranging from toxic mold to condensation on tower windows that contribute to making controllers' jobs even tougher than they already are. "Unfortunately, the aging air traffic control facilities that house these advances have gone unchanged," he said. "More importantly, the maintenance and basic structures are not keeping pace with the rest of the industry and this is weakening controllers’ ability to operate." More...

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AVWEBBIZ: AVWEB'S BUSINESS AVIATION NEWSLETTER
HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST weekly business newsletter, AVwebBiz? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/. More...

AVWEB'S AIRVENTURE 2007 PODCAST #3: CESSNA'S KEEPING BUSY (MAYBE TOO BUSY?)
It's busy at this year's EAA AirVenture, and nobody's been busier than Cessna CEO Jack Pelton. With the announcement of the company's Light Sport Aircraft (which is being well received), does Cessna have some time to pursue other projects? AVweb's Russ Niles found a relatively quiet place at AirVenture to ask Pelton about Cessna's current projects and the future of its Next Generation Piston airplane. More...

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: SONEX ELECTRIC-POWERED FLIGHT, AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2007
Electric-powered aircraft may be closer than you think. John Monnett and Sonex have initiated their own "e-Flight Initiative." We sat down with Monnett for an inside look. (Click through to watch.) More...

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: EPIC VICTORY DEMO FLIGHT AT EAA AIRVENTURE 2007
The new Epic Victory taxied into AirVenture Monday morning, and we were on hand to grab a few quick clips of it during the demo flight on Monday afternoon. (Click through to watch.) More...

BONUS VIDEO! AVIATION CONSUMER VACUUM PUMP REVIEW: WET VS. DRY
Are wet vacuum pumps as good as their owners seem to say they are? Aviation Consumer recently set out to find the answer to that question. In this video product review, you can get a look at the inside of a wet pump and decide for yourself if the claims are true. (Click through to watch.) More...

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