Frozen in Time By Russ Niles Like a lot of kids, Mikey McBryan grew up around airplanes but he thought it was normal to coax DC-3 engines to life at -40°. A Vancouver TV producer thought those kinds of experiences would make a cool reality series and Ice Pilots NWT premieres on Canada's History Television Wednesday night. AVweb's Russ Niles spoke with Mikey about growing up with one of the largest round-engine fleets still flying and in some of the harshest conditions on earth.
Klaus Savier on How He Won This Year's Fuelventure 400 Air Race By Mary Grady Klaus Savier's modified Vari Eze, named "The Delaminator," won the Fuelventure 400 this year for the second time in a row, flying 207 mph on 45 mpg while carrying a 400-pound payload. The race, held annually at the Copperstate air show in Arizona, aims to motivate improvements in aircraft efficiency. Savier, who is president of Light Speed Engineering, talks about how he modified the airplane and what he has in the works for next year's competition.
Trace Engine: Thunder and Orenda Live On By Paul Bertorelli Students of piston engine development will probably recall the Thunder engine, a big honking V-8 aircraft engine adapted from a GMC truck engine. The project floundered and was picked up by Canada's Orenda and eventually by a Texas company called Trace. In this podcast recorded at NBAA Orlando, AVweb's Paul Bertorelli got an update on the Trace engine from Kevin Brower.
The credit market is still tight, but those who want to buy an airplane and have the financial credentials to match should have no trouble. AVweb's Paul Bertorelli talks with Jim Blessing of AirFleet Capital.
There's still a big gap between the number of male and female pilots, but Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University makes sure all students are welcome and given every opportunity for success. AVweb's Mary Grady speaks with Susan Sharp, ERAU's program coordinator for aeronautical science and advisor for the campus chapter of Women in Aviation.
If you don't need all the bells and whistles, PS Engineering's new $995 certified audio panel might be what you're looking for. AVweb's Paul Bertorelli speaks with Gary Picou.
Lack of capital is slowing development of the Cirrus SF 50 jet, but progress is being made. AVweb's Mary Grady speaks with Cirrus Aircraft CEO Brent Wouters.
AOPA's annual meeting in Tampa has a fresh look, and it's challenged its presenters to come up with some fresh ideas on the future of general aviation. AVweb's Russ Niles spoke with AOPA President Craig Fuller.
Expanding its services to members, AOPA is offering medical screenings at the AOPA Summit, provided by Cook Medical. Specifically, abdominal aneurysms are a concern for pilot medical issuances, according to AOPA's director of medical certification services, Gary Crump. At the Summit, Cook Medical has set up several private examination booths, and members can get their results before leaving the show. In this podcast, Crump tells AVweb about additional medical services being offered this year at the association's health section.
Looking for Efficiency? Try a Propeller By Paul Bertorelli At NBAA in Orlando, AVweb's Paul Bertorelli spoke with Hartzell's Mike Disbrow about new developments in the world of turboprops. Conceding that it has a bit of self-interest, Hartzell is pushing the idea that for efficient travel, you can't beat an airplane pulled through the air with a prop rather than pushed with a turbofan. And the market agrees with Disbrow. Turboprop flight activity hasn't taken near the hit that jet ops have, indicating that owners and operators are finding definite advantages in props.
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