What's New -- Products and Services

Each month, AVweb will bring you a quick survey of the latest products and services for pilots, mechanics and aircraft owners. This month we have a GPS manual, a vortelator kit for propellers, a ground-adjustable propeller and more. In some cases, AVweb has actually examined the product; in other cases, we are just letting you know it exists.

If you know of a new product or service other AVweb readers should hear about, please send us a note.

Pilot-Friendly GPS Manuals

ZD Publishing recently added a pilot-friendly manual for the Garmin GPSmap 196 to their library. Other manuals include the GPSMAP 295, GNS 430, GNS 530, Bendix King KLN 90B, KLN 900, and KLN 89B/ KLN 94. These 45-50 page manuals take you step-by-step through all the tasks.

According to a reader who has used one, these are much easier to understand and follow than the manufacturers manuals. Manuals for panel mount units are $39.95 and for handhelds are $34.95.

Contact ZD Publishing at 888 310-3134.

Vortelator Propeller Kit STC

Aircraft Development has developed a vortelator propeller kit that the manufacturer claims is capable of increasing aircraft speed by 2 to 4 MPH and engine RPM by 20 to 50 RPM for fixed-pitch propellers. For constant-speed propellers, they say the propeller will be operating at a slightly higher pitch for a given RPM and manifold pressure. This is accomplished by placing vortelators at certain critical locations on the propeller’s most-inefficient, highest-air-drag areas. The vortelators are a clear material with a pressure-sensitive adhesive backing.

Just like vortex generators for wings, the vortelators allow the air flow to stay attached to the propeller farther back along the propeller's cambered surface, increasing lift efficiency and reducing drag.

This kit is FAA STC’d and manufactured under a FAA PMA and covers all FAA type-certified propellers attached to engines of less than 500 HP. The vortelator kit is not recommended for propellers equipped with de-icing equipment. The kit costs $95.

Contact Aircraft Development of Troy, Mo.

Fast-Stack Avionics Harness for Garmin GPS Replacements

Approach Systems is announcing immediate availability of the "Fast Stack Harness." Aircraft owners now have a low-cost solution to replace that 1970s KX 155/165 or KX 170/175 with the incredibly successful, state-of-the art Garmin GNS 430/530. With the $299 Fast Stack Harness, you can replace the KX155/165/170/175 leaving your existing VOR indicators, encoder, transponder and audio panel intact.

The Fast Stack Harness comes with the GNS 430/530 connectors -- power, ground and interface wiring (cable), depending on configuration -- to any KI202/KI203/KI204/KI206/ KI208/KI208A/KI209/KI209A, GI106, MD200 and almost any encoder and transponder combination. The harness has pigtail leads to interface to your existing audio panel. The audio panel is the most wiring intensive part of the panel and the Fast Stack Harness allows for a very simple interface. The encoder/transponder wiring also includes GPS connections required by the GNS 430/530. The Fast Stack Harness can be ordered to interface with the KI 525 HSI indicator.

Contact Approach Systems for more information.

Ground-Adjustable Propeller

Oregon Aircraft Design recently added a ground-adjustable propeller -- for small aircraft -- to their product line.

The "Hot Prop" from Kiev works on all Rotax and Hirth engines. They claim this propeller can provide you with an average 10% to 20% increase in performance, an increased climb rate and faster cruise at a lower RPM.

Each blade is injection molded under pressure, to ensure light weight as well as excellent strength. A large surface area at the root of each blade assures a firm, no-slip grip to the hub. Total combined weight is well within the mass moment inertia limit that is recommended by Rotax or Hirth. Each blade is assigned a serial number for replacement accuracy.

Some other features include semi-semitar blades with forward sweep, inlaid brass leading edge protection, pressure formed aluminum hub, white or black colors, blade protractor, mounting hardware, hub spacers and finished spinner kits.

The propellers are available in three- or five-blade configurations ranging in diameter from 63.4" to 74.8", and rated for 40 HP up to 130 HP. Prices range from $695 to $1120.

Contact Oregon Aircraft Design for more information: 503-267-1486.

Aircraft Shares Bought/Sold Fast

Aircraft Shopper Online is launching a geographic-based advertising vehicle for selling shares of co-owned aircraft. A new aircraft partnership listings section on the ASO site will enable sellers and buyers to list and search for available aircraft shares within a specific geographic radius. This strategy promises to bring new liquidity to the market for aircraft shares by enabling sellers to connect with likely buyers whom they cannot reach by posting an announcement on the bulletin board at their FBO.

Buyers will now be able to instantly receive a list of shares that are for sale in their area by entering their zip code in the appropriate spot on the Web site and specifying the distance they are willing to travel to reach a shared aircraft. This in turn will provide significantly greater visibility for shares that are in play without wasting effort on national ads. According the service provider, this localized approach is not possible in print and has never before been offered by an Internet listing service.

Brief text-based ads for aircraft shares will be free; comprehensive ads with photos and aircraft specifications will cost $40 for a one-time setup charge with no additional advertising fees. Free monthly renewals will be required to keep partnership ads on the site.

Jeppesen Skybound Now Uses USB

Jeppesen has updated the Skybound line of Internet-based NavData delivery systems, with a system that utilizes a USB connection for fast, efficient data transfer between the computer and the GPS data card.

No longer do users need a PCMCIA slot, because the Skybound card reader is plug-and-play ready with nearly all computers. Users simply install the Skybound software and plug the Skybound unit into a USB port on a compatible desktop, laptop or tablet PC.

With a valid Skybound NavData subscription service, users are ready to update their GPS data card(s) with the click of a button anywhere an Internet connection is available and at anytime they wish.

Jeppesen customers with multiple makes of GPS units no longer need to purchase multiple hardware units. Skybound's new three-in-one modular design supports almost any data card in existence. Skybound is compatible with many Windows operating systems, including Windows 2000, ME, XP and 98SE.

Jeppesen offers Skybound update services for Garmin, Garmin AT, Northstar, FreeFlight, Honeywell and ARNAV. Skybound is offered at an introductory price of $129.95 for a limited time. Update subscriptions are sold on an annual basis and prices vary based on GPS manufacturer and coverage area.

For additional information contact Jeppesen at (800) 621-5377.