What's New -- Products and Services

This month AVweb's survey of the latest products and services for pilots, mechanics and aircraft owners brings you aircraft airbags, amphibious GlaStars, large flat panel displays, lightweight headsets and much more.

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

Aviat Airbags

Aviat Aircraft is the first GA aircraft manufacturer to receive FAA approval to offer seatbelt shoulder harnesses equipped with inflatable airbag restraint systems. The airbags, which will be optional, can be used in the Aviat Husky, Pup and Pitts Special aircraft.

Enclosed in a sleeve that runs the length of the shoulder straps, the airbags are linked to a computer chip that retains information on landing loads. If an aircraft impacts the ground beyond acceptable limits, the bags will automatically and instantaneously inflate, but will not affect access to or control of the stick.

The installed price for airbags in the front and rear seats of the Husky, Pup and Pitts is $4,000 and they can only be ordered with new aircraft. They are not transferable to other types of aircraft due to the customized computer chips, required for deployment.

More information is on the AViat Web site.

Piper Owner Bulletin Board

Sometimes it's the simplest things that are the most useful. David Ingersoll thought so, and when he wanted an online place for Piper airplane owners to post messages to each other, he set up a bulletin board system. Unlike the Piper forums on other sites, Piper Chat doesn't have all the bells and whistles, download sections, and clumsy interfaces. Instead, it's just a message board.

Anyone can read the messages, but if you register on the system (for free) you can post messages. The system also automatically tells registered users if there are new messages posted since the last time they were at the site.

At press time, about 80 people had registered and posted messages on subjects such as, "Plug fouling on my Cherokee 180C," "Sources for Piper Parts," VOR Training Tool," and dozens more.

Check it out at Piper Chat.

GlaStar Goes Amphibious

It started out as a taildragger, was converted to a trike, and now the GlaStar Sportsman 2+2 has been adapted to amphibious floats. Glasair Aviation plans to add lakes and rivers to the resume, making it an aircraft that is truly adaptable to all seasons.

The amphibious Montana Floats increase the gross weight of the GlaStar from 2,350 to 2,500 pounds. Sea-level water takeoffs, at gross, break the surface in 15 seconds or 1,300 feet. Splashdowns occur at approximately 40 knots. Range with full fuel is 600 miles with a cruise speed of 110 knots.

The Sportsman 2+2 has seating for two adults in the front and two kids in the back. In about one minute, the rear seats can be removed, converting the aircraft to a bush plane or to carry a couple large sets of golf clubs, skis, fishing or hunting equipment.

The Sportsman is being sold in standard and Pre-Built kits. Both feature pre-drilled, matched-hole parts. A factory program to assist builders desiring fast track construction is now booking two and three week assembly packages.

For more information, visit the Glasair Web site.

EFG Ground Power Unit

Enhanced Flight Group (EFG) has introduced a new type of ground power unit (GPU) designed for piston and light turbine aircraft. The 978 Series GPUs are lightweight (about 22 lbs), easily portable, and utilizes high-efficiency switching-mode power technology to provide massive amounts of stable, noise-free DC, regardless of load, from ordinary 120-volt AC current.

These GPUs are designed as a practical alternative to large, expensive start carts, battery chargers, and other transformer/rectifier-based power systems designed primarily for engine/battery power. They are equally suitable for either starter assist or ground operation of airframe systems.

EFG is offering two output configurations at the following prices:

• 28 Volts DC, 50 amps continuous, 60 amps surge: $895
• 14 Volts DC, 80 amps continuous: $695

An 8-foot AWG-4 cable with 3-pin oval female plug equivalent to AN2551 is available for $95.

Visit the Web site for details.

Avidyne Has XM Satellite Weather on Entegra

Avidyne has received TSO approval for the XM WX Satellite Weather and Heads Up Technologies XM receiver interface for their FlightMax Entegra display systems.

The addition of XM Satellite Weather means Avidyne's FlightMax customers will have access to high-speed updates of high resolution NEXRAD, graphical and plain English METARs, AIRMETs, SIGMETs, and TFRs. In addition, the service provides lightning data from the National Lightning Detection Network while operating over the continental United States. FlightMax customers on the Aviator Lite service will be able to display NEXRADs, graphical & textual METARs and TFRs. FlightMax customers on the XM WX's Aviator plan will be able to display NEXRADs, graphical & textual METARs, AIRMETs, SIGMETs, TFRs, and Lightning.

For more information, visit the Avidyne Web site.

RVSM for Hawker 700

ARINC and its partner AeroMech have teamed to provide two comprehensive RVSM (reduced vertical separation minimum) solutions for popular Hawker 700 business jets. The RVSM packages cover those Hawker airframes using Collins ADC-80 air data computers, as well as those using dual Collins 590A air data sensors.

ARINC and AeroMech will offer convenient "one-stop" installation service in North America at ARINC's FAA/JAA-certified repair station in Colorado Springs, Colo., or at the operator's home facility. RVSM packages are offered in Latin America and Europe as well. ARINC manages the system integration and kit production, while AeroMech brings expertise in the group RVSM certification STC and static source error correction (SSEC).

Hawker 700s equipped with Collins ADC-80 air data computers will have them replaced with modern dual ADC-87s. The installation work can be done in two days. Hawker 700s equipped with dual Collins 590A air data sensors will receive a form/ fit/function replacement and two Air Data Display Units (ADDUs), all made by Innovative Solutions & Support (IS&S). This modification can be completed in approximately seven working days.

The ARINC Web site has more information.

IS&S Flat Panel Display System

Innovative Solutions & Support has received FAA TSO certification for their Large Flat Panel Display System (FPDS). This is the company's second generation flat panel product family, used for military, commercial, and general aviation markets.

The diverse display line includes display sizes ranging from 8.4" up to 20". Applications include primary flight displays, multifunction displays, and tactical displays. The FPDS provides large-format flat-panel displays, in flexible graphical formats, for upgrading of air transport, military, and business aviation aircraft.

Check out the IS&S Web site for details.

LightSPEED LightFlight Headset

LightSPEED Aviation enters the ultra-lightweight headset market with their new LightFlight Series headset. The first offering, the L-1, weighs in at only 0.5 ounces, attenuates 35-45dB of noise and features the same standard features as their premium headsets: cell/satellite phone jack, music input, electret mic, hi-fi stereo speakers, and dual volume controls. In this model, the traditional headset earcup and headband mechanism are replaced with new, in-the-ear technology that the company claims blocks out maximum noise and allows complete radio and cockpit communications.

The L-1 blocks noise before it has an opportunity to enter the ear canal, and miniature high-fidelity speakers inside the plug deliver voice or stereo music. Three types of disposable ear tips are offered to ensure optimal fit, comfort and performance.

LightFlight L-1 has a suggested retail price of $429 and will be available in December.

For more information, visit the LightSPEED Web site.

AvTurf Synthetic Grass

AvTurf received a second patent for its synthetic grass, covering a safety system for airports and airfields. AvTurf is the only product of its kind in the aviation industry, according to Patrick Carr, founder and president of AvTurf.

The AvTurf system is designed to improve safety, reduce bird strikes and reduce delays associated with runway operations. The testing of the AvTurf system began in 2000 followed by the first-ever installation in Chicago in the fall of 2000. The system successfully passed several tests, including exposure to jet blast, the weight of commercial aircraft and fire testing. Additionally, emergency and service vehicles in excess of 80,000 pounds traversed on the AvTurf system without any damage to the turf. Wildlife biologist observations show that birds failed to congregate on the surface, as they are accustomed to doing on natural turf.

Manufactured and designed for non-paved areas between runways and taxiways, the AvTurf system was developed and tested specifically for airports and their environment. It has a life expectancy of 15-20 years.

(The photograph at right shows an entire grass runway made with AvTurf.)

More information is avialable from the AvTurf Web site.