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 portable oxygen, micro lights, an ultralight/LSA engine and more.

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

Sporty's "Understanding ATC -- An Instrument Pilot's Perspective" DVD

Sporty's latest Air Facts DVD, "Understanding ATC -- An Instrument Pilot's Perspective," takes you behind the scenes at air traffic control to learn how to take full advantage of the services provided by ATC.

You'll visit Indianapolis Center and Syracuse TRACON to meet the controllers and discover the equipment that make up the most modern and efficient ATC system in the world. Hosted by Richard L. Collins, this program combines Collins' years of flying experience with that of Drew Kassal, a veteran Washington Center controller, Embry-Riddle graduate and CFII.

Together Collins and Kassal provide a unique perspective on real-world operations in U.S. airspace. The DVD explains what controllers expect from pilots operating in the IFR system and what you should expect from them in all phases of flight. It will make your next IFR flight smoother and safer.

"Understanding ATC - An Instrument Pilot's Perspective" is available for $25, and a set of all 31 Air Facts titles on nine DVDs is available for $100, at Sporty's Web site.

OX-GEN Oxygen System

A new portable oxygen system -- which can be used safely without danger of exploding -- will go into production next month, according to OX-GEN Flexible Life Systems.

OX-GEN received Federal Drug and Administration approval earlier this year for the units, which provide 15 to 30 minutes of oxygen each. Unlike the traditional units, which store pure oxygen under pressure, OX-GEN's units produce non-pressurized oxygen on the spot. They begin producing 99.97% pure oxygen in 27 seconds.

The system comes in a bright orange thermal bag that holds a plastic cylinder containing the pre-measured amounts of manganese, platinum, hydrogen peroxide and sodium bicarbonate. Opening rotary valves mixes the chemicals, which start generating oxygen immediately. The unit generates six liters per minute of 99.9% pure oxygen for a minimum of 15 and up to 30 minutes.

Another advantage is that the OX-GEN system does not require a prescription.

The units will sell approximately for $140. Delivery of the first units is scheduled for the second quarter of 2006. For more information, visit the OX-GEN Web site.

Special Edition Photon Freedom Micro MkII

Due to the popularity of the original Doug Ritter Special Edition Photon Freedom Micro with the painted bodies, the developers have produced the MkII version with the bodies molded in yellow, glass-filled polyurethane. This version has the same twice-as-bright bulb and an improved protective tube to prevent sidescatter.

While the painted bodies worked just fine, the MkII version will probably age more gracefully. The molded yellow body is a bit translucent and the nose glows slightly when the light is on.

More information is available on the Equipped to Survive Foundation Web site and the light can be purchased from Aeromedix.

King Schools "Get It All" Kits

King Schools has packaged what they say is "Everything you need for your Private, Instrument, Commercial or CFI rating," including their computer-based Knowledge Test course plus many other helpful CD-ROMs, books, and more.

For example, the Get It All -- Instrument Rating Kit includes the following:

• Instrument Rating Knowledge Test (DVD or CD-ROM)
• Instrument Flight Test
• GPS From A to Z
• Complete Jeppesen Chart Review
• IFR With Confidence
• IFR Regulations Refresher
• Weather Wise
• METAR/TAF Made Easy
• Navigation From A to Z
• Surviving Your Most Feared Emergencies
• Surviving System Emergencies
• How to Avoid Unwanted Adventure
• Making Your Own Rules
• Practical Risk Management For Pilots (CD-ROM)
• Airport Signs, Markings & Procedures (CD-ROM)
• VFR/IFR Cockpit Card
• Airspace & Communications Cockpit Card
• IFR Planning Pad
• IFR Flight Organizer
• JeppShades
• Jeppesen® Holding Pattern Computer
• Instrument Panel Covers
• Instrument Flying Handbook
• Aviation Weather Services book
• Kit Bag to carry it all

Each kit is available for under $580, which is about half the cost of all the items included. For more information, visit the King Schools Web site.

Masschi Motors 105 Engine for Light Sport Aircraft and Ultralights

The Masschi 105 is a lightweight engine designed for ultralights, microlights and lightweight rotorcrafts.

The manufacturers design goals were as follows:

• Lightweight (about 100 lbs, or 45 kg) -- according to Maaschi Motors, this is the lightest engine in its class.
• 80 HP @ 2800 to 3000 RPM (at sea level, ISA)
• Minimum number of parts (approximately 15% less than an overhead-valve engine).
• Compact dimensions: Crankshaft is slightly more than 10-inches long; two connecting rods connect on one crank; flat head design decreased the width by more than five inches compared to a similar, overhead-valve design.
• Liquid-cooled engine to get uniformly distributed temperature levels.

The Masschi 105 is available for US$11,300 (€8,950) with about a three-month delivery time.

For more information, visit the Masschi Motors Web site.

Mutt Muffs

Some dogs just can't stay away from anything that moves: cars, motorcycles, even airplanes -- they just just have to have a ride. But their ears are even more sensitive than humans', so how do you protect them in your loud cockpit?

If you've ever tried to put an old headset on a dog, you know why the developers of Mutt Muffs had to do a bit of engineering to get one that their "Product Manager" (a.k.a., Cooper the dog) would be willing to wear.

Mutt Muffs is an over-the-head hearing protector for animals, with specially designed, wide, foam-filled ear seals for comfort, lightweight, and has adjustable straps for optimum fit. They also come in four sizes (based on dog weight and ear size) and, of course, are engineered to meet the curvature of a dog's head.

Mutt Muffs are available for $52. For more information and other products for flying dogs, visit the Mutt Muffs Web site.