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 glass-cockpit instrument covers, dosimetry reporting services, skis for huskies and more.

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

Sporty's Instrument Covers for Garmin G1000

Sporty's has developed instrument covers to work with glass panel airplanes -- ideal for primary or instrument training.

Designed specifically for the Garmin G1000, these opaque, static-cling stickers precisely cover sections of the primary flight display (PFD) to simulate instrument failures for the attitude indicator, heading indicator, airspeed and altitude tape and vertical speed indicator. There are also stickers to simulate warning alerts and caution alerts such as low oil-pressure, low voltage or low fuel. Combinations of these instrument covers can be used by the instructor to simulate complete AHRS failure, air-data-computer failure or avionics failure.

Just like the old ones, these glass instrument covers can be easily removed for future use. The package includes one sheet of instrument covers and alerts as well as two large covers to simulate total PFD or multifunction display (MFD) failure.

Glass Cockpit Instrument Covers are available for $29.95 and may be ordered at Sporty's Web site.

Garmin G1000 Glass Cockpit Handbook, Third Ed.

Max Trescott, the 2008 National Certificated Flight Instructor of the Year, has updated his book on the Garmin G1000 glass cockpit. The third edition includes details on new PFD and MFD features, VLJ features found in the Cessna Mustang jet, and flying instrument approaches with WAAS. A rewritten autopilot chapter covers the KAP 140 and all three versions of the Garmin GFC700 integrated autopilot, vertical navigation, and vertical flight plans. With 40 extra pages, the book sells for its original $34.95 price.

Since its 2004 introduction, the Garmin G1000 has rapidly evolved, and software revisions let aircraft owners upgrade their G1000-equipped aircraft with the latest features shipping in new aircraft. Likewise, owners of earlier editions of Max Trescott's G1000 Glass Cockpit Handbook will want to purchase a new copy to stay current on the many changes.

The 3rd edition is organized so that experienced G1000 pilots can easily find just the recent updates, most of which are in a separate chapter. New readers, flying older G1000 aircraft, won't need to read about the latest changes, but are made aware of them through references placed throughout the book. More of the popular "Tips," gathered from Master CFIs, are also included.

Readers benefit from detailed explanations that not only describe the function of valuable new features like the current track bug, but also the context of how and when to use them. Trescott explores the complexities of the autopilot's new VNV key, used for vertical navigation, and of WAAS, the FAA's Wide Area Augmentation System. LPV, LNAV/VNAV and LNAV+V approaches are explained, as are features found only in the Cessna Mustang jet and likely to appear in the Diamond D-Jet.

You can order the book from the AVweb Bookstore.

Evolution Pilot and Pro Primary Flight Displays

Aspen Avionics has received FAA TSO authorization for the Evolution Pilot and Pro PFDs. Aspen began shipping EFD1000 PFD systems on Mar. 31.

The digital-electronics, glass-panel, LCD, cockpit display consolidates primary flight data and is designed vertically with pairs of instruments -- one on top (an EFIS, for example), and one on the bottom (maybe an HSI). System software versions allow the units to function as PFDs or MFDs. They are designed to work with whatever is currently in your panel and built to fit into a top instrument hole, replacing both it and the instrument below it simultaneously. The Pilot PFD can connect to a GPS, while the Pro PFD can connect to GPS, VHF NAV radios, an autopilot and more.

Nearly 300 authorized avionics dealers are able to install the Evolution system. The Evolution Flight Display has a list price of $5,995 for the Pilot PFD, and $9,995 for the Pro PFD model, which will be available from Aspen Avionics Authorized Dealers in April. A complete list of dealers, and detailed product information, can be found on the company Web site.

ARINC Direct Dosimetry Reporting Service

ARINC Direct has added an automatic dosimetry reporting capability to its standard portfolio of flight-support services for business aviation. The new capability allows operators to track the exposure of flight crews to potential radiation.

Effective immediately, ARINC Direct customers may choose to have their flight plans and crew names automatically forwarded each week for dosimetry monitoring. ARINC has arranged with radiation-monitoring specialist IASON of Graz, Austria, to archive and forward dosimetry data for customers who wish to use their service. ARINC does not charge a fee.

High-altitude flight is known to expose aircraft crews and passengers to variable levels of background radiation coming from outer space and the Sun. Measuring the cumulative exposures of flight crew members over time is now viewed as a necessary precaution by European regulators, who have established exposure rules for commercial flight crews.

Radiation exposure is calculated by integrating each individual's flight records over time -- routes, times, and altitudes -- with known data and geographic measurements of the actual cosmic and solar radiation levels at the time of flights.

Customers may sign up for automatic archiving of dosimetry data through their ARINC Direct account page, or by contacting an ARINC Direct representative.

RFSKIS RF8001 Skis For Aviat Huskys

German manufacturer RFSKIS has received FAA-STC authorization for installation of their RF8001 skis on Aviat Husky models A-1, A-1A, A-1B and the new A-1C 180 and 200.

Previously certified under European EASA, the ski is designed to have superior performance and snow-handling characteristics in environments ranging from glacier landings to soft powder and wet-snow conditions.

Ski retraction is by an electric-motor-driven hydraulic pump; connected by self-sealing quick connectors for simple installation and removal. The design also includes a manual pump in case of electrical failure. Following the estimated three-hour initial installation, the skis can be mounted by the pilot in less than 15 minutes without the need of hoisting the aircraft.

For more information contact RFSKIS.

Sporty's Pilot's Guide to Runway Safety DVD

Runway incursions continue to be a problem at the nation's airports. Even proficient and recently trained pilots may not be aware of the new technology and runway markings being implemented to enhance runway safety.

In Pilot's Guide to Runway Safety DVD, pilots will learn about:

• Enhanced Taxiway Centerline Markings: What they look like and what they mean to pilots;
• ASDE-X, FAROS and the Runway Status Lights System: Information on these latest ground-based technologies;
• Runway Guard Lights: Learn about changes to FAA policy on the use of this existing technology in all weather conditions; and
• Modern GPS and Glass Cockpit Systems: How to use these systems to help safely navigate the airport.

Developed using 3D graphics and animations, this program also includes a review of airport ground-operations for pilots of all skill levels. It provides an in-depth look at airport signs, markings and lighting and includes some case studies of real accidents. Helpful tips on arriving and departing both towered and non-towered airports are shown so pilots will learn what measures to take to make taxiing as safe as possible.

Bonus interactive features include on-screen taxi scenarios modeled on real-world situations to test your knowledge of proper taxi procedures. You'll also find an interactive checklist displaying recommended procedures for each phase of movement around the airport. A quick-reference card displaying the various signs and markings is also included.

Pilot's Guide to Runway Safety is available for $29.95 on DVD and may be ordered at Sporty's Web site.

Sierra Industries' Extended Range Citations

Sierra Industries has announced extended-range upgrades for their Citation re-engining program. With the addition of an aft fuel-tank modification, Citation I, II and S-II models gain an additional 120 gallons of fuel capacity. The extra fuel allows up to 60 minutes of additional cruise time and extends range by as much as 400 nautical miles.

The FAA-approved modification installs a double-walled, aluminum fuel cell in front of the aft-cabin bulkhead, minimizing changes to the aircraft's center of gravity. The 120-gallon fuel cell is 18 inches in depth, making the modified Citation I cabin virtually identical in size to a CJ1 and allowing ample room to retain a useable aft toilet. System installation includes adding a new pressure bulkhead, fuel lines and venting equipment, and aft cabin re-upholstering to match the original interior decor.

The additional power and efficiency of the FJ44 Williams engines make it possible to enjoy increased fuel capacity and extended range while still retaining substantial useful payload. According to Sierra, the Super II XR boasts a useable maximum fuel payload of nearly 500 lbs. -- more than the original Citation II without the additional fuel capacity.

The XR upgrade is available for Williams FJ44-powered Stallion and Super II modifications, adding $199,000 to the total cost. Super S-II XR testing is proceeding and FAA approval is expected shortly for S550 series aircraft. When combined with FJ44 re-engining, the XR upgrade adds approximately two weeks of installation time.

The Stallion XR modification can be performed on any Citation 500 or 501SP aircraft. The modification includes two new Williams International FJ44-2A engines, 120-gallon aft-cabin fuel cell, and all necessary hydraulic, mechanical and electrical changes. The modification can be done in as little as 10 weeks and is priced at $1,805,500.

More information is available from the Sierra Industries' Web site.