Tdata has released Version 1.44 of its MTrax maintenance tracking software. New features include network file sharing and the ability to select a central file saving location for all users. This version also allows files to be read-only or tagged as exclusive. Operators will find the upgraded reports include "on condition" items and a two-tier data entry system. MTrax's one-year subscription is $749, which allows one user license and unlimited aircraft tracking, or operators can purchase two user licenses with unlimited aircraft tracking for $1,498.
An XM Satellite Weather Upgrade package for Flight Display Systems' Moving Map is now available. According to Flight Display Systems, this is the only Moving Map passenger information system that can provide real-time NEXRAD weather conditions, updated every five minutes. Live weather information is overlaid on top of rich topographical maps with city names and state borders. Weather is color-coded to indicate storm level severity. Maps are dynamically drawn 50-, 500- and 5,000-miles wide relative to the aircraft's present position.
"Flying the Garmin G1000" has been updated to highlight recent enhancements to this avionics suite. Updates include a section on the use of the active traffic advisory (TAS) that is an option with the G1000 and how this technology differs from the Traffic Information Service. Also discussed is the use of Garmin's integrated Ready Pad system that allows the pilot to use almost all MFD functions from the pedestal-mounted keypad. Price: $24.94 Sporty's Pilot Shop (800) SPORTYS www.sportys.com
-Nov. 6-9: Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) Aviation Committee, Annual Aviation LIghting Seminar, Williamsburg Lodge and Convention Center, Williamsburg, VA. (845) 856-5375. www.iesalc.org -Nov. 9-11: Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Expo 2006, Palm Springs, CA. (301) 695-2375. www.aopa.org -Nov. 14-16: IATA Aviation Fuel Forum, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. www.iata.org/events -Nov. 16: NBAA Regional Forum, Long Beach, CA. www.nbaa.org 2007
Vref, the aircraft price guide for flight department, dealers and brokers, has enhanced its aircraft valuation software, Vref for Windows. With this updated version, pilots and aviation professionals can print out a decade of price history for every year and model of aircraft. The software is normally used to determine the current market value of general aviation and business airplanes. Users can now view a line graph that depicts the retail price history of each aircraft from 1995. Price: $49.95 (single-edition); $175.00 (one-year subscription)
Avemco Insurance Co. recently announced a change to its Safety Rewards Program. Developed with cooperation from Cessna Aircraft Co., the new initiative expands the availability of premium credits. Any student who enrolls in a Cessna Pilot Center (CPC)-approved FAR Part 141 flight training program will qualify for the 5-percent flight training premium credit when they purchase an Avemco insurance policy (including non-owner coverage). Upon graduation the pilot will be eligible for another year of 5-percent savings on the policy premium.
EVEN AFTER ALL THESE YEARS, the funnies make me happy. I so look forward to grumpy "Shoe," my feathered, cigar-chomping counterpart, to "Doonesbury" zings, to the relief of "Zits" (since he's actually more slovenly than my kids), and to the doings of my old friends from childhood including, Hi and Lois, Beetle Bailey and Sarge, Blondie and Dagwood. While I still miss my daily dose of the wonderful absurdity Gary Larson delivered so brilliantly in his "Far Side," the comic strip I most eagerly anticipate now, albeit with a mixture of delight and dread, is "Dilbert."
A Piper PA-23, registered to and operated by the Polk County Board of County Commissions and piloted by an ATP-certified pilot ,was destroyed when the airplane struck terrain while maneuvering near Fort Meade, Fla. Preliminary information indicates that the aircraft was being used for mosquito control. A witness said the airplane passed overhead at a low altitude. He heard the engines throttle back, then rev up and sputter. The airplane pitched up, rolled to the right, crashed into the ground and immediately caught fire. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured.
While on final approach to Runway 9 near Ensenada Airport in Baja California Norte, Mexico, a Beech 35 was destroyed following a loss of control. Local authorities reported that the humanitarian flight collided with an assembly plant about two kilometers short of the landing threshold. A post-impact fire consumed the airplane and two parked automobiles. No injuries were reported on the ground, but the pilot and his two passengers were fatally injured. The flight originated from Brown Field Municipal Airport near San Diego.
Raytheon Aircraft is breathing new life into its popular midsize Hawker business jet by splitting it into two new models, one that's value-priced and the other that has more range and better hot-and-high airport performance. The new value jet is called the Hawker 750 and it's priced at $11.95 million to make it highly competitive with other midsize jets such as the Bombardier Learjet 60XR, Cessna Citation XLS and Gulfstream G150.
So-called "flight departments" run as an afterthought by the boss's secretary and, in one case, a flight attendant. Jet-powered heavy iron flown exclusively by part-time pilots and temps retained as-needed on a per-flight basis. Revolving doors for "chief pilots" and "maintenance supervisors" and, thus, no operational continuity. A total absence of operations manuals or any form of written SOPs setting out safe and consistent operating policies and, therefore, virtually no adherence to standards. Little or no accountability and neglected or falsified maintenance.
A Cirrus SR20 owned by East End Aviation LLC that departed Ogden, Utah, en route to Lincoln, Neb., was destroyed when it impacted terrain 50 nm northwest of Maybell, Colo. It was VFR at the time of the accident, but the flight was on an IFR flight plan. At 1320 hours at an altitude of 14,000 feet, the pilot reported to Denver ARTCC that the airplane was encountering icing conditions. He was assigned and descended to 11,000 feet, and was asked if he could maintain terrain and obstacle separation to which he acknowledged in the affirmative.
ARINC has teamed with MyAirplane.com and Netherlands-based iRex Technologies to produce the eFlyBook, a portable electronic device that can display electronic documents glare-free, even in direct sunlight, according the company. You will, however, need external lighting at night. It also supports stylus-based input to allow users to interact with documents. The eFlyBook holds all U.S. terminal procedures, en route charts, a complete airport facility directory, plus user-installed documents.
For $10 million less than the price of a Falcon 50, you can buy a Falcon 200 capable of flying up to 2,500 nm with nine passengers aboard in the same size cabin, operating out of a 5,200-foot runway on a standard day and always looking great on the ramp or in the air.
FOLLOWING A LONG aviation tradition and sensible SOPs, the first officer went out on the ramp and began a walk-around inspection of the Boeing 737, looking at the tires, gear, flight controls and such. It was Jan. 16, 2006. Reaching the right engine, the F/O noticed a puddle of fluid on the tarmac below the nacelle and told the captain. At that point the four-striper strode out under the engine, examined the puddle and declared the turbofan to be leaking oil.
Sporty's Trip Saver Tool Kit may become your best friend. Designed for pilots by pilots, this kit will help with minor maintenance issues. Here's a partial list of the tools: 12-bit screwdriver, six-piece miniature screwdriver set (great for avionics), eight-piece hex set, nine-piece combination wrench set, inspection mirror and a voltmeter. The Tool Kit comes in a custom carrying bag and weights just under 12 pounds. Price: $99.95 Sporty's Pilot Shop (800) SPORTYS www.sportys.com
Synthetic Vision Systems (SVS) are coming on strong for one simple reason. Anyone who has ever flown an Instrument Competency Check (ICC) ride under the hood in VFR conditions knows that "One peek is worth a thousand cross-checks." One quick look at the outside world instantly clears up any confusion regarding aircraft attitude, proximity to terrain and obstructions, and distance to go to the runway, among other critical elements of situational awareness.
When Orville and Wilbur Wright contacted 10 engine manufacturers in late 1902 to find a suitable powerplant for their Flyer, all they could find were designs that weighed 100 pounds, or more, per horsepower. Needing up to 12 hp to sustain flight, the Wrights couldn't put a 1,200-pound engine on their machine and hope to leave the surly bonds. So with help of mechanic Charles Taylor, they built their own 3.3-liter four-cylinder mill that weighed less than 200 pounds and produced 12 to 16 hp. It first ran in February 1903, but it had more than its share of growing pains.
A Bell 212 helicopter under contract to the U.S. Forest Service made an emergency landing at Happy Camp Airport, Calif., after the pilot smelled something burning shortly after takeoff. According to initial reports provided by the USFS, when the pilot received an engine fire warning light he observed smoke. He pulled the No. 2 extinguisher and made a rapid descent. He dropped the external cargo and landed without incident. Post-examination of the helicopter revealed a puncture from the inside out in the hot section of the right engine.
Sacramento, Calif.-based Axis Jet has launched an air charter division to better serve its growing customer base of business and leisure travelers. The fleet will include a King Air 350, 300 and C90B. Price: Varies with aircraft Axis Jet Sacramento Executive Airport Sacramento, CA 95822 (916) 391-5000 www.axisjet.com
A new two-person survival kit available from Sporty's was custom designed with the general aviation pilot in mind. It contains a large selection of quality supplies in each of six groups necessary for survival and rescue. The complete kit is packaged in a red backpack that is easily stored and carried. It measures 11-by-10-by-four inches and weighs only seven pounds (without water). Price: $179.95 Sporty's Pilot Shop (513) 735-9000 or (800) SPORTYS www.sportys.com
THE WEATHER WAS HARDLY atypical for a summer afternoon in Florida -- warm, breezy and VMC with low scattered clouds, but there were thunderstorms in and around the St. Augustine area. It was Aug. 25, 2006, and Ward and Barbara Walter were among the many aloft over the Sunshine State. They were southeast bound from Bloomington, Ind., making their way to Governor's Harbour Airport on Eleuthera Island in the Bahamas where their vacation home was located. They planned an intermediate stop in Melbourne before heading out across the Atlantic.
The new 2007 Pro-Flight Library CD from ASA contains the complete text and images for such important topics as: -Regulations: Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (all the FARs), Hazmat regulations, EPA, NTSB and TSA regulations; -Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) -Airworthiness Directives (ADs) -Practical Test Standards -Advisory Circulars -Dale Crane's Dictionary of Aeronautical Terms Price: 4.95 Aviation Supplies & Academics, Inc. 7005 132nd Pl. SE
Sporty's new "Pilot's Guide to Runway Safety" DVD goes far beyond the basics in the AIM. It provides pilots with the tools and real-world strategies needed to manage ground operations and help prevent runway incursions. The program was developed using actual video combined with state-of-the-art 3-D animation to give pilots of all skill levels a review on all aspects of airport ground operations. It provides an in-depth look at airport signs, markings and lighting and includes some sobering case studies of real accidents.
