Aviation and AOPA Events

Cirrus jet makes its first public debut

AOPA Expo is host to numerous variants of the single-engine jet. While several of them have been seen at other events, Expo is the public debut for the much-anticipated Minnesota entry — Cirrus' The-Jet. The V-tail jet was unveiled to media and Cirrus owners back in July, but the Expo exhibit hall is the general pilot population's first chance to study the unusual airplane. As a result, the mockup has seen a steady stream of traffic.

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Flight Guide goes online

Airguide Publications Inc., publishers of Flight Guide, the tidy brown binders that are filled with airport and airspace and have been used by GA pilots for more than 45 years, has released Flight Guide Online (FGO), a feature-filled online site. The site is not intended to replace the company's print book. Instead, it enhances flight planning by featuring a basic flight planner, which includes links to DUATS for weather and a tool for flight plan filing. FGO also provides a one-stop site for researching destinations by providing links to nearby hotels, rental car agencies, and restaurants. Expanded lodging listings and reservation provisions from Travelocity also are available. Users can elect to add access to the electronic version of "Pilot Getaways," which provides in-depth reviews of many destinations. FGO is now available for airports in the western 11 states and the 22 eastern states. The central states data will be online by the end of 2007. Subscribers who already get the paper versions can add FGO for $19 per region.

Air Journey adds second around-the-world flight

Air Journey, a Florida-based company that specializes in hosting and planning unique owner-flown unique flying adventures to many destinations, is expanding its trip options. The company announced that last year's 24-country, 70-day, around-the-world trip went so well that a second group has been added to this year's flight. There are restrictions for the round-the-world trip because of the long legs involved.

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Adam gears up to Make Production Fly

At Adam Aircraft, MPF stands for Make Production Fly. Adam has taken steps toward its goal of streamlining production of its all-composite centerline-thrust piston-powered A-500 and twin-turbine powered A700, including raising significant capital in 2007 and making investments in tooling and creating point-of-use parts kits. This program has already yielded results by cutting production man-hours between A500 airframe number 10 and number 15 by two-thirds.

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AircraftLogs launches fleet management service

AircraftLogs announced on Oct. 5 customizable trip sheets and other fleet management tools designed to efficiently manage flight departments. The company, which provides digital aircraft management systems and record-keeping services, also announced an agreement with Premier Aircraft Sales — a Fort Lauderdale-based regional distributor of Diamond and Mooney aircraft — in which Premier will use AircraftLogs' online record management services for each aircraft entering its inventory. AircraftLogs, which primarily serves the owner-flown market, recently received $1.7 million to enhance its technology and expand services to both private and business aircraft operators.

Florida firm launches online pilots' guide

Caribbean Flying Adventures, based in Coral Gables, Fla., has launched an online pilots' guide to the Bahamas and the Caribbean. The site offers current information on fuel pricing and availability, as well as step-by-step arrival and departure procedures for every island — including necessary documents, current fees, and where to file flight plans. Caribbean Flying Adventures offers annual memberships for $39.95, which includes a comprehensive international predeparture checklist and a free Cuban overflight permit for personal flights. The company offers group flyouts to Caribbean destinations and, for a fee, will arrange Cuban overflight permits for charter flights.

Lightspeed delivering new Zulu ANR headset

Lightspeed Aviation is now delivering its new Bluetooth-compatible Zulu automatic noise reduction headset. A departure from previous Lightspeed designs, the Zulu — announced at Oshkosh — features a lower profile. In addition, it provides wireless Bluetooth connectivity to wireless phones and music sources. "It's quieter actively, it's quieter passively, and it's got better audio fidelity than anything out there," a company spokesman said.

Piper chooses Lifesaver gyro for Matrix

Piper Aircraft selected Mid-Continent Instruments' 4300 series Lifesaver electric attitude gyro as the standby gyro in the new Matrix, the Wichita-based avionics manufacturer said Oct. 5. The 4300 includes a self-contained battery that provides approximately one hour of standby battery power, according to Mid-Continent. In addition to Piper's Matrix, the 4300 can be found in other Piper models and in airplanes produced by 10 other manufacturers.

Aural warning added to SkyWatch HP collision avoidance system

L-3 Communications Avionics Systems announced on Oct. 4 that its SkyWatch HP Collision Avoidance System will now feature verbal intruder positioning, an aural warning system. The warnings will provide range, bearing, and relative altitude when the SkyWatch HP issues a traffic advisory. The company is offering the upgrade for existing SkyWatch HP owners for a "nominal fee."

Aspen Avionics is growing

Aspen Avionics, maker of the Evolution Flight Display, is moving. The company said on Oct. 4 that it's expanding from a 6,000-square foot facility to a 23,000-square foot building in Albuquerque, N.M. Aspen is also adding two new staff members in an effort to boost engineering and sales efforts. Constantinos S. (Gus) Kyriakos joined the company as vice president of engineering, and Mark Ferrari was named the vice president of sales and customer support. Kyriakos comes to Aspen from Avidyne, where he was director of communications, navigation, and surveillance engineering. Ferrari most recently served as vice president, business aviation sales and marketing for the NORDAM Group.

Diamond intros two new versions of popular DA40

Pilots partial to the DA40 Diamond Star take note: Diamond Aircraft on Oct. 4 announced two new versions of the aircraft, the luxury DA40 XLS and customizable DA40 CS. The DA40 XLS cruises at 150 knots and features an MT composite scimitar three-blade constant speed propeller, platinum leather seats, and more interior room. Garmin WAAS with VNAV capability has been added to the GFC700 autopilot. Base price for the XLS is $334,950. The DA40 CS cruises at 145 kt with a Hartzell two-blade hydraulic constant-speed propeller. Its base price is $259,950. Customers can customize the aircraft, including interior fabric, autopilot, extended baggage compartment, extended range tanks, and more.

Mooney's Acclaim speeds up

Mooney Airplane Company continues to cater to pilots who like to fly fast. The company announced aerodynamic refinements to the Acclaim, which it claims is the world's fastest piston single, to make it even faster. The Acclaim-Type S has a top speed of 242 knots, 5 kt faster than the 280-horsepower Acclaim. The Acclaim-Type S costs $599,500, and deliveries are expected to begin the first quarter of 2008.

'Mooney Mania' entices new buyers with 5.99-percent interest rate

Mooney launched a program on Oct. 4 designed to recognize loyal customers and encourage them to refer potential buyers for a new Mooney. Qualified new buyers can cash in on a 5.99-percent interest rate with no payment due for 90 days. The Mooney Mania program is designed to stimulate orders in the final 90 days of the year. Loyal Mooney owners who provide names of buyers who sign purchase agreements can earn up to $1,000 worth of free fuel.

Cessna logs 850 orders for SkyCatcher

Orders continue to pour in for Cessna Aircraft's SkyCatcher. The company says it has more than 850 orders for the light sport airplane. Cessna expects to begin delivering airplanes in 2009 and produce 700 a year at full production. The SkyCatcher has an introductory price of $109,500 for the first thousand orders and $111,500 thereafter.

Skyhawk goes diesel

Cessna Skyhawk buyers will soon have a choice of engines and, for that matter, fuels. Beginning in mid-2008, Cessna will offer the Thielert Centurion 2.0 liter turbodiesel engine in the 172S model airplanes. The 155-horsepower engine features FADEC (full authority digital engine control) and is certified to run on Jet A. Dubbed the Skyhawk TD, the airplane offers a longer range. Cessna did not provide a price.

Hanks Aero Adventures adds "First Officer" safari flight

Hanks Aero Adventures has added what it calls its First Officer program to its menu of African game-watching flights. The program matches up an African-trained and certified flight instructor with visiting fliers. This eliminates the four- to five-day training and test required to certify visiting pilots for a 90-day visitor's flying permit. Thus, the visiting U.S. pilots can begin their flying safari almost immediately after landing in Johannesburg, South Africa.

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