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We've spent the past 10 months telling you all about the progress on the 1977 Cessna Cardinal we're refurbishing for this year's AOPA sweepstakes. And really, the work on the airplane, and all the new or overhauled components we've put into it comprise the bulk of the sweepstakes value.

However, our sweepstakes offers even more for the winner, with a slew of aircraft accessories that come with the airplane, also donated by great general aviation companies. I'm going to take the time this week to bring you up to date on those goodies.

Airframe care
To help manage the Cardinal's generous (and sail-like) doors, we have a Door Steward kit from Mtn View Aviation. This modification is STCed (supplemental type certificate) and PMAed (parts manufacturing approval) on the Cardinal as of October 2006, and the system consists of a modern inert gas spring that dampens the movement of the door.

To protect the airplane from the elements, the folks at Bruce's Custom Covers have created a special red, black, and white cover to match the airplane's exterior. Bruce's has crafted covers for several sweepstakes aircraft now, and these heavy-duty covers last and look good.

A BatteryMINDer battery charger from Diversified Aviation Services helped us recondition the battery during various shows throughout the summer and fall. The 12-volt S-1 model is aviation-specific, and a built-in temperature sensor helps the unit compensate for temperature variations, extending the life of the battery. We'll include the unit along with the Cardinal for the winner's use.

More magic
With all the magic in the panel, we felt it was only right to give the pilot some serious backups as well. Top among these is a handheld navigator. The winner will receive the latest Lowrance full-color WAAS-capable GPS, the AirMap 600C, to supplement navigation and stay away from the rocks with its terrain-awareness functionality and obstruction database. On the ground, you'll benefit from the Safe Flight 21 airport taxiway map data. It comes with a mount and runs on two AA batteries (as well as off of ship's power).

To keep the panel magic up to date, we have a continuation of Jeppesen's navdata services that we've been using this year. Jepp's new Update Manager software helps the user manage navdata updates from a home or laptop computer, and gives the ability to update cards while offline. We'll throw in the Skybound USB adaptor and software—thanks to Jeppesen.

The Sporty's Pilot Shop SP-200 VHF nav/com is a best-in-class transceiver we've reviewed before in AOPA Pilot in 2002 and in 2006—and it has great features such as last frequency recall and a localizer function. Our winner gets a new one from Sporty's to keep as a backup to the Cardinal's new radio stack.

A set of four Bose headsets will protect hearing and provide clear communications to the winner and his or her passengers. The front cockpit has pilot and co-pilot side power plugs to run these active-noise-cancelling headsets off of ship's power and eliminate the need for batteries. Two headsets for the rear passengers feature standard jacks and portable power packs fitting two AA batteries.

Finally, a Cole Clarifier from One Wink LLC has been installed on the altimeter to make the digits in the Kollsman window more readable for the pilot. We've had lots of great comments on the magnifying lens—not that the pilot population is aging or anything!

The big finale
If all this weren't enough, the winner gets a treat, courtesy of several businesses at Griffin. We normally offer transition training appropriate to the airplane, but this year, we're taking it up a notch.

The lucky pilot will be hosted by Field Project Manager Dan Gryder, of the AvNet, for whatever transition training that person needs—a complete Cardinal checkout, a fresh flight review, and an instrument proficiency check if called for—at the AvNet hangar. All ground transportation, meals, and bluegrass are provided as well. The winner also walks away with a new medical certificate, courtesy of Dr. James Gore, local aviation medical examiner and pilot, who has donated this service to the winner. The Cardinal will also come with a just-in-time annual and IFR certification and system checks, thanks to Air Wrench and Precision Avionics.

E-mail the author at julie.boatman@aopa.org.

The phenomenon that is Sporty's also includes Sporty's Academy, the flight school and aviation education development program begun in 1987. It includes Sandy's Farm, a new residential airpark development on the airport, named after Shevers' wife, Sandy. And it includes The Sporty's Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to funding programs that educate young people on the excitement, challenge, and fulfillment of aviation. Sporty's has donated one of its most popular products—yes, a radio—an SP-200 transceiver for this year's sweepstakes winner. Call 800-776-7897 or visit the Web site.