Pilot Products

In its continuing product development efforts, Sigtronics Corporation recently introduced its "8 Series" of noise-attenuating headsets. After flying the S-58 headset, one might call the new headset the "Super 8" series. The quality of communication the S-58 provides is without question. It mutes the ambient noise well, thanks to the gel-filled ear seals that work even when you're wearing glasses.

Sigtronics says it's engineered protection against radio frequency and electromagnetic interference (RFI and EMI) into the headset's components, rather than using shielded cables. I'll have to take the company's word on that, but ATC said the words it received through the headset's noise-canceling electret microphone were crisp and clear. The microphone is mounted on the end of a flexible boom that stays put and rotates for wear on the right or left side.

The microphone's "Ultrafoam" windscreen seems to do a good job. With the muff barely touching my lips, I was able to turn down the intercom's voice-activation sensitivity a bit. As a result, I didn't hear the "pop" I sometimes get when the blast of breath carrying my words "startles" the intercom's voice-activation circuit to life. (Nor did it pick up my heavy breathing as I challenged myself with a gusting, variable crosswind.)

The S-58 also gives hassle-free communication thanks to several nice features. For example, the ear-cup mounted volume control knob is large enough to manipulate with gloves on (and gloves are a standard piece of equipment for Midwest winter flying). And the connectors that are molded onto the end of the "stop-break" cords are nickel-plated brass, so you don't have to "buff" the plugs to remove any unseen or visible tarnishing that can result in a less than perfect connection.

Comfort is an important feature of any headset, and the S-58 does well in this area. It weighs a mere 11.9 ounces, and the new ergonomic head cushion didn't cause any hot spots during a two-hour flight. The S-58 also is an attractive headset, with textured ear cups in Sigtronics' trademark blue and non-glare, powder-coated black headband and hardware. (Sigtronics also offers a small/child headband.) I especially like this feature because the headset didn't reflect dancing bands of sunlight, which I find distracting. Overall, the headset fulfills a pilot's communication needs well.

Made entirely in America, the Sigtronics S-58 is covered by a five-year warranty, comes with a padded carry bag, and has a suggested retail price of $329. It's also available in stereo and helicopter versions for $369 and $349 respectively. For more information, contact Sigtronics Corporation, 949 North Cataract #D, San Dimas, CA 91773; 909/305-9399; www.sigtronics.com. Or use Flight Training's reader service card.

The Instrument Flight Manual 5.0

Renowned flight instructor and author William K. Kershner, who was inducted into the Flight Instructor Hall of Fame in 1998, covers the spectrum of aviation education with his series of educational textbooks. Recently, he's updated The Instrument Flight Manual: The Instrument Rating. Among the revisions and new information in the fifth edition are the METAR/TAF weather format, and the most recent changes to the federal aviation regulations.

The 384-page book gives an overview of IFR flight and helps establish patterns of good aeronautical decision making. Divided into five sections, it covers airplane instruments, systems, navigation, ATC communication, and a "trip" that uses the knowledge learned in the first four sections.

The Instrument Flight Manual covers every aspect of instrument flight, includes a sample instrument knowledge test, and has a suggested retail price of $32.95. It not only teaches pilots what they need to know to earn an instrument rating, it's a good review and refresher for instrument-rated pilots. For more information, contact Iowa State University Press, 2121 South State Ave., Ames, IA 50014-8300; 800/862-6657; www.isupress.edu. or use Flight Training's reader service card.

Air Facts Video Decision

How does a pilot make a go/no-go decision? Conditions that are safe for an instrument-rated pilot with thousands of hours of experience in actual weather could be unsafe for a low-time pilot. For this reason pilots need to develop a set of personal minimums, and developing these minimums is the subject of Dick Collins' latest Air Facts video.

Even through the federal aviation regulations set minimums, they are not appropriate or comfortable for every pilot. Collins believes that the most important standards a pilot must adhere to are those he (or she) sets for himself. In Personal Minimums Collins explores all the factors involved in making a go/no-go decision, from weather and personal health to aircraft condition, recent experience, and pressure to reach the destination. In these explorations he discusses how pilots can set their own minimums and make every flight safer and more enjoyable.

Personal Minimums is available from Sporty's Pilot Shop for $24.95. To order, call 800/LIFTOFF. n

ASA NEW YEAR

With the new year comes changes to the regulations, recommendations, and requirements of aviation. ASA is ready to help pilots keep current with these changes in its 1999 editions of the FAR/AIM (federal aviation regulations and Aeronautical Information Manual), test preparation books, and FAA practical test standards.

The FAR/AIM combines the pertinent parts of the FARs (Parts 1, 43, 61, 67, 71, 73, 91, 97, 103, 105, 119, 135, 137, 141, and 142) with the AIM in a book that measures six by nine inches. With a suggested retail price of $15.95, the book also includes the pilot/controller glossary, National Transportation Safety Board Part 830, a NASA Aviation Safety Reporting Form, the addresses and phone numbers of FAA Flight Standard District Offices listed by state, and information on the FAA, National Ocean Service (NOS), and NTSB.

ASA updates its practical test standard books as the FAA makes changes, and the most recent changes were to the airline transport pilot and instrument PTSs. At $4.95 each, every ASA practical test standard includes the complete and unabridged criteria the FAA uses to issue ratings and certificates.

Working hand in hand with FAR/AIM and PTS are ASA's test books for the pilot certificates and ratings. The books include the exact FAA test questions and answer stems, explanations of correct and incorrect answers and references for all four aircraft categories. The books are arranged in chapters based on subject matter, and each chapter includes supplementary study text to prepare applicants for their tests.

Each title in the test prep series comes bundled with the appropriate computer testing supplement that applicants will use when they take their FAA knowledge test. The full-color supplement includes all the required figures, charts, diagrams, and legends needed to study for - and pass - the test. The suggested retail prices for the bundled test-prep series are private, $14.95; instrument, $19.95; commercial, $16.95; CFI, $19.95; flight engineer, $29.95; and ATP, 34.95.

ASA also offers a lot of its hardcopy information on CD-ROM. The FAR/AIM CD, $24.95, includes all of the FARs and the AIM. The Flight Library CD, $49.95, adds all the PTSs, FAA safety program bulletins, aviation career series, selected advisory circulars, a number of FAA training publications, including the Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge and Instrument Flying Handbook, and Dale Crane's Dictionary of Aeronautical Terms, for a total of more than 500 publications. The Pro-Flight Library CD, $99.95, includes just about everything the FAA prints and gives pilots more than 850 publications and more than 6,000 online graphics. All the CDs include a free midyear printed update, except the Pro-Flight Library, which has a CD update.

For more information, contact ASA, 7005 132nd Place SE, Newcastle, WA 98059-3153; 800/426-8338; www.asa2fly.com/asa.