GPS Trainer from ASA
While global positioning system (GPS) receiver manufacturers provide a variety of training materials on their particular units, a lot of pilots — especially those who rent aircraft — are faced with learning multiple boxes. Enter Aviation Supplies and Academics' new GPS Trainer, a CD-ROM that covers operations of three popular IFR-approved GPS receivers.
Both VFR and IFR operations are detailed in the program, which includes the Apollo GX series, Garmin GNS 430, and Bendix/King KLN 89B GPS receivers. After selecting the GPS receiver you wish to learn about, the program offers a menu of topics from which to choose. For those who need a refresher course on using GPS navigation, there is a short section on the theory behind the global positioning system. From there, the course offers a "Preflight" section designed to orient you with the receiver's buttons and screens before launching into the step-by-step operations covered in subsequent topics. The Preflight section covers basic flight plan setup as well.
We went through the tutorial devoted to the Apollo GX 50/60 series, as this GPS receiver is installed on a Piper Archer we often use for product testing at AOPA. The Preflight section provided a thorough overview of the receiver's functions, offering some insight into the receiver's user interface. In the "Enroute," "Terminal," and "Approach" topics, the program gave detailed instructions on every important VFR and IFR procedure, with an integrated simulation that could be manipulated by the user in almost the same way as the real box. The simulation skipped over some redundant steps, such as entering every letter of a navaid or every leg in a flight plan, saving some time. Still, the program was robust enough to take us several hours to complete. Similar depth was found in the GNS 430 and KLN 89B tutorials as well. When we went into the airplane after using the tutorial, we found that entering flight plans and changing them was far easier than previous hit-and-miss attempts. The tutorial's fidelity rated high in this regard.
We discovered some minor discrepancies within the instruction, but nothing was found to be incorrect. And we had some trouble getting the movies within the tutorials to load, although each simulation we tested ran without flaw. The illustrations are good, but the small type size on some captions might be challenging to read. GPS Trainer may also prove handy if you're trying to decide which panel-mount receiver to purchase.
GPS Trainer requires Adobe Acrobat and Apple QuickTime software, both of which load from the single CD that houses the program if current versions aren't already present on your computer. The program runs on both IBM-compatible and Macintosh systems, although the GPS manufacturers' stand-alone simulators — also included separately on the CD — are not Mac-compatible. System requirements for IBM-compatible systems are Windows 95/98/2000/NT/ME, Pentium 166 MHz or faster processor, 32 MB minimum RAM, 800-by-600 SVGA video adapter and monitor, four-speed CD-ROM drive, and a mouse.
GPS Trainer retails for $99.95. For more information, contact Aviation Supplies and Academics (ASA), 7005 132nd Place Southeast, Newcastle, Washington 98059-3153; telephone 425/235-1500; fax 425/235-0128; or visit the Web site ( www.asa2fly.com).
Montague Paratrooper folding bike
Pilots often use airplanes to get to fun destinations, places where similarly fun ground transportation completes the mission — like a mountain bike fit for off-road adventures. But in airplanes, space is at a premium, which is why a folding bike could come in handy. Montague Corporation recently developed a stowable mountain bike for a military contract, and now offers a version of this bike, the Paratrooper, for civilian use.
We received an 18-inch model of the Paratrooper for testing; 20-inch models are also available. The bike folds by unlocking a pin on the boom tube to bring the front fork over the rear wheel. The front wheel has a quick-release mechanism, like most mountain bikes. The pedals are removable as well, although the bike fits into the nylon carrying case (available separately) without taking them off. Since they are not interchangeable left to right, we recommend leaving them on if possible. Folded dimensions of the bike are 32 inches by 34 inches by 16 inches, so the bike won't fit into smaller cargo doors, such as the one on a Piper Archer. The Paratrooper has a Rapid Suspension Technology front suspension fork, bar ends, and a compass. The factory seat was referred to by one tester as "needle-like," and to put it in the words of another tester, "I have very strong feelings about the seat." Granted, bicycle seats are notoriously personal items, and fortunately they aren't too expensive to replace.
We found the 24-gear Sram grip shifter system smooth and easy to use, with good gear ratios for climbs and descents. Handling on both asphalt and gravel was very stable, and the bike had adequate traction on small hill climbs. The bike is on the heavy size — 29 pounds for the 18-inch frame — which is a drawback for carrying over steep sections of trail and as compared to maximum gross weight. Those after a good, solid bike to take around town and on short off-road rides will find this bike suits their needs.
The Paratrooper retails for $599. Montague also has an entire line of folding bikes for various applications available through dealers nationwide. For more information, contact Montague Corporation, Post Office Box 381118, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02238; telephone 800/736-5348; fax 617/491-7207; or visit the Web site ( www.montagueco.com).
The Educated Owner video series
Approach Aviation recently introduced the first videotape in its Educated Owner video series. Approach Aviation owner Jeff Simon designed the series, which was created to educate general aviation pilots and airplane owners in the acquisition, management, and maintenance of their airplanes. Preventative Maintenance is an informative, hourlong tape that covers six topics in detail: legal owner maintenance; owner inspections; oils, including oil and filter changes; landing-light changes; spark-plug maintenance; and tire and wheel servicing.
According to Simon, the video has had great response from aircraft maintenance technicians as well as pilots. "When pilots are comfortable getting under the cowl, they also give a clearer picture [to the technician] of squawks, and think ahead of maintenance issues." Simon is currently working on his airframe and powerplant certificate, so he knows what it's like to be a student of maintenance. His goal in producing the videos is not only to encourage safety, but also to convince more pilots to own aircraft by showing how rewarding it can be.
All six subjects are covered well, with helpful hints, and examples of each task are clear and easily understood. Preventative Maintenance would be a good addition to the video library of any owner or enthusiast interested in learning more about their airplane. The Annual Inspection is the second video in the series, and it was scheduled to be available in late July.
The cost of each tape is $34.95 plus shipping and handling. For more information, contact Approach Aviation, 24 Deer Path, Suite 6, Maynard, Massachusetts 01754; telephone 877/564-4457 or 978/461-2415; or visit the Web site ( www.approachaviation.com). — Steven W. Ells
Briefly Noted
PC Flight Systems brings a low-cost, portable electronic flight information system (EFIS) to the cockpit. The PCEFIS-AI uses a PocketPC-based personal digital assistant and solid-state electronics to deliver an EFIS-style display, complete with heading and altitude reference. An electronic gyro module, similar to those used in automotive dynamic control systems and the Sojourner Mars rover, provides inertial navigation system (INS) information to the PDA when the module is attached to the longitudinal axis of an airplane. Input from any GPS receiver with an NMEA 4,800-baud serial output upgrades the PCEFIS-AI to send heading, ground track, altitude, and groundspeed information to the display. Though the PCEFIS-AI is not approved for IFR use, it can provide attitude information to any aircraft without an artificial horizon and as a backup to vacuum-driven systems.
The PCEFIS-AI retails for $1,395, with the optional GPS interface available for $200. For more information, contact PC Flight Systems, Sellers Aviation Inc., 9625 Southeast 70th Terrace, Ocala, Florida 34472; telephone 352/804-7217; or visit the Web site ( www.pcflightsystems.com).
Is your dream of buying your own airplane transitioning to reality? Then check out a Web site for serious shoppers, Aircraft Shopper Online (ASO). The site hosts listings for 2,500-plus aircraft ranging in price from less than $20,000 to more than $40 million. ASO allows you to choose the make and model and price range from the latest listings, and from this you can create a short list of your favorite aircraft. Dealers and brokers are also linked, as well as financial services.
A search for Cessna 172s turned up more than 90 aircraft to choose from, running the gamut from a 1956 model priced at $32,000 to a 2001 172SP valued at $180,000. Photographs are included with many listings, and links to aircraft sellers and dealers are provided, with a feedback form to use to contact ASO regarding your purchasing experience. For those who just want to look, the site offers a way to hone your aircraft identification skills, with its listings of warbirds, classics, and large Transport category aircraft. For more information, visit the Aircraft Shopper Online Web site ( www.aso.com).
Chandelle of Sonoma winery offers its award-winning Spirit of Flight wines with a series of aviation art-inspired labels, the latest of which feature the Trans World Airlines Lockheed Super Constellation. Robert Arnold continues a family tradition as owner-proprietor of Chandelle on a California ranch purchased after World War II by his grandfather, pioneer pilot and five-star Gen. Hap Arnold. Among the other 37 labels in the series are ones showcasing aircraft from the Wright Flyer to a new Cessna 172.
Spirit of Flight wines begin at $29.95 plus shipping and handling. Chocolates and other gourmet food items with an aviation theme are available. For more information, contact Chandelle of Sonoma Inc., Post Office Box 2167, Glen Ellen, California 95442; telephone 800/544-8890; or visit the Web site ( www.chandellewinery.com).
Unless otherwise stated, products listed herein have not been evaluated by AOPA Pilot editors. AOPA assumes no responsibility for products or services listed or for claims or actions by manufacturers or vendors. However, members unable to get satisfaction regarding products listed should advise AOPA. To submit products for evaluation, contact: New Products Editor, AOPA Pilot , 421 Aviation Way, Frederick, Maryland 21701; telephone 301/695-2350. Links to all Web sites referenced in this issue can be found on AOPA Online ( www.aopa.org/pilot/links.shtml).
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