Pilot Products

Sporty's SP-200 nav/com

A handheld transceiver usually rates as one of the must-have items in a pilot's flight bag, right up there with a headset, a flashlight, a lucky charm, and a dog-eared NASA ASRS form. While the lure of unhurried flight in a pre-1950, fabric-covered taildragger rose-tinges our daydreams, today's reality means that even in that time-travel aircraft it's a good idea to have an aerial walkie-talkie to keep you out of hot water.

Few among us have lots of money to spend on our backup transceiver, and we need those dollars to count when it comes to reliability and ease of use in an emergency. To this end, Sporty's Pilot Shop has enhanced its popular handheld, the SP-200, and kept the price below the $300 mark.

Using the SP-200 is as straight-forward as it gets: A back-lit screen and keypad let you select from VHF channels over the civil aviation band — nav channels from 108.00 to 117.95 MHz and .om channels between 118.00 and 142.99 MHz — and the large numerals on the readout are legible in turbulent or busy cockpit situations. The SP-200 offers 8.33-kHz spacing, keeping it in pace with the latest operational considerations. A last-frequency button (also new on the SP-200) allows you to toggle between frequencies, handy if you need to use the unit for both navigation and communication. A duplex com feature allows you to transmit to flight service over one frequency and listen over the VOR frequency.

Speaking of navigation, the SP-200 has an actual CDI display with the radial on the screen. During our tests at the Frederick (Maryland) airport, we found the unit to be accurate enough for VFR navigation. The automatic bearing-to-station feature is especially helpful for quick position information and increased situational awareness.

The SP-200 is designed to operate on eight AA alkaline batteries, and an extra battery pack is available for fast reloading in flight. An optional nicad battery pack and charger make the SP-200 suitable for use by ramp personnel. A full range of accessories fits most any application, and those accessories compatible with Sporty's JD-200 also work with the SP-200.

Our test unit weighs 16.8 ounces; Sporty's advertises 16.9. Audio quality even inside the building at AOPA is good — the unit boasts a five-watt output, the most allowable by law. The SP-200 measures 7.2 by 2.4 by 1.4 inches without the flexible, removable antenna. It comes with a five-year warranty and retails for $295. For more information, contact Sporty's Pilot Shop, Clermont County Airport, Batavia, Ohio 45103-9747; telephone 800/543-8633 or 513/735-9000; fax 513/735-9200; or visit the Web site ( www.sportys.com). — Julie K. Boatman

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002

Microsoft added Flight Simulator 2002 (Flight Sim 2002) and Flight Simulator 2002 Professional Edition to its lineup late last fall, with a number of instructional features that aim to turn desktop fliers into serious pilots — when used with the proper frame of mind.

Several new features take the professional edition, in particular, from a game to a real training and proficiency tool. Microsoft made strides toward creating a more accurate flight environment in previous versions of Flight Sim with the inclusion of real-world weather, now provided by a transparent link to Jeppesen's weather service. With Flight Sim 2002, the realism builds with air traffic control menus that pop on the screen with each segment of the flight. Take, for example, a flight that begins at Denver's Centennial Airport. The ATC screen asks whether you'd like to select ATIS or ground control. You select ATIS, and the current information is delivered via a banner across the top of the display. You then select Centennial ground control, the ATC function simulates the call, and you must choose the response you give with each interchange. You can also opt for conducting the flight without prompting from the on-screen ATC.

We downloaded weather for Centennial that included winds out of the northwest at 47 knots. Launching in a Cessna 172 Skyhawk in these conditions isn't advisable, but since we were in Flight Sim-world it proved an adequate test for the program modeling of aircraft performance and weather. On liftoff, the performance was fairly anemic, typical of flying a 172 from a field with an elevation of 5,883 feet. We crawled down the length of Runway 35 Right, and turned to the west into pockets of moderate to severe turbulence that tumbled the airplane. One new feature of the professional edition (as opposed to the regular edition) is gMax, a three-dimensional modeling tool that armchair developers can use to create scenery. Though the stock backgrounds of Flight Sim 2002 are based on regional terrain, they fall short of what a pilot used to flying out of a particular airport might expect, say, flying west out of Centennial toward the Rockies — but with gMax, you can create Mount Evans and the surrounding mountains and plug them into your game.

For proficiency, Flight Sim 2002 serves up practice flight planning, point-to-point navigation, and radio procedures. The professional edition includes an instructor's station so that a CFI can tweak conditions and systems failures during a student's flight. Flight Sim 2002 requires a Windows 98, Millennium, 2000, or XP operating system; a Pentium II or higher with a 300 MHz or faster processor with 8 MB, 3D video hardware acceleration or better; a Super VGA monitor capable of 800 by 600 resolution or better; DirectX 8.0a or later video and sound cards; 650 MB available hard disk space with an additional 100 MB for swapped files; quad-speed CD-ROM drive; 64 MB of memory; a joystick; and a mouse. Flight Sim 2002 retails for $49.95; the professional edition runs for $74.95. For more information, contact Microsoft at 800/426-9400; or visit the Web site ( www.microsoft.com/games/fs2002/).

Jeppesen recently released SimCharts version 2.0, which pilots can use to view and print terminal charts for any airport included in Flight Sim 2002 while using the Microsoft program. The charts are divided into nine regions — nearly worldwide coverage — and contain departure procedures (DPs), standard terminal arrival procedures (STARs), and approaches for those airports in the volume. Combination packages including paper charts are also available. A single region sells for $29.95; a three-region pack sells for $64.95. For more information, contact Jeppesen, 55 Inverness Drive East, Englewood, Colorado 80112; telephone 800/621-5377; or visit the Web site ( www.jeppesen.com). — JKB

Robert Taylor: Air Combat Paintings, Masterworks Collection

English painter Robert Taylor is arguably the founder of the aviation art movement and its brightest star. He specializes in historically accurate depictions of key moments in combat from the beginning of aviation to the present time. The result is a body of work that is difficult for the average enthusiast to afford. That's why the publication of Robert Taylor: Air Combat Paintings, Masterworks Collection by Howell Press is so welcome.

The paperback, 128-page book includes color images of 60 of Taylor's best paintings accompanied by pencil sketches and the artist's commentary. It focuses heavily on World War II and includes the B-17 Flying Fortress, B-24 Liberator, P-47 Thunderbolt, P-51 Mustang, Messerschmitt Bf.109, Spitfire, and Mosquito bomber.

Taylor realized his talent for art as a youth in Bath, England, the city where he still lives. He left school at 15 to pursue his dream and got a job as a picture framer at an art gallery in Bath. That gave him the opportunity to study the masters, and he found he could paint to the same standard as much of the art he framed. The art gallery owner promoted him to picture restoration, and he quickly became the best restorer outside of London. The skills he developed became the basis for his career.

After 15 years he was introduced to Pat Barnard, who offered him a chance to become a full-time painter for his military publishing business. Barnard's Military Gallery has published every print since reproduced from Taylor's paintings.

Taylor has won the confidence of not only the art community, but also of the combat pilots whose exploits he depicts. Battle of Britain pilots attended a book-launching party for an exhibition of his paintings in Duxford, England, two years ago. Col. Don Lopez, deputy director of the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum, writes the forward of the book by Howell Press. Lopez notes that Taylor's meticulous research into the scenes he paints is legendary. In planning for Doolittle Tokyo Raiders, he learned that Doolittle made a wide 360-degree turn after takeoff to align his compass with the ship's heading, and that is the scene Taylor chose to paint.

For more information, contact Howell Press, 1713-2D Allied Lane, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903; telephone 434/977-4006; fax 434/971-7204; e-mail [email protected]; or visit the Web site ( www.howellpress.com). — Alton K. Marsh

Navguard EE777A portable security system

Electronic Engineering Research offers a cockpit and hangar security system suitable for use with general aviation aircraft. The portable system installs quickly and alerts authorities (an FBO, airport manager, or local police) when the alarm is triggered via widely available digital cellular networks. The EE777A operates on external power or a 40-hour backup battery with an optional solar charger.

The carrying case is included, along with a 12-month limited warranty. The EE777A can be purchased for $999, with one year of 24-hour monitoring service at no charge, or leased for $399, with monthly service priced at $29.95 for the duration of the three-year lease. For more information, contact Electronic Engineering Research Inc., 4978 Santa Anita, California 91780; telephone 888/452-8988; fax 626/452-9194; or visit the Web site ( www.eeelectronic.com/aviation/). — JKB

Ryan active interrogating 9900BX Traffic Alerting System

Several hundred units of the Ryan International 9900BX Traffic Alerting System have been sold since the unit received FAA TSO certification in August, company officials report. The system keeps the pilot's eyes out of the cockpit through its audio alerts. The unit announces, "Traffic! 12 o'clock high! Two miles," forcing the pilot to look for the traffic rather than look inside the cockpit at a traffic avoidance display. The flight crew has 30 seconds at up to a 1,200-kt closure rate before closest-point-of-approach to determine if evasive action is required. The unit can track up to 50 aircraft over a 20-mile-radius area. The unit can receive and process Mode A, Mode C, and Mode S transponder systems operating on other aircraft. For more information, contact Ryan International, 4800 Evanswood Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43229; telephone 800/877-0048 or 614/885-3303; or visit the Web site ( www.ryan-tcad.com). — AKM

Briefly Noted

PS Engineering recently received FAA approval for its latest audio panel, the PAC24. The panel was designed as a replacement for popular King KMA24-71 units, often found in dual installations on high-performance and rotary-wing aircraft. The unit's powerful audio amplifier for headsets effectively addresses the noisy environment found in these aircraft. Also featured on the PAC24 is PS Engineering's IntelliVox voice-activated intercom, full duplex mode for wireless operations, and expansion capability with stereo inputs. The PAC24 can accommodate up to five transceivers, and it has a split mode that allows the pilot and copilot to operate on separate radios. The unit lists for $2,395. For more information, contact PS Engineering, 9800 Martel Road, Lenoir City, Tennessee 37772; telephone 865/988-9800; fax 865/988-6619; or visit the Web site ( www.ps-engineering.com). — JKB

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).