Pilot Products

King Schools' Practical Risk Management for Pilots

John and Martha King have debuted their new software course, Practical Risk Management for Pilots, in an effort to change the vocabulary pilots use to define and discuss the risks associated with every flight. The course offers concrete procedures for pilots to follow, regardless of experience level, prior to and during flight to combat sometimes vague and intangible risks. When researching the course, John King recalls finding "no proactive procedures" for risk management. The Kings' goal is to reduce the general aviation accident rate by "an order of magnitude" through this course and implementation of its ideas in the company's other products.

The course, available on two CD-ROMs, takes you through two key elements of risk management that the Kings have refigured: the PAVE and CARE checklists. PAVE, a preflight checklist, allows you to examine which elements are marginal for the flight you are considering, and whether you have multiple elements of increased risk for a flight. CARE helps you manage your risk priorities throughout the flight, as risk factors shuffle and the dynamic environment changes. Scenario-based questions help you think through each check-list and determine risk for example flights.

As with other training, the course offers more than safety returns. In recent years insurance underwriters have adjusted rates based on various pilot criteria, offering credit for everything from simulator-based training in turbojet, turboprop, and high-end piston twin aircraft to recurrent training or factory-offered in-flight training in new aircraft. Avemco customers completing the King course can receive a 5-percent discount.

Prior to running the program, ensure that Windows Media Player is your default mpeg viewer. We encountered some problems with RealOne's player during our test installation.

Price: $49
Contact: 800/854-1001; www.kingschools.com

Sporty's Air Scan SP-125 receiver with Aviation Interrupt

When a customer contacted Sporty's to request a handheld radio on which he could monitor an aviation frequency while listening to his favorite sports team play ball, the development team at Sporty's scratched their heads and got to work. A couple of years and significant investment later, the result is the SP-125 with what the company calls "Aviation Interrupt."

The receiver is built on the same solid foundation that makes up most of the Sporty's radio line, with a detachable antenna, a large display screen, and a light-up keypad. However, you can now dial in up to five priority channels that the radio scans while you listen to an AM or FM station. When a transmission on a priority frequency is detected, that frequency pops up on the display and the radio transfers so that you can hear the broadcast on that frequency. When the transmission ends, the radio returns to the previous frequency.

We tried the SP-125 at our headquarters in Frederick, Maryland, and found the feature worked well. We could tune in the local country music station as well as the unicom frequency at Frederick, and listen for traffic in the pattern. Also, the frequency stored in the first-priority memory preselect takes precedence over the four other memory stations, allowing you to prioritize the transmissions you receive. Audio quality is fine for the size of the speaker; an external speaker jack is provided. The SP-125 runs on four AA batteries, which are included.

Price: $159.50 (introductory price)
Contact: 800/776-7897; www.sportys.com

ElectroBlast rehydration drink

Recently the FAA updated the practical test standards to include the addition of dehydration to the list of aeromedical factors on which a pilot applicant must test. Dehydration as a critical physiological factor makes sense. The aircraft environment is particularly dry, and in the warmer months, can be hot, causing pilots to lose vital hydration during the course of even a short flight.

Leila Baroody, an AOPA member, created electroBlast with business partner and fellow member Nina Anderson to address the problem of dehydration. The drink comes in the easily portable form of an effervescent tablet one can dissolve in any water bottle. 4lectroBlast is sweetened with sorbitol to avoid glycemic (blood sugar) spikes that, according to the company, are not conducive to pilot alertness on long flights. The tablet took a minute to dissolve completely in 10 ounces of water (instructions say to start with eight ounces and dilute further according to the user's taste). The drink delivers more than 150 percent of your daily vitamin C needs, as well as 100 milligrams of potassium, more than 200 mg of sodium (as bicarbonate), and a complex of trace minerals that enhance electrolyte formation and increase oxygen at the cellular level.

ElectroBlast is a good, all-natural, low-calorie choice. Whatever you choose, taking in fluid before commencing a tough approach or landing could improve your flying skills, and your enjoyment of the experience.

Price: $4.99 for eight tablets; $14.97 for box of 24 tablets
Contact: 888/217-7233; www.electroblast.com

Sun 'N Fun products

The EX500, Avidyne's multifunction display with integrated datalink receiver, just received its technical standard order (TSO) and supplemental type certificate (STC). The unit delivers real-time Nexrad weather and current temporary flight restrictions to the cockpit. Avidyne's datalink system uses its proprietary "Narrowcast" delivery, in which weather is delivered according to the user's known position and flight-planned route.

Price: starting at $8,995
Contact: 800/284-2963; www.avidyne.com

Approach Aviation showed off its new Educated Owner Fly-Away Tool Kit, a compact version of the company's Deluxe Tool Kit. Tools include safety wire twisters, an aircraft spark plug socket, a three-eighth-inch ratchet driver, a digital multimeter, an inspection mirror, vise grips, an 8-in-1 screwdriver, channel lock pliers, a lead-removal pick, a hex wrench set, and a flashlight. In addition, the kit contains safety wire, spark plug gaskets, and tie-wraps. The entire kit comes packaged in a toolbox with a parts organizer and lift-out tray.

Price: $119.95
Contact: 877/564-4457; www.approachaviation.com

In the quest for a truly integrated avionics system, UPS Aviation Technologies debuted its latest panel-mount unit, the CNX80, which includes a full-color, high-resolution display with a WAAS-capable GPS receiver, built-in VHF nav/com, and the ability to control a remote-mount Apollo transponder. The unit saves panel space and integrates many of the functions found on previous Apollo GPS and VHF receivers, with some additional features. The com side has the ability to monitor a standby frequency, giving nearly dual com capability in one unit. The GPS receiver includes high-level flight-planning functions, including the ability to load any waypoints on a given Victor airway in one keystroke. The CNX80 also works with roll-steering autopilots for smooth course changes. The CNX80 was expected to ship in May.

Price: $11,995
Contact: www.upsat.com

XM Satellite Radio and WxWorx, an affiliate of Baron Services, announced their partnership with Garmin to deliver unique real-time weather solutions to the Garmin G1000 glass cockpit planned for the Cessna Mustang light jet and Diamond DA42 TwinStar piston twin. Garmin also intends to introduce the XM service on marine products currently in development. The new weather service utilizes WxWorx's patented storm cell identification and tracking technology. Its Nexrad weather is already used by many TV stations throughout the United States. The XM signal is delivered to a compact, low-cost receiver via a small antenna and will feature 101 entertainment channels in addition to weather data.

Contact: www.garmin.com; www.xmradio.com

PS Engineering announced its latest offering, the PAV80, a unique audio and video in-flight entertainment system for light aircraft. The system incorporates AM and FM radio, CD and MP3 music, and DVD video. The panel-mount PAV80 provides up to four 5.5-inch LCD video terminals with video using an optional amplifier. When coupled with PS Engineering's PMA7000B audio panel, the pilot and copilot can listen to the radio while passengers watch a DVD movie complete with audio. Shipments are expected in the second quarter of this year.

Price: $2,995, including one LCD
Contact: www.ps-engineering.com

Teledyne Continental has received a supplemental type certificate (STC) that permits the retrofitting of TCM-Aerosance full authority digital engine control (FADEC) in certain Raytheon Bonanza model airplanes (see " Precision Power: Teledyne's Powerlink FADEC," March Pilot). According to TCM, installation of a FADEC system eases starting, reduces pilot workload, increases fuel economy, and automatically monitors and controls critical engine parameters. The STC covers models S35, V35, V35A, V35B, C33A, E33A, F33A, E33C, F33C, 36, and A36.

Contact: www.tcmlink.com

Garmin received a supplemental type certificate (STC) for its GTX 330 transponder with traffic information system (TIS), which displays local traffic data on a Garmin GNS 530 or 430 (see " The Gospel According to Mooney," page 64). Honeywell followed recently with the TIS-capable Bendix/King KT 73. Each product costs around $5,000 and is compatible with the respective company's existing displays. They offer audible warnings when there's a potential conflict with other aircraft. There are, however, gaps in coverage. The transponders derive data from approach radar installations located mostly in the East, Midwest, and California.

Contact: www.garmin.com; www.bendixking.com

Citing safety and increased controllability as functions of its 2000-series SpeedBrake system, Precise Flight announced a supplemental type certificate (STC) that covers Beechcraft Bonanza 35 models from the A35 through the V35. The SpeedBrake system, which weighs less than 10 pounds, extends up from the left and right wing and alters the lift distribution. This increases drag, makes stall characteristics more docile, and reduces gust load response. The company also debuted a new feature on its PulseLite that ties the recognition lights to the aircraft's TCAS (traffic alert and collision avoidance system) and pulses the lights when an alert is received.

Price: PulseLite and SpeedBrake systems from $2,500
Contact: www.preciseflight.com

Control Vision introduced its PocketPlates, electronic NACO (National Aeronautical Charting Office) approach procedures for personal digital assistants (PDAs). A 28-day-update-cycle subscription is available for the continental U.S. that you can download to a memory card for your PDA. The subscription comes on CD-ROM and the price includes six months of free updates. The charts can be printed for use on a kneeboard.

Price: $295
Contact: 620/231-6647; www.controlvision.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).