Garmin iQue 3600a
Garmin has offered a personal digital assistant (PDA) for two years, the iQue, but now the company has introduced the iQue 3600a, which includes aviation and terrain data already loaded and a built-in 12-channel GPS receiver, all ready to go the minute you open the box. With the addition of a $139.27 MapSource CD you can navigate the streets or highways at your destination. The iQue 3600a does all those other things PDAs do, too, like keeping a list of your appointments and recording memos.
Garmin has addressed the challenge of using a stylus in the cockpit by giving the iQue its own aviation cradle, one with buttons that allow you to operate the aviation navigation program more easily in flight. The cradle is bolted to an included yoke mount.
The 3600a does weight and balance calculations and computes winds in flight as well. The GPS land-navigation map gets you to the destination by tapping an address in the list of contacts. Ground waypoints can be located by business name or address.
Using the backlight continuously was necessary because without it the screen is unreadable in daylight — it was perfectly readable with the backlight on. Garmin's manual predicts three hours of battery life with the backlight set at 100 percent, which is how I preferred it.
Setup of the computer for aviation navigation was unnecessary, but the same was not true for the MapSource software used for streets and roads. A couple of my miscues meant a job that should have taken 10 minutes instead took an hour.
The yoke mount with its aviation cradle contains a rocker switch to move the cursor, NRST for nearest destination, MENU, ESC to get you out of trouble, and ENT to enter a choice. The buttons made the operation simple, but when switching to the E6B program I still needed to pull out the stylus and enter the correct altimeter setting using the writing-recognition software.
During one test flight, I asked the pilot to fly directly at some antennas on a ridge five miles away. The terrain map popped up and the ridges glowed red, indicating clearance would be less than 100 feet. Within a mile the obstacle clearance software had placed a red X on one of the towers, indicating we would hit it (see " On Display: Avoiding Ground Contact," page 91).
The iQue 3600a offers all of the capabilities of the Garmin GPSMap 296 (including audio driving directions) and has the same 3.8-inch-diagonal screen, but is not quite as intuitive if you are unfamiliar with the PDA world.
The iQue 3600a includes a yoke mount/aviation cradle, charger, external GPS antenna, USB HotSync cradle, a free single Jeppesen update, and base autoroute maps that are good for getting you city to city but not to a specific address. — Alton K. Marsh
Price: $1,099
Contact: www.garmin.com
More details on the Garmin iQue 3600a can be found at AOPA Online in our full-length review. See ( www.aopa.org/members/products/garmin0507.html).
Vertex Standard Pilot III VXA-300
Vertex Standard, formerly known as Yaesu to some pilots, has introduced a new handheld transceiver to the market, the Pilot III VXA-300. Between the wide repertoire of features, convenient size, and strong battery, the Pilot III should please a lot of users.
There are standard features that we have come to expect from a handheld transceiver, such as full capability to transmit and receive on the entire range of aviation frequencies, and the ability to quickly punch in a frequency manually on the keypad. But what sets this radio apart are the additional features that pilots are not accustomed to in an average handheld.
Among the most convenient features is the ability to program multiple frequencies under a predetermined set of categories — for example, unicom, ARTCC, FSS, and "school" — which the pilot can then scroll through with the turn of only one knob. This allows the pilot to program the unit before the flight and then simply turn the knob to retrieve that frequency, instead of having to possibly push multiple buttons and remember memory locations.
One of the best features on the Pilot III, and possibly the most useful in an emergency, is the electronic navigation function. As is the case with many handheld radios, it will receive the full range of VHF channels dedicated to navigation. There are two options to display the radial information. The first is the standard course deviation indicator based on a user-selected radial. This feature enables the pilot to identify which radial he is on, as well as intercept and track a radial to or from a VOR. For a quick and accurate position reference, Vertex Standard has incorporated what it calls the DVOR mode. In DVOR mode, the radio quickly displays the current radial the user is on, including a to/from "flag." The radio's range and battery life are all standard for what you might find on other radios in the market, and the size is small enough that it will easily fit into any flight bag. Using the unit while on the ground is a snap and transmissions are clear and precise. Flying is another story. Without a headset connection, the transmissions simply cannot be clearly heard, making a headset essential to using the radio in the airplane. Unfortunately, using the unit with a headset requires both the headset adapter, which is included, and an external push-to-talk switch, which is not.
Overall, Vertex Standard has produced a solid radio with great features and good performance in the Pilot III. Users will enjoy the ability to fully personalize and program the radio, and everyone should appreciate its potential in an emergency. — Ian Twombly
Price: about $369, through various distributors
Contact: www.vertexstandard.com
WingX from Hilton Software
A PocketPC-based application for personal digital assistants (PDAs) that really sings is WingX, a flight-planning, E6B, and reference program now available from Hilton Software through King Schools. Developer and company President Hilton Goldstein wanted an aviation program that would do everything he wanted it to — and with a doctorate in computer science and a flight instructor background, he had the wherewithal to do the job.
WingX is, in fact, a suite of applications; at its core is a weight and balance program that was the first one Goldstein developed. The application hosts more than 330 aircraft models downloadable via PC or PDA Internet connection. Along with the graphical envelope display is the option to switch to a bar display showing centers of gravity (CGs) relevant to each phase of flight based on fuel burn, and warnings when you come within a certain percent of the aft or forward CG limits.
The route-planning application calculates pertinent course, distance, and time figures, and a status bar correlates the route with FAR parts 61 and 141 cross-country distances for those logging time toward an advanced certificate or rating. The dynamic flight navigator sequences through each leg of the route and displays the closest three VORs and frequencies.
Airport, navaid, and fix information can be accessed, and runway layout information will be incorporated in future versions (we tested version 1.6). Sunset and sunrise times let you know when to expect night flying and include a cross reference to the pertinent regulations. An E6B allows you to make calculations and conversions.
Speaking of regs, a pilot-expirations application helps you track your currency — and the expiration dates for your GPS databases. A documents application contains FAR parts 1, 43, 61, 91, 119, and 141, and NTSB 830, as well as weather contractions and local and toll-free flight service station phone numbers.
WingX comes in three editions: Pro, XL, and X6B. The Pro version contains all applications listed above, while the XL version does not include the sunset and sunrise information, dynamic flight navigator, and pilot expirations. The X6B includes the E6B program plus the airport or navaid or fix information, federal aviation regulations, and documents. WingX version 1.6.5 began shipping at the end of May, with a weight and balance summary page, integrated help functions, and an updated user manual. Planned future enhancements include compatibility with Microsoft Smartphone and a landscape display option.
Price: $79.95 for Pro; $49.95, XL; $29.95, X6B
Contact: 800/854-1001 or 858/541-2200; www.kingschools.com or www.hiltonsoftware.com
Quick Hits
Aero-PMA-Parts, located in Kent, Washington, has received FAA approval for use of its door seals on Cessna 100- and 200-series models, and on Cessna 337 aircraft. The door seals were previously approved for use on all Piper models.
Price: $129.95
Contact: 800/659-2800 or 253/813-1455; www.aero-pma-parts.com
Sporty's Pilot Shop offers a backup attitude indicator for 14- or 28-volt electrical systems. The Electric Attitude Indicator includes an inclinometer so that it may replace a turn coordinator.
Price: $1,595
Contact: 800/776-7897 or 513/735-9000; www.sportys.com
PK Floats recently certified its newest set of amphibious floats for the Cessna 185, with certification of the Model 3050A floats planned for the Cessna 180 and 182, and Maule later this summer. The new floats are the lightest in their class, at 576 pounds installed on the Cessna 185.
Price: $65,000
Contact: 207/794-0180; www.pkfloats.com
EA Logs reproduces traditional aircraft logbooks into electronic airframe and engine logs for easier readability, improved tracking, and compact storage. The service includes translation of old airframe and engine logs into electronic format and typically a two-week turnaround time.
Price: varies; $375 for piston-single logbooks; $550 for piston-multiengine logbooks
Contact: 906/396-0607; www.ealogs.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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