Pilot Products

Practical Risk Management for Takeoffs and Landings

Consistently good, safe takeoffs and landings are the result of preparation, according to John and Martha King. The first step in making critical decisions is learning to manage the risks. Next is the consistency and steadiness that come from informed confidence. Practical Risk Management for Takeoffs and Landings, the latest interactive course from King Schools, aims to teach pilots how to apply superior decision-making and perceptual skills with each takeoff and landing.

The course begins with a review of the PAVE and CARE checklists, which the Kings introduced in previous installments of the Practical Risk Management series that includes courses on instrument flight and weather. In this context, the checklists make sense — and may help pilots keep from flying themselves into a corner, and having to accept a landing in poor or dangerous conditions because they started a flight that never should have left the ground, or continued flying until they had no options left.

The Kings also share insights on crosswind mastery, tips for good landings, and keys to passenger-pleasing takeoffs and landings. The tips in these sections are great and draw from the Kings' many years of experience teaching landings. Whether you're a new pilot or an airline transport pilot (or somewhere in between) you'll find information in the lessons to help you improve your landings.

The course consists of three CD-ROMs, which include video that runs 93 minutes and interactive questions. It took me a little more than two hours to finish the entire course. Pilots who complete the course can record their completion for insurance credit, through Avemco, and FAA Pilot Proficiency Program (Wings) credit.

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

Coloreyes HDL-3C sunglasses

Having suffered through an interminably hazy summer, I was looking for Superman vision. When the AWOS (automated weather observation system) called five miles, I wanted to be able to see five miles. (I couldn't relate to this handicap when I flew in Colorado, but haze is a pernicious phenomenon in many parts of the country, not just on the East Coast.)

The opportunity came to test sunglasses produced by Coloreyes, which promised the lenses would enhance sharpness and color saturation. I tried on the rimless HDL-3C glasses with beta titanium frames, which were very light (they weigh 12 grams), with easily bendable temple pieces and a slim temple-piece profile to fit under any headset.

The lenses were large on my small face, but I appreciated the coverage. Coloreyes uses its HDL-3C technology to reduce distortion throughout the lens, and the lenses have an integrated filter to equalize colors to increase the eye's color and contrast sensitivity. The glasses worked as advertised — in some instances they added another half-mile to mile of visibility into the muck. That's enough to make a big difference in my comfort level in the cockpit.

Coloreyes offers several models in various styles. Lenses are available in three colors: copper-rose (best for reducing glare, aids in cloud definition), green, and smoke (the ones I tested, and purported to be best for pilots who fly in a lot of direct sunlight). They come in a microfiber sleeve inside a hard case, and carry a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Price: from $179; $40 off with AOPA discount (coupon code: AOPA)
Contact: 763/519-1628; www.hdl-3c.com

Whelen Engineering LED beacon

Whelen Engineering has received supplemental type certificate (STC) approval for its Model 70900 Series LED anti-collision light/beacon (see " Pilot Products: Whelen LED Beacon Light," March 2004 Pilot). The STC allows for replacement of existing aircraft beacons, self-contained strobes, and flashing halogen lights (such as recognition lights) without going through a field approval process.

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) offer much improvement over traditional aircraft lighting fixtures, with longer life, resistance to vibration, low current draw, and no electromagnetic or radiomagnetic noise to interfere with communications. The new beacon also does not require an externally mounted power supply. On its Web site, Whelen has comprehensive listings of the recommended packages for owners who want to transition their lighting systems to the next generation.

Price: from $750 through distributors
Contact: 860/526-9504; www.whelen.com

World Directory of Leisure Aviation

You may be well familiar with the aircraft parked on the flight line at your local airport, but there are so many more aircraft — from ultralights to powered parachutes to kitplanes to production aircraft from other countries — out there to explore and fantasize about. The World Directory of Leisure Aviation is a full-color catalog of sorts that can help you do just that. Produced by publishers in four countries (the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany), the World Directory of Leisure Aviation gives brief synopses of the latest currently manufactured aircraft from hang gliders to helicopters. Its 284 pages include specs on more than 1,500 aircraft, plus contact information for flight schools, flying clubs, and equipment manufacturers around the world. Great for rainy-day dreaming, the publication can be ordered online or through dealers in the United States including Ultra Flight Magazine and the Experimental Aircraft Association.

Price: $14.99
Contact: 800/867-5430; www.ultraflight.com; or 800/843-3612; http://shop.eaa.org

Quick Hits

The 2006 edition of the Sporty's Pilot Shop AOPA calendar is now available. With images of general aviation aircraft including the 2005 AOPA Sweepstakes Commander, as well as the Cessna Caravan, Robinson R22, and Cirrus SR22, the calendar makes a great addition to your office or hangar.
Price: $14.95
Contact: 800/776-7897 or 513/735-9000; www.sportys.com

Black & Decker offers several new products suitable for the hangar, including the self-contained Storm Station emergency power station (with weather radio, 12-volt recharging port, and integral light) and fully submersible ScumBuster cordless power scrubber.
Price: $99.99 for the Storm Station; $39.99 for the ScumBuster
Contact: available at local hardware and home improvement stores; www.blackanddecker.com

Blue Mountain's EFIS/Lite Generation 3 electronic flight information display is undergoing FAA certification testing on production aircraft. The EFIS/Lite displays a primary attitude indicator, moving map, and horizontal situation indictor on a unit that fits in a single 3-and-1/8-inch space in the instrument panel.
Price: $2,795
Contact: 866/359-3347; 423/496-3510; www.bluemountainavionics.com

The latest edition of Practical Aviation Law, by J. Scott Hamilton, has been released with an accompanying workbook. Published by Blackwell Publishing, Practical Aviation Law serves as a textbook in aviation law courses, but makes a valuable reference for any pilot wanting to know more about the intricacies of the aviation legal system, regulations, and law.
Price: $39.99 for the textbook; $24.99 for the workbook
Contact: 800/862-6657; www.blackwellpublishing.com

Oregon Aircraft Designs has released a new propeller ice grip inhibitor, an aerosol spray that facilitates propeller ice shedding. Flight testing for Ice-Away was completed on a Piper Twin Comanche.
Price: $14 per can; $114 for 12 cans
Contact: 503/267-1486; www.oregonaircraftdesign.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).