Sporty's Electric Backup Attitude Indicator
Loss of the primary attitude indicator (AI) is one of the most dangerous things that can happen to an instrument pilot. However, there have been few affordable backup options for light airplanes. A backup vacuum source addresses pump failures, but plenty of AI failures involve the instrument rather than the pump. A backup electric attitude indicator covers both problems, but until now they cost $3,000 or more and few panels had room to accommodate one.
That's all changed with introduction of Sporty's affordable Electric Backup Attitude Indicator that qualifies under FAA Advisory Circular 91.75 to replace your turn coordinator for IFR flight. (Note that rate-based autopilots like the S-Tec require a turn coordinator for attitude information, though it can be housed remotely — even behind the panel — if necessary.)
Fortunately, this development occurred just as my own aging turn coordinator began out-screaming the engine in flight. When I learned I could replace it with a backup AI for a reasonable price, the decision was a no-brainer. Turn coordinators are hardly relevant in these days of moving maps and GPS ground track displays, and the built-in inclinometer helps me keep the airplane flying true.
When the new instrument arrived, my avionics techs were suitably impressed with its quality construction and smooth operation. On my Cessna Skylane, however, it was not quite the slide-in replacement I'd hoped for. "Internal lighting" is accomplished on this unit with a bezel rather than integrated into the housing as on some more expensive models. That meant trimming my panel to accommodate the caging knob and bezel and separately wiring its lighting. Installation took six hours, but it'll be worth every penny if I ever lose my primary AI again in the soup.
Using the unit in flight has been a pleasure. I initially was concerned that my scan might be disrupted without the familiar turn coordinator, but all I've experienced is relief at having a suitable backup. The only downsides have been humorous: The instrument is so silent that I must triple-check not to leave my master switch on. And it's so pretty that in comparison my existing primary vacuum-driven AI looks like something from the thrift shop.
Sporty's Electric Backup Attitude Indicator comes in 14- and 28-volt versions and carries a two-year warranty. It's made by Castleberry Instruments and sells exclusively through Sporty's Pilot Shop. — Gregory N. Brown
Price: $1,595 (members using an AOPA credit card get a 5-percent discount)
Contact: 800/776-7897 or 513/735-9000; www.sportys.com
Seattle Avionics SmartPlates
While several brands of software exist for downloading instrument approach procedures (IAPs), Seattle Avionics has developed a program that helps pilots manage those procedures in a way that makes sense both for preflight planning and for use in flight. SmartPlates can be used with the company's flight-planning program, Voyager, or on its own, with either a tablet or laptop PC or through an add-on version for personal digital assistants (PDAs) running PocketPC software.
During the installation process, you have the opportunity to select the entire U.S. database of IAPs, or by state or selected airport. The selections can be updated later; the biggest consideration is space on your hard drive. When you launch the program, it initializes a wizard to help you create a "plate pack" for use with an upcoming flight. You can either use a flight plan already created in Voyager, or enter another route or selected airport(s), along with nearest airports up to a variable distance away from your route or airport. SmartPlates then downloads the current charts, comparing them against those already downloaded previously for any changes so that you have the most current charts (without having to download the entire database each time). You also can add procedures manually, which is helpful for training flights.
Once you have the plate pack assembled, you have plenty of opportunity to refine it so the procedures you need in flight are easily accessible. You can do this by changing the filters the program uses for displaying plates to include, for example, certain approach types (ILS only), or to show only airport diagrams. To view the charts in flight, you can minimize the search and list windows so you can view a full-screen version of the chart.
Charts are downloaded from the current NACO database, and are viewed in an Adobe .pdf format — not ideal for the PocketPC platform because of the limited screen size. However, John Rutter of Seattle Avionics notes that a new version of SmartPlates for PocketPC, which will include oversize buttons, is in the works. The version we tested, though, is scrollable, and if your tablet PC has touch-screen functions, or you use a PDA, you can drag the plate around to view specific areas. Testers have noted that the zoom-in and -out buttons are already large enough to use reasonably in flight on the PDA.
One of the best features of SmartPlates is its pricing structure: Once you purchase the program, the procedures for all 50 states are free for as long as you use the program. That's more than 12,000 charts, according to the company. And the company's licensing policy allows you to install the software on up to three PCs. Of course, updates to the program will cost you, but the current version runs smoothly enough to make that a distant worry.
Price: $149; $49 for the PocketPC add-on
Contact: 425/455-2209; www.seattleavionics.com
AfterGlow Technologies
For those of us who park our airplanes in hangars built before Edison developed his light bulb (OK, they just function that way), returning home after dark poses serious challenges. We keep a wake-up-the-neighborhood-style generator gassed up and ready to go, but a more elegant solution lies in the latest line of products from AfterGlow Technologies.
The company has taken photo luminescent applications designed for various branches of the military and re-purposed them for GA use. The paint, decal, powder-coat, and cast acrylic applications mean that you can make nearly anything in your hangar glow in the dark.
Once "activated" by soaking up the sun (or any ambient light) the product glows for several hours, rendering the invisible visible for some time after sunset. Pricing varies on application.
Contact: 877/238-4569; www.afterglowdirect.com
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Sport Flying
Got a friend who's interested in flying but is intimidated by the learning process? Give your friend a copy of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Sport Flying. If you are mulling the purchase of a light-sport aircraft, keep it for yourself.
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Sport Flying is categorized into four parts: on-the-ground basics (ground school, federal aviation regulations, aerodynamics); into the wild blue yonder (what you'll learn during flight instruction, tips for passing the knowledge test); expanding your horizons (what you can and cannot do with a sport pilot certificate, and how to add privileges); and choosing your sport plane. This section is helpful for those puzzling over the differences among new light-sport aircraft, classic production aircraft that qualify under the LSA category, experimentals, and homebuilts.
Authors Dan Ramsey and Earl Downs skillfully break down complex subjects (like airspace classes, for example) into digestible chunks of information, and everything is summarized at the end of each chapter under the heading "The Least You Need to Know." Ramsey, a pilot, has written three aviation books as well as seven other installments in the Idiot's Guide series. Downs, a former contributing editor of AOPA Flight Training, has an extensive background in the sport-pilot arena (and he became a sport-pilot designated examiner earlier this year). They treat sport flying and flying in general with affection and respect, which comes across on every page. — Jill W. Tallman
Price: $18.95
Contact: www.sportflyingguide.com
Quick Hits
Leighton Collins' first book, Takeoffs & Landings, has been reprinted by Aviation Supplies & Academics. It's a comprehensive analysis and offers insight into the factors involved with each takeoff and landing.
Price: $19.95
Contact: 800/426-8338; www.asa2fly.com
That Bug Stuff aircraft cleaner is specially formulated to remove bugs and grime from airplane surfaces without removing wax or harming the finish.
Price: $14.95
Contact: www.thatbugstuff.com
Control Vision has released version 1.7 to its Anywhere Map moving-map software for PocketPC. The updated, tabbed Airport Information Screen features large buttons for easy access to airport data, and a new online fuel service, www.100LL.com, provides fuel prices that can be uploaded to the PDA. Current subscribers can download the latest version for free.
Contact: www.anywheremap.com
FlightPrep offers the Motion Computing LE1600 tablet PC as an option for its electronic flight bag system, Chart Case. The updated tablet has a faster processor, external battery option (with up to eight hours of battery life), and larger standard hard drive than previous Motion Computing tablets.
Price: from $1,899
Contact: 503/678-4360; www.flightprep.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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