Pilot Products

Garmin GNS 530W and 430W

Garmin International has completed the process by which it will add WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) capability to its popular 400- and 500-series GPS/nav/coms, including the GNS 430 and 530 and the new 430W and 530W (the W stands for WAAS, of course).

The certification and approved model list supplemental type certificate allows most owners to upgrade their units without a field approval. Aircraft owners with existing 400- and 500-series installations can obtain an upgrade to these units beginning this month. The new units have the same hardware interface as legacy units, but include faster map redraws, fully coupled and guided procedure turns, and increased XM weather content — in addition to the ability to fly the ever-increasing number of precision LPV approaches.

Early adopters will want to keep in mind that the first units will not be certified for use as primary means of GPS navigation until after a new software version is released in the first quarter of 2007. This limitation also will apply to upgrades to existing units revamped before the new software version is released.
Price: $1,500 for upgrade; $10,750 for 430W; $16,495 for 530W
Contact: 913/397-8200; www.garmin.com

Expo Quick Hits

Control Vision now offers an "altitude tolerant" tablet, the Anywhere SST (solid-state tablet), which has an 8-GB solid-state hard disk.
Price: $4,745 for complete system
Contact: 800/292-1160; www.anywheremap.com

Heads Up Technologies has obtained parts manufacturing approval (PMA) on its new XM radio designs: the XMR050 radio receiver and combination XMD076A radio/weather receiver.

Both communicate with the XMC050 remote control and use Bluetooth technology and an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, freeing up the multifunction display for more critical in-flight tasks. Heads Up also is releasing its patented Wash Light system using LEDs; this system also falls under Heads Ups' PMA.
Contact: 972/980-4890; www.heads-up.com

Momentum Interactive introduces its dual-intensity FliteLite pilot's light, a hands-free LED flashlight. The flashlight clips onto a headset.
Price: retail is about $50
Contact: 877/579-8853; www.flitelite.com

Firewall Forward offers its Centrilube camshaft for Lycoming 320, 360, and 450 engines. The new cam can be purchased from the company or it can modify via STC customers' existing cams.
Contact: 970/669-6185; www.firewallforward.com

Mid-Continent Instruments introduces its 2-inch course deviation indicator, to go along with its 2-inch attitude indicator in the MD200 series of cockpit instruments. The instruments can display VHF, localizer, and GPS navigation inputs, and they are backlit by LEDs. Also, Mid-Continent unveiled its latest turn coordinator at Expo.
Contact: 800/624-6845; www.mcico.com

Former Microsoft Games executive Bruce Williams introduced his new book, Microsoft Flight Simulator as a Training Aid: A Guide for Pilots, Instructors, and Virtual Aviators, recently released by Aviation Supplies & Academics (ASA). The book details for pilots of all skill levels how to exploit the benefits of Microsoft Flight Simulator for training and proficiency purposes, and it's available through ASA and book retailers such as Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.
Price: $29.95
Contact: 800/272-2359; www.asa2fly.com

Power Flow now offers its tuned exhaust for Beech 23-series airplanes. The system is available for both Lycoming O-320 and O-360 engine installations.
Price: $4,290 for polished stack; $4,490 for ceramic stack
Contact: 877/693-7356; www.powerflowsystems.com

SMA announced the STC for its Jet A-burning diesel-piston-engine installation in the Cessna 182 this summer; it now has production approval from the FAA.
Contact: www.smaengines.com

ARINC and Jeppesen are teaming up to offer DocViewer, an addition to Jeppesen's suite of electronic flight bag applications. Jeppesen's terminal charts are already approved on the device, with other documents to follow.
Contact: 800/621-5377; www.jeppesen.com

FlightPrep's Chart Case flight-planning suite is now available on a Samsung Q1 tablet PC, which features a solid-state hard drive, allowing its safe use into the midlevels in unpressurized aircraft.
Price: from $1,294.95 for basic system; $3,353.69 with XM weather
Contact: 503/678-4360; www.flightprep.com

RMS Technology introduces Flitesoft Snap, a new feature added to its flight-planning programs, Flitesoft Professional and Flitesoft Commercial, that allows the user to carry Flitesoft on a USB flash drive for use on any Windows-based computer.
Contact: 800/533-3211; www.rmstek.com

Production Software offers new PS E6B 1.1 software for Palm OS and Pocket PC devices. Use coupon code E6B for a 10-percent discount.
Contact: www.pspda.com

Unless otherwise stated, products listed 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.