Aviation Consumer

Piper Arrow

Subscribers Only It’s often the first airplane many buyers think of when stepping up to a retrac from an entry level model.

Tiedowns That Work

Subscribers Only A new product called The Claw grips the ground tenaciously. It’s far better than the typical K-9 auger.

Can Bombardier Be Serious?

Subscribers Only A well-known maker of ultralight engines means to take on Lycoming and Continental.

Cockpit Fire Protection

Subscribers Only Halon is the only practical, cost-effective option for a fire extinguisher. A 2.5-pound bottle is the best choice.

PLBs For Aviation

Subscribers Only Combined with GPS, personal locator beacons are a can’t-miss multi-purpose safety accessory.

Replacement ELTs

Subscribers Only We’d rather spend our money on other things but ELTs are a must. Best bet: 406 MHz technology, if you can afford it.

OMF Symphony

Subscribers Only We like this two-place trainer/cruiser. But we wonder if it’s good enough to stand out in a crowded pack.

Letters: 07/03

UPSAT CNX80 I’m a fan of Aviation Consumer and have taken your advice on purchases.  However, I think you’re missing the real story of the UPSAT CNX80.  UPSAT is so far ahead of the game that nobody seems to understand how revolutionary the product is. I spent a great deal of time talking to Wayne McGhee at the UPSAT booth at Sun ‘n Fun and this box is amazing.  It needs to be compared to something in a Gulfstream, not a Garmin box.  I think a headline like, “Corporate FMS comes to GA” or “Big Iron Features in a GA Mapcom” is more accurate. Garmin told me at the show that they are looking at the third quarter of 2003 for their WASS box. The upgrade is to send in your GNS430 or...