April 2004
Aviat Husky
Subscribers Only A thoroughly modernized rag-and-tube utility aircraft that shines on floats or wheels.
The Secret Life of 80H
Subscribers Only You know it’s going to be a bad day when the airplane you once owned turns up in pieces on eBay.
Cowl Plugs That Stay Put
Subscribers Only For $50, we can’t think of a better investment. Kennon’s products are our first choice.
Spin-On Filter Mods
Subscribers Only Many engines are equipped with old style rock-catcher oil screens. Paper filter conversions are worth the expense.
Used Portable GPS
Subscribers Only There are good deals out there but in the portable field, avoid buying an out-of-date clunker that’s no longer supported.
Tornado Alley Turbos
Subscribers Only If you have the need for speed and the budget to pay for it, these turbo set-ups deliver an honest 200-plus knots.
Budget Traffic Nags
Subscribers Only Improved versions of the Monroy and SureCheck perform better. Monroy’s ATD-300 enjoys a razor-thin edge.
Letters: 04/04
Diesel Notes Thank you for the article on the Maule with the SMA diesel engine. (See Aviation Consumer, October, 2003.) I found it was a fair assessment of the installation. If I may, I’d like to bring an update and clarify a few points: The engine produces 230 HP in ISA condition at sea level. Its power decreases progressively from SL to 5000 feet, where it stabilizes at 200 HP to about 10,000 feet. In other words, the engine produces 230 HP at SL, 215 HP at 2500 feet and 200 HP at 5000 feet, all smoothly controlled through the computer. The engine is no longer limited to five minutes at max takeoff power (230 HP) so one can cruise above the beach at 1000 feet at 224...