August 2006
Maule’s Taildraggers
Subscribers Only A family owned business endures at making utility airplanes that owners love and at prices that everyone can afford.
Zaon XRX Traffic: Affordable Azimuth
Subscribers Only We were impressed with the Zaon XRX’s range and azimuth capability. But we think it will need an external antenna to see traffic behind the airplane.
Lightweight Starters: Sky-Tec Covers the Map
Subscribers Only With powerful permanent magnets, lightweight starters spin faster and save up to eight pounds. They make better sense than repairing an old Delco.
PreciseFlight PulseLight: Be Seen, Save Bulbs
Subscribers Only A pulsing landing light is definitely an eye catcher for collision avoidance. A side benefit is that pulsed bulbs seem to last longer.
Hired Guns: Aeromedical Services
Subscribers Only The FAA has improved its special issuance medical service, but for a fee, several companies pledge to hand-carry your paperwork through the process. Is it worth it?
Gear of the Year: Garmin GPSmap 396
Subscribers Only In our annual tour of the best products and services we’ve seen this year, Garmin’s GPSmap 396 is the walkaway winner.
Lightweight Headsets: LightSPEED is Tops
Subscribers Only LightSPEED’s new Mach 1 is the overall best performer but Clarity and Quiet also earn high marks. Panther’s Bluetooth worked surprisingly well.
Letters: 08/06
Subscribers Only Gear-Up Costs I read your article "What a Gear-up Costs" with some interest, since I happen to fly an older Baron very similar to the one featured in some of the pictures with the article. I think there’s another possible cost of a gear-up that might need to be considered: the cost of losing the airplane if the insurance company opts to total it after a gear-up. …
First Word: 08/06
Subscribers Only AN INSIDE LOOK AT TCM The photo on this page merits an explanation. It might look like just another snapshot of a Flight Service Station or an ATC facility, but it was taken where you might least expect it: inside the Teledyne Continental Motors engine plant at Mobile, Alabama. [IMGCAP(1)]Why should that be a surprise? Because anyone who has toured either of the major aircraft engine plants will tell you that they are—or at least have…