In our March 2013 article on external engine heaters, we noted that there is disagreement among pilots regarding keeping a heater plugged in all the time versus using it only in preparation for a flight. While we do not take sides on the matter, we note that a lot of pilots are concerned about engine corrosion caused by running an engine heater constantly, so they only want to use the heater in preparation for flight.
Weight kept the whole-airplane parachute idea in the world of fantasy for the first 70 years of powered flight. It took a terrifying ride to earth aboard a broken hang glider and new materials technology to allow Boris Popov to found Ballistic Recovery Systems and develop a viable arrangement that could successfully deploy a parachute and lower an aircraft and its occupants to earth. BRS products (BRS, as “Systems,” is the company; as “System,” is the device) began saving lives in the ultralight world and expended successfully into FAR 23 airplanes with the Cirrus line and a retrofit for the Cessna 150/152. The number of lives saved as a result of BRS deployment is approaching 300, according to BRS company numbers. (Our research shows 48 deployments, of which 36 were “saves,” with 76 lives saved in Cirrus aircraft—most, but not all, of the other saves were in ultralights.)
When we visited the Cirrus Aircraft factory in Duluth, Minnesota, last month, we couldn’t help notice the positive vibes that echo throughout the operation. There’s reason for boardroom fist pumps. Production slots for the new G5 SR22 are sold out through October, the SF50 Vision Jet is we’ll on the way toward certification and delivery in 2015, and the competition is struggling to sell half as many aircraft as Cirrus did last year. Cirrus built a total of 253 aircraft last year alone. Unlike other manufacturers, Cirrus doesn’t distribute aircraft to a dealer network, so production is based on customer orders.
We thought switching to Apple’s iPad mini for cockpit use would be the cure-all for the shortcomings of the bulkier, full-size iPad. As it turned out, it created a new set of problems. While the smaller mini is less obtrusive, the little sucker just won’t stay put if you plop it in your lap. On a recent trip, ours slipped under the seat, dropped on the floor and became wedged between the seat and the circuit breaker panel in a Pilatus. We thought it was gone for good.
It seems that tablet apps are looking more like advanced GPS navigators. That’s certainly the case with ForeFlight’s Mobile release 5.0, with high-end terrain mapping and a slick runway advisory feature that guides you into the traffic pattern. ForeFlight’s new Hazard Advisor is a terrain and obstacle awareness system that highlights hazardous terrain and obstacles, based on the aircraft’s GPS altitude. We tested the terrain feature using position acquired from the Bad Elf Pro remote GPS receiver and noted accurate terrain painting. The obstacle warning is dynamic, meaning terrain and obstacle features seamlessly appear on screen as they become threats, in real time.
You can retrofit instruments and avionics in your aircraft panel, so why not custom retrofit your own simulator to match the layout? That’s the concept behind the new Flight Training Cockpit Advanced Panel, which is sold by PilotMall.com. The tabletop simulator—which uses Saitek ProFlite electronic instruments, avionics and controls—allows for a custom layout, thanks to a modular and interchangeable design. The simulator’s instrument panel is made of 14-gauge steel and mimics a real panel, which even includes a glare shield.“We’ve been selling the Saitek flight training instruments and avionics panels for years, but customers have recently been asking for an easy way to mount the instruments to make the suite look and function like an actual aircraft panel,” said PilotMall’s Neil Glazer. The Advanced Training Cockpit is appealing to owners who might rearrange the instrument and avionics panel in their own aircraft and want to practice flying the new layout.
Considering that a major avionics upgrade could outprice the aircraft, it makes sense to consider repairing—instead of replacing—your existing equipment. While this might seem like a good short-term solution, you might be throwing good money after bad. The repair versus upgrade decision might depend on your mission and whether the unit will be used for primary or backup. Consider three questions: How much does a like-exchange cost? How much serious IFR do you fly? Does the manufacturer still support the equipment? Be careful of using the excuse that you might sell the aircraft soon—selling with old radios works in the buyer’s favor.
Any pilot who’s operated a Garmin aviation portable GPS will be familiar with dynamic navigation maps. Now, Garmin brings the familiar dynamic mapping to the latest version of the Pilot app.
Champion has taken exception to our report comparing oil filters in the March 2013 issue and we’re giving the company space this month to offer a rejoinder. Recall that our article in the March issue concludes that we would have no problems installing either the Champion or the Tempest filters in any engine, but we think because it’s $5 cheaper, the Tempest is the better value.
Vitatoe Aviation’s turbonormalized P210 conversion may just have turned the Cessna P210 into the airplane it should have been all along. I’ve liked the P210 ever since I first flew it in 1979. It’s fast, carries a good load, has honest handling and the pressurization spoiled me.
Being able to make a trip nonstop is more than just convenience—it can be a safety of flight issue as the risk of an accident is highest during takeoff and landing. The reality is that most flights of four- and six-place airplanes are conducted with only one or two of the seats occupied and at something below gross weight. For many owners, that means that some sort of auxiliary fuel tanks can give their airplanes more range and potentially increase safety.
The performance of the internal GPS in Apple’s iPad can be hit or miss when used in many aircraft cabins. Some earlier flavors of the iPad don’t have GPS at all. For apps that offer navigation, you’ll need to ensure an uninterrupted GPS position fix. A remote GPS is the answer.
