Anyone who works on airplanes—for cosmetics or maintenance—has at one time or another complained about how awkward it is to get to the belly and bottoms of the wings. The belly is often rather low, and on a low-wing airplane, undoing the many access panels on the wings or just degreasing or polishing the underside […]
Cabin fires can have catastrophic outcomes, and while rare, the risk can be greater when you factor in all of the lithium-ion-powered portable devices that get carried on the aircraft. The battery-powered stuff in my Rockwell cabin includes a SPOTx tracker, a Garmin GDL 52 portable ADS-B receiver, a Garmin inReach Mini satcomm, an iPad […]
Face it, the majority of aging general aviation cockpits just weren’t designed for the portable digital revolution. Heat has always been the enemy of solid-state electronics, including batteries. For panel avionics, internal and external fans help in fighting the premature failure of small internal components. But the heat buildup from solar radiation plays havoc on […]
When the single alternator in a single-engine airplane decides to take the day off in the middle of a flight, the resulting unpleasantness spans the spectrum from inconvenience to terror depending on the weather and the endurance of the aircraft battery—and individual batteries for instruments and portable devices that can help the pilot keep the […]
In February, Aviation Consumer editor Larry Anglisano asked that I use Garmin’s new inReach Mini 2 for a few months and write up my experience with the unit. I live in rural North Idaho and am often out of reach of cellphone service at backcountry airports, remote lakes and on hikes. When I’m flying in […]
When we reviewed the Stealth 2 ANR headset (January 2020 Aviation Consumer), we found that it had acceptable audio quality, good Bluetooth connectivity, was eyeglasses friendly and had moderate clamping pressures. Considering the $449 price (the set is sold through Sporty’s), we think those rankings make it a good solution for students and passengers—stash it […]
Electronic logbooks eliminate the challenge of squeezing handwritten text into small boxes with limited space. They’re tough to lose and destroy, plus they can automatically do the logging for you, with digital graphics as a bonus. It’s true that paper pilot logbooks are inexpensive and for the average pilot, the books can last a lifetime. […]
It’s been a lean year for new product introductions, and many manufacturers struggled to deliver items in their existing lineup let alone release new ones. Still, we found a half-dozen good products worthy of the Aviation Consumer prestigious Gear of the Year award. At the top of the list is Aithre—a relatively new company that […]
One of many products serving hard duty in our long-term evaluation pool are the Jet Shades removal window shades. Fitted in a big turboprop and also in a small Diamond, the first-gen Jet Shades have performed we’ll so far—substantially cooling the cabin—but we wish for an easier installation and better fit. Plus we’re finding that […]
Three weeks ago, I started checking out an owner in his new-to-him Bellanca Scout, a 180-HP, constant-speed prop tailwheel utility airplane of the sort I’ve flown on and off for 40 years. However, the first takeoff was a revelation—it performed far better than any 180-HP Scout I’d ever flown. Asking about it, the owner told […]
Cross-armed, foot tapping, scowling aviators have been demanding electronic ignition for production aircraft engines ever since it became apparent in the automobile world that it increased power and engine efficiency and made starting easier. Plus, they don’t like having to yank magnetos for inspection, repair or replacement every 500 hours of engine operation—something not necessary […]
The Piper Navajo is a workhorse in the world of piston twins, and Mike Jones Aircraft in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, has a rather thorough refurb program called the Lock & Key Navajo.
