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In the world of avionics, we learned long ago that most projects arent nearly as easy and inexpensive as initially anticipated. If your shop or the avionics vendor says, “easy job, no sweat,” count on the invoice being higher than you thought it would be. This is definitely proving to be true with the long-awaited WAAS upgrade for Garmin GNS430 and GNS530 navigators. Make no mistake, the $1500 upgrade Garmin promised entails a major overhaul of these boxes and delivers lots for the money.

When the temperature dips into the low 20s, everyone we know seems to agree that preheating an engine before starting is a good idea. From that point forward, however, opinions diverge. How much preheat is enough? How long should you run it? Is an electric system better than a propane blower?

Automotive quality guru Sandy Munro once told me that airplane manufacturing was about the goofiest thing he had ever seen in his professional life. On a visit to a major airframer, he said he was shocked to see the “whole damn thing built with a -inch drill and a screwdriver.”

Your First Word regarding survival instincts and pilot DNA was thought provoking. Looking over the 40 years since my first flight lesson, I can see how my own instincts were honed, beginning in very tired trainers with war surplus gyros, one scratchy radio, one whistle-stop nav, useless fuel gauges and a pervading aroma of charred insulation.

If avionics manufacturers really listen to their customers and we have no reason to believe they don’t theyve been hearing a not-so-subtle thrumming sound of impatient fingers tapping glareshields, anxiously awaiting the arrival of real glass for aftermarket installations.

It may not be fast, or carry a lot and although it hasnt been a stellar seller in the U.S., say this about the SOCATA TB-10 Tobago: Its a good looking airplane, perhaps one of the best looking ever built.

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It started life as a trainer and lives on as a budget cross-country flier for one or two people; mods can even make the 140 modestly peppy.

LightSPEEDs new Mach 1 is the overall best performer but Clarity and Quiet also earn high marks. Panthers Bluetooth worked surprisingly well.

In our annual tour of the best products and services weve seen this year, Garmins GPSmap 396 is the walkaway winner.

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?