Author: kent

On August 31st 2020 my Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Certificate expired.  This means far more than a small plastic card to remove from my wallet and toss away.  Without a current Medical Certificate, my other Pilot Certificates are invalid. For several months, I had considered attending a weekend AOPA “Flight Instructor Revalidation Course” which I’ve attended many times previously.  Usually, most of the attendees are older guys.  Like myself, few of these attendees are actually instructing; however, the CFI is a valued Pilot Credential that I was proud of carrying. Further, for my aircraft sales business, being a CFI was important…

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Wipaire delivered the 500th set of 2100A floats in March of 2021. They were installed on the Aviat A-1C-180 Husky by Wipaire Inc. This aircraft will be on display at the Wipaire Booth (MD-032B) on Friday, April 16th during the Sun n’ Fun airshow in Lakeland, Florida. “The Wipline 2100A is the best-selling float in its class. This milestone delivery reflects the durability and reliability of the design and construction. Since the first set was certified in 1997, this model of amphibious float has remained number one choice for owners of smaller aircraft,” said Chuck Wiplinger, President and CEO of Wipaire, Inc,…

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Garmin® International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd., is pleased to announce the addition of new features to the Garmin Pilot™ app on iPad® or iPhone® mobile devices. These new enhancements to Garmin Pilot include the ability for users in the U.S. and Canada to generate a graphical weather briefing from Leidos Flight Service, plus graphical NAVAID NOTAMs to depict when a NAVAID has limitations or is out of service. Other recent enhancements include new NOTAM filtering options and a VFR trip briefing for subscribers in Europe. Leidos Flight Service weather briefing Pilots in the United States and Canada may…

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Hartzell’s new Navigator, a three-blade advanced structural composite scimitar propeller, is now approved for thousands of Beechcraft Bonanza single-engine airplanes. The new STC applies to Bonanza models including most 35-C33A, E33A, E33C, F33A, F33C, S35, V35, V35A, V35B, 36 and A36 aircraft. Available as part of Hartzell Propeller’s Top Prop™ program, the Navigator’s Advanced Structural Composite (ASC-II) lightweight blade technology results in an increase in true airspeed of three to seven KTAS, depending on the power setting. The ASC-II blades reduce airframe vibration, which results in a smoother flight and less pilot & passenger fatigue upon arrival at your destination.…

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Montebello, CA, April 2021 – Desser Aerospace, Global Aviation MRO-PMA-Distributor, announces the launch of a new and improved eCommerce website (shop.desser.com). Desser Aerospace’s proprietary “Search by Aircraft’ search platform provides users the ability to find multiple products specifically matched to their aircraft. Created with retail and wholesale aviation operator client experience in mind, the website features a complete redesign of search options, navigation, integrated customer support tools and retail and wholesale product ordering options. The shop.desser.com website development was focused on providing a comprehensive ordering tool for new and retread tires, tubes, brakes, linings, batteries, hoses, aircraft transparencies and related…

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FANS-1/A+ and ACARS support for Cessna Citation Excel and Citation XLS aircraft now available Garmin® International, Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd., today announced the G5000™ integrated flight deck for Textron Aviation’s Citation Excel and Citation XLS is now certified for Future Air Navigation System (FANS-1/A+) and Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) support, allowing these aircraft to meet the requirements to fly the North Atlantic Track System (NATS). In addition, this optional feature provides users access to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Data Comm program. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) recently eliminated the temporary relief of the North…

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Airforms, Inc., the world’s largest producer of replacement baffle kits for antique and classic general aviation aircraft, has received FAA approval to manufacture kits for the Cessna 120/140. The 18-piece kits will fit both models of the Cessna classics since both were powered by the Continental 85 hp engine. Owners can order the kits with bare metal or powder coated. Standard seals for the baffles feature black, high-temp silicone with a thin fiberglass “sandwich” in the middle. For a slight premium, the kit can be upgraded to orange or blue silicone seals with no other change in the seal specifications.…

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Hartzell has expanded the eligibility of its popular three-blade aluminum Voyager props. The Voyager is now STC approved for the large fleet of Cessna 180/182/185/206 aircraft, powered by Continental 520 and 550 engines. The Voyager, which has been well received by bush pilots, was previously approved for Cessna’s A185E/F Skywagon and AgCarryall aircraft. “Inspired by enthusiastic customer acceptance since we introduced the Voyager in 2019, we decided to make it available to a much broader fleet,” said Hartzell Propeller President JJ Frigge. “We are also excited to partner with the Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) to offer its members a $1,000 discount…

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McFarlane is pleased to announce that AeroTwin Products are now in stock and available for order online or over the phone. McFarlane Aviation, Inc. is excited to kick off the new year, announcing they will now carry AeroTwin products! This distributorship partnership offers a unique availability of products being brought to the General Aviation market. “By offering these high-quality products” states John Cowan, Business Development Manager of McFarlane Aviation, “we are increasing our product offerings to our Caravan, Kodiak and Piper Navajo customers while also increasing the availability of products for Bush Pilots across North America, especially within the lower…

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McFarlane Aviation, Inc. has partnered with QMI, Inc. to now offer QMI’s STC’d Tail Cone Angle Replacement Kit and their STC’d Trim Wheel for Cessna 180, 182, 185 kit. The Tail Cone Angle replacement kit addresses the repair of the tail cone reinforcement angle issue found in Cessna Owner Advisory: SEL-55-01 and is in AD2020-21-22. The Tail Cone Angle Kit will drastically reduce cost and extend the inspection time from 500 flight hours/5 years to 1500 flight hours/10 years. The Trim wheel replacement kit will allow customers to upgrade their trim wheel and take the load off the roll pin,…

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