Good news about aviation!

And boy could we use some!!

The folks over at AOPA are reporting that overall accidents for General Aviation were down in 2010, even as flight hours rose. The numbers reported are preliminary ones as AOPA staffers prepare the annual Joseph T. Nall report on GA safety. Here's what we've been given so far -

- 1,435 accidents in 2010, the lowest in 20 years
- 450 fatalities in 2010, down from 478 in 2009

The article from AOPA goes to state that "[c]omplacency remains the enemy of safety."

In any human activity, we are subject to complacency after many successful repetitions. However, it is important as pilots that we always strive to fight complacency in our activities aloft.

Please remember to stay vigilant - our families, our passengers, the families our passengers, and our entire industry are relying on YOU to be careful.

Clear skies and tailwinds!
Mike

New risk on your next commercial flight...

According to this article passengers now need to worry about going to the bathroom during a commercial flight.

In short, there won;t be any more supplemental oxygen in commercial lavatories and should the pressurization system fail, the flight attendants won't be able to help passengers until well into the critical period for brain damage from oxygen deprivation.

I sincerely hope this policy gets changed BEFORE anyone has to get hurt.

Clear skies and tailwinds!
Mike

First up – Avidyne’s IFD540

The first product from Oshkosh 2011 that I want to cover is the Avidyne IFD540. This box is a slide-in replacement for the Garmin 530 series GPS/NAV/COMM and it offers some very exciting capabilities that will enhance the functions of your light business aircraft.

• First off, the IFD540 is using Avidyne’s Entegra Release 9 of software which has been highly touted for it’s of use.
• Even though it fits into the 530 mount – the display is larger, brighter, and has more pixels for a crisper picture
• The units are now touch screen enabled, but also retain knobs and buttons – this way the pilot can decide the easiest method of controlling this GPS/NAV/COMM
• Touch screen controls enable dragging of the magenta line so that routing around a point (storm, TFR, etc.) can be quicklhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gify accomplished
• A pop-up QWERTY keyboard for tying in exact way points

The enhancements offered by Avidyne will make IFR and VFR operations simpler and safer. Currently Avidyne is offering some very attractive pricing in addition to the industry leading capabilities. If you are considering upgrading your GPS this great unit would make a nice enhancement for your flight department.

You can learn all about the IFD540 here.

Clear skies and tailwinds!
Mike

Airventure (Oshkosh) 2011

Another Airventure has passed into history and it was a success, all things considered. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to attend this year because of work, but I did spend the last few weeks reviewing the product launches to find those of particular interest to the business aviation crowd.

Over the next few weeks I’ll be presenting each product and its value to the small business aviation department.

Clear skies and tailwinds!
Mike

Cessna Corvalis TTx

Last week at Sun’n Fun in Lakeland, FL Cessna introduced the crowd to its improved Corvalis - the TTx. Although, I was not able to attend Sun’n Fun I have been scouring the net for news and reviews and will do my best to distill this information for you and provide a bit of insight.

The improvements to the Corvalis are very minor and consist of better quality leather interiors, four new paint schemes, and a new Garmin flight deck – the G2000. Now the G2000 is interesting in that it incorporates a touch screen interface rather than the older “knobology” of the G1000. Additionally the units offer –

Garmin G2000 features

• Infrared touch screen instead of surface resistance, which is supposed to be more reliable


• The addition of a multifunction display page for audio and environmental controls


• More intuitive display layouts

Corvalis features

• The availability of a leather wrapped side-stick.


• The addition of an L-3 Trilogy backup glass instrument instead of analog gauges.

Overall I am disappointed with this product announcement as I was hoping for more substantial updates to the product line. However, these are nice features that will add value to an already excellent aircraft. With the speed and range offered by the airframe, I would still recommend the Corvalis to any business looking for a capable 4 place airplane.

Now for the bad news – even with the minor changes to the Corvalis, it will be another 12 months before delivery.

Clear skies and tailwinds!
Mike

Great plane gets an update?

When Cessna acquired the Lancair 350/400 line, it got an excellent light business airplane. Renamed the Covalis, the 400 will take 2 people with baggage over 1000 miles at 235 knots - which would make it faster door to door than an airline for trips up to 900 miles.

Well, Cessna has announced that on March 29th they will be introducing a new product and rumors are that it will be an improved 400. It will be interesting to see what updates have been made and you can look forward to review of the plane, the capabilities, and the possible business applications.

Clear skies and tailwinds
Mike

Easier Maintenance Tracking

One of the things that can be confusing to a new owner - personal or business - is exactly what maintenance is required when. It can become quite a problem if you have more than one airplane in your fleet. Along comes Fleet Aviation who is now making their automated maintenance software available to piston airplanes in addition to turboprop and turbine airframes.

Check out the news story here

Clear skies and tailwinds
Mike