MVP Triphibian
www.mvp.aero
Newcomer MVP got AirVenture off to a rousing start with its unveiling---literally---of a full-scale engineering mockup of a "triphibian" LSA capable of operating on land, water and snow/ice, called the MVP (Most Versatile Plane). MVP's EVP Design & Engineering Mike Van Staagen, formerly of Cirrus and head of the SJ50 Vision Jet project, showed off some of the design features on the mockup, including a canopy that folds upward vertically and a wraparound instrument panel pod that does the same, creating a large flat platform for boating, fishing or camping. The company hopes to have a flying prototype in 18 to 24 months, and plans to release the MVP as a kit ($169,000) in three years and an LSA ($189,000) in five.

Sporty's Iridium GO Wi-Fi System
www.sportys.com
Wi-Fi has arrived in the GA cockpit with Sporty's Pilot Shop's introduction of the Iridium GO Wi-Fi system. A global mobile satellite hot spot, the GO system allows users to send and receive email, make phone calls and access social media accounts in flight anywhere in the world. "It's also an ideal safety device, enabling a pilot to communicate and retrieve data even when they are off the cellular grid," pointed out Sporty's Vice President John Zimmerman. The device, which weighs just 11 ounces and fits in a shirt pocket, costs $875, and buyers have a choice of data plans. Sporty's ships the unit with the subscription plan in place, so it's ready for immediate use. There are no activation fees, no roaming fees and no contracts.

SubSonex Personal Jet
www.sonexaircraft.com
Five years after Sonex president John Monnett introduced the SubSonex one-person jet at AirVenture, he unveiled the production version and the price of the JSX2 at the company's annual open house the day before AirVenture's official opening. Powered by the Czech-built PBS T1-100 turbojet engine, the jet has a range of some 500 nm, consuming about 18 gph on average. Throughout development, Monnett has said the kit jet program's goal is to offer "a jet for the price of an LSA," and with the $130,000 price tag announced for the airframe, engine and interior, the objective has been met. An optional MGL iEFIS Explorer avionics package is available for $5,440. A Letter of Authorization is required to operate the jet, but obtaining the LOA is a simple procedure, Monnett said. Deliveries of the JSX2 are scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2014.

L-3 Lynx ADS-B
www.l-3avionics.com
ADS-B got a lot of attention at AirVenture this year, even from FAA Administrator Michael Huerta, who encouraged attendees at his recent public forum to equip now for the 2020 mandate. Now they'll have even more options, as avionics powerhouse L-3 announced the pre-launch of its Lynx MultiLink Surveillance System, a family of ADS-B solutions. "Our goal is to eliminate the guesswork and complexity inherent in ADS-B systems and introduce a one-box solution that meets the FAA ADS-B mandate, while going beyond what any other company is currently doing for NextGen flight," said Larry Riddle, VP of Marketing and Sales of L-3 Aviation Products. The Lynx products, which will be available late this year, consist of four basic models, starting with a certified ADS-B Out solution priced at under $2,000, as well as the panel-mounted Lynx NGT-9000. All will reuse existing antennas and wiring to streamline installation.

Aspen Avionics New ADS-B Solutions
www.aspenavionics.com
Aspen Avionics introduced three new ADS-B transceivers designed to work seamlessly with an aircraft's currently installed avionics. The ATX100 ADS-B is designed for panels equipped with a Mode A/C transponder and WAAS-enabled GPS navigation receiver, and meets the ADS-B "out" mandate for aircraft operating below 18,000 feet. The ATX200 dual band "in," 978 MHz "out" transceiver is designed for aircraft equipped with a Mode A/C transponder and a WAAS GPS navigation receiver, and meets the ADS-B "in" mandate for aircraft operating below 18,000 feet. (Both the ATX100 and 200 have companion "G" models that include an internal WAAS GPS.) The dual-band ARX100 receiver provides an ADS-B "in" solution for aircraft already compliant with ADS-B "out" mandates, but not equipped to receive subscription-free weather and traffic information.

BendixKing AeroVue
www.bendixking.com
BendixKing unveiled its AeroVue glass cockpit aimed at the turboprop and light jet retrofit market. Centered by three 12-inch glass panel displays, AeroVue offers complete flight management capability, advanced digital electronic autopilot and a large trackball cursor control device. "In turbulence, the trackball really allows the pilot to steady his hand without the problems of trying to use a touch screen," BendixKing President Kevin Gould told attendees at the product's introduction at the company's new facility in the Main Aircraft Display Area, a site noteworthy in its own right for being the first permanent building erected on AirVenture grounds by an exhibitor. The AeroVue system incorporates technology developed by BendixKing's parent company, Honeywell, for its Epic avionic suites, standard equipment in many large business jets. BendixKing had a company King Air outfitted with the system on display throughout the fly-in.

Glasair Sportsman Diesel
www.glasairaviation.com
Glasair debuted its diesel-powered Sportsman experimental four-place highwing. Powered by a 155 hp Continental CD-100/155 (previously Centurion 2.0s) turbocharged engine, at maximum power at 9,500 feet, the diesel Sportsman burns 8.8 gallons while delivering about 140 KTAS. At economy cruise of 60%, fuel burn is about 4.9 gph, giving the aircraft about 10 hours of endurance. Company pilot Ben Rauk, who hosted a demo flight for P&P, said the 155 hp diesel starts to outperform the 180 hp avgas-fueled Sportsman at 3,000 feet and the 210 hp variant at 6,500 feet. The Full Authority Digital Engine Control and single lever operation make the engine simplicity itself to operate. TBO is currently 1,200 hours, but that lifespan is expected to be increased as the engine accumulates an operating history. Available exclusively through Glasair's Two Weeks To Taxi program, the diesel-powered Sportsman is priced at $249,000.

Electroair Electronic Ignition Systems
www.electroair.net
Air show pilot Spencer Suderman is the world's foremost authority on the inverted flat spin, having set the world's record this March by performing 81.75 rotations in a row, breaking Wayne Handley's record of 79 set in 1999. Suderman was at AirVenture to help promote the newly certified Electroair electronic ignition system that enabled his Pitts S02B to easily climb above its 21,000-foot service ceiling to 25,000 feet MSL, the altitude he needed to reach to set his record. After he failed in his first attempt back in 2011, Suderman deconstructed the inverted flat spin and found the accepted wisdom on the subject was incorrect. "Everybody said it was a gyroscopic maneuver, but it's an aerodynamic maneuver," he told me. When he heard Electroair was developing a certified version of its six-cylinder electronic ignition systems for Lycoming engines, he contacted the company, and his Pitts became the test platform for the certification effort.

Avidyne IFD540 Certified
www.avidyne.com
Avidyne announced that they received TSO approval and an Approved Model List Supplement Type Certificate from the FAA for installation of their IFD540 avionics in more than 1,000 aircraft makes and models. The panel-mount FMS/GPS/NAV/COM system provides hybrid touch-screen user interface with full airway flight planning. It's the centerpiece of Avidyne's plug-and-play avionics that include the AMX240 audio panel and the AXP340 Mode S ADS-B transponder. All IFD540 units include Jeppesen approach charts and airport diagrams, as well as an integrated terrain awareness feature with Forward-Looking Terrain Alerting capability. Charts and databases can be updated through a USB port that can also charge iPads and other handheld devices. The IFD540 also includes integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities. Pricing for the IFD540 is $16,995, and the installation kit and tray are an additional $650.

Blackhawk Modifications Introduces New Caravan Conversion
www.blackhawk.aero
Blackhawk Conversions introduced a new engine upgrade program for Cessna 208/208B Caravans and Grand Caravans, adding to its roster of firewall-forward Pratt & Whitney Canada PT-6 conversion options. The Waco, Texas-based company is certifying the 867 hp PT6A-140 to replace the stock 675 hp PT6A-114 engine, resulting in decreased takeoff roll and increased climb performance and cruise speed. "Breathing new life into existing turboprop airplanes with new engine upgrades makes good sense, both financially and operationally," said Jim Allmon, Blackhawk's President and CEO. As if to hammer home the point, the company's display area showcased a freshly upgraded King Air 200 that carried the 500th engine conversion Blackhawk has completed. Deliveries of PT6A-140 upgrade kits are expected to begin in the first quarter of 2015.

Zenith CH 750 Cruzer: One-Week Wonder
www.zenithair.com
It was a case of "before and after" in reverse. The One-Week Wonder project, letting AirVenture attendees help build a Zenith 750 Cruzer (and sign their names in "The World's Largest Builder's Log"), drew lots of attention to the new kit aircraft from Sebastien Heintz. (The project met its goals of taxiing the aircraft by week's end and flying shortly thereafter). Meanwhile, two completed Cruzers on display showcased the end results of construction: a tricycle version at Zenith's display and a taildragger in the Homebuilt Parking near the Brown Arch, show center. An all-metal, two-place high wing, the 750 Cruzer is the "on airport" version of the STOL CH 750 "off airport." While influenced by its STOL predecessors, the Cruzer is a new design, featuring an all-new airfoil, new raised skylight and increased cabin height.

Safe Flight's SCx AOA Indicator
www.safeflight.com
Safe Flight Instrument Corp. debuted its SCx, a new angle of attack (AOA) system for homebuilt and GA aircraft. The SCx system uses Safe Flight's leading-edge lift transducer to measure AOA across the operating range of airplane weight, flap position and airspeed, accurately measuring AOA during coordinated and uncoordinated flight. Mounted on the wing, the SCx lift transducer looks like a stall warning vane found on many GA aircraft. Spring-loaded to a neutral position, the device can measure the movement of the lift's stagnation point in response to changes in the AOA. Using a small, horizontal array of LEDs, the SCx continuously indicates AOA in relation to the maximum wing lift available, enabling pilots to know if they're climbing at the most efficient angle or landing with a safe margin above the stall. Priced at $1,495, the SCx is available for experimental aircraft now, and the company is working on approval for use in certificated aircraft.