On January 25, the extreme worlds of aerobatics and surfing were united in the skies over the break at Morro Bay, Calif. Kevin Eldredge, owner of SLO Air, the exclusive distributor of the new Sbach 300 and 342 Xtreme aerobatic aircraft from Germany, flew loops, rolls and hammerheads with world-class surfers Chris Ward and Gavin Sutherland. Also participating was Tutima Academy, going inverted with Ben Freelove in a Pitts S-2B. The first-of-its-kind event was sponsored by VedaloHD Performance Sunglasses, Azhiaziam American Aerial Wear and S.O. Productions to commemorate the launch of the new WardoHD signature line of sunglasses.
"Putting a surfing phenom in an advanced aerobatic aircraft with one of the top pilots in the world was the only way to truly test the extreme nature and styling of the WardoHD sunglasses. The Sbach 342 flight with Chris Ward and Kevin Eldredge pays tribute to Vedalo's aviation heritage while paving the way for the next generation of sunglasses from Vedalo that will equip wearers with an unprecedented level of form and function," said Chris Pederson, VedaloHD's marketing director. Visit www.vedalohd.com, www.sloair.com and www.tutimaacademy.com.
Cirrus Ice Protection
CAV Aerospace's TKS ice protection technology is now available for Cirrus SR22 and Turbo models for flight into known icing (FIKI). Cirrus Chairman Alan Klapmeier said, "Known Ice Protection completes the picture for many people when it comes to reliable personal transportation. For many, it can allow operations on marginal days [on which] icing forecasts would otherwise preclude travel." TKS includes precision-crafted, laser-drilled-titanium leading edges on wings and horizontal and vertical tail surfaces. An automotive-style deicer system distributes TKS fluid onto the windshield, and a traditional slinger-ring dispersion system provides ice protection for the propeller. Visit www.weepingwings.com and www.cirrusaircraft.com.
Corvalis Debut
Cessna Aircraft renamed the Cessna 350 and 400 to the 350 Corvalis and 400 Corvalis TT, respectively, as part of Cessna's 2007 acquisition of Columbia Aircraft. "The name Corvalis, although spelled differently, was inspired from the name of a picturesque Oregon town about 120 miles west of Cessna's Bend, Oregon, manufacturing facility," said Tom Aniello, Cessna's vice president of marketing.
Avidyne has received FAA STC approval for the installation of its TWX670 Tactical Lightning Detection System in the Corvalis 350. STC approval for the TWX670 in the Corvalis 400 is expected soon. Visit www.cessna.com and www.avidyne.com.
Gobosh 700X With Dynon
The new Gobosh 700X is a Dynon-equipped version of the all-metal Gobosh 700S LSA, which was introduced at Oshkosh. "Gobosh responded to the desires of the market and developed the new 700X," stated Tim Baldwin, president of Gobosh Aviation. The 700X is priced at $99,990. Visit www.gobosh.aero.
Phoenix East & The Middle East
Phoenix East Aviation (PEA) will train Middle East Airlines AirLiban (MEA) students to work as professional airline dispatchers for the airline. The intense six-week training will take place in Beirut, Lebanon, at the MEA facility. Visit www.pea.com and www.mea.com.lb.
Epps Scholarship
Careers in Aviation announced that the 2008 Epps Aviation Scholarship has been awarded to Jonathan Ward, a University of North Dakota student. The $2,500 scholarship was open to students expressing a financial need and aspiring toward flight training or education in the pursuit of an aviation career. Visit www.careersinaviation.org and www.eppsaviation.com.
Your Story In A Pilot's Story!
Wilco Films has launched a contest in connection with its upcoming feature aviation film, A Pilot's Story. "Our goal with the film is to educate and inspire the next generation of pilots and astronauts," said producers Rico Sharqawi and Will Hawkins. "We want to motivate individuals who dream of flying but have not yet acted on making flight a reality." Sponsors include Virgin America, Lightspeed, Scheyden and ForeFlight. The documentary will feature such aviators as Patty Wagstaff, Thunderbirds Maj. Samantha Weeks, Erik Lindbergh and perhaps!you! Contestants can submit their own story; the Grand Prize winner will be featured in the film. Fifteen winners will also receive Plane & Pilot subscriptions. For contest rules, visit www.apilotstory.com.
Diamond Sparkles
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University placed an order for 10 Diamond DA42 L360 aircraft, the Lycoming-powered version of the DA42. "Embry-Riddle selected the DA42 L360 because it represents the combination of a thoroughly modern airframe and the Garmin G1000 glass cockpit with a tried and true powerplant that's common across our fleet," said Frank Ayers, Embry-Riddle's flight department chairman. Learn more at www.embry-riddle.edu.
Austro Engine and Diamond Aircraft have received EASA type certification for the Austro E4 turbodiesel general aviation engine (the AE 300). AE 300--powered versions of the DA40 and the DA50 will soon follow. For the existing diesel-engine-powered Diamond fleet, a retrofit solution to convert to AE 300 power will be developed. Visit www.diamondair.com and www.austroengine.at.
Turn Your Handheld GPS Into A Heads-Up Display
The G-Force GF2 Mount allows pilots to turn a Garmin 696/695 into a heads-up display. The GF2 is a powerful match for the heavyweight Garmin 696 and other portable, large-format displays, such as those from AvMap and TrueFlight. It features twin piston-actuated vacuum pads that deliver a rock-steady, glue-like bond to glass, plastic and nonporous painted surfaces; cast-metal components for years of tough service; tilt-turn-rotate adjustment points for personalized settings; and an optional quick-release connector that allows you to take your GPS with you, leaving the mount behind. Contact: G-Force Mount, (434) 242-4092, www.gforcemount.com.
Get The Lead Out!
Alcor's TCP Fuel Treatment is a fuel additive that, when added to the gas tank of an aircraft, acts as a lead scavenger, reducing spark-plug fouling and other harmful effects of low-lead aviation gas (100LL). TCP is especially effective in low-compression engines. Contact: Alcor, (800) 354-7233, www.alcorinc.com.
Been Away From Aviation For A While?
Sporty's team of pilots and flight instructors has assembled comprehensive kits to get pilots flying again. If you haven't flown for a while, it's tough to know what you need to get started again. Sporty's new VFR Refresher and IFR Refresher Kits were designed to eliminate the guesswork. Each kit includes all the training materials you need to get up to speed, including DVD training videos, essential textbooks and pilot supplies. Contact: Sporty's, (800) SPORTYS, www.sportys.com.
Children's Book For Future Pilots
Claire Bear Presents! The Pilot Alphabet is a new picture book targeted to the next generation of pilots. Authored by pilot Sue Hughes, the book aims to introduce children to the thrills of aviation. In the 30-page book, Claire Bear journeys from Alfa to Zulu in lyrical, rhyming fashion that helps children (and adults!) learn the pilot or NATO alphabet. This is the first book in a series. Contact: Powder Puff Pilot, (877) 843-1007 ext. 11, www.powderpuffpilot.com.
Aircraft Management Online
AircraftLogs offers 100% online aircraft-management systems that provide complete record-keeping services. Private pilots can securely and quickly manage their flight logs, maintenance records and financial records from any Internet-connected computer. Online Pilot Logbook, Piston Single Management and Piston Twin Management packages are available in monthly or annual subscriptions. Contact: Aircraft Spruce, (877) 477-7823, www.aircraftspruce.com.
Engine Preservation
Reciprocating engines have a propensity to accumulate water when not in use, causing oxidation and resulting in accelerated wear. Such water contamination can cause an aircraft owner thousands of dollars over an engine's life. Reductions in flying hours can further exaggerate the problem. The best solution is to remove the condensation within the engine.
Tempest's new AA1000 Engine Preservation System does exactly that. A pump draws outside air through a chamber containing a desiccant material that removes moisture from the air. It then pumps the dry air into the engine through a hose attached to the oil filler tube. Contact: Tempest, (800) 822-3200, www.tempestplus.com.
Pilot Puzzlers
Pilots are inherently drawn to puzzles; problem-solving and playing the "what-if" game are in their nature. The 6,000+ clues used in 101 Crosswords For Pilots will provide hours of enjoyment for pilots and aviation-history enthusiasts, stimulating recall of stored knowledge and satisfying the yearning to learn more. Puzzle creator Michael Shurtz became a private pilot in 1980 by bagging groceries to pay for flying lessons. As a flight instructor, Shurtz always has looked for fun and interesting ways to engage his students. Contact: ASA, (800) 272-2359, www.asa2fly.com.
Catch Your Breath
SkyOx portable oxygen systems now have a redesigned regulator: The Click-a-Breath regulator eases the process of selecting the correct flow rate---pilots turn the dial until it clicks into one of the preselected detents. Because the all-metal regulator can be removed without tools, refilling the bottle is a quick job. A variety of SkyOx oxygen systems are available, each with an oxygen cylinder, regulator (two- or four-place), masks or cannulas, flow indicators, hoses and fittings. Contact: Sporty's, (800) SPORTYS, www.sportys.com/oxygen.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Get the latest Plane & Pilot Magazine stories delivered directly to your inbox