EASA STC For Aspen Avionics
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued the first European STC for Aspen Avionics, authorizing installation of the EFD1000 PFD into Cessna 206 series aircraft. "The European market continues to be very important to Aspen," said Aspen Avionics VP of Marketing Doug Cayne. "We're working with our European dealers and EASA-certified design organizations to assure prompt availability of a broad range of STCs for our customers in EASA member countries." EASA STCs for several other aircraft makes/models are currently in development. Visit www.aspenavionics.com.

Garmin In The Cirrus Jet
Cirrus Aircraft has chosen Garmin as its avionics provider for production models of the Vision SF50 personal jet. The current Vision flying test aircraft, V1, has the Cirrus Perspective by Garmin avionics system---the same as is currently available on the SR-series of piston aircraft---and will continue its rigorous flight-test schedule. "Cirrus and Garmin are both recognized as leaders in their respective fields and share a common vision to bring innovative technologies and continuous product improvement into the GA cockpit," said Cirrus President and CEO Brent Wouters. Visit www.garmin.com and www.cirrusaircraft.com.

The Seawind Is Back
A year and a half after it shut down operations, Seawind has acquired the funding to complete certification of its high-performance amphibian. After ascertaining that the crash of its first test aircraft wasn't the result of an in-flight or other failure, the company set out to make its comeback. "I don't mind telling you of the devastating disappointment we felt when we had to shut down," said Seawind President Dick Silva. "Then we started to receive encouraging calls and letters from literally hundreds of people from around the world who inspired us to keep going." The reorganized operation will resume the certification effort to put Seawind in production. Visit www.seawind.net.

Icon A5 Completes High-Performance Water Testing
Icon Aircraft officially completed a series of rigorous hydrostatic and hydrodynamic tests on the Icon A5 amphibious sport plane. These tests verified the basic hull performance for typical seaplane operations and expanded the envelope into higher winds, rougher sea states and advanced maneuvering. Flight-testing of the prototype is scheduled to continue throughout 2009. Deliveries should begin in late 2010. Visit www.iconaircraft.com.

JAARS Gets Kodiak Aircraft
JAARS is the first mission/humanitarian organization to purchase and receive the specialty Kodiak aircraft, securing serial number 008. Quest Aircraft's Kodiak is a 10-place aircraft with a turboprop engine capable of short takeoffs and landings that uses readily available jet fuel and can carry a 3,100-pound load. Serial number 008 is headed to the island nation of Papua New Guinea, which will provide transportation to many of the people who live in the island nation's rugged mountains and remote coastal areas. Visit www.jaars.org andwww.questaircraft.com.

Pilot Insurance Center
Pilots who fly for a living have always had a difficult time acquiring disability insurance, partly due to the nature of the job and the medical qualifications required to maintain their license. The Pilot's Disability Insurance Plan is available for commercial, corporate, aerial applicator, cargo, helicopter and firefighting pilots. The center's founders, Randy Williams and Bill Fanning, have more than 20 years of successful insurance- and estate-planning experience and have been active pilots since their late teens. Visit www.piclife.com.

Entegra Release 9 In The SR22
Avidyne has completed the first customer retrofit of its Entegra Release 9 Integrated Flight Deck in a Cirrus SR22. "This Entegra Release 9 installation was started just days after we received our STC approval, and the time from aircraft arrival to customer delivery was under two weeks," said Avidyne COO Patrick Herguth. Avidyne has also partnered with PS Engineering to deliver an Entegra Release 9--compatible audio panel. Visit www.release9.com and www.ps-engineering.com.

Easy Engine Monitoring
The newest addition to J.P. Instruments' product line, the EDM-730/830, revolutionizes engine monitoring by the integration of a full-color graphical LCD screen in the smallest package size on the market. Oil pressure has been added to the entire EDM series line. Mounting is easy with the standard 31⁄8-inch format, and units can be fastened in either portrait or landscape orientation. Contact: J.P. Instruments, (714) 557-3805, www.jpinstruments.com.

Fuel Testing Made Easy
Many new aircraft have more than 10 fuel sumps, which can overwhelm standard fuel testers. The MultiSump increases capacity without compromising safety, and it can check up to eight sumps. The device features a stainless-steel push rod, one-hand operation, a no-drip pour spout and a quick-acting drain valve. Draw a sample from the sump, inspect it in the upper sampling cup, and then transfer the fuel to the lower catch can by tipping the cup in any direction. Contact: Sporty's, (800) SPORTYS, www.sportys.com.

Ticket To Ride
HotSeat Chassis offers a low-cost flight simulator with a 200-plus-degree field of view that immerses a pilot with the full scope of visual flight markers. The triple-screen HotSeat Pilot Pro has a patented "Slide Away" design for easy entry and exit. Constructed from durable powder-coated steel with welded accessory mounts, the Pilot Pro offers six-speaker 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound with a subwoofer under the seat. Contact: HotSeat Chassis, (877) 426-3879, www.hotseatinc.com.

Pass Your Checkride
Sporty's Online Maneuvers Guides explain the maneuvers required for the recreational, private, instrument and commercial checkrides. Adapted from Sporty's printed Maneuvers Guides, these provide step-by-step instructions. Multi-angle perspectives show the maneuvers from both inside and outside the airplane. Contact: Sporty's, (800) SPORTYS, www.sportys.com.

Practice Effective Risk Management
The new FAA Risk Management Handbook offers a wealth of information and resources on the methods pilots use to assess risk. The comprehensive manual covers subjects such as human behavior, identifying and mitigating risk, aeronautical decision-making, single-pilot resource management, automation and risk management training. Contact: ASA, (800) ASA-2FLY, www.asa2fly.com.

Not Your Average Pitot
The Aerogizmos Pitot has several advantages over a standard pitot tube: It incorporates the mount and the tube in one convenient unit, negating the need for a separate mount. Made from a single piece of 6061 aluminum, the strong, durable unit has a modern look, a polished finish and is easy to mount. Contact: Aircraft Spruce, (877) 477-7823, www.aircraftspruce.com.

Comfortable Training Glasses
Designed by pilots for pilots, Blockalls training glasses weigh less than one ounce and are engineered to easily penetrate the seal of your headset, eliminating the hassle of removing it first. They can be worn for extended periods of time without discomfort, thanks to the soft-rubber nosepiece and streamlined temple tips. Tailored off-center viewing keeps more of your time inside the flight deck rather than outside. Contact: Aircraft Spruce, (877) 477-7823, www.aircraftspruce.com.

Reduce Your Installation Costs
In order to reduce installation costs for aircraft owners upgrading to Artex 406 MHz ELT systems, Cobham Avionics-Artex Products offers the Artex 2-Wire Remote Interface System. Many existing TSO-C91a installations with Juliet, Pointer and Narco 121.5 MHz ELTs use two wires between the cockpit remote switch and the ELT. Other 121.5 MHz ELT manufacturers use three or four wires. Artex uses just two existing wires from the wiring harness to connect the new cockpit remote switch to an Artex 406 MHz ELT, offering a more simplified, cost-efficient upgrade. Contact: Cobham Avionics-Artex Products, (800) 547-8901, www.artex.net.