Avidyne announced their support for the industry standardization effort ofthe ADS-B Capstone Data Interface Protocol for the display of traffic and weather services. The Capstone Data Interface Protocol is an RS-422/RS-232 data stream designed to support the display of ADS-B Traffic and Weather broadcast services that comply with the DO-282B and DO-317 standards for ADS-B IN. "Capstone was a development program in Alaska for ADS-B, a key technology that is enabling the NextGen air transportation system," said Patrick Herguth, Avidyne's COO. "We support the Capstone Data Interface Protocol, as it defines an industry standard for communication between ADS-B transceivers and displays, providing commonality and flexibility for our customers as they plan for the impending U.S. mandate." Visit www.avidyne.com.

Tecnam will showcase its first single-seat aerobatic airplane, the SNAP, at AERO 2013 in Friedrichshafen, Germany. Created by Fabio Russo, Tecnam's Head of Research and Development, the single-seat low wing is available as an LSA. The standard engine is the 98 hp Rotax 912, but the Rotax 912is can be installed, as well. SportairUSA is the U.S. distributor. Visit www.tecnam.net. and www.sportair.aero.

Aspen Avionics announced two new lines of NextGen products designed to give aircraft owners flexible and affordable options to meet the upcoming FAA ADS-B OUT equipment mandate, and to access the subscription-free weather and traffic services available from the ADS-B IN network. The introductions include a new certified NextGen product line and an expansion to the company's existing Connected Panel wireless cockpit technology. "Consistent with Aspen's design philosophy, these new products are open, compatible and designed to complement what aircraft owners already have in their panels," says Brad Hayden, Aspen's Vice President of Marketing. "In addition, these new solutions are optimized for our displays, giving Aspen customers even more value for their glass panel investment." Visit www.aspenavionics.com.

Eclipse Aerospace received from the FAA an amended Production Certificate authorizing the final assembly, test and certification of the new production Eclipse 550 Twin-Engine Jet. In order to earn this amended Production Certificate, EAI demonstrated all assembly, quality, inspection, and flight verification processes required by the FAA. The original Production Certificate (PC) granted to EAI last year allowed Eclipse to manufacture the EA550 and requisite parts in compliance with FAA-approved type design, but required direct FAA oversight of the flight-test and certification phases. The amended PC now allows Eclipse to not only manufacture the EA550, but also to flight-test and grant airworthiness certificates for the aircraft under EAI's FAA- approved quality system. New production Eclipse 550 Twin-Engine Jets are scheduled to begin delivery in the third quarter of this year. Visit www.eclipse.aero.com.

PilotWorkshops.com released a free video refresher program for nontowered airport operations. It includes three short videos ranging from six to 12 minutes. PilotWorkshops founder Mark Robidoux commented, "With the recent announcement of 149 tower closures, there will suddenly be thousands of pilots flying into and out of airports that had ATC services one day and none the next. While all of us are trained in these procedures, it's easy to become rusty if you aren't using a skill. We wanted to make this refresher available to all pilots for free in the hopes that it makes flying a bit safer for all of us." Visit www.pilotworkshops.com.

In celebration of Learjet's 50th anniversary, Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance will welcome the Learjet 85 as the first aircraft to ever appear on the famous street in Beverly Hills. Designed by Bombardier, the Learjet 85 is available for fractional jet ownership through Flexjet. The Rodeo Drive Committee has selected "The Jet Age" as the 2013 theme to honor this milestone. A full-scale mock-up of the Learjet 85---the first business jet made using carbon- composite materials---will be the centerpiece of the 200 block of Rodeo Drive, surrounded by a wide variety of vintage and racing cars and motorcycles from world-renowned brands. The event takes place on Father's Day, Sunday, June 16th. Visit rodeodrive-bh.com, www.flexjet.com and www.bombardier.com.

Garmin announced seven new products for LSA that offer enhanced capabilities, reduced weight and simplified installation. Garmin's new lower-cost and lighter-weight ADAHRS and new EIS interface module enable a significant reduction in the G3X price. In addition, Garmin has introduced new product options that bring enhanced capability to the G3X system, including a fully integrated Garmin autopilot, an angle-of- attack probe and a remote- mount ADS-B receiver. Garmin also introduced the remote-mount GDL 39R, which combines a dual-link ADS-B receiver and a GPS receiver. Visit www.garmin.com.

The new S5 portable tracking device from Spidertracks features a compact design and integrates Bluetooth communication to allow for two-way messaging, SOS alerting and real-time flight tracking. When used in combination with the new Spidertxt app, smartphones can be connected to the tracking unit. Subscribers can then send and receive SMS messages from any mobile phone on the ground or from the spidertracks website through the Iridium Satellite Network. The S5 runs on auxiliary power, such as a cigarette lighter. Contact: www.spidertracks.com.

Travels With Puff: A Gentle Game Of Life And Death recounts Bach's journey from Florida to Washington state in his seaplane. The best-selling author of Jonathan Livingston Seagull and accomplished pilot (former USAF) provides humor, wisdom and insight but also challenges our ideas of fate and asks the reader how they can prepare for the emergencies in their own lives. Contact: www.facebook.com/travelswithpuff.

The new SunSpot 46 from AeroLEDs is an LED light that can be used for landing, recognition and taxi purposes. It consumes only 70 watts maximum, but produces 4,000 lumens. The larger SunSpots are available in two models, the 46 HX and 46 LX. Both lights have screw terminals that can be connected in either polarity for steady on light, and the HX has three additional wires that support a built-in pulse mode that can be set up for individual pulsing or synchronized with other lights for wig-wag. The SunSpot 46 can be installed in LSA and a PMA for certified aircraft is expected this summer. Contact: www.aeroleds.com.

ASA's fifth update to their private pilot syllabus offers a flight and ground training course that meets both Part 61 and Part 141 requirements. Flight lessons are presented side by side with associated ground lessons, and the syllabus includes optional reviews for each stage. An airman certificate rating application, checkride checklist and instructor endorsements for pre-solo, solo and cross-country flights, as well as endorsements for aeronautical knowledge and flight proficiency are included. The manual is also available as an eBook. Contact: www.asa2fly.com.