Top Stories

First Tecnam P2008 Delivered To U.S.
In April 2009, Italian aircraft manufacturer Tecnam unveiled its P2008 high-wing LSA, which combines an advanced carbon-fiber fuselage with a metal wing and stabilator. The company just shipped the first P2008 to Heart of Virginia Aviation in Richmond, Va., its U.S. distributor. The sleek two-seater is a fit for both U.S. LSA and European ULM categories, and is expected to be on the market by mid-2011.

Tecnam, one of the biggest LSA manufacturers, with 3,000 ready-to-fly aircraft---120 in the U.S.---recently acquired Spain's Composite Aeronautic Group, which built the beautiful composite Toxo LSA. The P2008 thus benefits from composite and all-metal construction and joins Tecnam's other LSA: the P92 Eaglet trainer, P2002 Sierra and P2004 Bravo. Visit www.tecnam.net and www.flyhova.com.

Legends Honored
On November 21, 2009, the San Diego Air & Space Museum honored air and space legends at its 46th Hall of Fame Induction and Gala. The Distinguished Class of 2009 includes Sally Ride, the first woman in space; air show performer Sean Tucker; Clay Lacy of Clay Lacy Aviation; the Lockheed Brothers and Skunk Works; the Blue Angels; Academy Award--winner and aviation ambassador Cliff Robertson; Women Airforce Service Pilots; and Frank Robinson of the Robinson Helicopter Company. "We're especially pleased to honor the Class of 2009 because these pioneers have not only pushed back the frontiers of air and space exploration, they've also become strong, positive role models for today's youth," said Jim Kidrick, the museum's president and CEO. Visit www.aerospacemuseum.org.

Hartzell Signs Deal With Hawker Beechcraft
Hartzell Propeller has signed an agreement with Hawker Beechcraft Corporation to serve as the exclusive supplier of constant-speed propellers to all of its new piston and turboprop commercial aircraft. The deal is for a minimum of five years, and covers the full range of new Hawker Beechcraft aircraft: the G36 Bonanza, G58 Baron and King Air C90GTx, B200GT and 350i. Visit www.hartzellprop.com and www.hawkerbeechcraft.com.

Blackhawk Expansion
Blackhawk Modifications is expanding its ranks of distributors worldwide as demand for engine upgrades increases. Most recently, the company has completed distribution agreements in the United States, Europe and Australia. "It's more than gratifying to bring in new distributors to the Blackhawk family," said Bobby Patton, Blackhawk's director of dealer development. "The depth of knowledge these distributors bring to the table is astounding. You can go almost anywhere in the world and find an installer with the greatest degree of experience with Blackhawk engines." Visit www.blackhawk.aero.

TSO Approval For Avidyne EX600
Avidyne received TSO approval for its EX600. The MFD features a 5.8-inch diagonal display and user-friendly interface that includes new Map Panning keys and QuickPan function. Pricing starts at $9,990 for the standard EX600; Avidyne also offers a trade-in allowance for old radar indicators and MFDs. Existing EX500 owners can upgrade to an EX600 starting at $5,495. Visit www.avidyne.com.

Lycoming STC For Mooney
Lycoming Engines received FAA type and production certification for its IO-390-A3A6 engine, quickly followed by an FAA STC, the second STC earned as part of its Echelon STC program. The STC enables the replacement of the original IO-360 Lycoming in the Mooney M20E, M20F and M20J with a new or remanufactured IO-390-A3A6. Hartzell also has certified both two- and three-blade propellers for the STC. "Lycoming's new-engine certification and Echelon STC programs are a key way we show our commitment to legacy aircraft," said Dennis Racine, Lycoming's director of marketing and program management. Visit www.lycoming.com and www.mooney.com.

First Skycatcher Delivered
Cessna's first 162 was delivered during a ceremony at Wichita, Kans.--based Yingling Aircraft, one of three U.S. reassembly facilities for the Skycatcher. Rose Pelton, wife of Cessna CEO Jack Pelton, received the first Skycatcher. Cessna launched the Skycatcher program at EAA AirVenture in 2007 and has since amassed more than 1,000 orders.

The FAA has granted FAR Part 141 approval to four Cessna Pilot Centers (CPCs) to use Cessna's new sport/private pilot course, developed in association with King Schools, in their private pilot training programs: Air Fleet Training Systems Inc. of Fairfield, N.J.; Snohomish Flying Service of Snohomish, Wash.; Trade Winds Aviation of San Jose, Calif.; and Pensacola Aviation Center of Pensacola, Fla. Visit www.cessnaflighttraining.com.

Scholarship Winner
The Girls With Wings Third Annual Scholarship has been awarded to Kam Yee, a private pilot student and stay-at-home mother of two daughters in Seattle, Wash. Yee will receive $1,000 toward her lessons. Girls With Wings is a public awareness project that focuses its efforts on introducing young girls to their role models. The next round of applications will begin on August 1, 2010. Visit www.girlswithwings.com.

KFD 840 Certified
Certification is complete, and Bendix/King by Honeywell now is taking orders for the KFD 840, an 8.4-inch diagonal PFD. Both flight director input and weight/balance features will be completed in a follow-on certification in early 2010. The KFD 840 is the first Bendix/King Apex Edge Series product to achieve certification and is priced at $16,995. Visit bendixking.com/apexedgeseries.

New LSA Center
A new LSA training and rental center has opened at Santa Monica Airport. Santa Monica Flyers offers sport pilot training in a Sport Cruiser equipped with a Dynon glass panel. Founder Charles Thomson said, "Once I discovered LSA, I never looked back. They offer an affordable, safe and fun path to learning to fly." Visit www.santamonicaflyers.com.

PRODUCT PREVIEWS

Ace Your Exam!
ASA's 2010 Test Preps, Fast-Track Test Guides, Prepware and Virtual Test Preps now are available. Students can choose from various study formats for an optimized learning experience. Additionally, the Instrument Pilot Virtual Test Prep is the first instrument ground school in widescreen format. Contact: ASA, (800) ASA-2-FLY, www.asa2fly.com.

Ashtray Converter
Convert your aircraft ashtray into a pen and flashlight holder with the easily installed CigPen, which fits in the Cessna 150, 172, 182 and Cardinal. Contact: Aircraft Spruce, (877) 477-7823, www.aircraftspruce.com.

Qref For Garmin & Bendix/King
Qref now offers full-color, laminated Q'Book and Q'Card checklists for the Garmin Aera and Bendix/King's AV8OR Ace. Q'Card covers the most commonly used procedures, while Q'Book has the full procedures and a navigation helper. Contact: Qref, (877) 660-QREF, www.qref.com.

Show Off Your Certificate
Earning a pilot certificate often is the culmination of a lifelong dream, and Sporty's offers personalized plaques to commemorate the accomplishment. The three models (Classic, Deluxe and Elite) have a high-gloss, fade- and scratch-resistant finish. Contact: Sporty's, (800) SPORTYS, www.sportys.com/awards.

Restore Your Paint Job
3M's Aviation Paint Restoration Kit isn't a polish or wax that only fills scratches; it actually removes oxidation, refines scratches and achieves a professional finish. The noncorrosive, silicone-free and all-inclusive kit is designed specifically for aircraft. Contact: Aircraft Spruce, (877) 477-7823, www.aircraftspruce.com.

Classic, Enduring Outerwear
Red Canoe's Canadian Summer Flying Jackets are inspired by the outerwear of the RCAF and Canadian Armed Forces. The dark-blue jackets are fabricated in an 80/20-cotton/nylon mix, and have shoulder, wrist and inside pockets. Contact: Aircraft Spruce, (877) 477-7823, www.aircraftspruce.com.

Wearable Fun
"It only takes two things to fly: airspeed and money" is the message of one shirt. Another charts the four forces of flight: dreams (up), reality (down), money (forward) and the FAA (backward). Choose from four T-shirts to demonstrate your enthusiasm for aviation. Contact: Sporty's, (800) SPORTYS, www.sportys.com.

Take Only The Essentials
The Senior Pilot's Caddy is big enough to fit flight essentials, yet compact enough for small spaces, for it also functions as an insert in most Sporty's Flight Gear bags. Contact: Sporty's, (800) SPORTYS, www.sportys.com.

Faster, More Accurate Repairs
P&D's Rib Alignment Tool facilitates repairs to damaged flap, aileron and elevator ribs. Insert the rods into the trailing edge of the control surface ribs, and it's easy to straighten and align them. Contact: P&D Enterprises, (864) 949-6666, www.rattool.com.

Brighten Up Your Cockpit
Powder Puff Pilot has partnered with a leading headset manufacturer to produce a unique line of FAA-approved headsets that are pink rather than the usual olive or black. They're offered in PNR and ANR models, which use battery power to further reduce unwanted sound. Contact: Powder Puff Pilot, (888) 801-6628, www.powderpuffpilot.com.