Evektor has selected the Esterline CMC SmartDeck integrated avionics suite for the multipurpose EV-55 Outback aircraft, a twin-engine turboprop that has a max cruise speed of 220 knots and can transport nine passengers or cargo up to 4,020 pounds. Evektor has designed it to replace older utility piston aircraft and as a more reliable alternative to single-engine turboprop aircraft. Jaroslav Růžička, Evektor's Chairman of the Board, said: "This user-friendly and well-organized flight deck will give pilots exceptional situational awareness to make flying safer and easier. The advanced design and scalability of the SmartDeck cockpit will support the additional features required for our special-mission versions of the EV-55." A prototype of the new Evektor EV-55 turboprop made its first takeoff from Kunovice airport in the Czech Republic on June 24, 2011. Evektor will offer the aircraft in several versions: passenger transport, cargo transport, a combined version with space for cargo in the cabin-forward section and passenger seating in the rear, as well as search and rescue and surveillance versions for military applications. Visit www.esterline.com/avionicssystems and www.evektor.com.

Avidyne has received European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approval of its DFC90 and DFC100 digital autopilots for installation in European-registered Piper PA-46 Matrix and Mirage aircraft. Avidyne also received EASA approval for the new DFC90 Release 2 software upgrade, which adds Envelope Alerting (EA) capability, and also allows the option of wiring the aircraft for dynamic Envelope Protection (EP) with Flap Sensing for new installations and for existing DFC90-equipped Cirrus SR20 and SR22 owners in Europe. Owners of European-registered Cirrus SR20/SR22 and Piper PA-46 can now upgrade to the DFC90 if they have the original Entegra suite, or they can add the DFC100 if they've already upgraded to the Avidyne Entegra Release 9 flight deck. All European-registered Cirrus SR20/22 aircraft that already have the DFC90 autopilot are now able to be upgraded to DFC90 Release 2 software. Visit www.avidyne.com.

Avidyne announced that Stephen Gansky of Newtown, Penn., is the grand prize winner of Avidyne's "FlySafe Giveaway Extravaganza 2" promotion. Mr. Gansky, who owns a Piper PA28 Archer, will be receiving a new IFD540 GPS/NAV/COM, once certified. The IFD540 is valued at $16,995. "I can't believe it! I never win anything; this is great," said Mr. Gansky, when he was informed that he was randomly chosen from all the Extravaganza contest entrants acquired at trade shows and via the Avidyne website since August 2011. "I was very impressed with the IFD540 when I saw it in Hartford last fall. It will certainly fit nicely in my panel where my 530 is today." Aircraft owners can sign up for Avidyne's "Extravaganza 3" giveaway, which will also have a new Avidyne IFD540 GPS/NAV/COM as the Grand Prize, at www.avidyne.com/landing/extravaganza3.asp.

Tecnam celebrated the rollout of the Tecnam P2010, its new high-wing four-seat aircraft that features a carbon-fiber fuselage and metal wing. At the celebration, aircraft designer Luigi Pascale made an engine start of the 180-hp Lycoming IO-360-M1a "Lycoming Light" engine. Visit www.tecnam.com and blog.tecnam.com.

The Red Bull Stratos science team has confirmed that the capsule delivering Felix Baumgartner to the edge of space for his record-breaking free-fall attempt is mission ready. Attached to a helium balloon, the capsule---which took five years to develop and weighs 2,900 pounds fully loaded---will act as Baumgartner's life-support system during his nearly three-hour ascent to 120,000 feet. Suspended 150 feet below the balloon, the capsule will protect Baumgartner from stratospheric temperatures and provide an oxygenated pressurized environment so he has air to breathe and can avoid decompression sickness. The craft will also act as a stable base for his step-off into free fall. When he rolls the capsule's clear door open, 23 miles above the Earth, he'll exit and attempt to become the first person to break the speed of sound in free fall. Visit www.redbullstratos.com.

South Carolina-based Champion Aerospace has designated Quality Aircraft Accessories (QAA) as the exclusive AOG distributor for all of its Slick by Champion products.

Quest Aircraft's Kodiak, a 10-place single-engine turboprop utility airplane, received full certification from Brazil's National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC). It's now certified in seven countries around the world, and work continues on additional certifications. "We are very pleased to add Brazil to our certification list as it, along with other countries in Latin America, represents a solid market for the Kodiak," said Steve Zinda, Director of Sales and Marketing. "We have had a lot of interest from a variety of market segments there, including government and commercial users. We are eager to bring the Kodiak back to this region with our certification in hand." Visit www.questaircraft.com.

ASA's new Aircraft Dispatcher Oral Exam Guide by Dr. David Ison prepares applicants for the exam with an explanation of the certification process and knowledge requirements in a question-and-answer format and reference materials for further study. It covers the aircraft dispatcher Practical Test Standard subject areas such as route planning, regulations, training and currency requirements, certification, responsibilities and authority, aviation weather, manuals and documents, as well as practical applications of all topics. The Aircraft Dispatcher Oral Exam Guide also provides current dispatchers with a thorough review for their annual proficiency checks. Visit www.asa2fly.com.

In Volume 5 of Big Rocks & Long Props, Nflightcam partnered with Bent Prop Productions to bring a new angle to the extreme bush flying featured in the DVD series. Patrick Carter and Greg Miller spent 10 days in Bushwhacker, Miller's highly modified Maule, flying into some of the most extreme places in the Southwest. The Nflightcam+ captures dramatic angles as Miller's 35-inch bush wheels bounce over basketball-sized rocks and logs, and as he maneuvers into a one-way strip 85 yards long, 6,000 feet above sea level. Visit www.nflightcam.com and www.bentpropproductions.com.

Two new Logbook Pro apps from NC Software support Amazon.com's Kindle Fire and Barnes and Noble's NOOK color and NOOK tablet. Logbook Pro allows a pilot to log certificates, ratings, medicals, flight reviews, and flights. Extensive reports provide the pilot instant information such as currencies, complete logbook statistics, lookback including FAR 121 and 135 reports, and other useful summaries. The Cloud Sync system ($29.99/year) is used to synchronize devices with the desktop edition ($69.95) over the Internet, with no need for Wi-Fi home networking. Visit www.logbookpro.com and www.nc-software.com.

Breitling's chronomat 44 chronograph, produced in a worldwide 500-piece limited edition and equipped with a 100% Breitling high-performance movement, features a blue dial in the U.S. Navy colors carrying the authentic logo of the "United States Navy Fighter Weapons School"---the official TOPGUN name. The engraved caseback displays the same logo with the limited-edition number. Part of the proceeds from the sale of this exceptional instrument will be donated to a charity selected by the TOPGUN cadre. Visit www.breitling.com.