Garmin has introduced the GFC 600 and GFC 500, solid state attitude-based (AHRS-derived) autopilots for fixed-wing general aviation aircraft. The GFC 600 and GFC 500 incorporate a number of safety-enhancing technologies, including Electronic Stability and Protection (ESP), underspeed protection, overspeed protection, Level Mode, Flight Director (FD) and more, according to company officials. The GFC 600 autopilot […]
Trig Avionics adds to radio line
Trig Avionics has introduced the latest additions to its line of radios: The TY96A and TY97A. Both are slimline 760 channel VHF radios with 25kHz spacing. They include the same pilot friendly features as the TY96 and TY97 and are designed for pilots flying outside 8.33kHz mandated airspace, according to company officials. The TY96A is a 10-watt radio, the TY97A […]
Bear sighting begins accident sequence
While on a cross-country flight over an area of mountainous terrain near Homer, Alaska, the Cessna 140 pilot noticed a bear near the entrance to a mountain pass. While orbiting over the bear, a strong downdraft emanating from the pass entrance caused the airplane to descend toward the saddle of the mountain pass. The pilot […]
The dirty diaper of aviation
Gary Lanthrum sent us this photo, with a note: “Flying is what we all love, but owning an airplane requires so much more than just enjoying the skies. At each oil change I get on the crawler and clean the belly of my plane, a Maule MX7-180C. This is the dirty diaper of aviation, and […]
Hardware is not the issue
Like pretty much everyone else involved in aviation, I frequently engage with people who say things like, “Oh, I could never fly an airplane. They’re too dangerous.” These same people limit the scope of their lives with similar comments about motorcycles and other pieces of hardware that are widely perceived as too dangerous for the […]
GOP Congressmen join in opposing ATC privatization
Five Republican congressmen recently took a stand against a proposal to privatize the nation’s air traffic control (ATC) system. In a July 13 letter sent to U.S. House leaders, the five GOP lawmakers request that any provision for privatizing ATC be withheld from floor consideration. “This request is a result of our deep and multifaceted […]
ForeFlight introduces dual-band ADS-B receiver
Flight planning app creator ForeFlight has introduced Scout, a portable, dual-band ADS-B receiver that delivers inflight weather and traffic information to the ForeFlight Mobile app. It sells for $199 (USD). “We are excited to bring Scout to market in collaboration with uAvionix,” said Tyson Weihs, ForeFlight co-founder and CEO. “We want every pilot flying with the […]
Garmin debuts all-in-one portable ADS-B and SiriusXM Aviation receiver
Garmin has introduced the GDL 52/51, a series of portable receivers capable of receiving Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) traffic and weather, as well as SiriusXM Aviation weather and audio on portables and mobile devices. The flagship GDL 52 combines all of these functions into a single device, while the GDL 51 specifically provides SiriusXM Aviation weather […]
Museum honors Flight for Life Colorado
As Flight for Life Colorado celebrates its 45th anniversary this year, Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum in Denver has named the hospital-based air ambulance organization its2017 Spreading Wings honoree. “We are absolutely thrilled to be this year’s honoree,” said Flight for Life Program Director Kathleen Mayer. “I looked up some of the past […]