SUBSONEX JET HEADED
FOR REDESIGN
ON JUNE 4, SONEX AIRCRAFT, LLC announced
that its SubSonex personal jet program will
enter a thorough design review process after
a series of high-speed taxi tests revealed
controllability issues as the aircraft reached
takeoff speeds. The design team hopes the
review will result in an aircraft that is more
controllable for the average recreational pilot.
Sonex president John Monnett says that he is
“committed to seeing the SubSonex through.”
Learn more at www.SonexAircraft.com.
BRIEFLY NOTED...
//The 2011 AERO international aviation
event will run from Wednesday through
Saturday, April 13-16, 2011, instead of
Thursday through Sunday, to better fit
exhibitors’ needs. AERO 2010, held in
April, attracted nearly 40,000 visitors
from Germany and abroad. The event
takes place at the Messegelände in
Friedrichshafen, Germany.
//Sporty’s all-new SP-400 handheld
radio has features that were previously
reserved for panel avionics, including full
instrument landing system display, VOR
navigation, NOAA weather. The SP-400
hasan easy-to-read oversized screen and
keypad, and long battery life. For ease of
use, every feature can be operated with
one hand. Visit www.Sportys.com for more
information.
//The General Aviation Manufacturers
Association reported that worldwide
general aviation airplane deliveries
SAIB: SECURE LOOSE
EQUIPMENT
THE FAA HAS ISSUED a special
airworthiness information bulletin
(SAIB) to remind aircraft
owners, operators, and
installers to secure
loose equipment in the
flight compartment,
particularly items placed
on the glare shield. The
SAIB was prompted by
a recent incident aboard a Mitsubishi
MU-2B in which thick black smoke
filled the cockpit, forcing the crew to
make an emergency landing. It was later
determined that an electrical short circuit
was caused by a handheld GPS receiver’s
metal antenna that inadvertently made
contact across the windshield heater
terminal strips. The GPS and antenna had
been placed on the MU-2B glare shield.
Read the SAIB at www.SportAviation.org.
totaled 390 units in the first quarter
of 2010. That’s a 15-percent drop from
the same period last year. However, it
is an improvement over the dramatic
decline experienced in first quarter 2009
deliveries as compared to first quarter
2008. Total industry billings grew 7. 1
percent in the first three months of the
year. First quarter billings in 2010 are still
12. 6 percent below this same period in
2008.
//Sadler Aircraft has suspended its
Vampire light-sport aircraft (LSA) project
and is offering the company for sale.
Among the items included in the sale
(asking price $50,000) are the prototype
Vampire, parts for three more Vampires,
a Jabiru 3300 engine with less than 100
hours; and more.. The Vampire evolved
from the Sadler Vampire ultralight. Learn
more at http://SadlerAircraft.com/blog or
e-mail info@sadleraircraft.com.
PS ENGINEERING FANS: WIN
AN AEROBATIC FLIGHT
AS PART OF ITS 25TH anniversary celebration,
PS Engineering is offering one lucky
winner a flight with a member of AeroShell
Aerobatic Team. Aircraft owners who have a
PS Engineering intercom, audio panel, or in-flight entertainment system in their airplane
may enter the drawing by dropping off a
photograph of their plane’s PS installation
at the PS Engineering booth (located in
Building D). The drawing will be at 4: 30
p.m. on Friday, July 30; the flight will take
place Saturday morning, July 31.
Call 800-427-2376 for more information.
//The latest version of Sporty’s Electronic
E6B is now available for Apple’s iPhone,
iPod Touch, and iPad. This app includes
all the features of the traditional E6B:
23 aviation functions, 14 conversions,
and timer, and the app’s design makes
calculations fast and easy. Calculating
weight and balance is especially easy,
with a dedicated page for adding new
passengers, fuel, or baggage. Sporty’s E6B
app is available for $4.99 and is available at
www.Sportys.com/apps.
//ASA’s Flashcards app for the iPhone, iPod
Touch, and iPad helps pilots maintain their
knowledge of FAA rules, regulations, and
procedures. It features an intuitive interface
and contains questions on the latest rules
and operating procedures from 14 CFR Parts
1, 61, 91, and the Aeronautical Information
Manual, including sport pilot and light-sport aircraft. Available in the i Tunes App
Store for $9.99. For more information, visit
www. ASA2Fly.com/iphone.
