EAA Sport Aviation - October 2010

GROSS WEIGHT INCREASE FOR ZENITH KIT PLANE

ZENITH AIRCRAFT COMPANY announced a design gross weight increase, from 1,320 pounds to 1,440 pounds, for the STOL CH 750 kit aircraft. The gross weight increase applies without airframe modifications to all aircraft built to Edition 2 drawings and operated as amateur-built experimental aircraft. Aircraft built to Edition 2 drawings incorporate structural changes to justify the extra load, especially to accommodate larger engines.

Aircraft registered as special light-sport aircraft or operated by sport pilots are not eligible
as FAA weight limit rules remain at 1,320 pounds.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER ISSUE
OF FAA SAFETY BRIEFING
AVAILABLE

For more information, visit www.ZenithAir.com/stolch750

VERTICAL POWER ANNOUNCES VP-X PRO AND SPORT

THE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER ISSUE of FAA
Safety Briefing has been released. The
issue, titled Proficiency: Going Beyond
Currency, focuses on proficiency and
its importance for pilots and aviation
maintenance technicians (AMTs).
It also provides tips on developing
your personal improvement plan,
getting back to flying after an absence,
suggestions on how AMTs can keep
their edge, the complicated subject of
receiving compensation for your flying,
and more.

VERTICAL POWER ANNOUNCED the VP-X Pro and VP-X Sport products. The VP-X products use electronic circuit breakers to simplify wiring and provide advanced electrical system capabilities. Avionics, lights, trim, and flaps are all powered with the VP-X, eliminating older mechanical circuit breakers, relays, and numerous individual control boxes. The VP-X integrates with Advanced Flight Systems, GRT Avionics, and MGL Avionics electronic flight instrument system (EFIS) products, allowing pilots to monitor the status of individual devices and the entire electrical system right from the EFIS.

The online edition can be found at www.FAA.gov/ News/Safety_Briefing.

For more information, visit www.VerticalPower.com.

BRIEFLY NOTED...

//Flight Resource announced that the STC has been approved to install the three-blade MT composite propellers on the Aviat Husky. The company said the upgrade provides 17 pounds of weight savings, turbine-like smoothness, reduced noise, and improvements in climb and cruise performance. The propeller is a lightweight alternative to forged-aluminum props. For more information, visit www.MT- Propeller.com.

//AeroLEDs has replaced its SunSpot 36X landing light with two new models. The new SunSpot36 HX will draw 45 watts of power and produce 60,000 candelas, will have the integrated wigwag feature (no external flash box required), and is available with either landing lens or taxi lens configuration. The new SunSpot 36LX draws 30 watts, producing 40,000 candelas, does not have the integrated wigwag feature, and is available with either a landing or taxi lens configuration. For more information, visit www.AeroLEDs.com.

//The sixth edition of The Pilot’s Manual: Instrument Flying and the fourth edition of The Pilot’s Manual: Instrument Rating Syllabus are now available from ASA. Instrument Flying provides full-color illustrations and photographs to help simplify the aeronautical knowledge and practical skills needed to earn an instrument rating and operate under instrument flight rules. Instrument Rating Syllabus can be used in coordination with the textbook or adapted to any study program. For more information, visit www.ASA2Fly.com.

AMSAFE AWARDED STC
APPROVAL BY EASA FOR
SEAT BELT AIR BAG

//Dynon Avionics has introduced software version 5. 4 for its EFIS-D10A, EFIS-D100, and FlightDEK-D180 units. The upgrade features enhanced autopilot pitch control, as well as user-adjustable parameters to optimize autopilot performance for each aircraft. These improvements are said to offer passenger comfort and expand support to a wider range of airframes. For more information, visit www. DynonAvionics.com.

AMSAFE HAS BEEN AWARDED a supplemental type certificate (STC) by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) that permits operators to retrofit general aviation aircraft with AmSafe seat belt air bags. The AmSafe seat belt air bag system is currently installed as standard equipment on nearly 80 percent of all new single-engine general-aviation aircraft. Receipt of the STC makes this lifesaving device available to aircraft owners and pilots of approved aircraft located in European Union countries.