KITPLANES The Independent Voice for Homebuilt Aviation

Kitfox Super Sport Series 7 Marc Cook flies the capable ready-to-fly Kitfox Super Sport Series 7 SLSA, and spotlights owners John and Debra McBean’s deft handling of the company in a crowded market and rocky economy. Click Here for the full Table of Contents for the August 2009 Issue		SeaRey Amphib LSA Flight Trial Here's an over-the-transom report on the SeaRey LSA amphibian from Aviation Consumer's Jeff Van West, who is having more fun than he deserves. Lancair Update Kitplanes talks to Lancair's Joe Bartels about the development of the piston-powered Evolution kitbuilt and other company news. Evolution Gear Mishap Delays National Tour Lancair International announced that its Evolution Turbine Serial Number 0001, which was on a sales tour in Northeast Georgia, experienced a gear-up landing after the pilot executed a go-around due to traffic congestion at an uncontrolled airport, KWDR. Sonex Kit Price Incentive: Free Shipping Sonex Aircraft, LLC is pleased to announce a special limited-time pricing offer for buyers of Sonex, Waiex or Xenos complete airframe kits. All buyers of those kits who purchase before August 31, 2009, will receive free shipping to the continental United States and Canada. MGL Introduces V10 Com Radio MGL Avionics has announced its new V10 VHF radio transceiver, the first commercial product whose audio processing and much of the transmitter and receiver circuitry is digital, with the commensurate outstanding quality, the company says. Lancair’s Piston-Powered Evolution Flies With less than 60 days until Oshkosh, the Lancair development team has been pushing flat out to get the piston version of the turbine-powered Evolution flying. We were in Redmond the week after Memorial Day to see the engine fired up for the first time on the airframe, and now Lancair says that the Evolution has committed its maiden flight. Zenith Announces Slate of Summer Gatherings Among the events that will be taking place at the Zenith factory in the coming months are the Spring into Summer Fly-In on June 27, the 18th Annual Open Hangar Day on September 19, and various hands-on workshops throughout the summer. The factory is located at the Mexico Memorial Airport (KMYJ) in Mexico, Missouri. Dynon Releases Software 5.1, Features GPS Assist and VOR/LOC Autopilot Tracking On the heels of Dynon Avionics releasing two new EFISes, the company has released Operating System 5.1, which adds several new features to both the flight displays but to its own autopilot as well. One of the key features in the 5.1 update is something called GPS Assist. Dynon Introduces New Low-Cost Glass Dynon Avionics has added to its catalog of EFIS products with the new EFIS-D6 and EFIS-D60. Based on the EFIS-D10A and D100, respectively, these screens have slightly reduced feature sets to go along with their lower prices. The 7-inch-diagonal D60 is $1900, compared to $2400 for the full-featured D100; the D6 runs $1600 against $2200 for the D10A. The premise is to offer low-cost alternatives to steam gauges where the device is likely to be… Such a Deal! Lycoming's Factory-Rebuilt Price Break Select pilots and owners will have the opportunity to purchase zero-time, factory-rebuilt engines for the price of a factory overhaul with return of a first-run core. DynaVibe Prop Balancer RPX Technologies, Inc. has announced its dynamic propeller and rotor balancer for cost-effective, simple, straightforward vibration reduction. Aircraft Spruce Introduces LED Cockpit Lights Featuring 110° angle adjustment, the new 754 series LED Cockpit Lights can rotate 360° around. According to Aircraft Spruce, the lights mount in a 1/4-inch hole, and are 3/4-inch diameter by 1 5/8-inch tall fully extended. Both 14- and 28-volt models are available. What's more, you can order them as all one color for $49.85 per light, or with two circuits (one white, one red) for $52.75. Two body colors are available; aluminum or black. A… Video Brief: Aircraft Spruce Aircraft Spruce and Specialty is the leading supplier for the experimental and kit market. KITPLANES' Marc Cook recently visited the company's Corona, California facility and filed this video profile. Italian Prop for M-14-Equipped Aircraft GT Propellers offers a new wood-carbon prop option for pilots who fly behind the M-14 radial engine. The company says it offers better high-speed performance, climb, fuel efficiency and shorter landings. Electric Dreams Prevail at the CAFE Aircraft Symposium Among the topics covered at the third annual Electric Aircraft Symposium were climate science, battery and motor technology, and aircraft designs, both real and imagined. TCW Introduces SmartStart, Adds Larger Intelligent Power Stabilizer Worried about aircraft theft? TCW's new SmartStart module allows you to hide a starter enable switch to foil thieves. JPI Announces New “Flat-Panel” Engine Monitor Recognizing the market demand for larger, more readable color displays in the cockpit, JPI has created a 4x3-inch flat panel that improves upon the original amber LED round display. Be Located Quickly with the FastFind Max PLB The bright yellow PLB features built-in GPS and a 5-watt 406 MHz emergency transmitter for use in the air, at sea or on land. Upload Flight Plans into Garmin 430/530, G1000 with Voyager Seattle Avionics Software’s Voyager SmartPlan Premier Flight Planner is the first software package to upload flight plans directly into the WAAS-enabled Garmin 430/530 nav/com and G1000 series. Just slip the SD card from your G1000 into your computer, and upload the flight plan, or use a special reader/writer to do the same for the 430/530. Two-Camera Digital Video System for Aircraft Debuts Milwaukee’s Datatoys has entered the aviation market with a compact two-camera video system, the XM-DVR Pro Plus 2. Pilot Communications Introduces Bluetooth Adapter The company's new BluLink module works with any general aviation headset to provide Bluetooth connectivity. Andair Introduces New, Tiny Fuel Boost and Transfer Pumps So you don't usually get excited about fuel boost pumps? Wait until you see Andair's new gems. Val Introduces Low-Profile, High-Memory VHS Com After 20 years in the avionics business, Val Avionics has introduced the thinnest com radio on the market. An inch high and 9.5 inches long, the Com 2000 brings with it a few features not available in its predecessor, the Com 760. Peltor’s New ANR9500 Digital Headset Quiets and Soothes Peltor Aviation’s brand new active noise reduction headset, the ANR9500, recently debuted, combining the recognizable Peltor white ear cups with sophisticated, adaptable ANR technology. Advanced Flight Adds Synthetic Vision to AF-4500 EFIS AFS recently announced that synthetic vision and approach plates are coming to its popular big-screen EFIS. TruTrak EFIS Gains Features Now in the mix is an SL30 interface, and coming soon are a Garmin GNS 430 interface for the VOR and ILS capability, and a standby battery that will allow you to keep communicating and navigating until you can land, says TruTrak GM Andrew Barker. Jotters Take Note: Here's the ArmBoard When Hussein Aboulezz, a marketing professional, was a student pilot, he hated his kneeboard. So he fixed his problem by developing the ArmBoard. ULPower Engine Makes U.S. Debut on Zenith 650 ULPower's enticing 95-horsepower four-cylinder engine, which has tempted us from afar, is now flying in the U.S. on the nose of a Zenith 650. LoPresti's New LED-equipped Ball Cap...You Gotta Have One At Sun 'n Fun, the LoPresti Speed Merchants showed one of those products you probably didn't think you needed until you saw it: An LED-equipped ball cap. Yep, you read that right. RC Allen Now Selling Solid-State Attitude Indicator RC Allen's new LCD attitude indicator is now TSO'd and ready for delivery in both 2- and 3-inch forms. DRE Previews Upgraded Headsets Upgrades to the DRE Communications line of headsets are in the works, according to Sales Manager Pat Hartley. The mono DRE1000 headset will be replaced by the DRE1001, featuring the same flex mic boom already featured on the stereo PNR DRE4000 and the ANR DRE6000. Avemco Reduces SLSA Rates, Continues to Push Amateur-Built Biz Avemco Insurance's Jim Lauerman announced that 13 models of Special Light Sport Aircraft have been granted a reduction in rates. New Sport Hornet Kit (ELSA) Pricing Higher Class Aviation now offers the Sport Hornet to customers as a fast-build kit for $19,495. All primary load-supporting structures are assembled at the factory, and completion time is as low as 400 hours, but this kit still meets the 51% requirement, the company says. ECI Introduces Angle Valve Cylinders for Lycomings Pilots flying Experimental category airplanes powered by Lycoming 360/480/540 engines equipped with angle valve cylinders will soon have a second option when it’s time to replace their cylinders. Cub Crafters Introduces Super Sport Cub Based on the Sport Cub S2, the new Cub Crafters Super Sport Cub turns its performance up to 11 by using an Engine Components O-340 four-cylinder engine. Rated at a maximum of 180 horsepower, in the ready-to-fly Super Sport Cub, the engine is derated to a maximum of 80 hp continuously. American Legend Offers Lighter Engine for Cub American Legend Aircraft Company announced that it has selected the lighter weight O-200-D engine from Teledyne-Continental Motors (TCM) to power future models of the Legend Cub Light Sport Aircraft. The company completed and flew its first aircraft with the O-200-D powerplant and displayed it at Sun 'n Fun. Aspen Avionics Growing, Secures New Funding Aspen Avionics celebrated its second visit to the Sun ’n Fun fly-in by providing information on new product improvements and announcing new funding that gives the company “the stability to move forward,” according to company CEO and president John Uczekaj. No News is the News at FAA "51% Rule" Forum The FAA's Don Lausman gave a talk today at Sun 'n Fun as an update on the revisions to the Advisory Circulars governing Experimental/Amateur-Built rules. Garmin Offers G600 Rebate Garmin is offering a limited time, $5000 “Spring Special” retrofit rebate on the G600 all-glass avionics system. Epic Aircraft Shows First Customer-Built Victory and Escape Designs Epic Aircraft's Rick Schramek announced that the first two "customer-built" Victory and Escape turbine aircraft had been completed and were displayed at Sun 'n Fun. The Victory is a single-engine turbofan with a fuselage-mounted Pratt & Whitney PW600 engine. AV8OR Handheld Capability Expanded Honeywell has announced that owners of its Bendix/King AV8OR handheld navigator may now add XM weather products, an air traffic interface, obstacles and other functions via a free software download by going to Honeywell’s Wingman Services web site or the company’s web site. Company Profile: Kitfox Kitplanes editor Marc Cook profiles Kitfox during a visit to the company's Homedale, Idaho, headquarters. Marc and Paul's Sportsman Pre-Sun 'n Fun Video Blog (Part 5) The guys finally make it out of Winnemuca after two days of snow and ice and cross the Sierras back into the Golden State. Marc and Paul's Sportsman Pre-Sun 'n Fun Video Blog (Part 4) Marc and Paul runnamucca in Winnemucca! That's in Nevada, by the way — and home of the friendliest FBO on the planet. Good thing, 'cuz the boys have been snowed in there for two days. Marc and Paul's Sportsman Pre-Sun 'n Fun Video Blog (Part 3) "Do you realize how obsessive you are?" That's Paul's observation as the boys wing their way across Idaho and Nevada. Ya notice things when cooped up in the same cockpit for three days ... Kitfox LSA Flight Test Marc Cook reports on flying the Kitfox LSA. Marc and Paul's Sportsman Pre-Sun 'n Fun Video Blog (Part 2) Marc Cook and Paul Bertorelli continue their Sportsman odyssey with a look at this unique aircraft. Marc and Paul's Sportsman Pre-Sun 'n Fun Video Blog (Part 1) Gearing up for the Sun 'n Fun extravaganza in Lakeland, Kitplanes editor Marc Cook and AVweb editorial director Paul Bertorelli are motoring around the west in Cook's Glastar Sportsman visiting companies prior to the show. Sonex Offers Incentive Pricing for Subkits Sonex Aircraft has announced that those who buy a Sonex or Waiex tail kit may receive a $2000 discount for buying all of the remaining subkits as a single purchase. The company says many potential Sonex builders buy the tail kit as a way to preview the kit and see if they wish to continue with the project. Team Tango’s Limited Time Discount Pricing Team Tango is offering a new price structure for its aircraft kits in honor of the Sun ’n Fun fly-in. To get builders flying sooner, the price of the two-place, 212-mph, 1400-mile range Tango quickbuild kit has been reduced from $29,750 to $24,750. The four-place, 230-mph, 1800-mile range Foxtrot quickbuild kit is priced at $40,750, which is discounted from its normal price of $45,995. Complimentary Pre-Paid Visa Card with CompAir Purchase Customers who purchase a CompAir 12 from April 15, 2009 through August 15, 2009 will receive a pre-paid Visa card worth up to $50,000 to use for fuel or whatever purpose one sees fit, the company says. Those who purchase a CompAir 9 or 11 will receive a card in the amount of $40,000. Super Sport Cub SLSA Debuts CubCrafters has announced that its most powerful aircraft yet, the Super Sport Cub, is now available. The SLSA-certified (factory-built, ready to fly) Cub is a higher-power version of the company’s Sport Cub S2. The Super Sport uses a 180-hp, 340 cubic inch engine, which allows a 2100-fpm climb, the company says. The two-place taildragger can be outfitted with Tundra tires floats or skis for backcountry exploring. Hang Gliders Departing Concourse C Double Glastar builder and hang glider innovator Chris Wills will have one of his early designs on display at the Santa Ana/John Wayne Airport in California through May 15. An example of the Wills Wing T2 will be hanging in the Thomas F. Riley terminal. According to the press information, “Orange County: Birthplace of Modern Hang Gliding” is the title of this exhibit featuring photography and video celebrating the graceful sport of hang gliding. Eggenfellner Announces 2-for-1 Pricing on Subaru Package at SNF Eggenfellner Aircraft has announced that it is offering 2-for-1 pricing on its 3.0L Subaru conversion engine package at this year’s Sun ’n Fun fly-in, in Lakeland, Florida (April 21 - 26). The offer is good only for this particular engine package and only at the show. The price of the engine is $29,995. American Legend Aircraft Offers “Stimulus” Legend Cub Pricing American Legend Aircraft Company announced limited availability of its celebrated Legend Cub at the reduced price of $99,895. The Legend Cub is a certified Light Sport Aircraft. It will be available at the reduced price in a ready-to-fly configuration in quantities limited to the next five order positions. The Legend Cub is an advanced aircraft based on the popular original Piper J-3 Cub. “Cubs are recognized around the world and for good reason, not the… Glasair Aviation Offers Limited-Time, 25% Discount on Two Weeks To Taxi Aircraft Glasair Aviation has announced that positions for six "Two Weeks To Taxi" Sportsman 2+2 aircraft are available at more than 25% off the normal price on a first come, first served basis. Lambada Powered Sailplane Dave Martin introduces you to the Lambada powered sailplane, following his test flight in one. U.S. Sport Aviation Expo 2009: LSA Engine Survey For an overview of the three top choices in the light sport segment, Marc Cook visits Rotax, Jabiru, and Continental on the grounds of the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, Florida. Cessna 162 SkyCatcher Update Marc Cook talks with Neal Willford, Cessna Aircraft's project engineer on the 162 SkyCatcher. Neal was kind enough to share the inside scoop on the SkyCatcher's journey to market. EFIS Advanced Deck Preview KITPLANES magazine interviews Advanced Flight Systems president, Robert Hickman, to learn about his company's latest EFIS, engine monitor and angle of attack systems available for experimental aircraft. Vans RV-12 LSA Light Sport Aircraft Vans' latest design, the RV-12 is a light sport aircraft that is already available as a partial kit and could be available as a complete aircraft, soon. AC Spruce Celebrates Grand Opening of Store in Canada with One-Day Sale Aircraft Spruce Canada will host an official Grand Opening on Saturday June 6 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 150 Aviation Avenue on Brantford Municipal Airport. Fly in or drive in for discounts and product demonstrations. Aircraft Spruce will provide free hot dogs and beverages throughout the day to the attendees. Oregon Aero Announces Seat Cushion Upgrade Discount Oregon Aero is offering up to $500 off of its VK SmartCushion seat upgrade through May 31. The offer is $250 off of any single seat upgrade, and $500 off on any two single-seat VK SmartCushion upgrades. The company is also working with Aircraft Banking Centers of Locust Grove, Georgia, on financing and refinancing for these seat upgrades. The VK SmartCushion offers pain-free flying and meets all FAA specifications, Oregon Aero says. Viperjet LXR Ready for Production Viper Aircraft has announced that its new take on the Viperjet MKII, which debuted at Oshkosh/AirVenture four years ago, is set to begin production. The Viperjet LXR is designed to meet the changing demands of private pilots, with a larger cockpit, lengthened fuselage and Pratt & Whitney JT15D-1A turbofan engine. It offers increased range with fewer emissions and lower fuel consumption, the company says. More News

Weather to Fly and Weather on the Web No, that first word in the title is not misspelled. Paul Hamilton has put together a dandy DVD, “Weather to Fly for Sport Pilots”, which covers the decision to fly based on atmospheric conditions and pilot skill. While that’s hardly a new topic for pilots, this DVD’s approach enlivens the fairly dry topic of meteorology with some nice aerial photography and some solid rules designed for pilots of ultralights and Light Sport aircraft . Vertical Power This brand new power management system harnesses CPU power to eliminate the need for much of an aircraft’s wiring by consolidating major electrical functions into a single box. Shockwave There’s a new anti-icing option for high-end Experimental/Amateur-Builts. It’s called Therm-X. Developed by a division of Kelly Aerospace and an aviation research and development company in Redmond, Oregon, called RDD Enterprises, it’s been certified for inadvertent icing encounters on Cessna/Columbia aircraft where it’s called E-vade.

Zenith STOL CH 750 Changing with the times, Zenith Aircraft has introduced an improved version of a design that debuted some 20 years ago. With a larger payload, more robust landing gear and greater visibility among other features, the CH 750 is tailored for today’s sport pilot; by LeRoy Cook. Headset Buyers Guide, Part 1 Passive noise reduction units under $200. Headset Buyers Guide, Part 2 Passive noise reduction units over $200. Headset Buyers Guide, Part 3 Active noise reduction units. Fly-in Flying Before you venture out to special events, take to prep. The Safe Homebuilt Take these tips into consideration when it comes to safe homebuilding and piloting. Calculating Weight and Balance This lazy man's guide removes some of the headaches. Selling Your Aircraft These tips will help you market your aircraft. Selling Aircraft Documents Prebuy Checklist, Purchase Agreement, Builders Release. Metal Workshop Setup Every great homebuilt starts with a comfortable and efficient workshop. Engine Comparison Selecting a good alternative engine is about separating fact from fiction. Engine Spreadsheets Here's the additional auto and aircraft engine data referred to in the Engine Comparison article. Weight and Balance Spreadsheets Click here to download a weight and balance spreadsheet you can customize for your own airplane. More		*Aviation News from EAA, AOPA and AVweb*