News

Just when you thought the handheld GPS market couldn't get any more crowded, Midwest Sport Aviation announced the introduction of a new GPS solution. The AeroPalm Aviation GPS, a flight planning and moving map program, runs on Palm OS devices. It can be purchased as a complete unit (with hardware) or the software can be purchased and installed on Tungsten, Palm and Treo devices as well as Garmins iQue line of PDAs. For those who…

With more states welcoming and even mandating ethanol in motor fuels for automobiles, the EAA has introduced a new alcohol test kit designed for pilots who use auto fuel in their airplanes. Whether flying an Experimental or one of the variety of factory-built airplanes with an auto fuel STC, the test kit offers and added safety advantage. …

Hey, Rotax pilots-having trouble changing your oil because that darn oil filter is just impossible to get at? Or does the filter get in the way of engine mounts, exhaust pipes and other accessories? Well, heres a solution. California Power Systems, authorized dealer and service center for Rotax engines, announced the introduction of a new remote oil filter kit that allows the filter to be mounted on the firewall or any other flat surface where easy…

GPS goliath Garmin International announced the debut of its latest system-the GMX 200, a multi-function display (MFD) with a high-resolution display the company says is almost 20% larger than any other panel-mount MFD unit on the market. According to the company, an advanced backlighting scheme improves the color and contrast on the 640x480-pixel unit, resulting in chart depictions and images that are brighter and more vivid in all lighting conditions. …

In a history punctuated by swirling eddies of ownership changes, bankruptcy and rebirth, another chapter of the Kitfox story opened on April 7, 2006, when John and Debra McBean purchased the SkyStar assets including the tradenames, tooling, engineering and rights to produce the Kitfox designs. The McBeans own and operate Sport Plane LLC, which specializes in builder assistance, service, sales and aftermarket parts for sport aircraft. …

Approach Systems, manufacturer of modular plug-and-play wirings systems for homebuilt airplanes, announced that it has formed a joint venture with Park Rapids Avionics. The new company will be called Approach Fast Stack Systems, and it will develop and sell a line of avionics products for the industry. Approachs modular wiring system interconnects avionics components with a central hub and ready-built cables for the majority of avionics available to homebuilders. Its designed to eliminate time and error…

A year after its splashy public debut at Sun n Funs Choppertown in 2005, HeloWerks has announced receipt of an Experimental airworthiness certificate for its turbine-powered WASP helicopter prototype. According to company president Tony Pena, the WASP is the first kit-built, turbine-powered, two-place helicopter to receive an airworthiness certificate. The WASP is a small helicopter powered by a JFS-100-13A turboshaft engine. Pena says hes a composite specialist whos worked in the aerospace industry for 26 years.…

Welcome to the first of what we expect to be many web-based updates on KITPLANES big project for the year, the construction of a GlaStar Sportsman 2+2, N30KP, that will be both a traveling tool for the staff and a testbed for new equipment and technologies in the future. Editor-in-Chief Marc Cook picks up the story: …

Composite Design, Inc., supplier of pre-wired Power Panels and custom aircraft electrical components since 1994, has announced the debut of a complete line of electrical systems for Vans Aircraft models RV-7 through RV-10. The new systems will be available starting the summer of 2006. The wiring systems are modular in design with the basic systems including all airframe, instrumentation, avionics, engine power and control circuits. Minimum engine instrumentation wiring is also included as well as pre-assembled…

Following 13 months of intense development, including the creation of a system for viewing video online, Advanced Pilot Seminars (APS) has unveiled a web-based seminar that brings its breakthrough concepts to GA pilots worldwide. Now in its fourth year, APS has taught nearly 1000 pilots and mechanics science-based techniques of engine management, backed by hard data acquired on the most advanced piston engine test facility in the world. …