What’s New

Classic J3 SLSA and Legend Smart Cub G3 Introduced

American Legend Aircraft Company has debuted its Classic J3. This new aircraft is based on the Legend Cub, and incorporates safety improvements and slimming features. It will be SLSA certified and priced at $94,895, ready to fly.

The Classic J3 is configured with a single clamshell door/window combination for right-hand entry and exit-similar to the Piper J3. It also features a sliding window on the left-hand side-much like the Piper Super Cub. The Classic J3 is available in a single configuration with numerous standard features including a 100-horsepower Continental O-200 engine, Sensenich wood prop, all-metal cowling with exposed cylinders, 25-hour+ battery with starter, 16-gallon fuel system, disk brakes, die-spring gear, shoulder harnesses at both seats, and more. The instrument panel closely resembles that of the Piper J3. Engine instruments include oil pressure/temperature and tachometer, with flight instruments including altimeter, airspeed and inclinometer. The Classic J3 retains the Legend Cubs 3-inch wider cabin, aft bench seat and large baggage compartment.

The Classic J3 will be available in a color choice of yellow with black lightning bolt, or white with red or blue striping. Options include a radio installation, a choice of battery-charging systems, air/oil separator, oil quick-drain, chrome valve covers and a brass leading edge prop.
American Legend also announced its Legend Smart Cub G3, a certified LSA equipped with the new Garmin G3X multifunction display. The first customer deliveries were to begin shortly after Sun n Fun last April.
Available now, the Smart Cub G3 features an integrated Garmin G3X glass cockpit system that combines full primary flight display functions such as attitude/directional guidance, along with electronic engine monitoring and detailed moving-map capabilities. The instrument panel also includes a Garmin SL40 com, GTX 327 transponder and PS Engineering PM1200 intercom. Backup primary flight and engine instruments are optional. The Smart Cub G3 can also be equipped with a GX Pilot autopilot from TruTrak Flight Systems.

Key features of the G3X include the ability to display detailed electronic charts and real-time weather directly on the instrument panel. The controls are a combination of soft touch keys and a joystick on its bezel, features borrowed from the successful GPSMAP 696 and GDU 370/375 series.

For more information call 903/885-7000 or visit www.legend.aero.

Belite Wins Ultralight Award at Sun n Fun

Belite Aircraft was named the 2010 Grand Champion Ultralight at this years Sun n Fun Expo in Lakeland, Florida. The award is based on innovation, appeal, ease of build and presentation. James Wiebe, CEO of Belite Aircraft, accepted the award from Sun n Fun official Leonard Kress.

This was Belite Aircrafts first appearance at the show, with the company presenting both the Superlite and Trike versions of its FAA Part 103 aircraft. The Trike, Superlite and standard Belite 254 models are all designed to provide recreational fliers with aircraft that are easy to build and operate and that make flying affordable and accessible, even to pilots without a medical or private pilots license. All are available fully assembled or buildable from a kit form from the Wichita, Kansas, manufacturer. Belite ready-to-fly factory pricing starts at $25,000. Kit prices start at less than $10,000.

For more information, call 316/253-6746 or visit the Belite web site at www.beliteaircraft.com.

Pro-G Hub Issued FAA-PMA

Approach Fast Stack has announced that its popular Pro-G hub has been issued an FAA-PMA (Federal Aviation Administration-Parts Material Authorization).

Approachs modular wiring system interconnects avionics equipment with a central hub and ready-made cables for the major avionics manufacturers in the market including Garmins panel-mount systems. All of the cables are double-shielded and grounded at the hub, the company says, which eliminates the possibility of ground loops and protects against noise being introduced into the avionics system. Approach helps customers develop the package they need, along with installation and operation of the system once installed, as well as providing interface documentation and support.

We always strive for the highest quality in our products, said AFS General Manager Tim Hass, and the issuance of the FAA-PMA will help us achieve the results we and our customers expect… We are proud to have achieved this FAA-PMA qualification.

For more information, call 218/237-STAK (7825) or visit www.approachfaststack.com.

Classic Collins Book Reissued in Electronic Format

Air Crashes by Richard L. Collins examines the history of aviation accidents where what went wrong, why it went wrong and what can be done about it are explored. The new eBook version for Kindle, iPhone, iPad and Android includes the original book as well as updates at the end of each chapter with Collins current thinking on the subject. He reflects on which aspects of aviation safety have changed, and which remain the same.

With eyewitness accounts, ATC transcripts, and National Transportation Safety Board reports, Collins examines a wide range of accidents including those caused by windshear, pilot error, weather and more. The goal is for pilots to learn from past mistakes to avoid repeating them. We were interested in bringing back Air Crashes in a convenient format, as it is a classic book whose lessons still hold 25 years later, said Sportys Vice President John Zimmerman.

Air Crashes retails for $9.99 and may be downloaded for Amazons Kindle at sportys.com. The eBook may also be purchased for iPhones through the Stanza app, and for iPads through Apples iBookstore. A version for Android smartphones is currently available through the Aldiko app.

For more information, visit www.sportys.com.

Building on a Budget:Fisher Flying Products
R-80 Tiger Moth

Fisher Flying Products, now located in Ontario, Canada, offers more than a dozen kit aircraft along with plans only for those who would build from scratch. The kit prices range from about $5000 to $15,000, with the R-80 Tiger Moth at the top of that range. Various partial kits are also available.

The R-80 Tiger Moth design is an 80% scale of the original deHavilland DH82a Tiger Moth taildragger biplane, which came to be known as a trainer for British pilots during WW-II. Construction is primarily in wood, with fabric covering. The company says only basic tools are required for the project, its suitable for beginners, and builder assistance is available by phone or fax. The build time is estimated at 700 hours.

Basic specs: The tandem two-seat Tiger Moth has a 23-foot wingspan and a wing area of 170 square feet. Fuel capacity is 12 gallons for a 200-mile range. The engine used for data collection is a Norton AE 100R, though a variety of engines in the 75- to 100-hp range are acceptable. Gross weight is 1150 pounds, and empty weight is 560 pounds.
Performance: Cruise speed is stated as 90 mph, with a Vne of 110 mph. The Tiger Moth climbs at 800 to 1000 fpm and stalls at 35 mph. The takeoff run is 300 feet, and landing roll is 400 feet.

Complete kit price: $14,999. Plans are $400. Partial wing, fuselage and kit hardware kits are available.

Contact: www.fisherflying.com.