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Factors Affecting Your Avionics Buying Decisions
by Dale Smith |
| Pick up any aviation magazine—including this very Pilot’s Guide—and you're going to see all kinds of
ads for all kinds of really cool new avionics units. Radios, GPSs, TCAS, TAWS, datalinked systems, MFDs,
radar—the list goes on and on. And isn't window-shopping for your dream panel part of the fun of owning
your own airplane? You bet! (more) |
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Datalink Hits Critical Mass
Weather, traffic and other data in the cockpit
by Julie Boatman |
Is datalink the new GPS?
In 10 years will we have forgotten how to read a traditional weather synopsis or radar summary chart
in favor of jazzy super-Nexrad graphics pumped directly to our flight management systems? Will the
average Cessna 172 or Piper Warrior have a traffic display with targets courtesy of air traffic
control? (more) |
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FAA “Taxes” General Aviation
The cost of safety is not always obvious
by Gary Picou |
| In case you hadn't heard, the world of corporate jet operators was set on its collective ear last year
as they rushed to comply with the FAA's mandate stating that they be equipped with ELTs by January of
2004. It caused quite a problem for operators who waited too long to do the required installations.
The suppliers couldn't keep up with demand. (more) |
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FAA/Industry Training Standards
FITS and the Future of General Aviation
Training
by Michael W. Brown |
| Flight training within the general aviation (GA) com-munity has reached a criti-cal juncture. While the industry
as a whole enjoys an admirable safety record, the proliferation of advanced technologies in small aircraft cockpits,
coupled with their increased performance capabilities, has led the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to take a
critical look at how pilots are trained. (more) |
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Avionics for International Operations
by Joseph E. (Jeb) Burnside |
| Most pilots and aircraft owners have considered flying to international destinations at least once in their
aviation careers. Canada, Mexico and various Caribbean islands are popular international destinations for
U.S. pilots, and these “foreign” countries see a lot of N-registered aircraft coming and going. (more) |
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Maintenance for Experimental and Light Sport Aircraft
by Ric Peri |
| For years I have heard the argument made by the experimenters that their aircraft are experimental and outside of
the Federal Aviation Regulations and, therefore, don't need the services of avionics professionals. Well, with
the introduction of the Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) Rule and the growth of the experimental aircraft marketplace,
perhaps a review of the FARs might be in order. (more) |
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What’s New in Avionics 2005
by Dale Smith |
| One of the toughest questions for any pilot to answer is which avionics they should get for their
We pilots are a curious lot. No matter what we have we've always got our eyes open for something different.
Maybe it's bigger or faster or newer. But no matter the reason, we're all always looking for “what's next.”
And in the rapidly changing world of avionics and aircraft electronics that can be a daunting task.
(more) |
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Sport Pilot, LSA, and The Burgeoning Sport Aviation Market
Compiled By Staff Of The AERO-NEWS Network |
| There's an old corollary running around the aviation world that compares the creation of new aviation programs
and associated regulations with the birthing of an elephant... In other words, they both take forever to accomplish,
can't happen without a lot of yelling/screaming/noise, and tend to take on monstrous proportions as time passes. (more) |
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Terrain Awareness and Warning Systems—TAWS
Buyer’s Guide
by Paul Novacek |
| Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) describes an accident where a completely airworthy aircraft is flown into
the terrain. These accidents only occur during poor visual conditions; but other factors besides visibility
usually contribute, such as a cockpit distraction, malfunctioning equipment, an ATC error or a pilot/controller
miscommunication. To reduce the occurrence of Controlled Flight Into Terrain accidents, Terrain Awareness and
Warning Systems (TAWS) were developed to provide a warning of a possible terrain conflict. The purpose of a TAWS
is to provide a warning with enough time for the flight crew to take appropriate action. (more) |
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Traffic Alert Collision Avoidance Systems—TCAS
Buyer’s Guide
by Dale Smith |
| I can tell you from personal experience that it only takes one alert from your traffic advisory system to make
you never want to fly without it again. Having that extra set of electronic eyes that can see “traffic” above,
behind, below you, through haze, precipitation, clouds, darkness—you name it, is something no pilot should ever
want to leave home without. (more) |
