Aero-TV Network

While we've been enjoying the fruits of the certified EFIS developments that have popped up over the last few years, we are duty-bound to mention that the experimental aircraft industry has been devel more » While we've been enjoying the fruits of the certified EFIS developments that have popped up over the last few years, we are duty-bound to mention that the experimental aircraft industry has been developing these technologies for many years... and flying them for nearly as long. As a matter of fact, a number of certified products started with the experimental industry. Aero-TV spent some amusing moments with Blue Mountain Avionics' boss, Greg Richter, an irrepressible sort of fellow who has spearheaded a phenomenal amount of glass panel development programs for sport aircraft. In addition to being quite an innovator, we must note that its hard to come away from this feature without also noting that he's a bit of a character... this was a wild (and fun) interview -- despite the fact that we had to brave some uncharacteristically cool temps in central Florida on the closing day of the 2008 US Sport Aviation Expo. Greg's first EFIS flew in 1997, and since then, he has driven Blue Mountain to become ...« less

Upgraded Workhorse Includes More Powerful PT-6, Stylish Interior Part of ANN and Aero-TV's spring-time rites included covering one of the first public outings of the new Pilatus Aircraft PC-12 NG. more » Upgraded Workhorse Includes More Powerful PT-6, Stylish Interior Part of ANN and Aero-TV's spring-time rites included covering one of the first public outings of the new Pilatus Aircraft PC-12 NG. Announced at NBAA 2006, Pilatus says the Next Generation program is the latest progression of the popular PC-12 turboprop. Receipt of joint EASA and FAA certification will allow deliveries of the PC-12 NG to begin immediately. Featuring a number of significant improvements -- including a fully integrated Honeywell Primus Apex avionics system, a completely new cockpit designed by BMW Group DesignworksUSA, and a more powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67P engine -- the PC-12 NG sets the tone for the market sector, and is expected to broaden the appeal of the stylish workhorse turbine single. "Since original certification was achieved, the PC-12 has proven itself as a thoroughly reliable and robust aircraft," said Thomas Bosshard, CEO of Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. "With the arrival of the PC-12 NG we are ...« less

The Ultimate Backup Instrument? One of the most intriguing instruments that can go in your panel may be one of the most 'redundant' gauges to hit the industry. Mid-Continent Instrument's MCI 4300 AI more » The Ultimate Backup Instrument? One of the most intriguing instruments that can go in your panel may be one of the most 'redundant' gauges to hit the industry. Mid-Continent Instrument's MCI 4300 AI offers incredible piece of mind to pilots who do a lot of flying in IMC and simply want more redundancy than most airframes already provide--especially in an age where a number of aircraft are being built "all-electric." Currently the only attitude indicator to offer a self-contained battery backup, the MCI 4300 AI provides one hour of emergency attitude reference -- no matter what happens to the aircraft's main power sources... including the airframe battery(s). GA manufacturers are taking notice with recent adoptions of the 4300 by industry heavyweights like Mooney and Piper, MCI is winning fast converts. The battery is a small add-on module that attaches to the back of the main AI chassis (see last photo below) and will need replacing every three years... a task made quite a bit easier by the ...« less

A few weeks ago, Aero-TV traveled to Champaign, Illinois, to sample the delights of an all indoor radio-controlled model aircraft event known as E-Fest. It was quite the weekend and we, admittedly, ha more » A few weeks ago, Aero-TV traveled to Champaign, Illinois, to sample the delights of an all indoor radio-controlled model aircraft event known as E-Fest. It was quite the weekend and we, admittedly, had a great time seeing the best in small model aircraft. While many of the aircraft thrilled us to no end, it was the wild and seemingly non-aerodynamic antics of the RC helicopters that really got our attention. How they work, what you can do with them, and how you can get one for yourself, is the subject of this two part episode of Aero-TV. RC Helicopters were once given a tough rep... being billed as incredibly hard to fly, overtly expensive and endlessly complex. All that has changed - radically. In just the last few years, RC Helis, especially the electric versions, have come down aggressively in price, are available in just about EVERY RC hobby shop, and have become far more easy to fly. This has happened, in large part, due to better design, enhanced stability (and some devices that help them ...« less

A few weeks ago, Aero-TV traveled to Champaign, Illinois, to sample the delights of an all indoor radio-controlled model aircraft event known as E-Fest. It was quite the weekend and we, admittedly, ha more » A few weeks ago, Aero-TV traveled to Champaign, Illinois, to sample the delights of an all indoor radio-controlled model aircraft event known as E-Fest. It was quite the weekend and we, admittedly, had a great time seeing the best in small model aircraft. While many of the aircraft thrilled us to no end, it was the wild and seemingly non-aerodynamic antics of the RC helicopters that really got our attention. How they work, what you can do with them, and how you can get one for yourself, is the subject of this two part episode of Aero-TV. RC Helicopters were once given a tough rep... being billed as incredibly hard to fly, overtly expensive and endlessly complex. All that has changed - radically. In just the last few years, RC Helis, especially the electric versions, have come down aggressively in price, are available in just about EVERY RC hobby shop, and have become far more easy to fly. This has happened, in large part, due to better design, enhanced stability (and some devices that help them ...« less

The 19th Annual International Women in Aviation (WAI) Conference is now history but statistics showed it to be the organization's biggest Conference ever, and both ANN and Aero-TV were there to cover ... more » The 19th Annual International Women in Aviation (WAI) Conference is now history but statistics showed it to be the organization's biggest Conference ever, and both ANN and Aero-TV were there to cover it all. "By all accounts, this has been one heck of a successful Conference," said WAI President Dr. Peggy Chabrian. We couldn't agree more. Attendance reached a new high with 3,320 women and men registered. More than 250 of the Conference-goers were from the military, also a new record. The Exhibit Hall was the biggest ever with 151 separate companies and organizations on display, representing all aspects of the aviation community. $710,855 in scholarships was distributed to WAI members at every stage of life from university students to mature members seeking a mid-life career change to aviation. The WAI silent auction raised $28,000 for WAI's Endowment Fund, also a new record, bringing the total in the Endowment Fund to $563,000. The money in the Endowment Fund is used for scholarships. At ...« less

The 19th Annual International Women in Aviation (WAI) Conference is now history but statistics showed it to be the organization's biggest Conference ever, and both ANN and Aero-TV were there to cover ... more » The 19th Annual International Women in Aviation (WAI) Conference is now history but statistics showed it to be the organization's biggest Conference ever, and both ANN and Aero-TV were there to cover it all. "By all accounts, this has been one heck of a successful Conference," said WAI President Dr. Peggy Chabrian. We couldn't agree more. Attendance reached a new high with 3,320 women and men registered. More than 250 of the Conference-goers were from the military, also a new record. The Exhibit Hall was the biggest ever with 151 separate companies and organizations on display, representing all aspects of the aviation community. $710,855 in scholarships was distributed to WAI members at every stage of life from university students to mature members seeking a mid-life career change to aviation. The WAI silent auction raised $28,000 for WAI's Endowment Fund, also a new record, bringing the total in the Endowment Fund to $563,000. The money in the Endowment Fund is used for scholarships. At ...« less

God Help Us All... Jim's Getting A Shot At TWO New Rocket Racers! The three big announcements at the recent Rocket Racing League Press Conference were music to the ears of ANN's Editor-In-Chief, Jim ... more » God Help Us All... Jim's Getting A Shot At TWO New Rocket Racers! The three big announcements at the recent Rocket Racing League Press Conference were music to the ears of ANN's Editor-In-Chief, Jim Campbell... as one of the four founding pilots named to this out-of-this world program, he now finds himself with the chance to take the helm of not just ONE, but TWO new rocket racers, with the revelation that Armadillo Aerospace will be powering another airframe -- and they may BOTH be flying at Oshkosh!!! First announced two-and-half years ago, the Rocket Racing League announced Monday morning it is rapidly approaching blast-off. At an event in New York covered by Aero-TV, the RRL announced its first exhibition race will take place on August 1-2 at EAA AirVenture 2008 in Oshkosh, WI. In addition to announcing the dates of the first exhibition races, the Rocket Racing League also announced the remaining series of exhibition races for the rest of 2008, the acquisition of Velocity Aircraft by Rocket ...« less

God Help Us All... Jim's Getting A Shot At TWO New Rocket Racers! The three big announcements at the recent Rocket Racing League Press Conference were music to the ears of ANN's Editor-In-Chief, Jim ... more » God Help Us All... Jim's Getting A Shot At TWO New Rocket Racers! The three big announcements at the recent Rocket Racing League Press Conference were music to the ears of ANN's Editor-In-Chief, Jim Campbell... as one of the four founding pilots named to this out-of-this world program, he now finds himself with the opportunity to take the helm of not just ONE, but TWO new rocket racers, with the revelation that Armadillo Aerospace will be powering another airframe -- and they may BOTH be flying at Oshkosh!!! First announced two-and-half years ago, the Rocket Racing League announced Monday morning it is rapidly approaching blast-off. At an event in New York covered by Aero-TV, the RRL announced its first exhibition race will take place on August 1-2 at EAA AirVenture 2008 in Oshkosh, WI. In addition to announcing the dates of the first exhibition races, the Rocket Racing League also announced the remaining series of exhibition races for the rest of 2008, the acquisition of Velocity Aircraft by ...« less

Lighter, Quieter, Smaller RC Models May Be Future Of Model Industry If you think your local airport has problems with the neighbors... try being a radio-controlled model airplane hobbyist in search o more » Lighter, Quieter, Smaller RC Models May Be Future Of Model Industry If you think your local airport has problems with the neighbors... try being a radio-controlled model airplane hobbyist in search of a flying field. The AMA is encouraging the development of new, officially recognized AMA Park Pilot sites in metro areas throughout the US for a new generation of smaller RC models known as "Park Flyers." Park Flyer models will weigh two pounds or less and be incapable of reaching speeds greater than 60 mph. They must be electric or rubber powered, or of any similar quiet means of propulsion. Models should be remotely controlled or flown with a control line, remain within the pilot’s line of sight at all times, and always be flown safely by the operator. A Park Flyer site can be either an outdoor or an indoor venue. When flying at sites specifically designed for Park Flyers, the pilot will keep the model within the established flight boundaries of the field. Members need to take into ...« less