Top of the list is the GI-issue, 90-degree D-cell flashlight, complete with replaceable red and blue filters. However, these are a bit heavy, require a strap to clip to, and replacing the filters is a bit clumsy.  The heavy metal Maglites, all the rage a few years ago, are very bright, very strong, and perfect for self-defense, as well as illumination. However, Maglites, like so many others, require one hand to hold them while juggling checklists, baggage doors, and flight controls with the other.

Then, there are the myriad of available LED lights. Most have the same problem. Lighter than the Maglite, they still leave the pilot one-handed. The only solution to these problems is the Cyclops light. You know, the LEDs that strap to your forehead. These are effective, less than comfortable, and hardly a style statement. 

• READ MORE: DIY Tow Bar Upgrades

Then one day, while cruising the local hardware store (my favorite errand!), I came across a wonderful little product. For the princely sum of around $20, I picked up an LED work light that you hang around your neck. This nifty little product features a flexible neck strap that connects two LED mini-lights, each powered by an AA battery. Each light has both low and bright settings, and each can be independently positioned up or down through approximately 45 degrees. It looks like these are manufactured by one or two companies and then branded in different colors along with many of the popular tool brands. 

Eager to try my new light, I went out for a night flight, and voilà, during preflight the two lights illuminated the airplane, leaving hands free to hold the checklist and open the required panels and doors. However, once I jumped in the airplane, the white light was simply too bright and took a toll on my night vision. So, what was I to do? 

A trip to the local auto parts store (my second favorite errand!) produced a roll of translucent tail light tape for about $5. This self-adhesive red tape is meant to repair tail lights, and the adhesive is designed to stand up to the rigors of heat, cold, snow, and rain on the back of your automobile. Add a pair of scissors to cut a couple of three-quarter-inch red squares and tape over one of the lenses, and the night vision problem is solved. I use both the white and red lights for preflight and the red light for inside the cabin.

The two-level light settings are really helpful, and the red tape dramatically softens the interior light. Now, when I fly at night, I just place the light around my neck, ready for use at a moment’s notice. The light is comfortable and easy to use. Total cost: $25. Better light, hands-free, and night vision preserved. Priceless! 

The post Affordable DIY: Hands-Free Flashlight appeared first on Plane & Pilot Magazine.

“The GTR 205 and GNC 215 products show Garmin’s commitment to offering attractive and affordable ground-based navigation and communication options while continuing to provide world-class, modern capabilities,” said Carl Wolf, Garmin’s vice president of aviation sales and marketing. “We are excited to offer these new solutions for our general aviation customers as we keep our entire product line fresh.”

With a worldwide database and an iteration of Garmin’s unique user interface, the GTR 205 and GNC 215 can be installed in either airplanes or helicopters, according to the company.

• READ MORE: Garmin Updates D2 Watch Series with Mach 1 Pro

Additional features for both units start with a pilot-selectable 25 kHz or 8.33 kHz channel spacing on a sunlight-readable color LCD with standby and active windows and station ID, accessed using dual concentric knobs and backlit keys.

The GTR 205 com is a 2,280-channel-capable VHF com and comes with 10 watts of power standard, with a 16-watt option available. It also has a built-in timer.

The GNC 215 nav/com adds to the 205 its full VHF navigation capabilities, including VOR/ILS functionality with a glideslope receiver. You can use the 215’s navaid lookup feature as well as refer to the on-screen station ID.

“The GNC 215 also has the ability to monitor the standby VOR frequency while displaying the received radial and features a supplemental CDI display for a VOR or localizer,” Garmin said in its release. “These nav/com products interface with most CDI, HSI and autopilot systems, as well as most Garmin flight displays to show the nav indicators in the primary field of view.”

Pricing is $2,695 suggested retail to start for the GTR 205, and $5,295 for the GNC 215. Both have received FAA TSO authorization and will be available in March through Garmin’s dealer network.

The post Garmin Introduces Budget-Conscious Nav/Com Radios for Light Planes appeared first on Plane & Pilot Magazine.

• READ MORE: Geeky Pilot Product Review: Sporty‘s PJ2 Handheld Radio

Seamless Backup

If you’re building a modern panel, you’ve likely thought about panel accessories like power ports—including a single-plug LEMO headset interface for at least the pilot and copilot audio jacks. The LEMO interface is convenient because it not only reduces the headset audio cable from two to one but also provides ship’s power input for an ANR headset.

Bose and Lightspeed, to name two manufacturers, offer LEMO options for their headsets, and the single-plug power and audio cable makes for a cleaner interface and eliminates the batteries in the headset. LEMO has become a popular configuration over the years both for OEM and aftermarket applications.

Priced at $279, the L6 is tightly designed around the decent-performing PJ2+ rig, which is priced the same and is still in the Sporty’s radio lineup. In our long-term testing we’ve found the PJ2+, with its 6-watt transmitter and noise-limited circuit, to be a good value and a good choice for emergency backup. Connect the radio to an external antenna and you’ll communicate with similar performance as a panel radio. But you won’t plug a twin-plug GA headset into the L6. It caters strictly to the LEMO interface and powers the ANR headset through the single-plug LEMO connector, which plugs in at the top of the radio’s chassis.

The L6 also has an onboard USB-C connector for plugging in a 2.4-amp power supply. This USB port can bypass the batteries, but for power supplies that output less than 2.4 amps, the radio won’t transmit—only receive. The L6 requires six AA alkaline batteries when not plugged in to external power.

Worth mentioning is the independent volume and squelch controls on the new L6, replacing the single stalk control that’s on the PJ2+. We found the dual controls much easier to deal with.

Performance, Features

We tried the new L6 side by side with the PJ2+ radio and found nearly identical receiver and transmitter performance. It has the same 1.5- by 1.63-inch LCD display and an auto-lit keypad, plus it sits in the exact same chassis as the PJ2+. Like the PJ2+, the L6 has a 3.5-mm earbud jack that disables the radio’s internal microphone and speaker. It also has 20-frequency storage and scanning, a dedicated 121.5 key, active/standby frequency flip-flop and a NOAA weather radio band.

Sporty’s says battery endurance will vary depending on how much you transmit, but for powering a LEMO-equipped headset and using the radio for normal transmitting and receiving, you can plan on between 5 and 10 hours of battery life. We used the L6 with a new Bose A30 (and older A20) and a couple of Lightspeed models, including the new Delta Zulu. But there’s a caveat.

Sporty’s said that there might be some interference issues when transmitting when connected to a Lightspeed Delta Zulu (and some other non-TSO models without shielded cables). What can happen is the cabling acts as a transmitter—perhaps only happening on certain frequencies. We didn’t experience any issues in our evaluation, but Sporty’s provides ferrite grounding beads for users who do have a problem. Simply position the ferrite bead near the LEMO plug, or absent a bead, you can wrap the headset audio cable around the radio’s rubber antenna for better grounding.

The first ever portable radio with a direct plug-in LEMO headset interface, we think Sporty’s has another smart product in the L6.

Visit www.sportys.com for more information.

This article first appeared on KITPLANES.com.

The post Sporty’s L6 COM Radio Review appeared first on Plane & Pilot Magazine.

After more than 30 years of guiding pilots through their check rides, the work of author Michael Hayes is expanded by the capable hands of Jason Blair. A distinguished figure in the aviation community and periodic contributor to Plane & Pilot, Blair brings extensive experience as an active single- and multiengine instructor and FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE), having issued more than 1,000 pilot certificates.

The 11th edition aligns seamlessly with the Airman Certification Standards (ACS), ensuring that it meets the latest industry standards and regulations. The guide adopts a user-friendly, Q&A format, presenting the most likely questions evaluators may pose during the practical exam. In addition to concise responses, FAA references are strategically incorporated, allowing for further in-depth study.

One of the significant highlights of this edition is the expanded content covering pilot regulations, airworthiness, weather, airplane systems, emergency procedures, performance and limitations, cross-country flight, human factors, flight maneuvers, and scenario-based training. This holistic approach makes the Commercial Pilot Oral Exam Guide not only a key preparation tool for a check ride but also a valuable general refresher for seasoned pilots.

Measuring 5.25-by-8.25 inches and spanning 352 pages, the guide comes in a convenient softcover format. The user-friendly layout and comprehensive content make it an ideal study companion for those pursuing a commercial pilot certificate.

Aviation learners and professionals can find the Commercial Pilot Oral Exam Guide at their local FBO, preferred online retailers, or directly on the ASA website. Whether you’re embarking on your journey to become a commercial pilot or seeking to enhance your existing knowledge, this latest edition can become an essential companion in mastering the skies.

The post ASA Launches 11th Edition of Commercial Pilot Oral Exam Guide appeared first on Plane & Pilot Magazine.

The Classics: Headsets, Gear bags, and Watches

A Good Headset

Many pilots begin their training by renting a headset from the FBO or borrowing a hand-me-down from another pilot. If you’d like to give that pilot a headset of their own, there are plenty from which to choose.

The David Clark Company (the headsets with the distinctive green ear cups) has been protecting pilots for decades. The model H10-30 is still a beginning pilot favorite, and at less than $400 it does the job. On the higher end, you’ll find their automatic noise reduction models available from $745 to $895.

The two most popular ANR headsets on the market are the Bose A30 and Lightspeed Delta Zulu. Both will set you back about $1,200, which isn’t cheap, but both are aviation safety wearables, and most pilots will tell you they are comfortable, even on long flights.The Lightspeed also features a built-in carbon monoxide detector. The Bose and Lightspeed headsets also come with protective cases.

Pilot Gear Bags

They come in many shapes, sizes, and materials, but all have the same job—to hold the pilot’s supplies. You can find them in man-made fabrics that resist tearing and are relatively easy to repair, as well as in leather. The bag should be large enough to hold a headset, kneeboard, iPad, notepad, water bottle, writing implements, E6-B flight computer, and anything else your pilot needs or carries with them on flights.

Look for a bag with multiple pockets and compartments to keep the pilot organized. Some bags come with specially designed spaces for personal electronic devices. Some are designed to be carried with a shoulder strap like a duffle bag, while others are backpacks. Some are a hybrid of the two.

Prices start around $75 and go up from there. Companies that carry them include ASA, Sporty’s, and Flight Outfitters.

Pro tip: Look for a bag that has a reinforced bottom or corners because it’s going to be put down on cement ramps. You may also see if there is an option for monogramming. Most of the bags are black and tend to look alike, so do what you can to set your aviator’s gear apart from the rest.

Flight Jacket

A flight jacket may become a pilot’s most prized possession and often a family heirloom. Fabric jackets such as the nylon MA-1 with its baseball styling is an aviation classic and available for around $90. The interior of the jacket is come-find-me-now orange, which could come in handy if the wearer has an unscheduled off-airport landing and needs to be spotted from the air.

The leather jackets, notably an A-2 look-alike from a department store will run you about $140, while an A-2 military spec flight jacket from companies that specialize in them (Sporty’s Pilot Shop, U.S. Wings) starts at about $250. The jackets with the sheepskin lining are considerably more, $930 and up for the real thing.

Pro tip: When it comes to the flight jacket, always order one size up from what the person usually wears. That way they will be able to layer it in the winter.

Watches

There is a running joke that you can always tell a pilot by the size of their watch, but that has morphed into that you can tell if someone is a pilot because they wear a wristwatch rather than use their cellphone as a time-check device. The higher-end watches, like the Breitling designs, sell for $2,000 and up, and are beautiful chronographs. They are often worn by military demonstration teams.

Garmin D2 varieties continue to be popular. The Garmin D2 can help you check weather, monitor your vital signs, navigate via GPS, and when paired with your smartphone, take and make calls and send texts.

The Garmin D2 Mach 1 Pro does all these things and more, and has a built-in LED flashlight with white light, strobe, and red light for flight deck operations. For the sports minded, it has multiple functions to keep your training on track. The Garmin watches sell for $500 to $1,399.

For women, the Abingdon Co. continues to produce beautiful aviation-inspired timepieces (the bezel doubles as a flight computer) that look good on a slightly smaller wrist. Designed for women by a woman, they start at $485 and go up from there. This year, the Abingdon WASP watch to honor the Women Airforce Service Pilots is creating a lot of buzz in aviation circles.

Hand-held Radios

There is a reason that so many pilot gear bags come with a pocket specifically designed to carry an aviation radio. It is a good item to have, providing a pilot with a backup should the aircraft’s radio fail in flight and providing a flight instructor the means to monitor a learner’s first solo flight from the ramp.

Sporty’s PJ2+ Com ($249) is a popular unit this year. If you would rather go with ICOM, expect to pay $269.95 to $579.95.

Pro tip: Remove the batteries from the device if it won’t be used for a while. This keeps it from going critical and corroding.

Oil Dipstick Remover

It’s  one of those gifts most pilots don’t think to get for themselves, but there will come a time when everyone needs one. Usually this is after someone with gorilla-like strength has put the oil cap back on and tightened it with such force that you would think it insulted their parentage. Instead of wrestling with the recalcitrant cap or using a tool not designed for this purpose, resulting in damage to both the tool and cap, reach for the specialty tool.

From Aircraft Spruce: $13.95

Flashlights

Aviation flashlights with multiple-colored lenses are always appreciated. Some are designed to clip on to something so they can be angled. Some are so bright they can turn night into day. Some have the ability to strobe. Expect to pay around $12.95 to $99.95 for one, depending on the size and options you choose. Don’t forget to include batteries.

Screwdrivers

Screwdriver sets, Phillips or flathead or those with replaceable bits or with a magnet or claw tip, are always appreciated, as they tend to grow legs. Brass screwdrivers that can be used to swing a compass are particularly valued by avionics technicians.

Aircraft Spruce has a selection available.

Tool Supplier Gift Cards

Because most mechanics are very particular about their tools, going with a gift card from their favorite tool supplier, such as Snap-on or Matco, is always in good taste.

Time Gift Certificates

If the flight school or FBO allows it, put some money on account for your aviator to use toward their training. It doesn’t have to be a lot. Pilots who are doing all sorts of things to economize, such as living off of ramen and hot dogs so they have more money to pay for flying, will appreciate this. Caveat: Before you do this, check to see if the flight school has an administrative fee for money on account. If the learner has to drop out of training for a time, it is very discouraging to learn that $300 that was put on their account has been eaten up by administrative fees. This is not uncommon when the school is known for questionable business practices.

Aviation Supply Gift Cards

You can’t go wrong with a gift certificate, as this allows the person to make their own selection, be it apparel, book, model, fuel strainer, or even parts for the airplane they are building in the hangar. They might even use it toward the purchase of an online ground school.

Go for the Whimsy

For the more fanciful gifts, Sporty’s has its Wright Bros. Collection. Colorful and comprehensive, it is a good resource for history buffs looking for that perfect gift from the dawn of aviation to the space program. You’ll find T-shirts, artwork, models, and books, and you’ll find a nice selection of holiday decorations as well, including the inflatable Santa in an airplane and the aviator nutcracker.

There are gifts of nearly every size and at every price point for the aviator or enthusiast in your life. With a little thought and a little searching, you should be able to find something that is just right. 

The post Aviation Gifts that Take Flight appeared first on Plane & Pilot Magazine.

The A30 launch was a hard secret to keep. It wasn’t the first new product announcement the company has made in 13 years, and even before I got the inside scoop from Bose, I’d predicted that we’d see a successor to the A20 at Sun ‘n Fun. (It was an impressive prediction; just don’t ask to see my March Madness debacle of a bracket.)

It seems that the A20 was around forever, and 13 years is a good stretch in an aviation marketplace where new headsets appeared from Bose’s competitors far more frequently. The extended reign of the A20 made sense, though. When it hit the airways in 2010, it  immediately displaced the company’s Aviation Headset X as the headset to have in your flight bag. Rightly so. The A20 was a far better headset than the X in just about every way. It was more comfortable, had better passive and active noise reduction, and added features like Bluetooth wireless connectivity. If you were flying with Bose Aviation Headset X’s, you just had to get the A20s. And while Bose improved the A20 incrementally over that time, the bones of the product were great from the get-go. I have worn the A20 for around 1,000 hours in loud single-engine airplanes. It’s a great product.

I know that one big criticism we’ll hear early and often on the A30 is that it’s just a warmed-over A20, and I get it. It looks very similar, it does the same kinds of things, there are no fancy features, just the usual ones, beautifully implemented as they are on the A20. So, should you replace your A20s with A30s? I don’t think anyone needs to. But believe me, people will want to. And once they slide one on, they’ll really want to.  

Features
What is the killer feature on the A30? Nothing. But at the same time, everything. And Bose knew it would be a challenge to update the A20, and to its everlasting credit, it didn’t try to make a whole new headset but, wisely, a whole better headset.

This they did not by focusing on one feature but on all of them, seriously. When you look at the A30, even when you put your hands on one, you’ll wonder how it’s different from the A20 at all. The answer is, it’s different in just about every conceivable way. And better, too.

That said, some of the improvements are specific to certain needs that not everyone will have. The top feature, though—improved comfort over an already supremely comfortable headset—will be one that just about every pilot will love. This they accomplished while still keeping the A30 very slightly lighter than the A20. At the same time, they somehow managed to make it feel, well, not heavier, but more secure. One of the most important tests of any aviation headset is comfort, and for those of us who have been flying small planes for a while have had the unpleasant pain of wearing early-tech noise cancelling headsets on a long day’s flight. The A20s are the most comfortable headset I’ve ever worn for multiple-leg cross countries, and so far, the A30 feels even better. Beta testers tell Bose that they are having the same early impression.

Noise-wise, the A30 is different, and in ways that might or might not benefit you directly. There are three levels of noise cancelling in the new digital chipset that Bose uses—low, medium and high—though pilots of small, single-engine planes will most likely keep it parked on the high setting, which is even more effective than its impressive predecessor at blocking unwanted audio intrusions through the magic of active noise reduction. Unlike the A20, for which Bose’s senior product manager Matt Ruhe used analog circuitry, the A30 is a digital headset, which allowed Bose to target noise more specifically than the A20 can.

The A30’s mic is totally different than the A20’s, and it, too, is an improvement, with better intelligibility and ease of use. Despite the move to a digital design, the A30 keeps the warmth of the sound of the A20, which also helps with fatigue. Another quality-of-life improvement is the new cord, which is better, lighter, more flexible and less noticeable.

Other features that you might or might not use are tool-less interchangeable cord attachment, so you can mount it on the side closest to the jack, and a tap-to-talk feature that lets you make the noise cancelling transparent for easier conversations inside or outside of the cockpit.

The bottom line is, the $1,295 Bose A30 aviation headset is a step up in comfort, utility and features, and while it lacks the bells and whistles of some of its competitors’ premium headsets, it is everything, at least in our book, that a headset should be and nothing that it shouldn’t. The A30 is available now from your favorite pilot supply outlet.

The post Bose’s A30 Headset Shows Off New Design appeared first on Plane & Pilot Magazine.

Just when you thought they could not stuff more, ah, stuff into the D2 watch series, Garmin has managed to up the ante with the Mach 1 Pro. The new multifunction tool includes an LED flashlight, night modes, and an ECG app among other features in a serious—and seriously hefty—wrist-born device.

FLYING had the opportunity to preview the D2 Mach 1 Pro at NBAA-BACE last week in Las Vegas, and we’ve also brought one home to test further for a full report. Our first impression? Improving upon the substantial feature set was a challenge, but a few key elements make it compelling to consider. Among these are:

• An LED flashlight incorporated into the case—and positioned so that you can wield it, communicator-style, during all phases of flight, from preflight to postflight. A red lens makes for safe use in night ops.
• A red shift mode for the display itself, also supporting night flight use.
• Improved battery life, which varies with the type of use, but can last up to 46 hours in pilot mode, and 25 days as a smartwatch.
• An ECG app adds to other health and fitness features to allow users to record heart rhythm for any signs of atrial fibrillation (AFib), up to a 30-second recording that can be viewed on the watch as well as on the Garmin Connect app.

READ MORE: Garmin D2 Mach 1 Aviator Watch: Why You Want One

“This year marks 10 years of the D2 series—a smartwatch line that pilots have relied on to combine aviation tools with the latest smartwatch technology,” said Carl Wolf, Garmin”s vice president of aviation sales and marketing, in a statement. “The D2 Mach 1 Pro provides an extensive set of advanced capabilities that pilots use every day, all while touting battery life that can withstand even the long-haul commercial pilot trips. Features like the LED flashlight and large AMOLED display, combined with the high-end materials, make this the most premium-built D2 smartwatch yet.”

The striking 51 mm case is crafted with a titanium bezel and five-button stainless steel design to access features quickly. It can be worn with a wide range of bands, from metal to leather to nylon fitness versions.

Pilot Modes

The D2 Mach 1 Pro builds on the pilot applications launched with earlier models, including the ability to plan, execute, and record flights through each stage. The watch allows access to a worldwide aeronautical database, a horizontal situation indicator (HSI), direct-to navigation, and a moving map display—all while offline. Aviation weather data and custom reports and alerts are available as well as fuel planning. A wrist-based pulse oximeter allows you to monitor oxygen levels, and a barometric altimeter provides altitude alerts.

The watch begins flight tracking and logging on takeoff, and it will sync the flight data to the user’s flyGarmin.com logbook. Flight plans can be uploaded directly using the Garmin Pilot app—and those pilots flying aircraft with PlaneSync can view the aircraft dashboard for fuel, electrical, database, and location information while away from the airplane.

The D2 Mach 1 Pro comes standard with a vented titanium bracelet with carbon gray DLC coating as well as a black silicone band for a suggested retail price of $1,399.99.

Editor’s note: This story originally appeared on flyingmag.com.

The post Garmin Updates D2 Watch Series with Mach 1 Pro appeared first on Plane & Pilot Magazine.

The A30 launch was a hard secret to keep. It wasn’t the first new product announcement the company has made in 13 years, and even before I got the inside scoop from Bose, I’d predicted that we’d see a successor to the A20 at Sun ‘n Fun. (It was an impressive prediction; just don’t ask to see my March Madness debacle of a bracket.)

It seems that the A20 was around forever, and 13 years is a good stretch in an aviation marketplace where new headsets appeared from Bose’s competitors far more frequently. The extended reign of the A20 made sense, though. When it hit the airways in 2010, it  immediately displaced the company’s Aviation Headset X as the headset to have in your flight bag. Rightly so. The A20 was a far better headset than the X in just about every way. It was more comfortable, had better passive and active noise reduction, and added features like Bluetooth wireless connectivity. If you were flying with Bose Aviation Headset X’s, you just had to get the A20s. And while Bose improved the A20 incrementally over that time, the bones of the product were great from the get-go. I have worn the A20 for around 1,000 hours in loud single-engine airplanes. It’s a great product.

I know that one big criticism we’ll hear early and often on the A30 is that it’s just a warmed-over A20, and I get it. It looks very similar, it does the same kinds of things, there are no fancy features, just the usual ones, beautifully implemented as they are on the A20. So, should you replace your A20s with A30s? I don’t think anyone needs to. But believe me, people will want to. And once they slide one on, they’ll really want to.  

Features
What is the killer feature on the A30? Nothing. But at the same time, everything. And Bose knew it would be a challenge to update the A20, and to its everlasting credit, it didn’t try to make a whole new headset but, wisely, a whole better headset.

This they did not by focusing on one feature but on all of them, seriously. When you look at the A30, even when you put your hands on one, you’ll wonder how it’s different from the A20 at all. The answer is, it’s different in just about every conceivable way. And better, too.

That said, some of the improvements are specific to certain needs that not everyone will have. The top feature, though—improved comfort over an already supremely comfortable headset—will be one that just about every pilot will love. This they accomplished while still keeping the A30 very slightly lighter than the A20. At the same time, they somehow managed to make it feel, well, not heavier, but more secure. One of the most important tests of any aviation headset is comfort, and for those of us who have been flying small planes for a while have had the unpleasant pain of wearing early-tech noise cancelling headsets on a long day’s flight. The A20s are the most comfortable headset I’ve ever worn for multiple-leg cross countries, and so far, the A30 feels even better. Beta testers tell Bose that they are having the same early impression.

Noise-wise, the A30 is different, and in ways that might or might not benefit you directly. There are three levels of noise cancelling in the new digital chipset that Bose uses—low, medium and high—though pilots of small, single-engine planes will most likely keep it parked on the high setting, which is even more effective than its impressive predecessor at blocking unwanted audio intrusions through the magic of active noise reduction. Unlike the A20, for which Bose’s senior product manager Matt Ruhe used analog circuitry, the A30 is a digital headset, which allowed Bose to target noise more specifically than the A20 can.

The A30’s mic is totally different than the A20’s, and it, too, is an improvement, with better intelligibility and ease of use. Despite the move to a digital design, the A30 keeps the warmth of the sound of the A20, which also helps with fatigue. Another quality-of-life improvement is the new cord, which is better, lighter, more flexible and less noticeable.

Other features that you might or might not use are tool-less interchangeable cord attachment, so you can mount it on the side closest to the jack, and a tap-to-talk feature that lets you make the noise cancelling transparent for easier conversations inside or outside of the cockpit.

The bottom line is, the $1,295 Bose A30 aviation headset is a step up in comfort, utility and features, and while it lacks the bells and whistles of some of its competitors’ premium headsets, it is everything, at least in our book, that a headset should be and nothing that it shouldn’t. The A30 is available now from your favorite pilot supply outlet.

The post Bose Launches A30 Aviation Headset appeared first on Plane & Pilot Magazine.

Continue scrolling below to learn about all of the products. 

Arctic Air Portable AC

When filled with ice, Arctic Air blows ambient air across a coil cooled by ice water. It’s able to be powered by the 12 volts that run from a plane’s cigarette lighter (POH must be consulted to confirm your aircraft’s voltage) with a power cord that’s 7.5 feet long. It has two settings, high and low, and it can cool a plane’s interior for three hours on the low setting with flexible tubing. An included drainage tube can pump the water out when on the ground. Measuring 17x17x10 inches, it weighs 14 pounds empty and about 34 pounds full weight. No STCs are required. 

Price: $815. Available at: www.sportys.com. 

uAvionix tailBeaconX

The tailBeaconX is a Mode S Extended Squitter ADS-B transponder and WAAS GPS integrated into an LED rear-position light. It includes a certified SBAS GPS receiver and antenna; no additional GPS is required. It’s compatible with the Aireon ADS-B satellite network. The 20,000-hour-rated LED-position light draws less power than a traditional incandescent bulb, and it mounts in place of your existing rear-position light. Combining the tailBeaconX with the AV-20-E and AV-30-E upgrades your system with transponder control functionality to meet current and future mandates. 

Price: Starts at $2,499. Available at: www.aircraftspruce.com.

X-Naut Active Cooling Mount

This cooling case is compatible with iPad mini versions 1 through 5 and prevents overheating and shutdowns. It includes 26 DBA low-noise fans and offers two power options: through a Micro USB charging port or by battery (4 AAs). A test button indicates battery life, and it has a spring-loaded latch to secure the iPad mini. Measuring 8.3×5.6×1.7 inches, it weighs only 7 ounces (not including the batteries or iPad mini). A kneeboard accessory attaches the Active Cooling Mount to your leg. Compatible with RAM Mounts, it also fits MGF Mounts when used with an MGF Amp or Puck Adapter. 

Price: $179.95. Available at: www.aircraftspruce.com. 

PowerVolt Charger

The PowerVolt PD32 Charger from Scosche offers both a USB-A and a USB-C port for compatibility with most charging cords. The USB-C port provides up to 20 watts of power and is able to charge iPhones up to 50% in 30 minutes. It has fold-out prongs that allow it to plug close to wall outlets. 

Price: $29. Available at: www.sportys.com.

Stratus 3 ADS-B Receiver

Stratus 3 is a subscription-free portable and wireless receiver that provides weather, WAAS GPS information, backup attitude and dual-band ADS-B traffic on your tablet. It’s programmed to work in conjunction with ForeFlight but also with Open ADS-B Mode that’s compatible with popular iOS and Android-based apps. Other features include a pressure altitude sensor, smart WiFi, auto shut-off and an eight-hour battery life. 

Price: $749. Available at: www.marvgolden.com 

The post uAvionix tailBeaconX, Stratus 3 ADS-B Receiver, and More Gear for Pilots appeared first on Plane & Pilot Magazine.

Continue scrolling below to learn about all of the products. 

Robotow Cordless Towbar

When its friction drum is held against the nosewheel, the Robotow allows one person to move singles and twins such as the Aztec, Baron and Cessna 421. Its motor has a reverse-direction switch, and a trigger on the pistol-grip handle controls speed. Weighing less than 30 pounds, it measures 48 x12 inches. An axle adapter, sold separately, is required. It’s available for a variety of aircraft without wheel pants, including the Cessna 150, 172 and 175; the Piper Cherokee, Comanche and Apache; the Beech Bonanza Baron, Travelair and Debonair; and the Bellanca, Navion and Riley, to name only a few. It will not work with the Seneca, Arrow, Aerostar and Lance, among others. 

Price: $1,599. Available at www.sportys.com.

GoCheck Preflight Multi-Tool

The GoCheck Preflight Multi-Tool combines six preflight tools. These include a slide-off fuel tester with strainer and belt clip, a stall horn tester and a dipstick wiper that works with both round and flat dipsticks with LEDs for use at night. Additionally, there’s a red/white flashlight, Phillips/flathead screwdrivers illuminated by LEDs and checklist reminder card. It measures 6 inches long and comes with four AAAA batteries. 

Price: $49.95. Available at www.mypilotstore.com.

Sporty‘s Electronic E6B Flight Computer

The E6B is used for flight planning and accurate FAA test calculations. It’s capable of computing navigational, weight and balance or fuel problems, and it also performs standard arithmetic calculations. It has backlighting, a large keypad and a quick reference card in a storage case. Some of its aviation functions cover density altitude, required rate of climb, fuel required and plan true airspeed, among others. Conversions include Celsius<>Fahrenheit, Jet A Gallons<>Pounds and Nautical Miles<>Statute Miles. It also has a clock that reflects local, home and Zulu time zones, along with a count-up/countdown timer. 

Price: $79.95. Available at www.sportys.com. 

Flying Tigers Long-Sleeved Athletic Shirt

Sporty’s Wright Bros. features the Flying Tigers, the First American Volunteer Group. It was a fighter group that operated from 1941-1942 and piloted P-40 aircraft to oppose the Japanese invasion of China. The athletic shirt has a shark teeth design on the left sleeve and the Flying Tigers font down the right, with the leaping winged tiger from the back to the front left-hand shoulder. In addition, there’s the Republic of China roundel on the lower back and a red lady logo above the right chest. It’s made of a cotton/Lycra mix. 

Price: $14.99. Available at www.sportys.com.

The Baggage Organizer

Supplies can be organized and secured in the back of the aircraft with the Baggage Organizer’s compartments. It’s able to accommodate emergency aircraft supplies that can include nose and main tire tubes, spare alternator belts, a first aid kit, approximately four quarts of oil, spark plugs, a toolkit, a spare battery to jumpstart the plane, and jumper adapter and wheel chocks.

Price: $290. Available at www.aircraftspruce.com.

The Leatherman Wave

Measuring 4 inches when closed with a 2.9-inch blade and weighing 8.5 ounces, the Wave is still able to house 17 tools in one. It includes point and serrated knives, needle nose and regular pliers, wire and hard-wire cutters, a wire stripper, a saw, scissors, a wood/metal file, a diamond-coated file, large and small bit drivers, a ruler and a bottle/can opener. It also comes with Phillips and flat-tip eyeglasses screwdriver bits and Phillips #1-2 and 3/16-inch bits.

Price: $109.95. Available at www.aircraftspruce.com.

Ram iPad Mini 6 Perfect Fit Cradle

This cradle holds an iPad Mini 6 without a case. Its roller design facilitates placement and removal of the iPad, and it has an attachment point on the side for an Apple Pencil. The Perfect Fit comes with a 1-inch mounting ball preinstalled and is compatible with other Ram mounting products. It also comes with a lifetime warranty.

Price: $24.95. Available at www.sportys.com.

The post A Towbar, a Preflight Multi-Tool, and More Gear for Pilots appeared first on Plane & Pilot Magazine.