EDMO Distributors. can help you do the job more safely with Sprague Instruments’ wireless “Gripper” digital cable tensiometer. An easy-to-read digital screen enhances the process.

According to the manufacturer, “the tension measurement head is a low-profile, streamlined separate unit from the hand-held display that features a highly visible, backlit, flat-faced LCD screen.” 

The display and the tension head connect through a Bluetooth link. Both are powered by LiPo rechargeable batteries and can be recharged together using the supplied dual charger. As you make adjustments, the metrics appear on the screen.

The company provides an online video tutorial to show you how it is done.

Three separate kits are available:

• A bridal cable kit (P/N CTRBCWL30) covering three cable sizes (1/16, 3/32, 1/8) with a tension range of 10-30 pounds.
• A control cable kit (P/N CTRGAWL150) covering five cable sizes (1/16, 3/32, 1/8, 5/32, 3/16) and a tension range of 10-150 pounds.
• And a third (P/N CTRDHWL150) that includes both tension heads with a single display to give the user full capability in one kit.

The kit is housed in a molded case with custom-cut foam for long-life protection.

The post EDMO Offering Autopilot Cable Adjustment Tools appeared first on Plane & Pilot Magazine.

“After nearly two years of rigorous R&D, testing, and production preparation, Icon is excited to announce that it has increased the gross weight of the A5 by 60 pounds, resulting in a new useful load of 490 pounds (up from 430 pounds),” the company stated.

How can ICON do that before MOSAIC arrives? Isn’t the limit 1,430 pounds, as permitted on LSA seaplanes or floatplanes? Well, no.

ICON did not initially use all the gross weight given to it. After engineers proved the structure could carry more weight, the company could make the change and amend its ASTM documentation for the FAA, a task made easier as Icon has already worked closely with the FAA on a Type Certified version of A5 in the primary category.

• READ MORE: The Icon A5: An LSA Amphib That Handles Like A Dream

As the A5’s Rotax 912iS burns less than five gallons of fuel per hour, the company says “this equates to an additional two hours of endurance or the ability to carry more baggage or heavier passengers.”

Backwards compatibility is of interest to present A5 owners. “All 2024 A5s will include this weight increase, and the solution can also be retrofitted on previous models as part of an option package that includes a 4-blade lightweight propeller from eProps that delivers increased performance and additional weight savings,” ICON said.

Said Jerry Meyer, ICON’s CEO: “In response to feedback from our owners and prospective customers, we elected to undertake further research and development to test the airframe and fully understand what we needed to do to increase the useful load. The solution is a reinforcement of our commitment to innovation, and a 60-pound increase is significant, especially in the LSA category.”

4-Blade eProp

In conjunction with the gross weight increase, Icon said the 4-blade propeller that it announced in 2023 is now standard on all new A5 LSA. The company said “eProps’ new propeller provides a 21 percent reduction in ground takeoff roll in standard conditions, increasing the versatility and safety of the aircraft.”

“The 4-blade propeller is a huge upgrade to my ICON A5,” said Santiago Masdeau, an A5 owner based in south Florida. “I’ve flown more than 100 hours with the original 3-blade and now I have around 20 hours on the new carbon fiber 4-blade. Immediately, I noticed less vibration and noise, better acceleration, and improved takeoff distances. I’ve also experienced an increase on my cruise speed at 5,000 rpm and lower fuel burn. The entire experience is better, and it looks amazing, too!”

A 2024 A5 Limited Edition starts at $409,000 with the Garmin G3X Touch available as an upgrade. Additional options include autopilot, a digital attitude indicator, a variety of signature paint schemes and colors, and Sirius XM Weather.

The company believes that type certification will allow Icon to expand its market potential around the world, especially in countries that have not yet adopted ASTM standards. The type certified version of the 2024 Icon A5 starts at $434,000.

The post ICON Bumps Useful Load of A5 LSA Seaplane appeared first on Plane & Pilot Magazine.

The fully equipped GFC 500 autopilot offers a straightforward, lightweight, and cost-effective upgrade path for a wide range of existing GA aircraft. With solid-state attitude and robust self-monitoring capabilities, the GFC 500 provides superior autopilot performance, enhanced reliability, and safety tools similar to those found in the popular GFC 700 autopilot.

• READ MORE: Bargain Buys on AircraftForSale: 1958 Beechcraft J35 Bonanza

Featuring a user-friendly autopilot mode controller with large, dedicated keys and knobs, as well as a control wheel for easy adjustments to aircraft pitch, airspeed, and vertical speed, the GFC 500 stands out with its Level Mode. This feature returns the aircraft to straight-and-level flight with the push of a dedicated button. Additionally, GFC 500-equipped aircraft may benefit from Garmin Smart Glide, an innovative safety tool automating tasks to reduce pilot workload in the event of engine power loss.

In addition to traditional autopilot features such as altitude hold, vertical speed, and heading modes, the GFC 500 includes advanced capabilities like altitude preselect, VNAV2, underspeed and overspeed protection, allowing pilots to execute various coupled instrument approaches, including LPV, GPS, ILS, VOR, and missed approaches when paired with a compatible Garmin GPS navigator.

As a standard feature, the GFC 500 comes with Garmin Electronic Stability and Protection (ESP), functioning independently of the autopilot. ESP assists the pilot in maintaining a stable flight condition by subtly nudging the aircraft to avoid inadvertent flight attitudes or bank angles while hand-flying.

The GFC 500 autopilot seamlessly integrates with Garmin’s GI 275 or G5 electronic flight instruments. It offers versatility by combining with either a standby GI 275 or G5 electronic flight instrument interfaced to a G500 TXi flight display or a G3X Touch flight display.

Garmin continues to expand its aircraft compatibility list for the GFC 500 autopilot.

The post Garmin GFC 500 Autopilot Receives FAA STC for Beechcraft A35 and B35 Aircraft appeared first on Plane & Pilot Magazine.

Barons also will benefit from yaw damper and approach capability when the autopilot is coupled with a compatible third-party IFR navigation unit, when equipped with SkyView HDX and autopilot combo.

“We’re excited to expand the SkyView HDX and Dynon’s autopilot approval into the Beechcraft Baron series,” said Michael Schofield, Dynon’s director of marketing.

As an add-on to the SkyView HDX system, pilots can add the three-axis autopilot starting at a list price of $11,192 for Barons, including all hardware and servo harnesses required for the installation. Pilots may also choose the SkyView autopilot control panel at $664, and the knob control panel at $335, for the ability to adjust the functions most often modified when using the autopilot, like altitude, heading, track, and altimeter setting.

READ MORE: Dyson Gets Autopilot Approval for Beechcraft Model 36

You can find and install Dynon Certified products—including this autopilot approval—at any Dynon authorized installation center. The company also indicated that additional autopilot approvals are in progress for certain Mooney M20s and Beechcraft Debonair 33s. Electric trim and autopilot auto-trim can also be installed on Dynon autopilot-equipped models.

Trim motor control and autopilot auto-trim can now be had for most of the Dynon Certified autopilot installations that have electric trim motors installed. Before, this feature was only found on a few select trim systems. The company has confirmed that the restrictions have been removed, so now auto-trim can be used in all Dynon autopilot-equipped Cessna 182s, Beechcraft 35s and 36s, Piper Senecas, and Beechcraft Baron 58s.

The post FAA Approval Granted for Dynon’s Certified SkyView HDX and Autopilot appeared first on Plane & Pilot Magazine.

The Pilot 100i has made a recent impact in the flight training sphere, becoming a top choice among flight schools of varying sizes. The aircraft features a full Garmin avionics suite, including the GFC 500 digital autopilot, GNX 375 transponder, G5 standby display, and G3X touch-screen PFD/MFD. It optimizes the trusted PA-28-181 for the demands of flight schools.

Skyborne has gained recognition for training career-focused pilots from around the world and within the U.S. Its emphasis on professional training programs has elevated its reputation, and earlier this year, it joined forces with Delta Air Lines to establish Propel Flight Academy by Delta. This strategic partnership offers students a pathway to a possible career with Delta, complete with financial support options. Skyborne’s outstanding industry reputation and strategic location played a pivotal role in securing this exclusive designation.

Skyborne operates a fleet of more than 50 Piper Warriors, Arrows, and Seminoles. The addition of the Pilot 100i fleet signifies its entrance into the Piper Flight School Alliance. This initiative spotlights leading training programs operating new-production Piper aircraft. Deliveries of the school’s Pilot 100i aircraft commenced last week, with the distribution schedule extending into 2025.

“Piper Aircraft is proud to partner with Skyborne, our neighbors just down the taxiway from Piper headquarters,” said Ron Gunnarson, vice president of sales, marketing, and customer support at Piper, in a release. “Skyborne has an impressive history of training professional and competent pilots using Piper fleet products, and now with the addition of the Pilot 100i, we look forward to continuing to support that legacy.”

Said Dan Peterson, Skyborne’s managing director: “We are incredibly excited to add 11 Piper Pilot 100is to our fleet of 52 Piper aircraft, With these new Pilot 100is, we will be able to continue delivering world-class training to our student pilots. Piper being our neighbor and partner has been extremely beneficial to us both, as we train the next generation of pilots, and Piper continues to provide top-of-the-line aircraft.”

The post Piper Delivers First Pilot 100i to Skyborne appeared first on Plane & Pilot Magazine.