Do you have news items of interest to the Southwest’s general aviation community? Submit them to: publisher@swaviator.com. Submissions will be run as space permits and may be edited for length and style. E-mails or disks and digital photos receive preference.
ANNUAL LANCAIR CERTIFIED SOUTHWEST OPEN HOUSE
Join Lancair Certified Southwest for their Annual Open House on Saturday, October 2, 2004, from 9:00am to 1:00pm. On display will be the new Columbia 400, the world’s fastest certified piston single engine aircraft! Refreshments will be provided.
The event, hosted at Scottsdale Air Center (SDL), 15290 N. 78th Way, Scottsdale, AZ 85260 is free to attend.
RSVP at lancairsw.com/rsvp.html or call 888-LANCAIR.
NEW AVIATION PUBLISHER SEEKING AUTHORS
Klein Publishing Co. is inviting authors and prospective authors of books and “reports” focusing on aviation subjects to submit their manuscripts and outlines. The new company plans to publish e-books and books on CD/DVD. Authors whose manuscripts have been rejected by other publishers are welcome to submit their work.
Topics can include general and business aviation; flight instruction; aviation history; or any subject applicable to pleasure and business flying.
Photo collections, including information about the photos, are also welcome.
“Reports” can be viewed as being similar in length to one to three book chapters. These give authors and readers an opportunity to explore a portion of a larger topic without writing or purchasing a full-length book. For example, teaching student pilots about density altitude and its effects on aircraft performance can easily be accomplished via a “report.” Important information can be made available to appropriate market segments with a very short lead time, and at less cost than a book.
Visit kleinpublishing.com for more.
ASPEN AVIONICS MOVES TO NEW FACILITIES
Aspen Avionics LLC, maker of innovative electronic displays for general aviation aircraft, announced that they have signed an agreement with MPC Design Technologies, a leading developer of high technology electronic circuit assemblies, to collaborate on product development and manufacturing.
Aspen will lease office and manufacturing from MPC in their 7,000 square foot office and manufacturing complex, located in Albuquerque, NM.
“We are very excited about the move into the new facilities” said Peter Lyons, president of Aspen. “Our excellent relationship with MPC is allowing us to accelerate the growth of our business and manufacturing capabilities.”
“We are excited to be working with Aspen Avionics” said Steve Castillo, president and CEO of MPC. “We see a lot of high technology electronic design at MPC and we have been truly impressed by the capabilities of the Aspen Avionics team.”
Aspen and MPC have agreed to work together to develop an FAA approved manufacturing process built upon MPC’s existing ISO 9001 process. An FAA approved manufacturing process is a prerequisite to achieving FAA TSO Authorization for Aspen Avionics’ Products.
Aspen Avionics is in the business of designing, developing and distributing technically innovative low cost avionic products that meet the economic and operational needs of our customers. The company, headquartered in Albuquerque NM, was formed in 2004 to introduce affordable advanced avionic display technology to the piston-engine general aviation aircraft market.
NEW AIRPORT TO OPEN IN CIBOLO, TEXAS
Work is under way on a new airfield located just 14 minutes from downtown San Antonio in Cibolo, Texas. Davis Airfield is scheduled to open to the public on Friday, October 1, 2004, equipped with 100LL Fuel, a 3600’ turf runway and many nice things like a restaurant and pilot shop in the coming months. The coordinates are N29’ 31.298, W98’ 11.124.
For more information, contact Duane Davis at 281-914-0278.
NEW PIPER PROVIDES NEW FLEET TO UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA
Following an aggressive sales campaign in competition with several other manufacturers, the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents awarded an order to replace its aging trainer fleet to Piper, with scheduled delivery of all 13 Warriors in the first quarter of 2005. Two of the aircraft will be fitted with the new Avidyne Entegra Integrated Flight Deck.
“The new Avidyne Entegra system played a big role in making this sale by adding a new dimension to the PA-28 family of aircraft, which has long been known for its reliability, safety and economic performance. Now with the option of advanced glass avionics, these aircraft address the needs of our flight school customers by providing uncompromised functionality for every mission,” said New Piper President and CEO Chuck Suma.
Glenn Schaumburg, Director of the Aviation Department at the University of Oklahoma, confirmed that the new technology was instrumental in the board’s decision.
“The industry requires new pilots with GPS and glass cockpit training,” he said. “It’s important for us to provide this technology to our students. We’ve had a long history with Piper, and they have evolved with our needs.”
Visit newpiper.com to learn more.
TAOS MOUNTAIN FLYING CLINIC
The FAA’s Albuquerque Flight Standards District Office and the New Mexico Pilots Association, in conjunction with Silver Eagle Aviation, LLC, of Taos, NM is having a Mountain Flying Clinic in Taos on September 17, 18 & 19, 2004. Seminar and flight participation qualifies for FAA Wings Pilot Proficiency endorsement.
On Friday September 17 at 6pm will be a ground training session at the Kachina Lodge, in Taos, NM. There is no fee for this part of the seminar. The handouts used will be provided for a nominal charge of $20.
Saturday, September 18 & Sunday, September 19 will consist of actual mountain flying. The cost for the instructor is $175 for 3 hours instruction. Rental airplanes will be available. Advance reservations are required.
Weekend reservations can be made at the Kachina Lodge for a special rate of $69 + tax, single or double occupancy with a full buffet breakfast. Contact the Lodge at 505-758-2275 or 800-522-4462. Mention New Mexico Pilots Association. Free transportation to/from airport will be provided by the Lodge. Most town attractions are within walking distance of the Lodge. Enterprise rental cars, at a corporate rate, are available at airport with prior reservation. Local reservation phone number is 505-737-0514.
Call 505-377-6786 for more information.
4TH ANNUAL “LAND OF ENCHANTMENT” RV FLY-IN
Pilots from across the nation will gather in Las Cruces, New Mexico to participate in the 4th Annual, “Land of Enchantment” RV Fly-In. The event starts Friday, October 15th and runs through Sunday the 17th at the Las Cruces International Airport, (KLRU). The Land of Enchantment RV Fly-In has become the largest event of its kind in the nation, several hundred of the enormously popular homebuilt aircraft are expected to attend.
Adventure Aviation will host the awards banquet honoring RV builders and pilots Saturday evening. Mexican food, drinks, door prizes and dancing will cap a night of festivities in the high desert. Sunday morning, EAA Chapter 555 will host a pancake and omelet breakfast.
All pilots and their families as well as the public are welcome. There are plenty of activities for all, including museums and historic Old Mesilla, which boasts some of the best shopping opportunities in the Old Southwest.
For additional information or for accommodations call 505-525-0500 or log on to adventureaviation.com.
NEW CESSNA FLYER AND PIPER FLYER ASSOCIATIONS GET OFF TO A FLYING START
Aviation Group, Limited, the parent company of both the new Cessna Flyer Association and Piper Flyer Association announced that the “official” introduction of their two new aircraft associations at this year’s EAA AirVenture Oshkosh fly-in couldn’t have met with better response.
“Cessna and Piper owners who stopped by our booth and who we talked to along the flight lines were genuinely excited that there is a new grassroots association that is available to them” explained Trevor Janz, Vice President and Co-Founder of the new organizations.
“That’s what sets us apart,” added Jennifer Julin, President and Co-Founder.
“We are solely devoted to bringing our members the types of information that is unique to people that own and fly Cessna and Piper airplanes.”
“We had the vision of what it would take to create the ultimate group for Cessna and Piper owners and pilots,” He continued. “These owners have special needs to help them get the most enjoyment out of their aircraft. A lot of what they need to know has been very hard for them to find, until now.”
For more information, call 715-445-2201 or visit cessnaflyer.org or piperflyer.org.
SW AVIATOR CONTRIBUTOR EARNS MASTER CFI
The National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) takes pride in announcing a significant aviation accomplishment on the part of David R Simeur, the manager of Momentum Interactive (www.Momentum-i.com) and a resident of El Paso, TX. Recently, Dave was designated a Master CFI (Certificated Flight Instructor) by NAFI, his professional aviation education association.
To help put this achievement in its proper perspective, there are approximately 81,000 CFIs in the United States. Fewer than four hundred of them have achieved that distinction thus far. The last nine national Flight Instructors of the Year were Master CFIs while Dave is one of only 22 Texas aviation educators to earn this prestigious “Master” title.
NAFI is dedicated to providing support and recognition for America’s aviation educators while helping them raise and maintain their level of professionalism.
To learn more about NAFI, call 303-485-8136 or visit NAFInet.org.
