Category Archives: Product Reviews

Amazon Aviator

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Amazon.com flying

Ok, I’m not talking about “flying the jungles of South America” kind of Amazon Aviator. I’m referring to the cyber-jungle that is Amazon.com. Why am I a big fan of Amazon? Because you can find almost anything at the click of a button and aviation paraphernalia is no exception.

It’s not just about books anymore! Although Amazon does have an unrivaled selection of books, it also has about anything else you might want.

Need a flying gear, no problem! General parts for your airplane, sure thing! And much, much more.

I was blown away recently when I happened to look on there for a replacement battery for my airplane and I found it (same manufacturer and part number, but less expensive). Amazing! More poking around and I discovered headsets, transceivers, GPS units, and the list goes on and on.

amazon.com for pilots
Plus I love buying something and then throwing in an obscure flying book or other aviation knick knack that I might not otherwise come across at the local brick and mortar book emporium.
If you are an Amazon power-user like me, you can join AmazonPrime and get several other perks, chief among this is free and unlimited 2-day shipping. Although I am an Amazon AffiIiate, I admit that I haven’t graduated to that level just yet…

Pricing varies so I can’t testify that Amazon is always cheaper, but they do a good job in most cases. Plus if you aren’t opposed to buying something “pre-owned” that is often an option as well!

In my recent need to obtain new spark plug wires for my IO-360A1A, I looked, but no joy. I guess I found the limits of what Amazon can do for aircraft maintenance.

So I have incorporated Amazon into my shopping scan and unless price is significantly better somewhere else, you can call me the Amazon Aviator!
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Aviation W&B Calculator App: a review

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weight and balance appI promise this is my last app review for a while, but the last two I have done have been great. This app is no exception. And no I’m not affiliated with the company, beyond getting to try it on my iOS devices.

Aviation W&B Calculator was chosen by Sporty’s and AOPA as one the top 10 apps for 2012 and I can see why.

I loaded this thing on my iphone 4S and in 10 minutes I had it running very detailed weight and balance calculations for my specific airplane. I was blown away when I saw the list of templates for existing aircraft. All you have to do is add your data, which took me more time to find than it did to set up in the app, and you’re done.

The app also creates really nice exportable w/b charts so you can prove to the feds that you really did do your w/b for your flight!

What about landing weight and balance, not to worry, it calculates that for you too. At $10.00 is represents the high-end of the app world, but in Aviation Units, it’s like buying a stick of gum!

W&B calculator

Sorry Android users, I didn’t see any options for you. I’m sure someone has that covered on that platform though.

You can search the title on the iTunes store or go to this link for more information: http://www.aviationwb.com/

If you can’t tell I’m really impressed with this app and I have no qualms recommending to my friends and fellow birdmen (and birdwomen)!

by Brent Owens                                                              Subscribe to this flying blog

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Takeoff – Aviation Weather App: Review

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mobile weather appI recently had an opportunity to try what is now my favorite aviation weather app -

Takeoff – Aviation Weather

I have like five weather apps on my iphone and ipad, but none of them were really optimized for what I wanted to see as a pilot. The beauty behind this app is that it instantly tells me at a glance if the weather is good enough to go flying – that’s what I had been looking for.

How does it do this? Well it gives you a go-no go based on YOUR personal parameters of ceiling, visibility and winds. It color codes each airport as RED, YELLOW, or GREEN depending on the conditions as compared to your parameters. It’s so simple, yet so useful!

It will also display your area airports in a list or map format, same for routes, which is really handy for X/C work. Don’t worry, you can still get all sorts of textual data as well.

I have only used it on my iphone 4S, but it’s ipad and android (phone or tablet) compatible too.

Application

I am barely scratching the surface so you need to check out this app. It’s really inexpensive, especially in airplane dollars, and you’ll love it – no I’m not on commission with these guys!

Go here to learn more: http://TakeOffAviationWeather.com/. They have lots of images, descriptions and even videos that show you exactly how it works before you buy. Now if everything else in my computer life worked so well!

by Brent Owens                                                                   Subscribe to this flying blog

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HGS Flight: an iPad app review

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Flight Simulator

HGS Flight: an iPad app review
Rockwell Collins produced this FREE app for iPads to showcase their Head-up Guidance technology. See below:

From the Rockwell Collins website: Rockwell Collins has unveiled HGS™ Flight, a new app that lets users experience the company’s Head-up Guidance (HGS) with synthetic vision on an iPad®. The free app is available for download in the Apple® iTunes® App Store.

“Eyes-up, out-the-window flying with head-up guidance is the future and we’re allowing anyone with an iPad to see firsthand the precision, increased situational awareness and efficiency that HGS brings,” said Colin Mahoney, vice president, Sales and Marketing for Commercial Systems at Rockwell Collins. “This app is meant for anyone, including current and future pilots, aircraft owners, passengers and any aviation enthusiast who wants to see what it’s like to fly with HGS.” Continue reading →

New Blogging Weapon: GoPro Hero3 Black Edition

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GoPro Here 3 for airplanesxcf

New Blogging Weapon: GoPro Hero3 Black Edition

GoPro released it best camera yet in late October of this year and I am happy to announce that I will be adding one to my video arsenal this winter. I have to wait for Santa Claus to deliver it under our Christmas tree. 

One of the many things that I try to do to keep the blog interesting is to mix in some video. I have previous used a Drift170HD, which for the price is a decent camera, but it should pale in comparison to this heavy weight of the action sports world. I’ll probably still use the Drift to provide alternate points of view for certain edits. Continue reading →

iPad EFB

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ipad in the cockpit

iPad EFB

Since GPS nothing else has revolutionized aviation in recent history like the iPad. This was the first time in our industry a consumer electronic device gained widespread acceptance in the aerospace arena, and for good reason.

If you already fly with an iPad, nothing here will be new, so feel free to have the next ten minutes of your life back.

If you haven’t experienced what the iPad can do for your flying, read on. Continue reading →

Barnstormers.com Addict: So many aircraft for sale, so little money…

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aircraft for saleI’m a Barnstormers.com addict…

If you aren’t familiar with the website Barnstormers.com then hopefully you can run now and be spared from the addiction. Barnstormers.com is an aviation classified site that is chocked full of used airplanes and parts for sale.

I was first introduced to Barnerstormers.com back in 2004 when I was researching the potential acquisition of an airplane.  In the end I built my RV-8, but I learned a lot from the site during the ‘discover phase.’

The website is the brainchild of Lorraine Kivi, who started it as a hobby in the early 1990s. Lorraine is an avid flyer herself and has grown Barnstormers.com into her full-time vocation. Due to health issues that have slowed her down, she had taken on a partner, David Rose, who is committed to keeping the tradition alive.

Continue reading →

Cloudahoy: A Review

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my departure off KCMH

I had an opportunity to use a new iOS aviation app last week called Cloudahoy.

I have to say, it’s pretty slick. The idea behind the app came from instrument student and app developer, who wanted a way to track and debrief an instrument flight using the tools that are available, namely the iphone as a tracking device coupled with Google Earth.

This is a marriage made in heaven. Cloudahoy did a great job tracking my repositioning flight from CMH to a private airport. Continue reading →

We Fly Dynon’s New D1 Pocket Panel

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By Stephen Pope

Dynon Avionics has unveiled a portable backup EFIS that might just be the perfect budget emergency flight display.

The Dynon D1 Pocket Panel makes use of the same micro AHRS (attitude and heading reference system) technology as the company’s panel-mount EFIS displays for the experimental market, but packaged in a small LCD that can be mounted just about anywhere in the cockpit. Continue reading →

Cessna 182 JT-A

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Cessna 182 JT-A

By Robert Goyer / Published: Sep 24, 2012
Cessna 182 JT-A

Cessna 182 JT-A

Over the years I’ve flown around a dozen varieties of the Cessna 182, from the latest glass-panel turbo models to impeccably restored early birds, but I’d never experienced anything like this. As I advanced the single black lever in Cessna’s new 182 JT-A to roll around the corner onto 19L at Wichita’s iconic Mid-Continent Airport, I felt a smooth surge of power. Continue reading →