The beautiful orange Otter just left with its Garmin G600, GTS  800, new Maxcraft panel, SL40 radio and 796 GPS handheld.   What an amazing aircraft!

Otter

Don’t forget, this is the greatest time for rebates!  Check out Garmin’s Portables Rebate offer, SPOT, Cobham, and Aspen.    More info on our next newsletter coming soon!

As an ongoing Garmin distributor, Garmin recognized us as a top performing aviation distributor.  We were presented with a Gold Award of Excellence representing  a first class level of sales performance, technical expertise and customer service.  We are in the top 10% of Garmin distributors worldwide.

It’s a limited time offer ending Jun 15, 2012.  Check it out at the webstore.  Garmins popular aera 500, 510, 550, 560, 795, 796 or GPSMAP 695/696.

This offer is also available on the 795/796!

Come into Maxcraft and check out the demo and then….. get the savings!

Garmin Rebate

For purchasing and rebate forms go to our Maxcraft Webstore

Maxcraft Avionics is a leader in airplane and helicopter avionic system upgrades like the Garmin GTN series, including installation of everything from a basic VHF Radio and simple Garmin portable GPS all the way to TCAS, EFIS, and autopilot systems. We have the largest avionics facility in Canada and we have over 20,000 unique part numbers in our in inventory to repair your aircraft or upgrade your cockpit.

Daryl and Steve attended the Viking de Havilland Operators Forum in Victoria, BC.   With operators from around the world it was a well attended event with reason to celebrate, the rebirth of the DHC-6 Twin Otter.   Exhibitors included Lattitude Technologies, Wipare, Texas Air Services, Universal Avionics to Western Propeller.

The seminars were pertinent to operating de Havilland and Viking aircraft with valuable information including recent updates and technical topics.  They included Twin Otter main landing gear programs, flight training programs, maintenance and repair options, float plane safety,  and more.

Factory tours were given showing the Twin Otter back in full production. There were suppliers from around the world with products to help maintain and operate your aircraft from Beavers to the Dash 7.  Of course, Maxcraft Avionics were there to talk about their Glass panel upgrades and Daryl and Steve met many interested operators.

The Gala!

Mid week they put on a gala for the registrants.  With cocktails and dinner, it was a spectacular show that included “the Timebenders” and “the Fabulous Honeycrooners”.  Dressed in your favorite attire, you were taken back in the time of the de Havilland era of 1930′s-1980′s.

Steve and Daryl found the 3 day event very worth while and had a great opportunity to network with vendors and operators of Canada’s most famous aircraft.

Maxcraft Avionics is a leader in airplane and helicopter avionic system upgrades like the Garmin GTN series, including installation of everything from a basic VHF Radio and simple Garmin portable GPS all the way to TCAS, EFIS, and autopilot systems. We have the largest avionics facility in Canada and we have over 20,000 unique part numbers in our in inventory to repair your aircraft or upgrade your cockpit.

Poster G500 G600 Training 2012-04-10

GTN series

For the last few years NavPath Aviation has been offering training, conducted by Bob Leroux, for the Garmin GNS 430 and GNS 530 GPS/NAV/COM units. These courses are often held at our facility, and now NavPath is introducing training courses for the Garmin GTN 650 and GTN 750.

Poster GNS 430 Training 2012-04-10

These courses will help you learn the features and functions of the GTN units while you build your knowledge, skills and attitudes for the safe and effective operation of the avionics in your aircraft. You can attend these courses while your aircraft is in our shop for its avionics upgrade. When your aircraft is ready, your ground training program can be followed with in-flight training in your newly retrofitted aircraft. The training will be tailored to meet your specific aircraft equipment set-up and operational needs.

Please visit www.navpath.com to view full details on the courses then contact Bob at info@navpath.com to discuss your training needs.

Poster GTN Training 2012-04-10

** Discount coupon – if you buy a GTN from Maxcraft, we will offer a $50 discount coupon towards your course!

Maxcraft Avionics is a leader in airplane and helicopter avionic system upgrades like the Garmin GTN series, including installation of everything from a basic VHF Radio and simple Garmin portable GPS all the way to TCAS, EFIS, and autopilot systems. We have the largest avionics facility in Canada and we have over 20,000 unique part numbers in our in inventory to repair your aircraft or upgrade your cockpit.

Daryl and Steve went to the AEA tradeshow as attendees only.  They flew out on Monday with anticipation of product announcements, seeing different exhibitors, and an evening out, courtesy of Garmin.

This tradeshow and convention offered more than 75 hours of technical and business training, offerening the latest issues impacting the avionics industry, introduction of new avionics product and sneak peak of what to expect in 2013 for products.

More than 100 exhibitors displayed at the AEA.   Some of the products and announcements that caught  Steve and Daryls eye were:

Guardian Avionics – Aero 454 – Bluetooth connectivity down for GPS to iPad TSO’d Technisonic – TDAP711 – 8-10 channel digital audio panel

TRIG Avionics – TT transponder- mode S ADS-B transponder, TY91/92 – small comm radio

Rockwell Collins – Venue – in-cockpit entertainment system added features True North – Stylus – handset, MyStylus – iPhone app for iO

Aspen Avionics – Connect Panel -iPad connections to the panel (including Garmin) in Q2. Altitude capture on KFC200.

 Jupiter Avionics – JA95 Audio controller – PC programmable

 Cobham Industries – Iridium teardrop and ARINC antennas L3 Aviation – GH-3900 eStandby Indicator Level A s/w fixed and rotary applications

Latitude Technologies – IoNode Data Management Unit -Flight data wireless management unit

 Universal Avionics – FlexPerf, Airdrop features on their FMS systems

And many more.  If you are needing more information on any of these new products contact Steve and/or Daryl as they were watching the announcements of these products live from Washington, DC.

Congratulations

We would like congratulate Paul Ryan, lifetime achievement award from AEA. Paul created the Stormscope system and the Ryan traffic system.

Garmin dealer Potomoc river cruise. Photo with Daryl, Steve, and Eastern Garmin dealer Pascal and Pia of Aero Teknic

Maxcraft Avionics is a leader in airplane and helicopter avionic system upgrades like the Garmin GTN series, including installation of everything from a basic VHF Radio and simple Garmin portable GPS all the way to TCAS, EFIS, and autopilot systems. We have the largest avionics facility in Canada and we have over 20,000 unique part numbers in our in inventory to repair your aircraft or upgrade your cockpit.

We had the pleasure of exhibiting at the 16th Anuual Convention and Tradeshow  in Ottawa. We would like to thank all of those who dropped by and said “hi” to Daryl.

Our equipment left the week prior and thanks to our great shipping staff, it was sent off with out a hitch.  It all arrived safely by freight and then, off went Daryl.   With the brochures, business cards, and lots of avionics information in hand, Daryl manned the booth for a few days.

The HAC is a well known trade show as Canada boast the world’s second largest fleet of civil helicopters.  The HAC was created by members of the helicopter industry in 1994 and today is the only Canadian Association dedicated to the interests of the Helicopter industry. The HAC was well attended.  Daryl was met with many of our current customers and met some future customers.

With exhibitors such as Eurocopter and Bell the visitors to out booth were key players in the Canadian Helicopter industry including company owners, operation managers, chief pilots and directors of maintenance.

Few days later, Daryl and our equipment returned and we are now ready to move onto the next trade show!

It has been rumoured that the HAC will be rescheduling future conventions for November rather than March due to near date conflicts with other industry events.  We were pleased to be a part of this trade show and look forward to exhibiting at the next HAC. (perhaps in Vancouver).

Maxcraft Avionics is a leader in airplane and helicopter avionic system upgrades like the Garmin GTN series, including installation of everything from a basic VHF Radio and simple Garmin portable GPS all the way to TCAS, EFIS, and autopilot systems. We have the largest avionics facility in Canada and we have over 20,000 unique part numbers in our in inventory to repair your aircraft or upgrade your cockpit.

How can you tell?  The obvious signs.   There is  a buzz overhead and it’s the aircraft coming out of their winter hangars and  spreading their wings in the sun.  Our hangar is busy with many aircraft being upgraded, maintained and re-certified for the new flying year to come.   Now is the time for that overhaul and/or  annual and a perfect time to install the new avionics you always wanted.

Citabria

Citabria panel

With different types of aircraft coming in, the Citabria was an adorable plane to see in our hangar.   It had been in our hangar last year, but this year I got to get a closer look.   We installed a SL30 which is compact yet includes a 760 channel VHF comm, DME display, built-in course deviation indicator and more.  The owner/pilot also put his new acquired toy, the Garmin Aera 796 into the cockpit.

Cessna 172

We also had another repeat customer pop in with his Cessna 172.  With an already perfect panel (that we did last year) he decided to add the  S-TEC30 autopilot to his aircraft. It is designed to provide an economical solution for aircraft owners who need Altitude Hold, but don’t want the additional functions of pitch command  or vertical speed control.  It smoothly holds existing altitude and can be activated during climb or descent.

Cessna 172

Stay in touch

Watch our blog, newsletter and our website for more projects completed or on the go.

Any questions?  Email us at  sales@maxcraft.ca

More spring signs?

Sun ‘n Fun in Florida.  Everyone’s favorite airshow, or one of mine anyway.  It is the pilot’s version of spring break.  Many pilots enjoy lots of sun and aircraft of all kinds.  click here for more info: Sun ‘n Fun

Maxcraft Avionics is a leader in airplane and helicopter avionic system upgrades like the Garmin GTN series, including installation of everything from a basic VHF Radio and simple Garmin portable GPS all the way to TCAS, EFIS, and autopilot systems. We have the largest avionics facility in Canada and we have over 20,000 unique part numbers in our in inventory to repair your aircraft or upgrade your cockpit.

Wow, how exciting!  On request, we sent one of our staff, Ali Miri, an experienced Avionics Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, to go work on a Bell 412.

Ali had the pleasure of flying into this beautiful country, which neighbors Belgium,France and Germany, and experience Luxembourg for the first time. Some interesting facts:  its home to over 450,000 residents; has foreign residents representing more than a third of the Luxembourg Population and Luxembourg residents have the highest income per capita of any country in the world.

 Ali was able to give us a little of his story:

I left Vancouver Wednesday night and arrived on a Thursday evening into Luxembourg’s Findel Airport.  Whilst their national airline flies to 21 European destinations, there are no direct flights between North America and Luxembourg.  My flight was about 14 hrs long with a stop at London Heathrow Airport.

Packing for Liberia

I was asked to work on  the GPS system in a Bell 412 Helicopter to fix. This CHC helicopter was shipped from YVR on a Boeing 747 to Luxembourg.  It was then being assembled there  to fly to Liberia for transportation to offshore oil and gas platforms and vessels.

Bell 412 getting blades

The aircraft was placed in a larger outdoor tent due to limited space and supported by LAR (Luxembourg Air Rescue).

Working in a tent

At the end of my excursion, we test flew the Bell412 over the city with the KLN900 (GPS) for testing.

While there I was able to enjoy the food and their beer. I discovered that Luxembourg is a trilingual country; German, French and Luxembourgish are official languages.

The weather was bearable as the temperatures were around +5, but as the day turned into evening the temperatures dropped to -10.

Overall, it was a great trip and a great experience!  And after a long week away, Ali was back with us sharing his adventure!  We look forward to writing about more adventures from our staff and their personal experiences.

Maxcraft Avionics is a leader in airplane and helicopter avionic system upgrades like the Garmin GTN series, including installation of everything from a basic VHF Radio and simple Garmin portable GPS all the way to TCAS, EFIS, and autopilot systems. We have the largest avionics facility in Canada and we have over 20,000 unique part numbers in our in inventory to repair your aircraft or upgrade your cockpit.

Steve and Wade head on a road trip to Puyallup Washington for the the 29th Northwest Aviation Conference and Trade Show.  Over 12,000 aviation enthusiasts gather in Western Washington for this event.

The speakers included Craig Fuller, AOPA President; Rod Machado, pilot and author of aviation flight training material; Bruce Belgum, AOPA Air Safety Institute.

Workshops went from GPS and Glass cockpits, WAAS, Garmin, weather and more!    It was full of information from your aviation medical to aviation maintenance.

Wade next to a P51 Mustang

Wade told us his Puyallup Story:

We ventured down toSeattle Friday afternoon and headed straight for The Museum of Flight on Boeing Field.  Where we had a whirl wind tour of the great aircraft on display, my favourite being the P51 Mustang! Then we had a great dinner with the Washington Float Plane Association, who have a lot in common with our BC Floatplane Association. They had a great speaker, (Mike Kincaid) who was a Alaskan State Trooper for many years and who’s role was mainly as the bush plane pilot/trooper and go to all the remote communities that are spread pretty thin up there. His stories were colorful to say the least!

Steve next to a Corsair F4U

Saturday morning we started with a great breakfast and then set up our exposition booth, right beside the Garmin booth. I believe Garmin likes to associate themselves with Maxcraft! Steve had some good pointers to trade shows and talking with customers, which I understood but I’m not quite sure I have the same gift! We informed the public of our abilities and of our ties with most of the manufactures of avionics out there.

Some of the other presenters had interesting items on display, from Spencer Aviation  to Cirrus (having their new G1000 Perspective SR22 setup to look at) there were many ways of marketing.  I especially enjoyed talking with all the flying public and hearing the different stories of how their cockpit is managed!

Maxcraft and Garmin Booth

Over all, the Puyallup Trip was successful!  Steve and Wade met some wonderful people, ate some fabulous food, and helped spread the word of what kind of technology is now available for the aircraft’s owners instrument panel! See you next week!

Maxcraft Avionics is a leader in airplane and helicopter avionic system upgrades like the Garmin GTN series, including installation of everything from a basic VHF Radio and simple Garmin portable GPS all the way to TCAS, EFIS, and autopilot systems. We have the largest avionics facility in Canada and we have over 20,000 unique part numbers in our in inventory to repair your aircraft or upgrade your cockpit.