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With Christmas just around the corner the holiday rebates have started to roll in. If you think aircraft batteries are just a boring old box hiding under your cowling, prepare to have your mind changed with this issue’s technical article and vendor profile. As usual we’ve highlighted some aircraft that recently came through our hangar for upgrades, and a profile on one of our employees.
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New Products/Announcements
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Pitt Meadows Airport Designated CBSA Airport of Entry
In September of this year the Pitt Meadows Airport was upgraded to an AOE/15 (airport of entry) by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). This means general aviation aircraft carrying less than 15 persons on board may fly directly to Pitt Meadows Airport without making an additional stop to clear customs. This is particularly exciting for our customers from the United States as this change will drastically simplify the process of bringing your aircraft to Maxcraft’s facility.
Read the entire announcement from the airport here.
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AEM achieves new STC for MTP136D aerial firefighting radio
Anodyne Electronics Manufacturing Corp. (AEM) received a new Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for its modern MTP136D P25 forest service radio. The Transport Canada awarded STC #SH24-21 is a significant milestone for AEM, as well as for operators providing aerial firefighting services using the industry workhorse H125 (AS350) aircraft.
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AEM introduces brand-new reduced-depth G13116R transceiver control panel to market.
The G13116R is a reduced depth control panel that can control up to 8 transceivers or receivers in any combination as part of AEM’s customizable P139-HD Digital Audio System.
the G13116R delivers all the same flexible features customers expect from the G13116 control panel; however, its reduced depth and form fit make it suitable for smaller aircraft and for special mission operators who require a space-saving solution.
G13116R has an integrated Bluetooth® module, which will enhance the system’s overall audio capabilities and expand connectivity to existing avionics, audio, PA, or loudspeaker systems.
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Outerlink receives new FAA STC for Air IP – Onboard Wi-Fi System on the Sikorsky S76 series.
Air IP is an enterprise-grade router that provides broadband internet across multiple wide-area networks using revolutionary bonding technology. The virtual connection behaves like a single connection with a single IP address and can be configured as a private network or hotspot.
Crews can send video streams to teams on the ground, while simultaneously receiving data. Air IP offers up to 20 Mbps network speed and can provide a seamless connection to more than ten onboard clients with triple redundancy while maintaining a secure VPN for all communications.
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Universal Avionics ClearVision EFVS Certified on King Air B200
Universal Avionics (UA), an Elbit Systems Company, today announces the achievement of FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for its ClearVision™ Enhanced Flight Vision System (EFVS) on Beechcraft King Air B200/300 aircraft in partnership with Global Aviation Tech LLC (GATECH). This development marks a significant advancement in safety and operational capability for special missions and aerial firefighting operators.
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ClearVision EFVS stands apart from traditional Heads-Up Display (HUD) solutions with its cutting-edge SkyLens™ Head-Wearable Display (HWD). SkyLens combines enhanced vision (EVS) and synthetic 3D terrain (SVS) overlays to display real-time environmental data onto the pilot’s natural vision, even in low-visibility conditions such as haze, smoke, and darkness.
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The EVS-5000 multispectral camera seeks to ensure pilots can identify light-emitting diodes to land safely in low-visibility conditions.
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Garmin GWX Weather Radar System Installation into the Bell 212 and 412/412EP Helicopters. Maxcraft developed STC SH24-15 for installation of GWX 70H and GWX 75H to display weather radar information on Garmin GTN (Xi).
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Garmin HTAWS (Helicopter Terrain Awareness Warning System) functionality for Garmin GTN (Xi) navigators in Bell Medium Helicopters. Maxcraft developed STC SH24-16 to add HTAWS feature to existing Garmin GTN (Xi) installed in Bell 205B, 204B, 205A, 205A-1, 214B-1, 212, 412, 412CF and 412EP. HTAWS includes visual depictions of terrain and obstacles relative to helicopter altitude as well as generates visual and aural alerts if terrain or obstacles are a threat to the safe flight of the helicopter.
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Becker Avionics AMU 6510 Audio System installation into Airbus Helicopters H125 and H130 models. Maxcraft developed STC SH24-23 for install of Becker Avionics AMU 6510 Audio System. AMU 6510 audio controllers provide centralized audio management and control including radio and transceiver selection, intercom, airframe threat alerting, and crew/cabin management.
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Maxcraft, together with Langley Aero Structures and Port Interiors, transformed this tired Cessna 185 in an absolute show stopper. The amount of work completed on this aircraft is too long to list here, but what resulted was an aircraft in better condition than when it left the factory in 1977. The best part? This aircraft just went on the market. Interested in owning this one of a kind Cessna 185? Contact Maxcraft and we will connect you with the owner.
Read more here.
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“The end result was perfect. The price that was quoted had no cost overruns and the delivery was to the day.”
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If you’ve been following our projects lately, you’ll know we’ve had a steady stream of PA46s coming through our hangar. This JetProp received what has almost become our defacto “standard” avionics package for PA46s and will be a highly capable high-level IFR machine for years to come.
Read more here.
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“The team kept me informed and involved in critical decisions all the way from initial panel layout to keeping me up to date with weekly progress reports”
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Aircraft Batteries: Maintenance and Replacements are Important Factors
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We often see poorly maintained batteries in aircraft we are performing avionics upgrades to. The last thing our customer wants to do is find out they need to buy a new battery when they already decided to invest a significant amount in avionics. Proper maintenance can prolong that replacement and some research on what to replace it with are worthwhile time investments.
The aircraft battery market is slowly evolving to new composition. Historically, there was nickel cadmium for turbines and lead acid for smaller aircraft. That has changed with the introduction of lithium batteries into some aircraft segments.
Lead Acid Batteries
There are two types of lead-acid batteries, flooded and sealed. Concorde Battery Inc. and Gill Electric Company (now renamed Teledyne Battery Products) are the two main players in this market.
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Gill Flooded Lead Acid Battery
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A flooded battery is shipped without acid. The maintenance shop then fills the battery with acid and charges/tests the battery. These batteries require a tray with a drain line as they can vent and these trays should be thoroughly cleaned and inspected for corrosion.
Conversely, a sealed battery ships from the factory pre-filled with acid, allowing the factory to not only “activate” the battery but also test it.
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The popular Concorde RG24 series AGM sealed lead- acid battery
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Concorde’s RG line of Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) batteries is their core GA product. AGM tech contains a special glass mat separator that wicks the electrolyte solution between the battery plates. The material enables the fiberglass to be saturated with electrolyte, storing the electrolyte in a suspended state instead of in a free liquid form.
Ni-Cad Batteries
Turbine aircraft require a high start current and traditionally a Ni-Cad composition was the best solution. These types of batteries do require an occasional Cell Imbalance & Deep Cycling procedure by a professional shop with the right equipment. Cell imbalancing occurs during recharging by an aircraft constant voltage charging system. This out of balance condition is caused by difference in temperature or charge efficiency or by varying self discharge rate in the cells. To correct a cell imbalance during reconditioning the battery is typically discharged to zero capacity and then recharged.
Lithium Batteries
Mid -Continent Instruments and Avionics’ power division, True Blue Power, offers a line of nano phosphate lithium-ion batteries with a growing list of STC approvals.
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True Blue’s Lithium Replacement Battery
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The company’s battery tech has evolved over the past 10 years and it’s currently on the fifth-gen technology (Gen5), which has a stable power chemistry with several million nano phosphate cells produced annually. Lithium-ion cells have roughly three times the energy density per kilogram when compared to lead-acid and NiCad alternatives. The result is a battery system that is significantly lighter than traditional batteries, while capable of delivering higher power with noticeably faster engine starts. Interesting that no scheduled maintenance is required for True Blue Power’s Gen5 Advanced lithium-ion batteries.
Maintenance
You should annually be testing your battery state of health with a capacity test. The battery is airworthy if it meets 80 percent of one-hour capacity. If it fails, then recharge using constant potential method (10 to 24 hours). Disconnect the battery for one hour and repeat the capacity test. Replace the battery if it cannot achieve 80 percent. Refer to the manufacturer’s maintenance manual for the specifics regarding your particular battery.
Never “jump start” an aircraft that has a dead battery. A dead battery, by definition, will not start an engine by itself and generally has an unknown state of charge and state of health. A dead battery may appear to charge normally but may require an extended charging time or a special charging method to return it to an airworthy condition. In the event of an alternator or generator failure, the battery may not be available to support the required electrical loads.
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BatteryMinder Conditioner maintaining a aircraft battery
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One of the best things you can do for the long-term health of a battery is properly connecting it to a smart battery tender. BatteryMinder by VDC Electronics Inc. makes aviation specific battery conditioners. These charger/maintainer/desulfators are designed for all Aviation Specific FAA Certified thin-plate lead-acid batteries. In addition, units test for weak/dead cells and will recover weak or severely discharged batteries that other chargers would reject.
Sources: Aviation Consumer
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Since 1977 Concorde has been building batteries for every type of aircraft including special missions, law enforcement, emergency and medical, and military. Concorde is committed to building the best performing and highest quality product supported with the best aircraft battery customer service teams in the industry. Concorde Battery Corporation is proud our aircraft batteries are chosen as Original Equipment on the majority of Piper Aircraft (including all new 24 Volt Piper Aircraft) and have been over the decades. Our batteries are tailored to the application rather than make the designer settle for what is available. It is this commitment to meeting customer needs that sets Concorde apart.
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The Titan Aerobatic Team Signing Posters at the Concorde Booth
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Concorde RG® Series Batteries are sealed lead acid batteries featuring high capacity starting, sustained operating performance, proven safe & reliable with no thermal runaway. Vigorous testing during the manufacturing process and proprietary materials and production procedures ensures an aircraft battery that you can count on to take you there…and back. Concorde uses larger intercell connections to optimize outrush current flow and increase charge acceptance, PolyGuard® between the plates for protection against shock and vibration, and other construction techniques.
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Aaron has been involved in the aviation industry for the past 18 years, with 8 of those years being with Maxcraft. Aaron’s primary role here is Hangar Production Supervisor. Much of his day is spent ensuring the many projects happening on our hangar floor are progressing smoothly, and on schedule, along with providing mentoring and advice to our technicians, whether they’re an apprentice fresh out of school needing help terminating a wire, or a fellow licensed aircraft maintenance engineer (AME) who’s stumped by a niche issue on a complex airframe.
Equally important is Aaron’s role as our Person Responsible for Maintenance (PRM). As a Transport Canada Approved Maintenance Organization (AMO) there are a variety of roles we are required to fill to ensure compliance with the Canadian Aviation Regulations. The PRM is a role seen at every AMO across Canada and is responsible for ensuring all the work performed at Maxcraft is accomplished in accordance with our internal policies and procedures which have been approved by Transport Canada, and ultimately in a safe and legal manner.
While looking at post-secondary options, Aaron saw the British Columbia Institute of Technology’s (BCIT) AME-E program. Having always had an interest in both electronics and aviation, he saw this program and career path as a good fit and attended their 18-month program. Aaron has always enjoyed the diversity of aircraft we see come through our hangar doors at Maxcraft, and his personal favourite aircraft to work on is the Sikorsky S61 (Fun fact: Maxcraft’s hangar was designed specifically to accommodate the S61 due to our history working on the airframe). His most memorable project was doing a complete rewire on an S61.
At home, Aaron is married with two twin daughters and a son, along with a cat and dog. He enjoys skiing, hiking, and almost any outdoor activity. In his younger years he moved around a lot which resulted in him attending 9 different schools. When he isn’t working or spending time outside, he enjoys being able to watch his kids in gymnastics and competing at a national level.
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Garmin Pilot’s Choice Rebate Program
Offering rebates up to $450 each on a variety of their GPS navigators, radios, and EIS systems.
Valid until December 20, 2024
Click here for more details!
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Garmin has holiday promotions! Save big on some of the best aviation gifts for the holidays!
November 15, 2024 through December 31, 2024
Click here for more details!
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Lightspeed is offering a Holiday Promotion
Purchase a new Zulu 3 for only $1,049 CDN!
Valid until January 13, 2025
Click here for more details!
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Purchase an A30 Headset and receive a free Black SoundLink Flex Bluetooth Speaker (1st Gen), a $149USD value. Purchase 2 or more headsets and receive 10% off your second and subsequent headset. Offer ends Jan 5, 2025.
Click here for more details!
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THE TWELVE (Flying) DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my instructor gave to me…
Twelve-hundred squawking,
Eleven towers talking;
Ten minutes holding;
Nine charts a-folding;
Eight in-flight briefings;
Seven route re-thinkings;
Six flights computing;
FIVE FORCED LANDINGS!
Four short approaches;
Three full stalls;
Two-hour preflight;
And a regulation 91.3
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Looking for a turn-key freshly rebuilt 1977 Cessna 185? Contact Maxcraft for more details on how to make this best in class aircraft your own.
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250 – 18799 Airport Way, Pitt Meadows Airport (CYPK), Pitt Meadows, BC V3Y 2B4
YVR Office – 4360 Agar Drive, Richmond BC V7B 1A4
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