The Holiday Season is upon us, as are some end of year specials by our vendors. We have been busy this year and we are proud to feature three more projects below. Looking for a new headset? The Lightspeed Delta Zulu is a force to be reckoned with.
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New Products/Announcements
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Lightspeed has once again revolutionized the aviation headset market with the Delta Zulu. This is the next step up from traditional active noise reduction (ANR) headsets. With built in safety features such as a carbon monoxide sensor, pilots will never forget to bring, or turn on an external CO detector. The CO detector will automatically alert the pilot if CO levels rise to an unsafe level, allowing them to know about the odorless gas. The Delta Zulu also eliminates the problem all users of ANR headsets have experienced, the need to replace AA batteries. The rechargeable lithium-ion battery is conveniently topped off by a supplied USB cord. The built-in audio equalization system called HearingEQity™ will make ATC calls sound clearer than ever. By completing a short hearing test through the Lightspeed app, the Delta Zulu will adjust the hearing profile to fit the specific variations in your ears making communications crystal clear.
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The LightSpeed app makes the Delta Zulu even smarter. The app allows pilots to easily view sensor data in-flight, and post-flight, as well as historical trends on CO levels. The audio recording feature is one of the most useful post-flight briefing tools available. The app will record the audio from the entire flight and allow the user to save and replay either a raw recording, or a shortened clip with all periods of silence removed. We believe this feature alone can justify the cost of the headset to a student pilot. Being able to listen to your instructor, or missed ATC calls in a more conducive learning environment than a cockpit can reduce the amount of recurrent training required to obtain a license or rating.
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Trig Avionics – setting the standard for the modern avionics stack
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Following recent introduction of TX56A Nav/Com radio, in November, Trig Avionics has offered a complete “stack bundle” solution for aircraft owners and homebuilders looking to update their stack. Trig says this stack sets a new standard in slimline, space saving and light weight avionics. Jon Roper, Marketing Manager at Trig Avionics shared, “This complete solution includes a TMA44 Audio Panel, slimline TX56A Nav/Com, a TY96A VHF Com Radio and a TT31 Mode S Transponder. These avionics not only look great in the panel, but they also provide a superior and easy to use interface, with unique pilot friendly features.” Trig’s most recent TX56A Nav/Com is now the smallest and lightest model on the market.
To access a stack mock-up to try on your panel see:
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Texas Aerospace Technologies announces FAA TSO approval of the TXA201 Tri-Axial Accelerometer
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The TXA201 is a form, fit, and function direct replacement for outdated accelerometers. The ARINC 542A mounting format and pin-for-pin connector makes the TXA201 a true plug and play solution. The TXA201 is designed to be installed in a non-environmentally controlled equipment bay.
This next generation of accelerometers is lightweight — weighing in at only 8 ounces and is certified to the latest TSO standards TSO-C124c, meeting rigorous DO-160G standards for flight data recorder installations. The TXA201 is ED-112A compliant.
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Garmin’s inReach satellite communicators provide constant connectivity and an emergency safety net even in the most remote of areas. The recently announced inReach® Messenger rounds out this product family by providing two-way messaging and interactive SOS over the Global Iridium® Network. The all-new Garmin Messenger app available for iOS and Android devices pairs with the new inReach Messenger allowing you to easily control all aspects of your inReach device. Two-way messaging with seamless connectivity automatically switches between Wi-Fi, cellular, and satellite networks without any interruption in the conversation.
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True Blue Power announced the addition of 100-watt TA360 USB-C charging ports
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True Blue Power announced the addition of 100-watt USB-C charging ports to the company’s line of MAX Power USB Chargers (TA360 Series).
Upgrade your aircraft with the fastest, most efficient USB charging. New MAX Power TA360 charging ports feature the latest USB Power Delivery (PD) Technology to deliver up to 100 watts of power per port — 7X more power than traditional chargers.
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Maxcraft Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) Additions
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Installation of Jupiter Avionics JA95 Audio System in Airbus Helicopters EC-135
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In September 2022, Maxcraft developed STC approval # SH22-30 for installation and integration of Dual Jupiter Avionics JA95-001/N01 Audio Controllers in Airbus Helicopters EC-135.
STC was developed to replace legacy analog audio panels with the JA95 highly configurable, modern audio controllers.
The JA95-001/N01 is qualified to CAN-TSO-C139.
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The JA95-001 audio controller is a centralized audio management system that distributes and controls all transceiver, receiver and alert audio in an aircraft. It enables the selected transmission of microphone audio to a transceiver and distributes all intercom audio.
The JA95-001 audio controller can be used in a standalone configuration or a star configuration to prevent the loss of the entire system due to the failure of one controller. It provides a passive emergency mode that directs the primary user (pilot) to the COM1 transceiver, NAV1 receiver and Direct Audio receiver. The JA95-001 is set up on a per-installation basis using a configuration cable and a PC running the product configuration tool to download system configuration settings via the front panel music / configuration connector (♫/io) without the necessity of removing the unit from the panel. To facilitate future customizations and certification, no software or complex electronic devices are used in the JA95-001 design.
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Maxcraft transformed this dated 182 with a dream panel centered around Garmin’s G500 TXi primary flight display. Paired with the GTN 750 Xi, GFC 500 digital autopilot, and GI 275 engine indication system, along with a brand-new custom interior from Port Interiors, this 182 will look and feel better than when it rolled out of the factory in 1982, while also having enough technology to feel like an airliner.
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While almost all of the aircraft we feature in our projects arrive at our hangar with older avionics and leave as highly capable machines ready for many more years of service, this M600 left the Piper factory in early 2022 and arrived to Maxcraft after the pilot made a diversion during one of his first cross country flights due to some errors on the primary flight display. Equipped with Garmin’s G3000 integrated flight deck, there wasn’t much more we could’ve possible added. Maxcraft was able to troubleshoot and solve the issue, and as a Garmin authorized service center, we were able to complete the repairs under warranty without charging the customer.
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Maxcraft has long argued the importance and overall economic benefits of replacing traditional gyro instruments with solid state glass panels in training aircraft. Together with Upper Valley Aviation based in Chilliwack, we rebuilt two iconic training aircraft, a Cessna 152 and 172 which are destined to soon provide a platform to teach the next generation of pilots in Alaska.
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Some nasty weather over Tulsa, OK that SXM, FIS-B, and a Stormscope helped the author deviate around
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We are lucky to live in the era of aviation we do and have vast amount of weather options live in the cockpit. It was considerably more difficult, and higher risk, back even 20 years ago when attempting a cross county fight. Today there many ways to get weather in the cockpit but choosing the right one can be a daunting process. Your choices will be different depending on where you fly, how fast and high you fly, your ratings, and the urgency of getting there. For example, if you are flying a corporate jet, Mr. Big in the back cabin likely has some important meetings to get to and you need the tools to reliably and safely get him there and back on schedule. On the other hand, if you are flying on a cross country with your spouse she is likely to be quite willing to stay at that resort and not push the weather to get back home!
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Maxcraft has been installing weather systems for many decades and as technicians and pilots we think we have some pretty good feedback to share. There is not a simple answer that can succinctly be put in an article of this size, but we will give you some guidance on the technologies and associated benefits.
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· SiriusXM Satellite Weather
o If quality and a large selection of content is your driving factor with North American coverage, then SiriusXM is the way to go. There’s no denying the satellite weather product offers a superior display to ADS-B’s pixelated representation—not to mention the fact that SiriusXM has more weather products and it can be received on the ground. This product works well across North America although some of the products drop off in Northern Canada. Plans start at $30US/mth and music is an option as well.
o There are many hardware products to receive this content and display it, from simple portable receivers that sit on the dash and display on your iPad to remote installed units with external antennas that interface to your glass panels in the aircraft. The latter can overlay on your moving map and flight plan while also showing your Stormscope and radar on the same page for much more informed picture of the weather.
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· FIS-B Weather
o Now let’s take a closer look at FIS-B (Flight Information System-Broadcast). FIS-B weather is the ADS-B In data (in addition to traffic) that gets transmitted and received on a variety of displays, both portable and panel mounted. The list of weather products is lengthy, from aeronautical information data from the FAA to graphical weather products from the National Weather Service. There’s AIRMETs, Convective SIGMETs, SIGMETs, METARs, SPECIs, national and regional NEXRAD radar, NOTAMs, PIREPs, SUA status, TAFs, amended TAFs, and winds and temps aloft. Newly added products include lightning, turbulence, icing, clouds tops, graphical AIRMETs and center weather advisories. That’s a lot of data to get for “free.”
o A caveat or two: Unless you’re positioned within direct shot of the ADS-B ground station, you might not receive weather data until airborne. Important to note is this product is only available while flying in the U.S.
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· Spheric Device
o Stormscope Weather Mapping Systems like the WX-500, were the first airborne instruments developed specifically to detect and map thunderstorms by analyzing the radiated signals of electrical discharges from storm cells. During the cumulus stage of a thunderstorm, storm cells are usually precipitation-free, and weather radar is unable to show activity. A Stormscope, by detecting the electrical activity already present as the storm builds, provides an accurate view of areas that should be avoided.
o The Stormscope WX500 is a remote mounted box that interfaces to many glass panels.
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· Internet weather
o If you are lucky enough to have an onboard connectivity solution with Gogo Avance, Garmin GSR56, or similar, than this is a very good choice to get some near real time weather.
o Some pilots report that if they are low enough, they can pick up cell-based internet but this is problematic as the reception cannot be guaranteed.
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· Radar Systems
o An onboard weather radar system detects precipitation intensity which is associated with convective activity. It will give you real time prevailing weather conditions for accurate decision making.
o Older systems used a magnetron tube that wears out and is costly to repair.
o Newer digital dishes are not only reliable, but they have more processing in them that removes some of the art on how to use and interpret radar images. Vertical scan capabilities now allow pilots to focus on storm gradients and storm cell build-up at various altitudes. Doppler options enable turbulence detection.
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· Flight Services and ATC
o I’m surprised how often this channel is overlooked. Flight services will bend over backwards to keep you out of bad weather. If the weather is dropping, just listening on with ATC will keep you informed as they are working with other pilots all with the same challenge.
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· Your Window!
o It may seem silly to mention this but a seasoned pilot can tell plenty of what the weather trend is doing having flown the same route many times over. A good example of this is seasoned “Coast Dog” floatplane pilots who know the local weather up the west coast and how it changes.
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Vendor Profile:
Sirius XM
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Fly confidently with SiriusXM Weather
In April of 2003, XM Radio with Weather Works announced the launched of a real-time weather data service for aviation, marine, and emergency management. Since then SiriusXM has delivered weather and related information that has given pilots confidence about what’s ahead to make the best decisions in flight.
Whether flying low and slow or high and fast, SiriusXM Aviation Weather provides pilots with the weather they need from takeoff to landing, coast-to coast.
With high resolution Radar and Cloud-to-Cloud/ Cloud-to-Ground Lightning, along with always available weather products like METARs, Freezing Levels, and Winds Aloft, SiriusXM weather information is available at 500′ or at your destination 500 miles ahead.
SiriusXM Aviation is available on Garmin Avionics and the industry leading ForeFlight and Garmin Pilot apps.
In 2008 XM and SIRIUS merged to become SiriusXM, and the company is based in New York City. Today the company’s platforms collectively reach more than 150 million listeners across all categories of digital audio – music, sports, talk, and podcasts – the largest reach of any digital audio provider in North America.
For additional information about SiriusXM Aviation visit SiriusXM.ca/aviation or watch IFR student Jeff Auen talk about why he flies with SiriusXM.
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Thierry has been with Maxcraft for just over two and a half years as an avionics apprentice. Completing an apprenticeship is an important, and necessary step in obtaining an aircraft maintenance engineer (AME) licence. Maxcraft is proud to have a successful training program designed to teach technician the skills and knowledge necessary to both hold an AME licence and thrive in the avionics industry.
Thierry has always had a fascination with aircraft, but never had plans to end up in the aviation industry. After school, he worked as a baker for a few years before deciding to go back to school and stumbling upon the aircraft maintenance engineer “electronics” program on the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) website. He attended and completed this program which took him a year and a half, after which he joined the team at Maxcraft. Thierry says his favourite part about the avionics industry is “working with the latest technology and getting to see it in action”.
In his personal life Thierry likes to stay active by going for hikes, going to the gym, and playing sports with friends. Along with staying active he also follows professional baseball and hockey. He’s also an avid reader of everything from science fiction, to fantasy, philosophy, and ancient history. He also enjoys studying different languages and is currently learning Dutch.
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Rebates
Aspen
This is a reminder that Aspen has a great promo running with deep discounts on their most popular products; new MAX, refurbished legacy and even trade-in of legacy equipment for the new MAX displays.
Call us for more details on the sale!
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Garmin
Happy Holidays from Garmin! save on portables, watches and more! read more about the rebates here!
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Avidyne
Avidyne is extending their end-customer trade-in program through the end of the year for orders placed on or before Dec 29, 2022. Customer rebates will need to be applied for by Feb 28, 2023! Read about Avidyne promotions here.
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Northwest Aviation Conference
& Trade Show
February 25-26, 2023
Puyallup, WA
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Northern Air Transport Association Tradeshow
May 1 – 3,2023
Whitehorse
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Helicopter Association International
Mar 6-9, 2023
Atlanta, Georgia
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Great Alaska Aviation Gathering
May 6 -7, 2023
Palmer, Alaska
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Aircraft Electronic Association
Annual Convention & Tradeshow
April 24-27,2023
Orlando, Florida
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Pilatus Owners & Pilots Association
Jun 14-16, 2023
Austin, Texas
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Parachutes
There were 5 people in an aeroplane and they were the worlds smartest man, the worlds richest man, the pilot, an old man and a little boy.
There dilemma was that the plane was crashing towards earth but there were only 4 parachutes. So they started to argue who would get a chute the worlds smartest man said, ‘I get a parachute because I have many more things to discover. ‘ and so he grabbed a chute and jumped, then the worlds richest man said he had many more things to buy and so he jumped with a chute, the pilot said that he had many more planes to fly and he also grabbed a chute and jumped, now there was only the old man and the little boy with only one parachute left.
The old man said to the little boy ‘you go I’ve lived a longer life and after everything I’ve done I deserve to die.’ The little boy said ‘Thats okay because the worlds smartest man took my back pack.’
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If you would like more information or to pre-order please contact our sales department at sales@maxcraft.ca or 604-465-3080.
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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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