|
|
|
|
|
| |
Sun 'n Fun Report
2024
Plane Plastics had their new gear leg tunnels and wheel wells. These are ABS parts, like the ones Cessna put on originally, and are the first such parts made available. Thanks to CFO member Paui Wippo for making origionals available for lds.
We also learned from Vantage Plane Plastics that Dale Logsdan has retired. The new GM Chris Neill is glad to be helping Cardinal owners keep their aircraft fresh and new.
GAMI held a couple of press conferences to report on the status of G100UL, the new unleaded aircraft fuel. The first one shared their definition of "Commercially available':S you can order it and it can be delivered. They reported having a batch of fuel nearly ready.
hey also reported on the flight testing being done with a twin running different fuels on each engine. G100UL weighs a bit more but has more energy, so the ret result is positive.
They expect this fuel to double oil change interevals, allow use of synthetic oils and greatly reduce the need for spark plug cleaning.
At the next press conference they reported that the batch had passed testing and is now commercialy available. This is a big step for GAMI and the industry as a whole.
They are working with the FAA to try to create an easier STC process which does not require waiting for an A&P to sign a document, as no changes are required to the aircraft otehr than adding placards. NEED TO CALL TO FIND OUT WHICH. Booth guy said call them.
Wentworth discussed his ongoing perchase of Cardinals from insurnace companies. He has a couple of Cardinal engines right now, and other parts we may need.
Dynavibe is a company of engineers, specilizing in sensors and showing a prop balance system. Perhaps more direcly applicable, they were also showing an engine drier which uses dessiccant to blow out dry air into the engine without recurculation. The system watches for the dessiccant to wear out, then automatically launches a drying event. It is said to do this as much as twice a day to keep the emitted air dry. $1100 for the system.
Hartzell had their engine and prop groups in the same booth and were talking about their new aquasitions of several welding shops and other aviation companies, like Rieff. The composite props are selling well through dealers like Powerflow and GAMI.
Rapco has nickle plated brake rotors and the familiar brake pads along with new and rebuilt vacuum pumps.
Tempest is now producing an aviation approved replacement for the Facet fuel pumps in our FGs, and is overhauling Dukes fuel pumps for our RGs. They also manufacture and support a line of fuel control units and carburators which are based on the specs used by Bentix to build our FCUs. They may be a good source for parts for these accessories.Of course they are still making oil fileters, having picked up a larger share of the oil filter market when Champion stopped for a while. They said that last year's hording is creating a somewhat variable demand right now.
LP Aero talked about their various tint and UV protection options. Many customers opt for the clear/treated combination for windshields. The options include some very deep tints.
Lightspeed was offering discounts for tradein of older headsets and doing hearing tests to show how their headset conpensation can increase legibility. Their CO detection system is making a difference, saving many people who had not otherwise kept CO detectors in operation.
Concorde is still making batteries at full capacity, shipping all they can make. Their supply chain is in good shape, but demand is high. We are probably best off ordering through dealer Wilco, who orders well in advance to keep product on hand for when we need it.
Cleveland has our wheels and brakes for when our McCaulley three piece wheels crack. They bought out McCaulley so are now the only source.
Genesys is doing well under their new owner, Moog, unreleated to the suspension parts or synthisizer companies. They are delivering new feature releases and covering new models. They are also talking with other companies to coordiate adding new features.
CiES is doing well, adding new models and becoming standard equipment on more brands. They continue their innovation in various areas and are interested to do some testing with unleaded fuels.
Aveo was showing the old design of their Cardinal wingtip with lighting directed forward, backward, outward and down. Their system covers the rear ID light requirement. They reported acquiring a new scanner to help with design fit, and plan to use it to tweak the Cardinal tip to perfection, although their last version does fit the wing. They expect to have certification completed before Oskosh this year.
Scheme Designers reported delivering a very large number of schemes through their history, including airlines and unique aircraft of many types. Many of the Cardinals at our Winter Haven flyin were sporting their design.
Keith and Debbie Peterson
| | |
