Recently, Skytronics, Inc. announced that the company will be reducing the number of distributors it uses in order to improve efficiency. According to Brad Duschak, the Detroit-based company’s vice president of sales and marketing:

“Over the years, Aero-Lite, Jasco and Skyflex have become top-selling brands in the GA aftermarket. With the support of these highly-qualified distributors, I am confident that Skytronics will achieve even greater success in the future.”

For fans of the company’s excellent engine accessories, most notably its Aero-Lite ignition harnesses, there’s no reason for concern: Air Power, Inc. will remain an authorized Skytronics distributor. And, simply put, we’re unabashedly proud to be doing so.

This means that our aviation customers – both here in the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex and beyond – will still have access to more than 45 of the company’s engine harnesses, including 4-cylinder Aero-Lite engine harnesses, 6-cylinder Aero-Lite engine harnesses, and even 8-cylinder Aero-Litl engine harnesses. Each of the Skytronics ignition harnesses we provide are available in red, yellow blue and black. The FAA/PMA-approved harnesses are expertly crafted out of low-loss, high-tension stranded steel conductors, and each one is warranted to TBO or three years. Custom-designed for both Continental Motors and Lycoming engines, the ignition harnesses are also available with optional 90 brass spark plug elbow fittings.

In general, we carry Skytronics because its general avionics products are innovative, time-tested and fully reliable in mission-critical situations– the same standard we demand of all general avionics products we sell, whether factory engines, airframe parts, cylinders or engine accessories. Skytronics’ distribution changes will only make working with the company better and ensure that its tradition of excellence will continue. We’re thrilled to be a part of it.

Over the last month here on the Air Power aviation blog, we’ve been exploring just a handful of the accessories we offer to pilots that can make flying easier, safer, and far more enjoyable. And we noted the oft-overlooked (forgive the pun) importance of owning a trusty, high-tech pair of aviation sunglasses.

Let’s examine just a little bit closer how aviation shades can improve flying, and what types of aviation sunglasses we’re proud to provide.

There are times you’ll find yourself flying blind through thick fog or a bewildering snow storm. But more often than not, no amount of cutting edge radar or tracking equipment is more important than a sharp, alert set of human eyes. An experienced pilot who loses power in the cockpit or experiences an electronics breakdown should still be able to effectively land their plane safely even without the help of many gadgets they might be used to in such situations.

More importantly, however, is how an excellent pair of aviation lenses can prevent some of the side effects of bright sunlight. Especially when you’re up there soaring above the clouds, the blazing sun can take an exacting toll on your brain, making you sluggish and sleepy. Even when you’re not flying directly into the sun, the glare off of a wing or nose cone, or even glare bouncing off clouds or the open sea, can have similar effects and leave you drowsy and slow to react to potential problems.

The sky is simply no place to go exploring with tired eyes or dulled senses.

We can help. We’re proud to offer a comprehensive line of sleek, attractive, safety-boosting pilot sunglasses, including cutting-edge frames from:

• Wing Aero Sunglasses
• American Aviator Eyewear
• AA Eyewear

Contact one of our aviation accessories specialists or explore the full pilot shop to learn more.

Cessna has launched an initiative to educate owners about new required inspections for the 145,000 single-engine aircraft in the 100- and 200-series that were built between 1946 and 1986. The supplemental procedures will be added into the service manuals this month for aircraft in the 100 series and in April for the 200 series. The added inspections mainly require checks of areas where corrosion and fatigue damage can occur. “The new inspection requirements we’ve developed are very simple, and are based on visual inspection that can be done quickly by a trained inspector during an annual inspection,” said Beth Gamble, Cessna’s principal engineer for airframe structures.
“Corrosion and fatigue are inevitable,” Gamble said, “but with early detection and proper maintenance, severity and effects can be minimized.” Cessna has published a PowerPoint presentation — download the .ZIP file here — and a short video to provide more details about the process for owners. The older Cessnas may be gaining popularity soon if a proposal by AOPA and EAA makes headway. The groups plan to ask the FAA to allow pilots to fly many of the older airplanes, if they have fixed gear and 180 hp or less, without a 3rd class medical.

Last time here on the Air Power blog, we explored a few pilot accessories and cockpit gadgets and gizmos that we think enhance flying from takeoff to landing. Good news — that was just the tip of the iceberg. So let’s keep exploring the pilot shop, and see how some of our innovative, intuitive products can improve your aviation experience:

Headsets

Flying is easy when skies are blue and runways are empty, but unfortunately conditions up in the air can become a little bit more complicated. Simply put, as pilots, we often need to rely upon air traffic controllers for critical guidance in tough situations. Don’t overlook the importance of a reliable, crystal-clear pilot’s headset. We’re proud to provide some of aviation’s best aviation headsets, including the Flex Boom Headset from AirClassics, which combines cutting edge audio technology with a flex boom mike. You’ll hear them. They’ll hear you. Land safely.

Training Materials

Even the best, most unflappable, seen-it-all-a-thousand-times pilots need refreshers from time to time. We’ve got a full line of pilot training products that are ideal for both getting novice pilots up into the air safely for the first time and retraining seasoned veterans. This library includes:

• The Instrument Flying Handbook
• The 2011 FAR/AIM Book and FAR/AIM Profit Pack, and FAR for Flight Crew
• The Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
• The FAA Airplane Flying Handbook and The FAA Instrument Procedures Handbook
• Mental Math for Pilots
• Commercial Pilot FAA Knowledge Test

Kneeboards and Logbooks

A good pilot is an organized and detail-oriented pilot. Two products we offer can help you be exactly that.

It’s probably not a good idea to be shuffling through papers and scribbling down a bunch of illegible notes while hurdling through the skies. So we’ve got a wide selection of excellent kneeboards that will keep you organized, in control, and on course. Similarly, our complete line of pilot logbooks helps you keep detailed records that make detailed flight record-keeping easy.

That’s just the beginning of what you’ll find in our pilot’s shop.

The FAA has issued a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) to inform owners and operators of an airworthiness concern on 1996 and newer Cessna model 172R and 172S aircraft. “There seems to be a lack of understanding of what “idle” is.” The FAA says that “idle” is when the throttle control stops moving aft, taking into account any cushion or hysteresis within the control installation”.

Soaring through the skies with the control stick in your own hands is simply a thrill — one of the true technological marvels we can experience. With the best equipment and technology, that experience is only enhanced.

Here at Air Power, Inc., we’re proud to sell the most innovative, reliable equipment in the personal aviation industry. Factory engines. Cylinders. Airframe parts. Everything we provide is designed to make your flights safer, less stressful and even more of a thrill.

But sometimes it’s the little overlooked accessories that can make the biggest difference between a smooth flight and a stressful, mind-jarring memory. Thankfully, our pilot shop is bursting with intuitive accessories that can enhance different parts of the experience, from takeoff to landing.

Let’s take a look:

Sunglasses

Good shades are about more than just looking like a fighter from Top Gun. They’re about safety and comfort as well. All the technology in the world can’t completely replace the capabilities provided to a pilot by keen, alert eyesight. Even if you’re not flying directly into the sun, the glare of sun bouncing off clouds or the nose cone can make your eyes — and brain — tire quickly, and dull your critical senses.

Our sunglasses are designed specifically to fight these hazards. Check out our diverse array of aviation sunglasses to learn more.

GPS Portables

Of course, a reliable GPS can be invaluable while you’re flying over unfamiliar territory, especially when you hit inclement weather and need to rely on instruments instead of landmarks. But GPS portables become doubly handy once you land. Simply take it with you, and explore new places from the ground as well as the sky.

We’ve got a full line of GPS portables, including Garmin GPS portables.

Cockpit Cleaning Supplies

Small cockpit. Huge sky. Don’t spoil the view by flying around in filth, squinting through a smudged up windshield to get a bead on a distant landmark and wondering if you should be concerned about the strange smell. We’ve got airplane cleaning products designed specifically for private aircraft. Fly in style.

Today, Continental Motors Inc (CMI) announced a price increase effective October 1, 2011 covering  factory new and rebuilt engines, parts and cylinders. For the past several years CMI has lowered or held pricing in many instances and limited increases on select product lines. Cylinder prices were reduced in June 2009 and have remain unchanged. Engine prices were reduced in 2009 and held in 2010. Specific information regarding this new pricing will be provided at a later date. Air Power saves you more on your replacement parts, cylinders and engines.

From our headquarters at Arlington Municipal Airport, we eat, and breathe, and live aviation — an advantage that has helped us lead the industry in general aviation factory engines and parts sales. In fact, our prime location has helped sell more than 28,000 factory engines around the globe.

Here’s why:

1. Central Location

We’re just 30 minutes from downtown Dallas and 20 minutes from Downtown Ft. Worth—just a short drive for most of our corporate customers in the region. Several other leading aviation companies are based here as well, including Bell Helicopters and Van Bortel Aircraft (the largest Cessna dealership in the world), creating an innovative hub of aviation enthusiasm.

Beyond Arlington Municipal, we’re only a short drive minutes from two major commercial hubs (DFW and Dallas Love Field), making it easy for folks to fly in commercially from around the world in order to meet with one of our expert sales reps. Imagine flying in commercially to one of those two hubs, and flying out on your own Cessna. Sounds good to us.

2. Top-Notch Facilities

The airport is small enough to be ideal for general aviation use, yet large enough to have all the facilities needed for professional, top-quality service and sales. More than 150,000 flights operate in and out of Arlington Municipal, thanks in part to a 6,080-foot runway (1,853 meters).

In other words, its a ripe environment for testing, service, and sales. Just land your plane, taxi over to our section, and get the high-quality replacement parts and service you need. In fact, the airport even includes multiple flight schools — how about brushing up on your piloting skills while your plane is getting worked on by the Cessna maintenance specialists at Van Bortel?

Come see us — we’re located at 4900 South Collins, Arlington, TX 76018. We’re the nation’s no. 1 distributor when it comes to factory parts, engines, and cylinders, for Lycoming and Continental Motors.

Lycoming today has announced new pricing for aftermarket engines and parts, effective for orders received at the factory on or after July 5, 2011. Orders at current 2011 prices will be accepted until midnight, July 1, 2011 and must specify immediate delivery. Orders with a scheduled delivery date after July 5 will be subjected to the new pricing.

Superior Air Parts, Inc. announced today that they have extended the warranty coverage on their line of Millennium® cylinders to 25 months or 1000 hours, whichever comes first. The warranty peeriod begins when the cylinder is first placed into service but that date can not be more than one year from the date the cylinder left Superior’s factory. The warranty covers parts only.