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.

Garmin’s line of handheld GPS navigation devices are reliable, easy-to-use and capable of opening up new aspects of flying for pilots. Simply put, they improve the aviation experience in a multitude of ways for pilots of all skill levels.

• They improve communication and make it easy to avoid hazards.
• They reduce the potential for risky in-air confusion or mistakes.
• They’re affordable, reliable, and they can be taken with you after landing.

In other words, we’re supremely confident that you’ll love your Garmin GPS. But to assuage any concerns – and let you try it out a bit before committing to the full cost — we’re proud to be offering an unprecedented Garmin Handheld GPS purchase protection plan.

Now, for each new model, we’ll happily provide a full, 100 percent refund if you’re not satisfied with your handheld within 60 days. Need more time? Within 180 days, we’ll provide a 75 percent refund. Still undecided? If at any point with a year – 365 days – you decide that you’re unhappy with the product, we’ll provide you with a healthy 50 percent refund – guaranteed.

The payment protection plan applies to a diverse range of new, state-of-the-art Garmin GPS portables we provide, including:

• GPSMAP 796 XM
• GPSMAP 795
• GPSMAP 696 XM
• GPSMAP 695
• GPSMAP 560 XM
• GPSMAP 550

Already a satisfied Garmin Handheld GPS user? We’d still love to help you upgrade to the latest models, so we’ll be happy to do a trade-in.

Contact us to learn more, or check out our complete line of Garmin portable navigation devices inside our handy pilot shop (filled with handy pilot accessories). It’s an exciting time to fly – Garmin just makes it a little bit easier and more stress-free.

With AvStar design and construction, these just aren’t your father’s carburetors.

They’re stronger. They’re lighter. They’re higher performing.

In fact, on aircraft, two of the most important design factors are simplicity and reliability. Just consider the risks of a breakdown in the sky due to a system that’s over-complicated and prone to collapse. Therefore, well-built aircraft carburetors like the ones we provide from AvStar carry the gold standard in these traits.

So here at Air Power Inc., we’re proud to provide AvStar OEM factory carburetors to our pilot customers. And we’re eager to make it as easy as possible for all of our customers to get the carburetors they need.

Here’s what makes AvStar carburetors stand out:

• More strength — These carburetors are built with a premium 6061-T6 alloy, instead of cast aluminum, making them stronger, tougher, and more reliable.
• Less air flow restriction — The efficient design make it easier to optimize engine power.
• Better air fuel ratio performance — Backed by a computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analysis, the carburetors excel in directing precise flows to critical parts.
• Less weight — These carburetors weigh up to 9 percent less than standard aircraft carburetors, which, of course, is a big advantage in flight.

Whether new or overhauled, the carburetors are fully FAA-approved, rigorously tested, and feature a FAA-PMA approved brass float. In other words, they’re certified as some of the best in the industry.

So we’re making them as inexpensive as possible, with new models for both Lycoming applications and Continental applications ranging from $1,695 to $1,995, and factory overhauled models ranging from $569 to $699.

Check out our comprehensive catalog of AvStar carburetors to get started.

Tanks, Tractors, and Turbines — Diverse Beginnings

Continental Motors was founded all the way back in 1905, when it introduced a four-cylinder, four-cycle L-head motor operated by a single camshaft.

Most famously, however, the company was tasked with developing engines (based on aircraft engine technology) for the U.S. Army’s M47, M48, and M60 Patton tanks —an integral part of America’s military strength during the Cold War. It also developed engines for a variety of tractors, cars and trucks, and industrial machines.

In other words, a big part of American history and life in the 20th century—both in the air and on the ground—was powered by Continental motors.

From NASA to No Refueling Necessary — Continental Takes Flight

Continental got involved in the nascent aviation industry almost immediately after the company’s launch, producing its first type “O” 45-hp engine just a year later in 1906. It never looked back—producing groundbreaking piston engine after groundbreaking piston engine over the next 100 years, including the A-70 radial engine and the first turbocharging and fuel-injection technology in the aviation industry.

The company joined forces with Teledyne in 1960, ushering in a new era of collaboration and innovation. In 1986, a piston-powered aircraft circled the globe without refueling for the first time, thanks to a unique pair of Continental engines. And in 1997, the company was tabbed by NASA to develop and produce a new 200-horsepower engine that operates on Jet-A fuel.

From Wing to Wing, Everything You Need to Fly

At Air Power, Inc., we offer a full suite of OEM Continental engine replacement parts and accessories, including:
·    Fuel pumps
·    Hoses
·    Mounts
·    Piston rings
·    Crankcases
·    Crankshafts
·    Camshafts
·    Pistons
·    Piston pins
·    Rod bolts
·    Vernatherms
·    Magnetos
·    Starters
·    Harnesses
·    Turbochargers

Check out our complete line of Continental motors and parts, or contact one of our aviation experts for more information.

More power. Longer life. Better flying. That’s our goal with all of the aircraft products we provide here at Air Power, Inc.

This week, we’re eager to announce a new release from our Dallas-area colleagues at Plane Power, an aviation-industry leader in manufacturing top quality lightweight alternator kits. At Air Power, Inc., we offer a full line of Plane Power alternators—each the result of years of intense research, development, and testing, and each has been engineered exclusively for general aviation use.

Now, we’re proud to offer the latest addition to the extensive line of PMA replacement alternators from the Granbury-based company. The new the AL24-FS60 Plane Part alternator is powerful, reliable, and ready for installation on the majority of 360 and 540 series Lycoming engines on 28-volt Cessna 172 and 182 aircraft with multigroove belt/pulley drive systems.

In fact, according to Plane Power General Manager Damon Berry:

“All Plane-Power alternator kits are specifically designed for aircraft. Compared to their OE predecessors, Plane-Power alternators run cooler, perform far more reliably and supply increased power at or below typical cruise engine RPM. We are so confident in our alternators and voltage regulators, that Plane Power supports each one with a generous two-year warranty.”
Let’s take a look at just a few of the benefits:

Improved Electrical Power for Lycoming Engine-Powered Aircraft

For owners of newer Cessna models (more specifically, the 172R, 172S, 182S, 182T, and T182T aircrafts), the new AL24-FS60 alternator can run cooler (thanks to proprietary dual cooling fans that result in lower running temperatures) while producing more power than heavyweight models. It’s also more reliable, more consistent, and cleaner. In other words, the lightweight alternator is an improvement from top to bottom over heavyweight alternators.

Up to 70 Amps of Continuous Power

The AL24-FS60 alternator can be viewed as an optimal replacement for the OE Ford, 60-amp alternator in Cessna aircrafts featuring multi-groove, belt-driven alternators. If an aircraft electrical system is properly adapted to take advantage of the additional power, the FAA PMA permits use of every bit of the 70 amps of output.

Tighter, Longer-Lasting Performance

Through a combination of precision balance and tighter component tolerances, the new alternators boast much lower vibration (which, of course, significantly extends service life). Additionally, the cooling fans, built-in noise filtration, and over-voltage protection all extend alternator life and improve performance.

Simple, Trouble-Free Installation

Each alternator kit comes with all the required mounting brackets and hardware, and—since it’s already FAA PMA-certified as a replacement part—no STC paperwork is required. You’ll be back in the air in no time.

Contact our Dallas-area aviation experts for more information, or check out our full catalog of engine accessories.

Gone are the days of flying blind into the Bermuda Triangle. Handheld GPS systems are accurate, flexible, and utterly bursting with cutting edge features—like moving, real-time maps in full, high-resolution color—that would seem unfathomable to hold in the palm of your hand just a decade or two ago.

We love these tools, and want to make it easier than ever for our pilot customers to fly with one.

Skeptical? Here are three reasons you might want to give one a try:

1. They Make Flying Safer

First and foremost, the accuracy of Garmin handheld GPS models helps keep pilots from veering off course (although the log-book compatible features keep flight reporting simple and easy if they do). GPS also makes up the most essential form of collision avoidance (thanks to innovative features like altitude-sensitive alerts). Throw in features like background land-mapping, terrain-mapping, and an obstacle-alerting function, and you’ll be confidently soaring through the skies with the latest cutting edge technological support—all in the palm of your hand.

It all happens on full-color, high-resolution screens that make it easy to stay fully alert and aware of what’s happening around you. For example, the GPSMAP 696 model features seven-inch, sunlight-readable HD screens for flawless visibility both day and night, as well as soft keys and joystick control to quickly get the information you need.

Flying has never been safer.

2. They Keep Working After You Land

The post-flight benefits of a Garmin handheld GPS kick in as soon as you safely land your plane. For example, the GPSMAP 696 model gives you intricate taxiway diagrams for more than 850 U.S. airports, and gives you detailed information (phone numbers, fuel information, etc.) for more than 5,300 U.S. airports.

From there, the units provide local road, taxi, food, and lodging information. And unlike a panel-mounted unit, you can simply take the handheld GPS with you as you head into town. Landing on an obscure wilderness or ranch landing strip? The GPS units make it easy to get out and explore.

3. They’re Affordable

We think these magnificent machines make the skies more safe and more fun for everyone exploring them, so we’re trying to make it as easy as possible for pilots to own them. In fact, at Air Power, Inc., we’re offering pilots the chance to rent one (your first three payments can apply towards an eventual purchase), buy one (you can spread out the burden over ten payments), or even try one out for 30 days and return it for free. We offer five different Garmin hand-held GPS models—GPSMAP 696, GPSMAP 695, GPSMAP 496, GPSMAP 396, GPSMAP 495 with available Americas, Atlantic, and Pacific base maps—and are even willing to work out a trade.

Air Power, Inc. has been appointed as a distributor for the ECI line of Titan® Cylinders and parts. New Titan® Cylinders are available with a through hardened steel barrel or a nickel + carbide coating (at an extra cost). The Titan® Cylinders are sold as kits containing the piston with rings fitted, rocker shaft and cylinder gaskets. They are available for most Lycoming parallel valve engines and the full line of TCM engines. These cylinders are protected by the best warranty in the cylinder business, 3 years parts and labor and the nickel + carbide coated barrels have a 5 year no rust warranty.

Skytech Flyweight Starters has two new light weight starters for Lycoming piston engines. The 149-NL-EC is the fine tooth starter ring gears and provides extra cranking power (EC) without damaging the starter. This improvement is also available for coarse tooth ring gears as a 122-NL-EC. These starters do not require a core return and are under warranty for 2 years. Air Power keeps both of these starters in stock for fast service.