“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.

• 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.

Here at Air Power, Inc., we’re proud to offer a comprehensive range of Lycoming engines — for several reasons:

• They’re committed to excellence.
• They’re innovative. Very, very innovative.
• They’re committed to pioneering better, more affordable flying experiences for general aviation pilots of all skill levels.

For example, Lycoming first approved an unleaded fuel, AVGAS 91/96 UL, for more than 30 engine models in 1995. Recently, however, Lycoming began exploring new ways to make more widespread the use of UL 91 avgas – and it looks like they’ll succeed.

The company recently applied for approval in Europe to use UL 91 avgas with several of its lines of engines, including its 233-, 235-, 320- and 360-series (with some 540-series engines available shortly thereafter). According to a Lycoming spokesman, the approval process should take only weeks.

“Many of our engines have been approved to operate on unleaded aviation fuel since 1995,” says Michael Kraft, Lycoming senior vice president and general manager in a statement released by the company. “Recognizing that not every fuel is available worldwide, we are continuously working to expand our specified fuels list to give pilots the flexibility they need to operate safely in the broadest range of locations. Our approval of UL 91 supports recent actions by European fuel producers and EASA to stabilize aviation fuel supplies for light aircraft and respond to environmental concerns over lead in aviation fuel.”

Still, it might take some time to be able to use such an engine in the U.S. airspace.

According to AVWeb:

[A Lycoming spokesman] told AVweb, Wednesday, “If your engine is approved on this fuel then your airframe is automatically approved … in the EU. In the U.S., if the engine is approved, you may still need approval for the airframe.” The first U.S. approvals should greet engines that were originally approved on 80/87 avgas. Those engines usually are approved for 80/87 or higher octane fuel. Some engine models may have received type certificates after 80/87 stopped being available, but should be able to run it also. Those engines will need to be “validated,” Miller said, citing the “weeks — not months” timeline.

Kraft says that UL 91 is not a replacement for 100LL (low-leaded fuel) — it’s not even available from any major distributors yet in the United States — but it is an ideal alternative for aviation needs to automotive gasoline. However, Lycoming is determined to find a long-term unleaded 100LL replacement fuel.

If you have questions about when your Lycoming engine will be approved to run on UL 91 avgas – or if you have questions about whether or not your aircraft will qualify, give us a call.  Or go ahead and take a look at our complete line of tough, top-quality Lycoming engine accessories.

1. Engines are Going to Cost Just a Little Bit More

The company will be slightly increasing prices on most aftermarket engines and service parts. According to the Lycoming:

Over the past six years, all product lines have been value priced to reflect market values and provide competitive prices. This year’s pricing exercise does not reflect an “across the board” approach; instead it incorporates pricing increases by specific product line and part or commodity category.

2. Starters Eliminated for Increased Customer Control

The company says that it has received regular requests to either supply engines without starters or with starters that are different than the ones listed. Changing or eliminating the starter usually requires the creation of a new engine part number and unique bill of material.

In response, Lycoming will no longer provide starters on rebuilt and overhauled exchange engines (also beginning January 1). New engines will continue to be shipped with the original OEM starter.

For aircraft builders and owners, this allows them more flexibility of choice concerning starters and greater access to newer, state-of-the-art starter models, designs and technology (for example, check out our extensive line of aircraft starters). Also, for those who have only recently installed a replacement starter, this change allows them to make full use of that investment instead of prematurely replacing a perfectly good starter.

Here at Air Power, Inc., we’re proud to provide a comprehensive line of Lycoming engines, engine parts and cylinders — at affordable prices. If you have any questions about how these changes will affect our prices or product offering, contact us to learn more.

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.

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.

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.