American Flyers December eNewsletter Contents:
Destinations
Around the Industry
Featured Products
Tips From the Pros
Featured Aircraft
Destinations
Wings of Dreams Aviation Museum. This month’s destination is the Wings of Dreams Aviation Museum at Keystone Airpark (42J). Located at a former Army Air Field with a rich history in its own right, the Wings of Dreams Aviation Museum is on a mission to preserve this piece of American aviation history for future generations. The museum’s ongoing expansion includes plans for permanent warbird restoration facilities, a space museum, as well as libraries and a restaurant.
More information>>
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Around the Industry
Boeing Announces Record Order. Boeing has announced two record-setting deals with Emirates and Lion Air for their 737 aircraft, as well as other deals during and after the Dubai Airshow. In addition, they have set a record for orders of their model 777 in a single year with 192 to date. That surpasses the previous record of 154 orders set in 2005.
The Lion Air deal is significant in that it demonstrates an unwavering acceptance of the 737 MAX—a re-engined 737 NG. Lion Air ordered over 200 737 MAXs and 29 extended-range 737-900s.
“This announcement by Boeing is incredibly encouraging,” remarked Hugh Lawrence, Executive Director for American Flyers. “We are seeing a sharp increase in activity for our airline transition program using our 737NG simulator at our Dallas facility. In addition, we anticipate FAA approval under Part 142 for the 737 type rating in January of 2012.” For more information, email Hugh Lawrence.
Amazing Restoration in Progress. The historic B-17 Memphis Belle has reached a recent restoration milestone on its return to factory condition. Crews at the National Museum of the UA Air Force have recently mated the wings to the fuselage and extended the landing gear. The restoration process began in 2005 and has been documented throughout.
Full story>>
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Featured Products
Gift Certificates Available for the Holidays. Looking for the perfect gift for any occasion? A Gift Certificate from American Flyers makes a unique and memorable present. From introductory flights, test preparation classes and flight training, to pilot supplies, sunglasses and headsets…The sky is truly the limit!
Our Certificates make an ideal gift for any aviation enthusiast. They are a thoughtful expression for any occasion including Christmas, birthdays, Fathers' and Mothers' Day and graduations.
More info>>
Free Online Pilot Courses. American Flyers is proud to offer these free educational videos to our friends in the pilot community. If you’re new to aviation, or know someone who is just starting out, check out the Virtual Pilot Course—it’s a great introduction into the world of aviation, presented by our most enthusiastic instructors.
If you are working on your instrument rating (or thinking of getting one), take a look at our video on IFR Flight Planning. Watch as two experienced Instrument Instructors share their knowledge and insight with you.
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Tips From the Pros
Protecting Yourself Against the Cold
Anybody who's been there knows the coldest place on earth has to be standing on a ramp in the early morning, the wind rushing at you from across the barren field, sneaking around the edges of your coat and numbing your fingers as you complete the lonely job of preflighting your airplane. Even though the temperature may not seem that low, it's the wind chill that's doing the damage to you. The wind chill is the effect of the wind on people and animals. The wind chill temperature is based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin caused by wind and cold and is to give you an approximation of how cold the air feels on your body.
As the wind increases, it removes heat from the body, driving down skin temperature and eventually the internal body temperature. Therefore, the wind makes it feel much colder. If the temperature is 0°F (-18°C) and the wind is blowing at 15 mph (13 kts), the wind chill temperature is -19°F (-28°C). At this level, exposed skin can freeze in just a few minutes.
The only effect wind chill has on inanimate objects, such as car radiators and water pipes, is to shorten the amount of time for the object to cool. The inanimate object will not cool below the actual air temperature. For example, if the temperature outside is -5°F (-21°C) and the wind chill temperature is -31°F (-35°C), then your car's radiator temperature will be no lower than the air temperature of -5°F (-21°C).
What is important about the wind chill besides feeling colder than the actual air temperature? The lower the wind chill temperature, the greater you are at risk for developing frost bite and/or hypothermia. Frostbite occurs when your body tissue freezes. The most susceptible parts of the body are fingers, toes, ear lobes and the tip of the nose. Hypothermia occurs when body core temperature, normally around 98.6°F (37°C) falls below 95°F (35°C).
The best way to avoid hypothermia and frostbite is to stay warm and dry indoors. When you must go outside, dress appropriately. Wear several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing. Trapped air between the layers will insulate you. Remove layers to avoid sweating and subsequent chill. Outer garments should be tightly woven, water repellent and hooded. Wear a hat, because half of your body heat can be lost from your head. Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extreme cold. Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better than gloves. Try to stay dry and out of the wind.
Aviation Memory Aids
If you Google "aviation memory aids," you'll get about 950,000 results. We've made it easy for you and picked out a few tried and true memory aids that will help you keep the knowledge you need close at hand. After all, if they were good enough to get many of us through the oral exam, then they are good enough to use whenever we head out to the airport.
This arrow can point you in the right direction for an easy preflight. ARROWE: Airworthiness Certificate, Registration, Radio License, Operating Limitations, Weight & Balance, Equipment List.
Does "TV Make Dull Company?" Well, if you're trying to determine magnetic and true courses you shouldn't be watching television, but: True plus or minus Variation equals Magnetic, plus or minus Deviation equals Compass.
Is there an easy way to remember the components and sequence of a clearance? Could be… CLEAR: Clearance Limit, En route, Altitude, Remarks.
Tomatoes and flames might make for a good marinara sauce, but it's an even better recipe for the VFR pilot. TOMATO FLAMES lists the required VFR Equipment: Tachometer, Oil Pressure Gauge, Manifold Pressure Gauge, Altimeter, Temperature Gauge for each Liquid Cooled Engine, Oil Temperature Gauge, Fuel Gauge, Landing Gear Position Indicator, Airspeed Indicator, Magnetic Direction Indicator (Compass), ELT, Seatbelts.
You may not need flaps to take off during the day, but you better not forget them at night. FLAPS are the requirements for Night VFR: Fuses, Landing Light, Anti-collision Lights, Position Lights, Source of Electricity.
Great name for a movie, but even better to remind us of pre-landing requirements is GUMPS: Gas, Undercarriage, Mixture, Propeller, Seatbelt belts & harnesses.
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Featured Aircraft
Piper Aircraft PA-46 Malibu Family
The Piper PA-46 is a family of light aircraft manufactured by Piper Aircraft of the United States. The aircraft is powered by a single engine and has the capacity for one pilot and five passengers. Early Malibus were all piston-engined, but a turboprop version, the Malibu Meridian, is also available.
The PA-46 is the third single-engine piston aircraft with a pressurized cabin to ever reach the market, after the Mooney M22 and Cessna P210 Centurion. It is sold mainly to civilian customers.
 Development
Work on the PA-46 began in the late 1970s, with a prototype (the PA-46-300T) first flying on November 30, 1979. The type was announced in November 1982, apparently to compete with Cessna's newest creation of the era, the P210 Centurion. Like the Centurion, the Malibu was to feature cabin pressurization, a feature not included on the prototype.
Variants
PA-46-310P Malibu
The first example of the initial production version flew in August 1982, and FAA certification was obtained in September 1983. Deliveries started one month later. 404 aircraft with Continental TSIO-520 engines were built before this model was replaced in production by the 350P.
The PA-46-310P is powered by a Teledyne Continental Motors TSIO-520BE engine rated at 310 hp. The PA-46-310P has lower fuel consumption, greater range, and the ability to cruise at "lean-of-peak." The PA-46-310P has a maximum cruising range of 1550 nautical miles (with reserves), while the PA-46-350P initially had a maximum cruising range of only 1,055 nautical miles, although now increased to 1,345 nautical miles.
The PA-46-310P Malibu has set several world speed records: Seattle to New York set November 23, 1987 at 259.27 mph; Detroit to Washington, DC set January 4, 1989 at 395.96 mph; and Chicago to Toronto set on January 8, 1989 at 439.13 mph. All three records were set by Steve Stout in his 1986 Malibu N9114B. The Continental-powered Malibu was discontinued in 1986 following a series of incidents to engine failures.
PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage
Production of the Malibu Mirage commenced in October 1988. New features included a more powerful Textron Lycoming TIO-540-AE2A 350 hp engine and a new wing. This model remains in production as of 2011. Various changes have occurred over the model years. Earlier models had an all King panel and later this became largely Garmin. The Avidyne Entegra glass cockpit is now standard in the Mirage with the Garmin G1000 optional. In 1995, the pilot's windshield became a glass assembly (earlier it had been acrylic glass with a heat strip overlay). In 1996, numerous switches were moved to an overhead console. In 1999, the Mirage gained the strengthened wing designed for the turboprop Meridian. The base price for a 2011 Malibu Mirage is USD$997,500.
PA-46-500TP Malibu Meridian
In 1997, Piper announced its intention to market a turboprop-powered version of the Malibu, and flew a prototype the following year powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-42A of 500 shp. Certification was achieved in September 2000 and deliveries began in November that year. Changes made to allow for turboprop power include larger wings and tail surfaces. In 2009, Piper began offering the Meridian with a three screen version of the Garmin G1000 including the Garmin GFC 700 autopilot as a replacement for the Avidyne Entegra system.
PA-46R-350T Matrix
In October 2007 Piper announced the Matrix, an unpressurized version of the Mirage. It seats six and its base price is $819,000. The new model has been designated as the PA-46R-350T, indicating retractable landing gear, 350 hp, and turbocharging.
Piper Aircraft is marketing the Matrix as a cabin-class aircraft for Cirrus SR-22 and Cessna 400 owners to step up to.
Standard equipment on the Matrix includes a built-in oxygen system, Avidyne Entegra glass cockpit, S-Tec 55X autopilot and air conditioning.
Major options on the Matrix are a de-ice system, an "Enhanced Situational Awareness Package", speed brakes, an avionics package featuring the Avidyne TAS610 dual antenna traffic advisory system, GWX-68 Weather Radar, and the Garmin G1000 avionics system with twin 10" PFDs and a 15" MFD.
The Matrix's powerplant is a turbocharged Lycoming TI0-540-AE2A producing 350 hp. The aircraft's performance includes a cruise speed of 215 knots at 25,000 feet, 215 knots at 17,500 feet and 188 knots at 12,000 feet. Maximum take-off weight is 4,340 lbs and an empty weight of 2,937 lbs giving a standard useful load of 1,421 lbs.
Matrix deliveries began in early 2008.
JetPROP
The JetPROP DLX is an aftermarket turbine engine conversion for the PA46-310 Malibu and PA46-350 Malibu Mirage. Originally certified in August 1998 with a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34, conversions 90 and above used the P&W PT6A-35 when the -34 was discontinued. A lower cost JetPROP DL conversion became available in October 2003 utilizing the P&W PT6A-21. As of September 2008, 233 JetPROP conversions had been completed and delivered by Rocket Engineering of Spokane, WA. Twenty percent of the entire PA46 fleet have been converted.
Specifications (PA-46-310P Malibu)
General Characteristics
- Crew: One pilot
- Capacity: Five passengers
- Length: 28 ft 4 ¾ in
- Wingspan: 43 ft 0 in
- Height: 11 ft 3½ in
- Wing area: 175.0 sq ft
- Empty weight: 2,354 lbs
- Max takeoff weight: 4,100 lbs
- Powerplant: 1 × Continental TSIO-520-BE 6-cylinder, turbocharged, fuel-injected, horizontally opposed engine, 310 hp
Performance
- Maximum speed: 234 knots
- Cruise speed: 196 knots (55% power)
- Stall speed: 58 knots (flaps down)
- Range: 1,555 nm
- Service ceiling: 25,000 ft
- Rate of climb: 1,143 ft/min
- Wing loading: 23.4 lb/sq ft
Source: Piper PA-46 – Wikipedia
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