U.S. company uAvionix has just released SkyEcho, a portable ADS-B IN/OUT transceiver designed to the United Kingdom’s Civil Aviation Administration (CAA) standards. SkyEcho transmits an aircraft’s position, altitude, course and speed to surrounding aircraft to improve traffic awareness. SkyEcho includes a dual-band ADS-B (1090 and 978 MHz) transceiver to transmit and receive position reports from other ADS-B equipped aircraft. SkyEcho is built upon uAvionix’s popular Sentry technology, the ‘Swiss Army knife’ of portable pilot peripherals. This small device weighs in at 120 grams and delivers 12 hours of battery usage.

The U.K. is testing in-flight weather and other services over UAT (978 MHz). SkyEcho comes ready for the future with a built-in 978 MHz ADS-B receiver so that U.K. pilots can benefit from this new service. Like Nav Canada, the U.K.’s NATS is part of the Aireon consortium delivering space-based ADS-B services over 1090 MHz, excluding weather information.

The 1090 MHz transmitter has a 20-watt nominal output. Transmit functionality can be enabled or disabled from the configuration page. The ADS-B IN capability includes both 1090 MHz and 978 MHz UAT for display of live traffic and weather from a U.K. UAT trial system.

SkyEcho comes with a RAM mount, soft case and USB-C charging cable. Currently available only in the U.K., SkyEcho costs £443 (approximately C$750). As with all portable devices, SkyEcho is meant to be used to improve pilot situational awareness and as a navigational aid only and is not intended for use in IFR flight conditions.

It should be noted that SkyEcho is designed for use only in the U.K., and is only available there. It is not suitable for space-based ADS-B as the minimum power requirement is 125 watts whereas the SkyEcho puts out only 20 watts. However, that a company such as uAvionix is willing to develop products for a GA market that is smaller than Canada’s is encouraging. When Canada finally gets an ADS-B mandate, uAvionix will almost certainly be ready to offer Canadians a convenient and cost-effective solution.

With contribution from Phil Lightstone.

A Transportation Safety Board accident investigation report into the crash last summer of a Fort Langley Air Cessna 180H into British Columbia’s Tyaughton Lake was released this week. The TSB determined that the aircraft experienced an accelerated stall while attempting to return to the point of takeoff. In the accident, both the front-seat and rear-seat passengers were fatally injured and the pilot sustained serious injuries.

The aircraft took off from Tyax Lodge on the northwestern side of the lake, that generally runs north-south. While climbing southward after take-off, at about 300 feet above the lake surface, the rear-seat passenger, also a pilot, noted that fuel was leaking from the left wing tank. He advised the pilot to turn around. The aircraft then entered a steep turn, necessitated by the surrounding terrain.

Density altitude at the time was calculated by the TSB to be 5,250 feet asl, which would have resulted in an increase in turning radius of about 15 percent compared to a similar turn at sea level in standard day conditions.

The TSB determined that the aircraft and pilot conformed with all regulations and standards. They also noted that no-one on board the aircraft was wearing a personal flotation device, that there was no emergency exit from the rear of the aircraft and that the pilot had not received emergency egress training.

In the report, the TSB repeated recommendations that resulted from investigations into similar accidents in the past:

• “[That] the Department of Transport require that all new and existing commercial seaplanes be fitted with regular and emergency exits that allow rapid egress following a survivable collision with water.” (TSB Recommendation A11-05);
• “[That] the Department of Transport require that occupants of commercial seaplanes wear a device that provides personal flotation following emergency egress.” (TSB Recommendation A11-06);
• “(That] the Department of Transport require underwater egress training for all flight crews engaged in commercial seaplane operations.” (TSB Recommendation A13-02).

The complete TSB Investigation Report (A18P0108) can be found here.

The U.S. FAA has issued a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin to alert owners, operators and maintenance personnel of Cessna 172R, 172S, 182S, 182T, 206H and T206H airplanes. These aircraft may have been equipped from the factory with oil pressure switches bearing the part number 83278, or they may have been supplied as spares.

This oil pressure switch is used to supply information to a warning annunciator on pre-Garmin G1000-equipped planes and the annunciator on the primary flight display of G1000-equipped planes. It is also used to drive the Hobbs hour meter on all the above-mentioned planes. Oil pressure gauges are not affected as they are driven by a separate transducer.

These switches have been subject in the past to an airworthiness directive (AD2013-11-11) where a life limit of 3000 hours of time in service (TIS) was specified. The existing AD remains in effect. However, the FAA is considering additional AD action based on their investigation of recent events.

In seven recent events, premature oil pressure switch failures led to oil leaks around the switch housing, which could lead to oil leaking onto the aircraft’s windshield and obscuring vision, or to the loss of engine oil, resulting in engine failure.

The FAA is recommending that operators of the affected aircraft become aware of the issue, be alert to oil residue on or around the forward fuselage upper cowling or the windshield, and inspect the switch housing for the presence of any oil or wrench marks that might indicate over-torqueing of the switch.

The FAA recommends that corrective action be taken before further flight should any of the conditions outlined above be observed. They also recommend that switch be replaced after 1000 hours TIS.

The complete bulletin is available below for viewing.

The first amphibious advanced ultralight aircraft (AULA) to be marketed in Canada has received a Letter of Acceptance from Transport Canada. The Borey Model A flying boat was designed and manufactured by AeroVolga Scientific Production Association, a company founded in Russia in 2002.

The two-seat Borey comes with a Rotax 912UL engine producing 80hp and, when configured to Canadian specifications, has a maximum takeoff weight of 560 kg (1,235 lbs). Maximum cruise speed is 83 kts and stall speed is 35 kts.

Takeoff run on land is 525 feet and 690 feet on water. The rate of climb is 787 fpm. When configured with optional long-range tanks, range is 485 nautical miles. A ballistic recover chute, weighing 18 kg (40 lbs), is an option as is an enhanced glass instrument panel.

Nine Boreys have been delivered globally so far, with another one headed to Canada that  should be available for viewing in the Ottawa area come June.

AeroVolga’s first flying boat project, the LA-8, was a twin-engine eight-passenger that made its inaugural flight in 2004.

Last summer, AeroVolga made international news when a flight of their aircraft, comprising one Borey and two LA-8s, flew around the world along a polar route. The expedition took 43 days and the aircraft flew over 10,800 nm.

Those with distributor and/or dealer enquiries are invited to contact George Alafinov or visit their website. Technical enquiries in Canada can be directed to Patrick Gilligan.

Another amazing fly-in at Montebello is in the books. Kudos to COPA for their part in making this annual event such a success.

I would like to give a plug to the Western Canada’s biggest, and dare I say ‘other’ best winter fly-in on the frozen surface of Lac La Biche, Alberta. Started in 2010, the annual event regularly draws over 80 aircraft of all sizes and makes. From ultralights and all types of light aircraft to helicopters, light twins and multi-million dollar corporate aircraft.

Each year, Lac La Biche’s COPA Flight 165 joins forces with the Winter Festival of Speed to host car, snowmobile, motorcycle and ATV races, all on the frozen lake.  There are horse-drawn sleigh rides, axe throwing and a trapping display to enjoy. With such a full weekend guaranteed to excite anyone with a pulse, we would like to extend an invitation to COPA members to join us on the lake and see if you agree that the Lac La Biche Ice Fly-in is indeed one of Canada’s best.

The runway is approximately 4000 feet by 100 feet, and expected orientation is 13/31, with right-hand circuits on 31. Unicom is 123.20 and automated weather is available on 122.125. The location may vary, but traditionally it is three miles north of the Lac La Biche airport (CYLB).

On-ice refreshments include roasted hot dogs, doughnuts, hot chocolate and coffee and other fare from various food vendors. This year we remember flying club member ‘Trapper’ Bob Gerbrandt, who passed away suddenly in December, 2018. Gerbrandt, who would always have his furs on display, wood-roasted a pig at last year’s Ice Fly-in. In memoriam, we plan another pig roast on Saturday afternoon.

COPA Flight 165 encourages all aviation enthusiast to attend this year’s event Feb. 23-34, 2019 to see why we think this is Canada’s ‘other’ Best Winter Fly-in.

Check our flying club’s website for updates/conditions.

Contributed by Ken Zachkewich for COPA Flight 165. Photos courtesy of Stacey Skyrpan.

Whelen Engineering, a U.S. company well known as a manufacturer of aircraft navigation lights, has acquired LoPresti Aviation, another U.S. company that is best known for their speed mods, especially for Mooneys and Pipers.

LoPresti was the first to use high-intensity discharge (HID) technology to develop landing and taxi lights as accessories to go with their speed mods. Their HID market eventually expanded into the corporate jet sector. As LED technology became cheaper, LoPresti also began developing lights using the newer technology.

LoPresti’s speed mod business is included in the deal with Whelen.

The new company is now known as Whelen Aerospace Technologies or WAT, but the LoPresti brand will remain.

In addition to speed mods and aircraft lighting products, Whelen manufactures lighting products for the automotive sector as well as ‘mass notification systems’, or sirens that are typically used at schools when a lock-down is underway, or as tsunami warning devices.

“WAT enables both companies to combine resources and deliver distinct technologies to the market,” says Whelen president and CEO George Whelen.

“Through WAT, we will strengthen our portfolio in aircraft lighting applications and composite structures. This acquisition will be highly beneficial to OEMs, as well as to the end user,” said Tyler Wheeler, LoPresti Aviation CEO. “Maintaining the highest level of customer service is the highest priority for us as we continue growing as one.” Tyler will join Whelen Aerospace Technologies as CEO.

LoPresti, which was founded in 1991, will continue operating at its Sebastian, Florida location. Whelen Aerospace Technologies will be headquartered in Chester, Connecticut, where Whelen was founded in 1952.