10 November 2020
BendixKing has received the Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for its AeroCruze 230 Digital Autopilot from EASA.
The approval means more than 35 aircraft types can upgrade existing KFC 150 autopilots.
“Aside from all the other features that the AeroCruze 230 is known for, the function that has gained the most notoriety is the AWL or Automatic Wings Level,” said BendixKing.
“This feature quickly allows the pilot or student pilot to rapidly bring the aircraft under control in inclement weather situations or in unusual attitudes. The ability for anyone to bring the aircraft back to ‘wings level’ with the touch of a button means peace of mind for you and your passengers.”
Other features include:
Recommended price of the AeroCruze 230 starts at $9,800.
4 comments
Ah – the classic misunderstanding.
Being on the REACH register doesn’t mean an item is banned. It means that use needs to be authorised.
When there aren’t alternatives (and there currently aren’t for many aircraft engines) then authorisation will be given.
This was last looked at a few years ago:
https://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/13640/9th_recom_respdoc_tetraethyllead_en.pdf/1548f1c6-afc1-408e-d4fb-c51f2000cdd7
And rejected:
“Based on this information from registrations ECHA concluded that the use of the aviation fuel (e.g. by professionals or consumers) is outside the scope of authorisation since the TEL content is below
the specific concentration limit of 0.1 % by weight”
This would be a disaster for many operators of higher powered piston engines aircraft and of course most of the warbirds. No more Spitfires flying!
Surely they can’t be allowed to ban TEL until a safe alternative is found and certified, particularly for the higher compression ratio engines that need the higher octane as well as an additive to do the same job as the lead does on the valves. It seems that additives might be available as used in vintage cars, but these need extensive testing and certification.
I also wonder how I might know if I have hardened valve seats in my engine, an O-320 built in the late 90s. Which is approved for unleaded and run on it some of the time.
The Government also needs to encourage the us of unleaded fuels in aircraft that can use it now, they should reduce the tax on UL91, so that it is considerably cheaper than 100LL.
Interesting to see that in shell’s explanation they appear to be ignorant of 91UL in Europe for the last 15 years plus and UL96 in Sweden for 30 years!
I do not want to pay for services from Flyer. I used to receive flyer magazine. I no longer receive that. I do not want any material that will incur a payment from me.
Regards GEllis
Hi Geoffery, the emails are “free” and cost nothing.