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Top 5 Gifts for Father’s Day

June 2, 2017/in Blog /by Audrey

Father’s Day is approaching and the hunt for gifts has begun! We want our fathers to feel appreciate for everything that they do. If your pops is a big aviation enthusiast than these are the top 5 gifts for him. All these gifts can be used on the aircraft or anywhere else your dad wishes to go. From creating great memories from video footage to looking fresh with a nice tie and NAV kit bag.

1. GoPro HERO5 Session

HERO5 Session can capture stunning video handheld, or mounted to your favorite aircraft, vehicle, or gear; edit the material later with GoPro’s Quik app, and create a breathtaking video in only a few minutes. More than 30 mounts and accessories are available to you when you wish to broaden your creative horizons.

2. Flying Fortress Navy Blue Silk Tie

Navy Blue silk necktie honoring the B-17 Flying Fortress. While you might not be able to take the controls of the legendary B-17 Flying Fortress, that doesn’t mean you can’t show your stylish admiration for the famed 4-engine heavy bomber. This eye-catching silk necktie pays homage to the iconic USAAC aircraft with a variety of intricate sketches of the plane all along its length. The soft yellow outlines of the B-17 perfectly complement the necktie’s classy Navy Blue color. Measures 57″ x 3¼”.

3. 2060 Altimeter Alarm Clock/Desk Model Pen Set

This item replaces the traditional analog clock face with a strikingly realistic display of an aircraft altimeter. It’s great for the office! The unit boasts ultra-rugged, high-impact styrene construction paired with a cutting-edge, American-made Quartz movement for a level of accuracy that’s second to none. The clock measures 3½” x 3½” and comes mounted on a 2″ x 7¼” base. Requires a single AA alkaline battery for power and includes a 1-year warranty. The ultimate combination of quality, affordability, and style that aviation-inclined office warriors will appreciate.

4. Leatherman Wave with Nylon Sheath

Calling Leatherman’s Wave a multifunctional tool just doesn’t do the item justice. It’s more like an entire tool chest that happens to fold up and fit neatly in your pocket. Long known as the absolute best multi-tool on the market, Leatherman has refined the highly capable Wave with stronger pliers; longer wire cutters; larger, all-locking blades; and a host of other user-friendly improvements. Among its 17 tools, the Wave brings users spring-action scissors, a medium screwdriver, large & small bit drivers, bottle & can openers, wire cutters, wire strippers, needlenose & regular pliers, and much more.

5. B-17 75th Anniversary Nav Kit Bag

You don’t have to be a veteran or a warbird buff to appreciate the splendor of this magnificent Nav Kit Bag honoring the 75th Anniversary of the venerable B-17 Flying Fortress. As one of Boeing’s most beloved historic aircraft, this tote bag features an elegant sewn-on patch of the well-known Boeing Totem, as well as screen-printed “B-17 Flying Fortress” script on one side. The other side pays homage to the legendary bomber with a bit of tail art commemorating the B-17 Nine-O-Nine. The bag’s 20-oz twill fabric and heavy cotton webbing handle and shoulder strap ensure it’ll hold up for years of reliable use, while its antiqued brass zipper further adds to the tote’s overall grandeur. At 16.5″ x 9″ x 12″, this stylish bag is an ideal accessory for the cockpit or a run-of-the-mill day trip. A fantastic, top-quality product that any aviation enthusiast is sure to love.

Here is the link to the website: https://www.pilotmall.com/

Happy Mother’s Day!

May 14, 2017/in Blog /by Audrey

Honoring Our Female Aviators

Today we will be giving a shout-out to Margaret Phelan Taylor. She is a mother, wife, teacher, and pilot. During WWII following the attack on Pearl Harbor, there was a great shortage for pilots in 1942. The military began developing a resolution for this issue by training women as pilots. This program for female aviators was called the Women Airforce Service Pilots, or WASP. Mrs. Taylor was one of more than 1,100 young women, all civilian volunteers, who flew almost every type of military aircraft. Although the WASP did not actively participate in warfare they still played a crucial role in the U.S Military. They didn’t receive official military status until 65 years after the program ended. On March 10, 2010, the WASP were finally granted Congressional Gold Medals in a special ceremony on Capitol Hill. This was a historic moment that was long overdue. These brave women are now in their 80’s and 90’s and only about 250 of the WASP were in attendance. Let us celebrate all the amazing mothers that have shaped our lives!

Photo credit* http://whistmm.blogspot.com/2015/04/focus-margaret-phelan-taylor-and-wasp.html

Piper Cheyenne Service and Repair

August 15, 2016/in Blog /by Audrey

Piper Cheyenne Service Center in Central Florida – Just like their owners, airplanes are as varied and unique as one could imagine. Piper Cheyenne 95DR is a perfect example.

While many Piper Cheyenne’s in use today can be found transporting business executives from one location to another, 95DR has a unique job. This plane is flown as a Medical Air Transport. However, just like all other aircraft, this Cheyenne has required inspections which are just as important as the critical cargo it holds.

During it’s most recent Event 1 & 2 inspection (the Cheyenne equivalent of an annual inspection) at Double M Aviation, Aviation Interiors, Inc. installed a non-skid, easy to clean, (but of course, still FAR Part 135 approved) flooring. This new flooring replaces the standard carpet you would find in most jets, allowing for a more sanitary environment for crew and passengers.

Of course, just because this Cheyenne is a work horse, doesn’t mean she can’t work in style. The upgraded avionics system and clean and shiny exterior are all part of the package, allowing this aircraft to be utilized to it’s full capabilities.

Looking for a Piper Cheyenne Service Center in Central Florida? Learn more about Double M Aviation’s extensive list of capabilities on the Services page of our website.

Tips & Tricks to a Low-Cost Annual Inspection

January 20, 2016/in Blog /by Audrey

An annual inspection does not have to be a high cost, high frustration event. By including preventative maintenance, communication, and continuity into your maintenance practice, your inspection cost could be reduced. Below are six tips and tricks we recommend to keep your cost low.

1. Practice Preventative Maintenance

-If you do proper maintenance throughout the year, you won’t end up with a TON of extra, little items that have to be completed at the annual inspection. For example if you have an oil leak or a small avionics issue on your Bonanza, bring it in and get the squawks fixed.

2. Have a Times Sheet

-Know when costly items are due. This will give you a realistic expectation of what to expect at your next annual. For example, the 72 month landing gear inspection on a Beechcraft King Air is a high dollar inspection. However, it is scheduled maintenance and can be prepared for by looking ahead on your times sheet.

3. Space out costly items

-When dealing with timed items on your aircraft, it may not always pay to wait until the 11th hour to have them complied with. If you have a 10 year prop overhaul due on your Beechcraft Baron, the same time as the 500 hr mag inspection, and the 10 year fuel & oil hoses are due, make a plan to space them out over the course of several inspections to spread out the cost. Inversely, you may choose to do them all during one annual inspection, and consolidate your expenses. You’ll have one expensive event, but the others will be much lower in cost. Planning ahead and figuring out the right option for you is key.

4. Talk to your mechanic

-Discuss what your objectives for the annual are. Do you need this to be a slim annual year, or do you want everything fixed to perfection. Airworthiness items have to be complied with regardless; However, non safety concerns such as cosmetic items can be pushed back. Make a game plan so you are both on the same page.

5. Go Fly!

-This is by far the most enjoyable tip on the list, but it doesn’t make it any less important. It is well documented that the more you fly an airplane, the better condition the engine is going to stay in. So get out there and punch some holes in the clouds.

6. Have continuity in your maintenance

-By using the same mechanic shop a relationship is built, you get to know and trust your mechanic. Often the argument to this is the benefit gained by having a “fresh set of eyes.” While this is of some value, it could be argued that the benefit of developing trust with your mechanic and allowing them to build a relationship with both you and the aircraft far outweighs the alternative.

Of course, we know time is money. Some owner’s opt to keep their airplane flying as much as possible during the year, and come to terms with the idea of one big maintenance event every 12 months. The bottom line is, figure out what works for you and your budget, then communicate with your mechanic so you’re both on the same page.

Contact Double M Aviation for your next Low-Cost Annual Inspection

ADS-B Mandate, the FAA, and YOU

September 17, 2015/in Resources /by Audrey

ADS-B Mandate

In an industry known for its alphabet soup names and never-ending abbreviations, ADS-B can quickly get lost as just another acronym. Recently, however, with the FAA’s now famous 2020 ADS-B mandate looming closer and closer, it’s becoming the buzzword that reaches from the front pages of Google to every fly-in and convention. So what exactly is ADS-B? Does it affect me, and if so, what exactly am I supposed to do about it?

While we don’t claim to be an ADS-B expert (let’s be real, we did what everyone else is doing and googled this stuff!) we felt the internet wouldn’t be right until we added our two cents to the plethora of information already at your fingertips. As a result, we have attempted to answer some of the most common questions that are being asked by people just like you. By no means will this be a comprehensive list of every question ever thought up. Our goal is to simply give you the information to do a little more than just smile and nod next time someone mentions ADS-B.

What is ADS-B?

Let’s start with the basics. ADS-B stands for Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast. As far as we can figure, a bunch of engineers didn’t feel like giving this thing a real name, so instead they just listed out everything the system does and called it a day. Once you look at it from that perspective, the name oddly beings to make sense. Let’s start with the “A”
“Automatic” – This system independently gathers information via the GPS that relates to the aircrafts position and then broadcasts that information to ATC. No pilot input is required.
“Dependent” – while no direct pilot input is required, the system does rely on the aircraft’s navigation system to provide it with all the data it uses, therefore making it dependent on the other systems in the aircraft.
“Surveillance” – at the core of its existence, ADS-B is a system designed to collect data, and then use that data to provide surveillance information to both ATC and any other nearby aircraft properly equipped to interpret said surveillance.
“Broadcast” – The unit broadcasts this information so that anyone with the proper equipment, a little know-how, and the desire to snoop on your aircraft’s activities have all the data they need. It’s not like privacy was really a common thing in aviation anyways.

With the basics covered we can move on to the two parts of ADS-B, ADS-B Out and In.

What is the difference between ADS Out and In?

The Out and In functions of the ADS-B unit are exponentially less confusing than ADS-B itself. They essentially do exactly what it sounds like they do. ADS-B Out transmits information OUT of the aircraft to ATC and any other party equipped to receive the information. ADS-B In allows the aircraft to take in what ATC and other ADS-B Out equipped aircraft are transmitting out. The only real reason to highlight the differences in ADS-B In/Out is that the FAA mandate only applies to your aircraft’s ability to spit out information via ADS-B Out. If you want your aircraft to be able to intake any of this information, you’re on your own.

So now we know what ADS-B is, and that ADS-B Out is the only portion that is set to become the FAA’s newest pet peeve. Now for the real question: Who exactly is required to comply with this new mandate?

Who does the 2020 FAA mandate apply to?
The answer is pretty simple. According to the FAA, any aircraft flying in airspace that requires a Mode-C Transponder (typically considered to be any area within and above Class C airspace) will be required to have functional ADS-B Out capabilities. There has been some discussion as to what exactly qualifies as “within and above,” but we’ll leave that subject to the pros on the message boards for now.

How can I comply with the new ADS-B requirements?

One of the most difficult aspects regarding compliance is that there isn’t a one size fits all solution to accomplish compliance with the new regs. Thanks to the ever prevalent avionics updates and after-market mods, no two cockpits are the same, and what works for one system may not work for another. Not to mention the fact that the each individuals idea of “compliance” will run the gamete of doing the bare minimum necessary for compliance to seeing this as a reason to have a complete panel overhaul.

From Garmin to Avidyne, every avionics company out there has their own unique twist on what they can do to help you reach a state of compliance with the mandate. Below are links to some of the most popular solutions for ADS-B. Take some time, educate yourself on what is available, and when all else fails, consult the professionals, also known as your friendly, neighborhood avionics shop.

Avidyne Solutions

Aspen Avionics Solutions

Navworx Solutions

Trig Avionics solutions

Free flight systems

L3 Lynx

Flight star (Lear 40/45)
Also, we found that if you already have some Garmin products installed, their website offers a quiz style planning tool that will guide you in figuring out which of their solutions is right for you.

ads-b.garmin.com/en-US

www.garmin.com/us/intheair/ads-b

We promise that no matter when you need service, we will have a technician on call for no extra fees. No call out fee, no extra service fees, just quality service on your schedule at our normal shop rates. Whether it’s an AOG service call or just needing your oil changed outside of business hours, Double M Aviation wants to be your first and last call. Contact us today.