Australian Flying January-February 2016 explores two new aeroplanes yet to reach the Australian market: the mercurial Diamond DA62 twin and Tecnam's fresh-faced P Twenty-Ten four-seater. Both aircraft have potential to rock their respective markets and challenge the supremacy of traditional brands. We also simplify the ADS-B mandates, examine high-speed singles, fly a seaplane and put emergency actions under the microscope. It's an issue that covers a broad range of entertaining and informative topics to keep you abreast of a fast-moving industry.
Diamond's DA62 is a seven-seat, diesel-powered twin that out-performs all other aeroplanes in its class. A highly-automated aeroplane with speed and space as its key characteristics, Steve Hitchen found that Diamond has redefined multi engine aircraft.
Smaller than the Diamond, but with similar levels of technology and capability, the Tecnam P Twenty-Ten looks like the aeroplane the industry has been waiting for. Does this little Italian four-seater have the potential to take serious market share away from the established brands? Steve Hitchen went to Capua, Italy, to put it to the test.
Andrew Andersen has extensive experience with airspace technology and has been across the ADS-B debate almost from the moment the term was first used. He lays it all out in simple terms so aeroplane owners can make sure they're ready for the mandate in 12 months time.
They are seductive beasts, the high-speed singles. Pilots of Archers and Skyhawks watch with an emerald-green envy as they blast past on aero club fly-aways and dream of one day having that power in their own hands. But, flying aircraft like Cirrus SR22s and Beech Bonanzas is a complex skill that requires a step-up in thinking and culture. Phil Smart explains the concepts and examines the histories of the most common types.
Flaps may be the most misunderstood of all aerodynamic controls. Taught to students by rote and number, they are often overlooked at the moment they could be needed the most. In his latest Masterclass, Jim Davis presents the ins and outs of wing flaps, and why a better understanding is needed to use them to their greatest advantage.
In Reach for the Sky, Paul Reynolds ventures into the world of marine aviation as he spends a day with Sydney Seaplanes Global. After several hours learning the basics of flying a C206 floatplane, it looks like he's hooked!
Something has gone wrong, something ain't like it should be. The moments after a pilot realises that their day is about to be ruined with an in-flight emergency often govern the eventual outcome. Paul Southwick spoke to experienced flight instructors about immediate actions and how to prevent potential disaster in the first place.
Central Coast Aero Club at Warnervale rolled the dice when they bought a general aviation company to secure their membership stream. Almost immediately they were beset with crises that must have had them wondering what they'd done. But from adversity came strength, and Scott MacKillop's story of CCAC's survival is one the entire aviation community can take heart from.