CBAA tradeshow in Edmonton – Day 3

Posted on June 20, 2014 by admin

CBAA update from Edmonton

Tradeshow was up and running yesterday and a very busy day for Steve and Daryl.   The show went well with lots of exhibits and met lots of great people.   They finished the day at a nice Portuguese tapas and wine bar.

 

 

 

At this time, they are actually trying to depart to Springbank, Calgary but they had to turn back due to low cloud.  Hoping it will burn off in the next hour or so.

 

As Steve would say “time to spare, go by air!”.

After being stuck in Calgary due to convective activity east of Kelowna, they stayed the night.

Saturday morning they made their way back to Pitt Meadows.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maxcraft Avionics is a leader in airplane and helicopter avionic system upgrades like the Garmin GTN series, including installation of everything from a basic VHF Radio and simple Garmin portable GPS all the way to TCAS, EFIS, and autopilot systems. We have the largest avionics facility in Canada and we have over 20,000 unique part numbers in our inventory to repair your aircraft or upgrade your cockpit.

 

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Taking the long way to CBAA in Edmonton – Day 2

Posted on June 19, 2014 by admin

Fort McMurray and Oil Sands

After arriving in the late afternoon to Fort McMurray, Steve and Daryl spent the night to have an adventure the next day.

The next day, Steve and Daryl were very fortunate to have a generous helicopter tour of the oil sands in Fort McMurray by the owner of Phoenix Helicopters, Paul Spring.

Very fascinating to see the whole process according to Steve and Daryl.

 

Later in the evening, they flew to Villeneuve Airport, just 3km away from St. Alberts which is located 20 minutes from downtown Edmonton.

From there, they stayed in Edmonton for a goods nights rest to attend the CBAA the next day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maxcraft Avionics is a leader in airplane and helicopter avionic system upgrades like the Garmin GTN series, including installation of everything from a basic VHF Radio and simple Garmin portable GPS all the way to TCAS, EFIS, and autopilot systems. We have the largest avionics facility in Canada and we have over 20,000 unique part numbers in our inventory to repair your aircraft or upgrade your cockpit.

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Taking the long way to CBAA in Edmonton

Posted on June 18, 2014 by admin

First stop – Fort McMurray

Steve and Daryl left this morning on an adventure. Flying in Daryl’s Cessna 182 and  after watching the change in the weather, they were wheels up mid morning.  Their destination…Fort McMurray.  Just one of their stops to the CBAA (Canadian Business Aviation Association) in Edmonton.

Packed and ready, with some demo gear, Daryl’s new panel, and new interior in the 182P, they were gone.

A couple of hours ago they were cruising along at 11,500 feet above Kamloops siping oxygen.

 

Fraser Canyon north of Hope was low but got on top around Lytton.

Staff at Maxcraft are following them anxiously on line with Steve and Daryl’s Spot Gen 3. (which I must say, is very neat to watch).

After landing at Whitecourt, Alberta for fuel, they visited a customer and then continued on. They had a great flight to Fort Mac and under a cloud deck arrived to a very busy airport! Steve and Daryl had a customer pick them up and then lend them their vehicle for the day!

More on their adventure tomorrow!

Maxcraft Avionics is a leader in airplane and helicopter avionic system upgrades like the Garmin GTN series, including installation of everything from a basic VHF Radio and simple Garmin portable GPS all the way to TCAS, EFIS, and autopilot systems. We have the largest avionics facility in Canada and we have over 20,000 unique part numbers in our inventory to repair your aircraft or upgrade your cockpit.

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Technicians out on training

Posted on June 17, 2014 by admin

Maxcraft Avionics send technicians out for specialized training

This year, two of Maxcraft’s major clients purchased Airbus EC135 helicopters.  Due to the  close working relationship between Maxcraft and these companies, as well as the increasing proliferation of these aircraft in general, two of our technicians were sent to an intense 10-day EC135 Avionics Systems Course offered by Airbus Helicopters in Grand Prairie, Texas. Overall the course addressed Avionics, Electrical Systems, Flight Control Display Systems, and Auto Flight Control Systems. The entire course was followed up by an exam and critique to make sure our technicians had full retention of the material covered.

This training anticipates the  maintenance and support needs of EC135 operators everywhere, and underpinnes our proactive commitment to staying abreast of emerging technologies, standards, and practices in commercial aviation. As Eurocopter sells more EC135’s, Maxcraft technicians are sure to be armed with the knowledge, training, and skills necessary to maintain and support them.

Here ‘s some feedback from one of our technicians:

“ I found the course very worthwhile and there certainly was allot of information to digest. The hands on experience and simulator time was very useful,  and the instructor was super knowledgeable. They even gave us  homework at night! It taught me how the system works and with my troubleshooting skills I’m ready for anything the EC135 throws at me!”.

 

 

 

Maxcraft Avionics is a leader in airplane and helicopter avionic system upgrades like the Garmin GTN series, including installation of everything from a basic VHF Radio and simple Garmin portable GPS all the way to TCAS, EFIS, and autopilot systems. We have the largest avionics facility in Canada and we have over 20,000 unique part numbers in our inventory to repair your aircraft or upgrade your cockpit.

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TAWS Mandate is Here!!!

Posted on June 5, 2014 by admin

Maxcraft Avionics is reminding ALL

owners and operators that TAWS requirement comes into effect on July 4th, 2014. In order to meet the mandate, operators with aircraft configured for six or more passenger seats require Class B TAWS equipment and operators with aircraft configured for ten or more passenger seats require Class A TAWS equipment. Maxcraft is offering effective solutions for both Class A and B TAWS requirements.

Maxcraft has also developed tailored solutions for the Beechcraft 1900C and 1900D operators. If you have not yet complied with this mandate, please contact us for an estimate to modify your aircraft and to schedule the upgrade. You may also contact us to clarify requirements for your particular operation.

Maxcraft Avionics is a leader in airplane and helicopter avionic system upgrades like the Garmin GTN series, including installation of everything from a basic VHF Radio and simple Garmin portable GPS all the way to TCAS, EFIS, and autopilot systems. We have the largest avionics facility in Canada and we have over 20,000 unique part numbers in our inventory to repair your aircraft or upgrade your cockpit.

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Garmin GTN 750

Posted on May 21, 2014 by admin
King Air gets a Garmin GTN 750

This is a major upgrade for one of Maxcraft’s regular commercial clients: Jerry Visser of Island Express Air. Island Express Air provides scheduled flights across the Strait of Georgia with its capable fleet of Piper Navajos, servicing Vancouver, Abbotsford, Victoria, Nanaimo and Tofino. Recently, Mr. Visser acquired this B100 King Air to pursue charter work in addition to the regularly scheduled flights handled by his Navajo fleet.

Maxcraft technicians have done regular maintenance on the Island Express Navajo fleet several times in the past, and this time they took a crack at Island Express Air’s new King Air B100. This aircraft left Maxcraft with a new GTN-750, (Garmin’s top-grade GPS/NAV/COM/MFD solution) and provisions for Class-B TAWS enablement at a later date. With a GTN-750 already installed, complying with upcoming Class-B TAWS requirements will be a simple and painless process. In addition to the new navigation system, this King Air also received repairs to the ADF and Autopilot systems which were snagged shortly prior to our scheduled upgrade work. 

See more pictures about this aircraft on our project page on our website!

Maxcraft Avionics is a leader in airplane and helicopter avionic system upgrades like the Garmin GTN series, including installation of everything from a basic VHF Radio and simple Garmin portable GPS all the way to TCAS, EFIS, and autopilot systems. We have the largest avionics facility in Canada and we have over 20,000 unique part numbers in our in inventory to repair your aircraft or upgrade your cockpit.

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Structures, Composite……

Posted on May 21, 2014 by admin

What else do we do?

On a regular basis we send employees to work off site.  We have daily requests for AME-E’s to go to the aircraft rather than the aircraft come to us.  To the next city, across the country or even across the world we accommodate the client. As we speak we have a crew in Thailand working on some helicopters.

Recently at one of our customer’s facilities, our employees were already doing avionics work, and it happened to be that our customer requested some extra non-avionics to be done.  What most people don’t know is that we are fully approved by Transport Canada to perform structural repairs / modifications on.  We are very fortunate to have Ben Mangal as our full time structures AME.  Ben has 15 years of experience in both sheet metal and composite work and his work is truly an art.  He’s responsible for the fabrication, modification and inspection of airframe structures in support of avionics installation.  This time, he replaced a windshield and then a skin and stringer that go a little too friendly with a log.  Many of our customers ask us for a turnkey solution, if we don’t have that capability in house, we partner up with another company that has the same standards of quality and business practises that Maxcraft has.

We don’t just do avionics.  We have the capability and the employees to do so much more!

 

Maxcraft Avionics is a leader in airplane and helicopter avionic system upgrades like the Garmin GTN series, including installation of everything from a basic VHF Radio and simple Garmin portable GPS all the way to TCAS, EFIS, and autopilot systems. We have the largest avionics facility in Canada and we have over 20,000 unique part numbers in our in inventory to repair your aircraft or upgrade your cockpit.

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Springtime Promotions from Aspen, SPOT, Lightspeed and Kannad

Posted on May 12, 2014 by admin

Aspen Avionics Glass

Effective May 1 – May 30, 2014, Aspen is offering customers a substantial savings on the Evolution Pro with Evolution Synthetic Vision.  Save up to $1500 on the Pro purchased with ESV, and more savings on single Pro, and on ESV installation.

This is a limited time offer from Aspen.

Lightspeed Headsets

Lightspeed is offering a Spring Rebate Promotion.

We will give you $50.00 at time of purchase if you purchase a Lightspeed Zulu 2 headset before May 26, 2014.

Instant Savings!

Kannad ELTs

Kannad is offering a $100 rebate on Integras and  the Compact 406.  Offer valid on products purchased between April 1, 2014 and May 31st, 2014.

Call us for more details on this limited time offer.

SPOT GEN3

$70 mail in rebate available now when you purchase a SPOT 3 at regular price with service activation.  This offer is valid from May 14 through September 2, 2014.  Call us for more details.

Maxcraft Avionics is a leader in airplane and helicopter avionic system upgrades like the Garmin GTN series, including installation of everything from a basic VHF Radio and simple Garmin portable GPS all the way to TCAS, EFIS, and autopilot systems. We have the largest avionics facility in Canada and we have over 20,000 unique part numbers in our in inventory to repair your aircraft or upgrade your cockpit.

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The VIRB is here!

Posted on April 2, 2014 by admin

Aviation-specific Action Camera

Garmin introduces the VIRB Elite.  The VIRB Elite offers a unique 1.4 inch Chroma color display which makes setup and playback simple and ensure pilots capture the in-flight angle they desire.  Using minimal power VIRB Elite offers up to three hours of true HD video on one charge. Digital stabilization and lens distortion correction ensures video footage is clear and vibrant.  Some of the features include capture of high quality still photos while the video camera is recording, as well as built in GPS, WiFi and ANT+ connectivity for remote control functionality with a variety of other Garmin products.

VIRB Elite Aviation Bundle

VIRB Elite Aviation bundle makes it easier than ever to capture life’s memories, both inside and outside the cockpit. Included in the bundle is a Prop filter which reduces blur, a stereo headset cable, and a mix of mounting solutions to enable pilots to easily capture footage from a variety of places. Included in this bundle is a free 6 month subscription to Garmin Pilot and a 16GB micro SD card.

Aviator Action Pack

You receive the VIRB Elite for Aviation and the D2 Pilot watch at one price!  Pilots can sync up to 10 cameras simultaneously which can be remotely controlled to capture still photos and start/stop video from one central VIRB.  The D2 Pilot Watch and Garmin Pilot application can wirelessly connect to VIRB.  Start and stop video and take photos all conveniently from D2.

This pack also provides customers an additional $100 savings.  Perfect for the aspiring pilot and videographer, this is the most comprehensive collection of Garmin equipment available.  Already own the VIRB?  Prop filter and Headset Audio cables are available separately.

Call Maxcraft for more details.  Check out our demo units on display!

 

Maxcraft Avionics is a leader in airplane and helicopter avionic system upgrades like the Garmin GTN series, including installation of everything from a basic VHF Radio and simple Garmin portable GPS all the way to TCAS, EFIS, and autopilot systems. We have the largest avionics facility in Canada and we have over 20,000 unique part numbers in our in inventory to repair your aircraft or upgrade your cockpit.

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Large Flight Display System for Experimental Aircraft

Posted on March 31, 2014 by admin

New From Garmin,  the G3X Touchscreen

New G3X Touch Flight Display

This is a large touchscreen glass flight display system designed for installation in experimental amateur-built and light sport aircraft (LSA).  This newest addition from Garmin offers pilots an easy-to read, easy-to-use, high resolution 10.6 inch glass flight display with lots of advanced options and features.

The Garmin G3x offers the latest technology, including a resilient high-resolution, sunlight-readable screen, and a simple user-interface that’s easy to learn for efficient access to information.  Four dedicated buttons and two rotary knobs provide common in-flight functions like direct-to navigation, setting altitude, changing heading or radio tuning. The large 10.6 inch touch display is easily configurable  allowing installation up to three displays per panel.

The G3X Touch is capable of split-screen viewing so that pilots may view primary flight data (PFD), multi-function data (MFD), and engine information on a single display. Synthetic vision (SVX) is standard on the G3X Touch, offering a three-dimensional view of terrain, obstacles, and runway environment. Along with SVX, SiriusXM Aviation Weather compatibility adds to situational awareness by enabling pilots to view weather while in-flight.

With its seamless integration and a familiar Interface, the Garmin G3X Touch interfaces with Garmin’s autopilot, giving autopilot control via touchscreen while continuing to support the stand-alone GMC305 autopilot control panel.  The G3X gives pilots access to all autopilot modes.

The G3X also includes Comm Radio and AOA Indicator Support. With this feature pilots can choose to integrate the new GTR20 remote transceiver for added functionality. The GTR20 offers pilots an ideal solution for a clear, powerful communication radio and intercom which is controlled from the G3X Touch display. This provides features such as 3D audio, stereo intercom, stereo music input, alert inputs and standby frequency monitoring.

Current G3X customers can upgrade to the G3X Touch system using the same sensors and connectors. Customers can easily integrate the new display with their existing ADAHRS, engine indicating systems (EIS) and autopilot. Garmin’s HD action camera VIRB can easily interface with G3X Touch to display live video in-flight. Pilots may start and stop video recording, as well as take high-quality still images from the display of G3X Touch.

Need to know more on this?  Contact us for all your questions or check our website on our products page.  Looking to purchase your own?  Check out our webstore.

Maxcraft Avionics is a leader in airplane and helicopter avionic system upgrades like the Garmin GTN series, including installation of everything from a basic VHF Radio and simple Garmin portable GPS all the way to TCAS, EFIS, and autopilot systems. We have the largest avionics facility in Canada and we have over 20,000 unique part numbers in our in inventory to repair your aircraft or upgrade your cockpit.

 

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