Home bound…..

Posted on April 1, 2013 by admin

Leg. 7

Las Vegas-Burns,OR-Pitt Meadows, B.C.

Well we made it! Long day in the airplane today, lots of zig zagging around restricted areas in Nevada. We had her up as high as 17,000 ft grounding 175 kts!

Some weather in Nevada but after that clear skies all the way home. It was warm enough to sit in t-shirts at the hangar and have a well deserved beer.

 

All in all a fantastic trip, 27 hours of flying and GSUZ ran perfectly. Once we get things sorted out I will do one last email with a summary and the best shots. Thanks everybody for reading this and your kind responses.

 

 

Cheers,
Steve & Missy

 

 

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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Mexico to Las Vegas

Posted on April 1, 2013 by admin

Leg 6

Alamos Mexico to Las Vegas

We had a fantastic time in the beautiful town of Alamos but our stay in the luxury Hacineda De Los Santos had to end. We had a short hop to Obregon so that we could officially depart Mexico (and pay our fees), if this sounds simple think again! 5 doors, 7 visits, and a whole bunch of stamping (and a some pesos) and we were good to go.

It’s really not a big deal just a process that takes time but they are really friendly. We were then off to Nogalos, Arizona, a small airport to clear customs.

The FBO owner personally opened up the kitchen and cooked us up some chicken. Next and final stop for the day was Las Vegas. A very busy approach but the controllers guided us in and we put down for the night.

Tomorrow fingers are crossed for Vancouver.

Steve & Missy

 

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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In La Ventanna!

Posted on March 28, 2013 by admin

Leg 5 – Alamos, Mexico

Well we had a great time in La Ventanna, some good days sailing, the others spent exploring and hanging with new and old friends.
Now we are off on Part 2! A bit of an explanation first. Milton and I were down in Palm Springs last fall at a aviation convention and there was a guy promoting his hotel/spa in Mexico with a discount. I booked 2 nights and then won a extra night in the presidential suite! This sounded good as it is rated as the number 4 hotel/spa in Mexico.

First lots of paperwork to get airborne out of La Paz and then an exciting flight over 60 miles of ocean (yes we had a raft just in case and some cold beers for survival). We arrived to the tiny town of Alamos which sits in the mountains and parked in a beautiful hangar decorated in authentic Mexican style( see pictures,all are of the hangar).Our ride was waiting and took us to the resort.

Well let me say this – Oh My God! This place is drop dead gorgeous and we were treated with our host standing at the door with Margaritas. We may never come home! If you pilot folks don’t come down here you are missing out on the most magnificent fly-I spot ever. Time to go grab a great dinner and see how many of the 500 types of tequila I can sample.

http://haciendadelossantos.com/site/


Cheers,
Steve

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They made it to Mexico!

Posted on March 28, 2013 by admin

 They’re there!

Leg 4 – La Paz, Mexico

We made it! Left Yuma early and had a spectacular flight down. It’s been a few years and I have forgotten how truly beautiful this flight down the Baja coastline is. To my pilot friends, this need to be on your bucket list!

We also now have a mid-air new best friend. Pretty funny actually, I heard him calling to San Felipe, he was southbound and as I was as well, I called my position report. We went on the special air-air frequency and he was behind me but catching up (Cessna 182 retractable). We chatted over the next hour as he slowly caught up and we learned he was originally from Ontario but now living in California. He is passionate about flying in the Baja and has been down a 100 times (flies down doctors). He did a close fly by for a photo shoot and we promised to communicate via email and perhaps meet up on the next trip. All in all a fantastic trip, the weather gods smiled on us, and SUZ performed well.


Adios amigos,Now it’s time for a well earned Margarita. We are here until the 27th and our friends Tom & Kathy arrive this Friday.Steve & Missy

 

 

 

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 Cessna 206 continues its adventure!

Posted on March 22, 2013 by admin

Mexico bound!

Leg 3 – Yuma, AZ


Cruised at 13,500ft sipping oxygen from the cool Mountain High electronic pulse delivery system, flew right over top of Las Vegas, and we landed in Yuma before 5pm. If you haven’t noticed I’m talking about some of the cool technolgy recently put in SUZ, for my pilot friends. I love when technology works and like to pass on my findings on to other pilots; can’t say I would recommend my engine monitor, it’s been causing problems on the way down.

Anyway all is well, had a great rib dinner, and now prepping for our arrival procedure into Mexico tomorrow. If you look closely behind Missy you will see a couple F16’s taxing out!

 

 

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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Trip to Mexico in the Cessna 206 continues….

Posted on March 20, 2013 by admin

Off to Hood River!

Leg 2

Off Hood River this morning with a bit of weather but it quickly cleared. We had a nice 3 hour flight to Elko Nevada while rocking on to XM music. The FBO ( El Aero) here is beautiful and a nice loaner car so we could go into town for lunch. I have to say the Americans really look after pilots down here. Canada could learn something. Off to Yuma, AZ next. Spot link now works.

You can track us at:
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0gZresblqm4QVY47IGIml0O3K3bjpuddc

Steve

 

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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Taking a Cessna 206 on holiday to Mexico

Posted on March 18, 2013 by admin

Our Director of Business Development, Steve,  decided to fly himself and his wife, Marilyn to Mexico in their Cessna 206.

Their route to Mexico from Pitt Meadows

(click on the picture to see the route!)

To follow his trip, Steve is sending us an update on his adventure:

Hi Folks,

Thought you might be interested in our trip south through the Baja with our Cessna 206.

Leg 1

Derek picked up the dog and we left Vancouver in pouring rain but the forecast said it was better south. Customs had us draw the unlucky bag check card, my neatly packed bags came out and back in. That cut into our precious daylight hours but a quick fuel turn had us southbound at 3500 ft under a deck of clouds.

 

 

The Garmin Aera796 worked it’s magic with Satellite weather and we were able to work our way around the cells. Amazing technology to have in flight weather and it allowed us to push through to Hood River.

 

A generous friend at the airport lent us his “throw down” jeep and shortly after we were having dinner at or favorite restaurant with my brother. Wx looks better tomorrow.

 

 

 

You can track us at:
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0gZresblqm4QVY47IGIml0O3K3bjpuddc

Steve

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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Helicopter Trade Show and Exhibition

Posted on March 15, 2013 by admin

Las Vegas, 2013

Maxcraft’s President with our Director of Business Development went to one of the world’s largest helicopter trade show and exhibitions held in Las Vegas, Nevada. This exhibition and tradeshow had over 700 exhibitors and over 20,000 attendees.  One of the largest international helicopter exhibitions to date.

Bell booked 50 orders at Heli-Expo

American Medical Group Holdings placed a significant order for 30 Bell helicopters.

From there, orders came in from international customers which ranged from Latin America, to Europe and Asia. Orders were placed for an additional 20 Bell helicopters.

Eurocopter books orders at Heli-Expo

A total of 69!  During this month’s Heli-Expo event in Las Vegas, Eurocopter took a total of 69 bookings ranging from single-engine AS350s to the 11 ton EC225.  It was an amazing exhibition for these major helicopter companies.

Helicopter Community

Our customer Paul Spring of Phoenix Heliflight determining antenna location for our pending next glass panel upgrade with our president and the Eurocopter representative at Heli-Expo in Las Vegas

This helicopter trade show and exhibition is where the world of vertical aviation connects, catches up, and does business.

Look for HELI-EXPO 2014, February 24-27 (exhibits open Feb. 25-27) in Anaheim, California

See you there!

 

 

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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GTN gets optimized for Helicopter Operations

Posted on March 7, 2013 by admin

Yes, Garmin does it again!

 

Straight from Garmins press release:

Garmin has optimized the GTN GPS/NAV/COM touchscreen series with new features and capabilities that address the specific needs of helicopter operations. These enhancements include; environmental qualification, meeting stringent helicopter vibration and temperature testing standards optional Night Vision Goggle (NVG) compatibility, optional built-in Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning System (HTAWS).

The GTN series

The GTN series for helicopters incorporates three helicopter specific databases.  Obstacle – that adds nearly 30,000 additional low altitude obstacles.  Terrain – that has been enhanced to display up to 2.5 arc second terrain resolution, the highest resolution terrain available in the industry, and helicopter navigation database that lets operators navigate to over 7,000 additional heliports without having to create user waypoints at these locations.

Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning Systems

HTAWS is an option available to provide operators with visual and audible alerts of potential terrain and obstacle conflicts along the flight path.  Garmin HTAWS incorporates a high-resolution, five-color terrain scale, voice callouts, optional radar altimeter input, and in addition Garmin’s HTAW’s offers a Reduced Protection (RP) mode that allows low-level operations with minimal alerting while continuing to provide terrain and obstacle protection.

Night Vision Goggles

The GTN series is optionally available with NVG compatibility straight from the factory, reducing the need for aftermarket NVG modifications.

To further help reduce pilot workload, the GTN supports the installation of remote switches on the cyclic or the collective allowing the pilot to create fly-over Mark on Target waypoints or remotely tune frequencies, all with out letting go of the controls.

Want to know more about this new product?  Call us for pricing and information.

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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Puyallup was a success!

Posted on March 4, 2013 by admin

Our staff went and loved it!

An amazing event once again put on by the Washington Aviation Association in Puyallup.

With seminars and exciting workshops, it was an event to attend.

Some of the highlights of seminars and workshops were:

Mountain Flying Workshop: Fundamentals of Mountain and Canyon Flying – Lori MacNichol

Helicopter Workshop: Physiology and Psychology of Mountain and High Altitude – Jason Cammisa

ADSB Explained, How the Mandate will Affect You – Wayne McGhee

These were just some of the workshops we attended.  Our staff had the pleasure of listening to some great keynote speakers.   One being Craig Fuller, president of the AOPA.  Also in attendance was JJ Greenway, Kristine Hartzell, Jim Herbert and many more.

But of course, the highlight, the tradeshow!  Steve ran our Maxcraft booth and met some great people.  Hope he had a chance to meet you all.  If not, we look forward to seeing you all next year!

 

 

 

 

Some upcoming events in Canada:

March 2, Shoal Lake, MB  – Shoal Lake Flying Club – annual supper, auction, awards and social at the Shoal Lake Community Hall at 5:30pm

March 2, Kars, ON – Ottawa Valley RAA Chapter 4928 – having their 11th Annual Ski Fly-In at 11:00am

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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