Aviation-Related News from Around the Southwest

Do you have news items of interest to the Southwest’s general aviation community? Submit them to: publisher@swaviator.com. Submissions will be run as space permits and may be edited for length and style. E-mails or disks and digital photos receive preference.

AGAINST THE WIND AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE OPENS IN PAYSON, AZ
After two years of planning and development, Against The Wind is opening their new 6,000 square foot maintenance facility, conveniently located at Payson Arizona Airport (PAN) next to the Crosswinds Restaurant. James Garner, A&P, I.A. since 1992 is the Manager. Single and light twin maintenance, including repairs, modifications, and rigging is their specialty. Business hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday thru Saturday. Telephone 888-905-7500. E-mail is paysonairport@usa.net

ABI REDUCES STANDARD TURN TIME TO THREE DAYS
Aircraft Belts (ABI) of Kemah, TX has leaned several key processes with a goal of streamlining the manufacture of its aircraft safety restraints. With the implementation of the revised processes, ABI has been able to reduce its industry-leading turn time on standard orders (100 or fewer non-plated restraints) from four to three days. For restraints requiring decorative plating, ABI’s turn time is 15 working days.
Founded in 1981, Aircraft Belts is an industry leader in the manufacture and repair of safety restraints for general and commercial aircraft and air ambulances. For more information, call ABI at 800-847-5651 or 281-538-1284, or visit the ABI Web site at aircraftbelts.com.

YINGLING AVIATION COMPLETES $1.5 MILLION RENOVATION
Yingling Aviation, a Wichita Mid-Continent Airport-based FBO, has completed a year-long, comprehensive renovation of its 56,000 square foot facility. The project included major interior and exterior facelifts, as well as extensive reconfigurations of the floor plan, electrical and HVAC upgrades, and the addition of several pilot amenities, including a high tech weather tracking system. Also included in the refurbishment project was the addition of a unique retail store exclusive to Yingling called the Aviator’s Attic, offering pilots and the public a wide variety of aviation-themed gift and specialty merchandise not found at any other FBO.
For more info, call 316-943-3246, or visit yinglingaviation.com

WICKENBURG AIRPORT HOSTS POKER RUN
The First Annual Wickenburg Poker Run and Barbecue is scheduled for Saturday, April 19 (rain date April 20). Register and get your first card in Wickenburg, AZ, then fly to any combination of five other Arizona airports Bagdad (E51), Seligman (P23), Williams (P32), Cottonwood (P52), and Prescott (PRC). You’ll need to visit at least three airports to get enough cards for a poker hand, but you can visit all five to improve your chances of having the best hand. Finish up in Wickenburg, where you’ll get your last card and settle down for a great barbecue with your fellow pilots. Prizes for the best hand and for other categories. Please RSVP via e-mail to airport@theflyingm.com. Cost: $10 for pilot, $5 for each passenger. Call 928-684-5960 or visit wickenburgairport.com for more information.

39TH ANNUAL HAYWARD PROFIECIENCY AIR RACE SCHEDULED
The annual Hayward Proficiency Air Race, the oldest air race in the country, will be held May 15-17. The race gives aviators a chance to test their navigation, flight planning and pilotage skills. The actual race course is announced the day before the race during the briefings. The course consists of two legs, the first runs from Hayward, CA (HWD) to Bakersfield, CA (BFL) and the second leg continues to Bullhead City, AZ (IFP). Along the way there are several checkpoints which must be identified. Prior to departure each racer turns in estimates of their times and fuel burns for each leg. Additional information may be obtained at hwdairrace.org or info@hwdairrace.org

AIRCRAFT SPRUCE POSTS AIR RACE INFORMATION ON THEIR WEBSITE
Responding to a growing number of email requests for information about the Sun 100 and Sun 60 Air Races, which will be run April 3 and 4 at the Sun ‘n Fun Fly-In in Lakeland, FL, Aircraft Spruce has created a link on their website home page. By clicking on it, interested pilots will access air race regulations, entry forms that can be downloaded and printed, and aerial photos of the two turns used in each race. To reach this information visit AircraftSpruce.com and click on Air Races.

LANCAIR KIT COMPANY FOUNDER ANNOUNCES CORPORATION SALE
Founder and president, Lance Neibauer announced the sale of his kit company to Joseph C. Bartels, a previous Lancair IV-P customer. Lance began Lancair in 1985. According to Lance: “Over the past few years I’ve been totally consumed with efforts at the completely independent Lancair certified production company and have not been able to give the kit company the attention it deserved.”
Joseph C. Bartels, an attorney from New Orleans, first became involved with Lancair in December 1992 when he took delivery of a Lancair IV-P kit. Since then he and a partner formed Aero Cool, LLC, a company that provides air-conditioning units for the Lancair IVs, now sold exclusively through Kit Components, Inc. Mr. Bartels has assured all that there will be no changes in staff or any move from the company’s present location. Lance Neibauer will remain a spokesman for the company.

GLIDERS RETURN TO THE BIG BEND OF WEST TEXAS
Glider rides will be available to the public beginning June 1, when master glider instructor Burt Compton hosts the third annual “Glider Rally” at Marfa Airport in west Texas. Compton will offer twenty minute introductory rides in his FAA certified two-seat glider. He will also share his thirty-five years of flying experience with visiting pilots from around the United States. Privately owned racing gliders will participate in cross country flying tasks over the Big Bend area of Texas, coached by National Soaring Champion John Byrd. Six Texas State soaring records have been established at Marfa in the past two years. To plan your soaring adventure, or to obtain a glider ride gift certificate, call Kathie or Burt Compton at 800-667-WING (9464) or visit FLYGLIDERS.com.

E-VIATOR'S BIBLE FOR PDA’S AVAILABLE FROM SPORTY'S
The E-Viator’s Bible is a comprehensive aviation reference including more than 3000 pages of information conveniently stored and displayed on a personal digital assistant (PDA). Topics covered include airspace, biennial flight reviews, weather, IFR operations, aircraft inspections, and basic aircraft checklists. Important form like flight plans, NASA reports, and NTSB accident reports are also included. For more info, call 800-SPORTYS or visit sportys.com.

ANNUAL AIRCRAFT REGISTRATION IN NEW MEXICO
All aircraft owners in New Mexico, including individuals, dealers and special users are required to register aircraft with the Aviation Division of the New Mexico State Highway and Transportation Department.
For more information, call 505-476-0930.
Registration forms can be downloaded from: http://nmshtd.state.nm.us/pdffiles/aircraft-registration.pdf.

ROBINSON TO USE UNISON'S SLICKSTART MAGNETO
Unison Industries has announced that Robinson Helicopter Company is equipping its new line of R44 Raven II helicopters with the SlickSTART magneto start booster. Robinson Helicopter, based in Torrance, California, is the world’s leading supplier of civil helicopters. SlickSTART is a magneto start booster that uses solid-state electronics with capacitive discharge technology to improve the performance of engines with poor starting characteristics. The new R44 Raven II uses a fuel-injected Lycoming IO-540 engine. The Raven II provides more power, a 28-volt electrical system, and increased altitude performance. For more information, visit unisonindustries.com or robinsonhelicopter.com.

NEW MEXICO PILOT BASH AND AVIATION SCHOLARSHIP
The 30th annual New Mexico Pilot Bash has been scheduled for June 14 from 5:30 until 11 p.m. at the Bode Aero Services facility at Double Eagle II Airport in Albuquerque.
The event will mark multiple anniversaries: The 20th anniversary of the opening of Double Eagle II, the 30th anniversary of the Pilot Bash, and the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers' first flight.
The hangar party is open to all persons associated with general, commercial, or military aviation and their families. Attendees must present an aviation ID at the gate. There will be a hot dog cookout, libations, aircraft exhibits, displays of aviation products, and entertainment. Admission is free.
Proceeds from the Pilot Bash will go to the Jim and Roz Kinlen Memorial Scholarship Fund to further youth aviation education.
Contributions to the Scholarship Fund are being accepted by the New Mexico Pilot Bash Scholarship Committee, 12009 Donna Court NE, Albuquerque, NM 87112. A raffle to be conducted at the June 14 event also will benefit the Scholarship Fund.
Scholarship application forms are available from Vicki Husbands, P.O. Box 328, Bosque, NM 87006, or download from swaviator.com/nmpb/scholarship.pdf.