“You wanted the best your going to get the best”

30% greater active noise reduction than conventional aviation headsets. Connectivity Technology: Wired/Wireless
30% less clamping force than conventional aviation headsets. The ergonomic control module includes an auxiliary audio input with intercom/AUX priority switching, ideal for dedicated GPS and traffic warning systems
Clear audio with active equalization. Simple, intuitive headset operation—plug it in, turn it on, go flying
Now with Bluetooth audio and communications interface for connectivity with your communications and navigation devices
Customizable audio prioritization control lets you mute an audio signal when receiving a communication, or mix the two together

#2 Corkology Aviation Set Flight instruments Coasters

A must have for any bar in a pilot man cave

Made in the USA
Flight instruments cluster Illustrations
Interesting story of each illustration on back.
Made of natural cork
Hand printed on letterpress
Each coaster measures approx. 3.75″ dia.

#3 Mike Busch on Airplane Ownership

Some light reading if you want to take the plunge into aircraft ownership

Mike Busch on Airplane Ownership is the much-awaited sequel to his previous books Manifesto and Engines. In this two-volume set, Busch distills his wisdom from his more than 50 years as an aircraft owner. He brings his refreshingly commonsense and often outside-the-box approach to every aspect of owning and operating a general aviation aircraft.

Volume 1 covers selecting, purchasing, insuring, and maintaining an aircraft. Busch emphasizes that it is the aircraft owner—not his mechanics—who bears the regulatory responsibility for airworthiness. He discusses how to choose the right mechanic or shop and how to manage the maintenance they perform. Busch dissects the much-dreaded annual inspection, and how owners can keep it from spiraling out of control. He offers guidance about the all-important post-maintenance test flight, and how to deal with an owner’s worst nightmare: a mechanical breakdown far from home.

#4 Hudson Baby Aviation Onesie

The perfect gift for future aviators

100% Cotton
Imported
Snap closure
Machine Wash
Set includes coordinating long-sleeve bodysuits
Made with 100% cotton
Soft, gentle and comfortable on baby’s skin

#5 2021 General Aviation Calendar

Kiss 2020 goodbye with this 2021 Calendar

A must for the General Aviation enthusiast! Month after month, you ll enjoy seeing the top dogs of general aviation, from single-engines to corporate jets. This calendar s sure to be a big hit! Size: 15.5 x 20 (open)

#6 Garmin VIRB Ultra 30 Action Cam Bundle

Record & Share 2021’s crazy aviation adventures with this 4K Camera

Ultra HD 4K/30fps footage with 1.75-inch touchscreen display that lets you see what is being recorded
3-axis image stabilization captures smooth and steady video in unsteady flight conditions
Includes headset audio cable overlay of the cockpit conversation/ATC audio on the video and a prop filter to remove propeller from the video
Capture your position, attitude, speed and much more and overlay them onto your video; then easily create and share your video using a smart device and VIRB app
Wirelessly record HD audio in flight from Bluetooth-compatible headsets and audio panels

#7 I make airplanes fly Mug

Yet another perfect addition to the aviation man cave

IT’S THE PERFECT GIFT IDEA – We know that its really hard to find a cool and unique gift on a budget. That’s why your mom, dad, girlfriend, boyfriend, friend, or work colleague is going to LOVE this ceramic coffee mugs! Buy Now!
100% Total & Complete Satisfaction, No Questions Asked, Money Back Guarantee. Shop with Absolute & Complete Confidence that you’re making a very smart decision! Buy Now!
The Coffee and Motivation Mug can be used for coffee, tea, hot chocolate, soup or any liquid of your choice. It’s specially designed with a large handle to provide you with a comfortable grip while preventing you from burning your hand
HIGH QUALITY – The imprinted design is printed on both sides of the mug and guaranteed to last. Treat yourself or give as a gift to someone special.
This great mug is sure to be a hit among your friends, colleagues or family. Just a great way to start a conversation. The text on the mug reads: Pediatrician – Making a big difference to little people.

#8 Airplane Clock

Metal airplane desk clock featuring a large display designed as an altimeter.
Great gifts for pilots and the aviation industry.
Product Size: 2-3/8“ x 3” x 3-38”

#9 Josh Bach Men’s WWII Fighter Planes Silk Necktie

Show up in style in your next formal meeting

Silk
Made in USA
Mustangs, Warhawks, Wildcats, Thunderbolts, and Lightnings all on one great silk necktie. Perfect for the history buff, the WWII enthusiast or the aviator.
Length of 57.5″, Width of 3 1/8″
Understated, whimsical, design. Hand finished in New York City.
Comes in cool tin can, ready to gift.

#10 Yaesu FTA550L Handheld VHF Transceiver w/Li-Ion Battery

Aviation Airband Transceiver NAV/COM with ILS and VOR Navigation
Li-Ion Battery
AA Battery Tray
Comes with Antenna
Comes with Headset Adapter

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LoPresti Spectra – Aircraft of the Month

December 9, 2020December 9, 2020 / Spencer Gould

I’ve known about the Spectra since I got started in RC aircraft in the early 90’s, I would all ways look through the RCM plans catalog, searching for the next scratch build and this aircraft was a real stand out.

LeRoy LoPresti a former Grumman engineer started the the Island Aircraft Corporation based in Florida. He developed and flew the aircraft in the late 60’s

This aircraft pioneered the engine mounted in a T tail nacelle concept a full 13 years before the Se a wind

Photos & Videos of the actual aircraft are rare, Roy LoPresti posted this unique video on his YouTube Channel.

Of course the RCM Plan that I noticed all those years ago can now be downloaded for free on Outerzone

This one is from 1971, 2 years after the 1st flight of the Prototype, has 73″ wing span and was designed by Don Haines & Paul Rhe.

https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=9154

Cinematic FPV – Video Share

December 3, 2020 / Spencer Gould

I don’t see to many new FPV videos come up on my YouTube feed anymore despite being subscribed to several FPV channels. This one stood out, a very breathtaking video that shows the reason so many enter the hobby. The Video is from Danny Mcgee’s Channel.

New Battery Tech – Video Share

November 24, 2020 / Spencer Gould

A great video showing 5 new battery technologies for electric powered vehicles.

And what better way to put that electric technology to work than in a DMC-12. This video has all kinds of links to some of the components used in the conversion build.

One of the interesting new services I learned about is Big Battery https://bigbattery.com/ They can provide high power batteries to many kinds of custom built electric vehicles.

Another service of note in the last video is Send-Cut-Send https://sendcutsend.com/ This is a made in the USA (Reno NV) option Laser cut metal, it could be worth checking out for your next project.

Starr Bumble Bee II – Aircraft of the month

November 12, 2020November 12, 2020 / Spencer Gould

Here is a fun aircraft of the month, the Starr Bumble Bee was designed with the whole intent at beating the title of the worlds smallest maned aircraft. It was designed by Robert Starr from Arizona, and first flew in 1984, he followed this up with the Bumble Bee 2 that was even smaller and lighter that first flew in 1988. On May 8th of the same year the bumble bee 2 had a down wind engine failure resulting in a crash, Robert was injured but made a recovery.

If your in the Tucson area they have the surviving Bumble Bee 1 aircraft on display at the Pima Air & Space Museum

6000 E Valencia Rd, Tucson, AZ 85756

with its compact simple form its a popular RC model.

For those interested in RC scratch building Outerzone has one designed by Ken Willard who has several RC plans on the web site.

https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=6743

TICARVE Cleaning Gel – Product of the month

November 2, 2020 / Spencer Gould

Needing to clean up all the hard to reach dust in your Car or Aircraft interior?

Look no further than Cleaning Gel from Ticarve.

Unlike dusting and wipes, Gel can grab much of the stubborn dust and grime from hard to reach places

🚕【Perfect Car Detailing Putty】Cleaning gel for car is perfect for cleaning the nooks and crannies in your auto. Car gel cleaner is super great to get into the vents and little crevices on the car air vents, steering wheels, console panel, storage bins, cup holder, door handles, dashboards to pick up the dirt
🚗【Easy to Use】Just press the car vent cleaner slightly on the dust surface and pull out the car cleaning gel slowly the dirt would gone. Push car detailing tools into any little cracks and the crud sticks and pulls back out! You can also press the laptop cleaner on the keyboard surface and then pull out the car gel cleaner slowly, the dust would be carried away with the dust cleaner
🚘【Reusable】Gel for cleaning car could be used for several times till the color of the air vent cleaning kit turn to dark. When cleaning finished, just put the keyboard cleaning gel back in box and keep in cool place
🌿【High-tech Cleaning Material】Auto cleaning gel is made of high-tech cleaning material, smells sweet with lavender fragrance. Cleaning glue for car sticky dust but not sticky to hands. Auto interior cleaner pick up all dust and debris and leaves no residue
🚖【Multiple Uses】Automotive putty is also useful for home and office, PC computer keyboard cleaner and other rugged surface cleaning such as printer, cell phone, calculator, TV remote and furniture. The suitable surface must be no water and the dust cleaner for car would stick to it

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A Spooky Video Share

October 31, 2020 / Spencer Gould

A tri copter makes a great FPV platform but it also has utility as a flying ghost.

This video comes from the Motoshane YouTube Channel, he has some interesting videos on the channel.

Here is my MK1 Tri Copter setup (circa 2014) based on David Windestal’s pioneering work on the tri copter platform. Check out more on David’s work on his web site & YouTube Channel