Makers of one of the lightest and newest turboprops on the market—the CubCrafters ULT with the TurboTech engine—CubCrafters was founded by Jim Richmond back in 1980. Upon Jim’s passing in 2021, the Jim Richmond Backcountry Aviation Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to expanding public backcountry aviation access, was established in his honor. And the Foundation’s Brad Damm had some big news to share this week: JRBAF acquired 138 acres next to Meadow View Peak in Plumas County, California, for a new backcountry airstrip that will be open to the public.
The foundation needs to raise $200,000 to pay off the $100,000 property loan and $100,000 to improve the site enough to put in a runway, which is in a great location about 40 miles northwest of Reno, Nevada, and close to the Dead Cow playa airstrip that’s home to the High Sierra Fly-In.
“We’ve closed on the land, and now we have the opportunity to create an amazing new public backcountry airstrip,” said Brad Damm, JRBAF’s executive director, in a release. “Our goal is a place where pilots can land, camp, and experience this landscape for years to come. We’ve already had encouraging conversations with Plumas County, and we’re ready to begin the planning and approval work needed to bring that vision to life.”
If you’d like to take part, visit the JRBAF development site.
Get Ready for Winter
If you don’t have engine preheat installed on your airplane, there’s no time like the present to think about this upgrade. The Smart Aviator has looked at a few options for various engine/airframe combos, such as the Reiff system for the Rotax 912.
Overall, the relatively complete Tanis systems have performed well in raising temps in the engine compartment roughly 40° F above ambient temps—and that’s for standard systems that install in four- and six-cylinder Lycomings and Continentals. For larger aircraft, an even more comprehensive system is advised—and that’s where Tanis’ recent extension of its Daher/SOCATA TBM preheat system STC comes in. It now joins the company’s Quest Kodiak 100 STC to cover the entire 700-series model run, including the latest model TBM 980.
The system for the TBM series includes preheat components to cover the engine, prop reduction gearbox, oil cooler, fuel control unit, accessory gearbox, battery, and avionics and cabin preheating. Benefits include the expected reduction in engine wear and tear, plus protection for critical avionics and electrical system components.
Autoland for Epics
More big news for Epic Aircraft and Garmin Aviation, with the announcement of FAA certification on Garmin’s Autoland emergency landing system on the Epic E1000 AX on September 30. The Autoland system engages autopilot, autothrottle, and the engine and braking systems to coordinate an approach and landing to an airport following pilot incapacitation and/or selection of the Autoland button by the pilot or passengers.
According to an Epic spokesperson, the approval applies to previously delivered AX aircraft, serial numbers K086 through K130. She also confirmed that retrofits in the field would be available at any Epic Authorized Service Center, and that the retrofit kits will begin shipping later this month. Last week, Epic delivered two new AXs with Autoland already installed.
“Only the E1000 AX offers multiple Autoland button locations throughout the cabin, placing this potentially lifesaving technology within easy reach of passengers, providing them great peace of mind,” said Doug King, CEO of Epic Aircraft, in a release. The E1000 AX has both FAA and EASA approval on the airframe overall.
New Roles at NBAA
In the business aviation world, the leadership at the National Business Aviation Association has lent a steady hand to the industry—and will continue to do so even as President and CEO Ed Bolen takes a pause in the action to focus on his health. We wish him the best, and we know the team he has in place will continue with strength in his stead. Communication SVP Dan Hubbard is stepping in as interim COO to keep the day-to-day of the organization on track.
Hubbard has been with the association for 22 years in various roles. And longtime executive team member Heidi Williams has been promoted to SVP, operations, in the move, following her 10-year tenure at the association. AvBrief is looking forward to our expansion as a media partner for the Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (BACE) in Las Vegas in a couple of weeks—hope to see you there.
