At AOPA, we collected hundreds of business cards, then did a drawing for a FREE Stearman ride.

Our winner is Cortney K. of Massachusetts.

As you can see, she had a little help from a very lucky “friend.” Congratulations to Cortney from FreeFlight Systems.

While we’ve exhibited at this event many times, this year seems electric. A lot of energy and a welcome traffic jam in the aisles of the exhibit floor.

Today’s lessons learned?

AOPA Day 1, 3 Key Lessons Learned

#1 They Care. Show attendees showed up in droves, and it wasn’t by chance. One of the hottest topics spreading across the show floor is ADS-B. Now that it’s on everybody’s radar (no pun intended), attendees were investigating what vendor offered what, and when. We love the feedback from FreeFlight Systems walk-ups, many of which said that there’s a lot of show-floor buzz regarding the advent of ADS-B, yet many vendors were admitting they really didn’t have a product ready to roll. They also had to admit they had no idea what it’d cost. We couldn’t be happier to share the good news: FreeFlight isn’t just talking, we’re showing, sharing and showcasing the real deal: ADS-B, ready to go at a reasonable price. There’s no feeling like watching a person’s face go from skeptic to someone who “gets it,” and is ready to dig deeper into what they need to do. Our favorite question from attendees, “So, how do I get it?”

#2 Free Sells. It seems like everyone is offering some kind of iPad application that makes life easier for show attendees. There’s certainly no shortage, and there’s a big reason for that. These guys are gobbling up iPad apps like ducks on bread. We showcased an iPad application that delivers free weather and traffic. It was a key traffic driver to the booth. Feedback from attendees: “We know we’re going to need it with the FAA mandates but you are showing us a reason to want it now.” That’s good news!

#3 Proudly Presenting at a Panel. Our leader at FreeFlight Systems, CEO Tim Taylor, was invited to participate in a panel discussion about NextGen now, and in the future. Topics ranged from ADS-B to whether the FAA mandate was relevant to the general aviation community. We’re a bit biased, but Tim’s responses zeroed in on what’s important and why. Our favorite question-and-answer? The panel was asked, “What Does NextGen Mean to You?” Our response? “It’s an irreversible, fundamental transformation of airspace management that adds clarity and transparency. It’s like blue ray vs. VHS – once you have it you cannot go back; It is so much better and it didn’t cost you more than the old stuff.”

By the way, if you’re at AOPA, be sure to stop by the booth (1200). You could actually win a free trip in a Stearman. Plus, we’re having a 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Cocktail Hour. Now that’s fun!

Scenes from Texas’ worst wildfires in history show the dedication of firefighters who brave blazes, smoke and heat to squelch the spread of flames that have ultimately burned 34,000 acres and destroyed 1,600 homes in Bastrop County. As of Sept. 16, the fire was 95 percent contained.

There are thousands of men and women, firefighters and first responders who waged war with a number of high-speed fires that charred and churned through Texas woodlands, forests—and homes–this summer. Images of firefighters in the midst of blasting heat and whipping flames helped us remember that these are no ordinary men and women. They are warriors and heroes–selfless to the point of exhaustion.

There’s another team in the fight. They are tanker pilots, an elite crew of men (approximately 50 in the United States) who combat fires from a cockpit. They fly above and through the flames to snuff out and extinguish fire by dropping water or chemical retardant from planes.

One such pilot is Kevin Hopf, a captain and flight instructor with 10 Tanker Air Carrier in Victorville, Calif. The company was contracted by the Texas Forest Service to help stop the spread of wildfires in Bastrop County (in Texas, near Austin). Ultimately, they did, as they worked with hundreds of others, including P-2s, several SEAT planes and four Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems – MAFFS aircraft and, of course, hundreds of fire-fighting workers on the ground.

“This fire wasn’t the largest we’ve ever worked, in terms of size or acreage,” said Hopf, “but it was one of the most severe fire in terms of the structures and amount of property that was burned.”

Hopf’s role as captain of the tanker-equipped DC-10 is to fly the plane, as directed by the lead plane, to dump chemical retardant on the flames. The lead plane is usually manned by members of the U.S. Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management. They are fire behavior experts. They identify where Hopf, his co-pilot and flight engineer, should go and where to drop their load.

“Once an area is identified, we may fly as low as 200 feet to drop the retardant on the fire,” said Hopf. “We’re flying around 1,000 to 2,000 feet when they tell us about the drop. We’re told where and whether to drop the full load or just a portion of it. The key is knowing the target, and then hitting it.” An analogy? Playing darts and hoping for a bulls-eye while running and standing 100 yards away.

For Hopf, being a tanker pilot is a privilege, yet can also be a hardship. He says life as a tanker pilot is for those who have the intensity and focus to do the job well, while also recognizing there’s a lot of down time.

“It’s not for everybody, but I really enjoy it, especially being able to work with some of the greatest guys in the world, and being able to fly the DC-10.”

THE DC-10: Proven in Every Setting?

Hopf is almost religious when he talks about the DC-10. He’s flown 727s, DC-8s and MD-11s, but nothing comes close to the DC-10 when it comes to flight performance, reliability and safety.

“I’ve flown them all and enjoyed them all, but when it comes to an aircraft that maximizes performance, reliability and safety, and is the most forgiving and easiest to fly, I choose the DC-10,” he said. “It’s proven itself to be a versatile aircraft that performs well in virtually any setting.”

In fact, one of Hopf’s career highlights occurred in a DC-10. And it occurred in Texas (At FreeFlight Systems, we really like that).

“The DC-10 is often not considered an appropriate aircraft for what is considered ‘small fires,’ so we don’t get called on unless the fires reach a certain size,” said Hopf. “In one case, we were called in. A home was burning and the fire was quickly spreading so we flew the DC-10 into what’s called an ‘initial attack’ mode, something atypical for us and the aircraft type.

“Bottom line, we succeeded in this initial attack, dropped retardant into a perfect square or box that kept the fire from spreading beyond what was already burning, and we did it without using our entire payload of retardant. This is unheard of. This proves the DC-10 is more than able to perform, and to do so in the initial attack phase.”

We’re proud of these firefighters in the sky. Their work and  commitment.

We’re glad to know that when the heat is on, these pilots deliver.

It’s a bi-plane. It’s a two-seater and straight from 1925.

We’re talking the Stearman, designed and created to be a commercial biplane for carrying air mail with room for two paying passengers. First flown on March 13, 1925, the Stearman-designed ship performed so well that orders came in faster than the two a month that they could be built.

Now, attendees at the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Summit can buckle up and fly in a classic Stearman if they win a drawing for a free ride in a Stearman, provided courtesy of FreeFlight Systems. Tighten your goggles and get ready for the flight. Start by dropping by FreeFlight’s booth, #1200, between Sept. 22 and 24. The drawing for the Stearman ride will be done at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24. Contestants do not need to be present to win and will be notified via phone or e-mail. For history and perspective on the Stearman, visit this site.

FreeFlight Cocktail Hour

Be sure to come by the booth (#1200) at 5 p.m. Sept. 23 for our cocktail hour. We’d love to meet you.

Test Drive our iPad App with Free Weather and Traffic

We first showcased our Free Weather and Traffic iPad app at OshKosh in July and had an overwhelming response.  This is the perfect solution for pilots who want to take advantage of the FAA service and be a leader in the latest technology.  Stop by our booth and see for yourself the pure joy of real-time maps on a useful and coveted handheld that does so much more than a GPS.

NextGen: What Does It Mean to Me?

Ever wonder what NextGen really means and how NextGen technologies like ADS-B will impact your flight operations in the near and far term? Join AOPA, our CEO  Tim Taylor, and a panel of other NextGen experts who will share what NextGen means for general aviation and how it will impact operations in the national airspace system.

Time, Date & Location: Thursday, Sept. 22, 3:30 p.m.—4:30 p.m., Convention Center, Room 24

…And when the show is over? Then what?

Why fly straight home when Hartford offers some fun? Here’s one event that seemed especially compelling. How about vintage baseball that showcases the game of yesteryear (in an earlier era, even before the days of that Stearman!)? On Sept. 24, a vintage baseball championship is being played at Hartford’s Colt Meadows Park. The game is played as if it was happening during the 1800s. Same uniforms, Same rules. The Sept. 24 game is a championship game.

Enjoy the show!

We’re at  booth #1200. Ridin’ high.

Why choose 978 MHz over 1090 MHz ADS-B? John DeBusk, FreeFlight Systems Vice President, Engineering explains.

You can find part 1 of this series HERE

It’s National Aviation Day. The day comes during National Aviation Week, which is observed from Aug. 15 through 21.

National Aviation Day celebrates the history and development of aviation. It’s held on on Orville Wright’s birthday. Wright made the first sustained, powered flight on Dec. 17, 1903 in the plane he and his brother Wilbur built. The flight, albeit brief, launched the world into the era of flight.

One department that recognizes the day is the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. That’s according to DOT & PF Deputy Commissioner of Aviation Steve Hatter.

“Aviation is truly a way of life in Alaska where there are more pilots per capita than anyplace else and 82% of our communities are not connected to a highway or road system,” he said. “I encourage everyone to learn more about aviation, airports, and our own Alaskan aviation history and technology,” he said in a news story.

Organizations across the United States are holding events to celebrate the week. One such program was held at the New England Air Museum in Connecticut. The theme of this year’s program is “Learning to Fly.” The New England Air Museum is the largest aviation museum in New England.

There are a number of different ways you can celebrate both National Aviation Week and Day.

Saturday, the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is offering a free day of activities to visitors at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, OH. Scheduled events include meeting astronaut Gregory H. Johnson, who piloted the space shuttle Endeavour to the International Space Station earlier this summer. Visitors can also build and fly egg carton gliders.

Another event is in McMinnville, Ore., home of the world’s largest plane, the Spruce Goose. The Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum there is hosting a hot air balloon rally. You can find more information on these and other events in this story from MSNBC.

Representatives from the Environmental Defense Fund took advantage of the occasion to call for airlines to renew their commitments to flying greener.

“So today, on National Aviation Day 2011, EDF encourages all airline operators to take steps to reduce their emissions and fly cleaner,” says spokesperson Jennifer Andreassen in a blog post.

The 978 MHz “UAT” RANGR ADS-B transmitter was flight tested earlier this month. The production unit was test flown in Waco.

The transmitter performance was validated in the challenging helicopter environment. We used a very simple antenna configuration.

You can see more pictures from the test flight in the RANGR album on our Facebook page. While you’re there, make sure to “like” us!

During the test flight, we received reliable ADS-B transmissions from the aircraft over a 25 mile radius – the predetermined, planned range for the test series- down to around 200′ AGL with the receiving antenna effectively at ground level.

These results and others gathered from the test flight reinforce the suitability of 978 MHz ADS-B as a local fleet tracking system – even without any FAA infrastructure! With the elevated FAA receivers in place, coverage should be greatly enhanced. We’re looking forward to testing that in the near future.

The test was conducted with support from the McLennan Count Sheriff’s Department.

“We thank them for their ongoing commitment and contributions to aviation safety,” says Tim Taylor, FreeFlight Systems president and CEO.

The RANGR family is UAT equipment is class B1- or dual antennas and B1S – single antenna, 978 MHz transmitter and transceiver designed to meet the TSO-C154C requirements.

For more information about the RANGR family of equipment, visit our website at http://freeflightsystems.com/ or contact us.

The Federal Aviation Administration has shared this video on ADS-B with us at FreeFlightSystems.
In the video, the FAA reports that the “future of flight services has arrived,” as a result of ADS-B broadcast services.
ADS-B provides an unprecedented level of situational awareness for the general aviation climate, and is the future of aviation, says David Zwegers in the video.
Zwegers is Director of Aviation Safety at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Here’s the detailed video from the FAA.

“When we first got ADS-B, we were blown away,” says Kenneth Byrnes, Flight Department Chair, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. “It was almost a little scary to look at all these airplanes out there.”
Nationwide ADS-B coverage will be online by 2013, says the FAA. For the latest information on when broadcast services are expected in your area, you can visit www.faa.gov/go/broadcastservices.
If you were at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh last month, you may have seen this video playing in our booth. As always, we’re happy to discuss ADS-B and NextGen technology with you. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with your questions.

The Boeing Company and Cessna Aircraft Company released second quarter reports this week. Both companies reported an increase in profits.

Boeing reported a 20% increase in profits during the second quarter in comparison to the same quarter the previous year.

“Strong operational performance drove double-digit margins at both ends of our major businesses and produced outstanding results in the quarter,” said Jim McNerney, Boeing chairman, president and chief executive officer in a press release.

“We also made major progress toward certification and delivery of the 787 Dreamliner and 747-8 and continued our disciplined increases in commercial airplane production rates,” McNerney said. He says the outlook for the year has strengthened.

The company delivered 118 commercial airplanes during the quarter. That’s an increase from 114 during the second quarter of 2010.

Boeing’s Defense, Space and Security division did not fare as well during the quarter. There was a decrease of 4% in revenues during the second quarter.

Cessna Aircraft parent company Textron released second quarter results. Cessna reported revenues of $652 million for the quarter, an increase from $635 million during the second quarter of 2010.

“Cessna returned to an operating profit, driven primarily by higher delivery and aftermarket volumes compared to the first quarter,” said Textron Chairman and CEO Scott C. Donnelly in the release.

“The demand environment for commercial aircraft remained stable. Given current levels of customer interest and order activity, we expect a significant pick-up in demand in the second half of the year, similar to what we saw last year,” continued Donnelly.

Cessna delivered 38 new Citation jets in the quarter. That’s compared to 43 deliveries during the second quarter of 2010.  Segment profit increased $2 million on the higher quarters for the quarter.

At end of the second quarter, Cessna backlog was $2.5 billion, down $113 million from the end of the first quarter this year.

NextGen technologies such ADS-B help enhance the safety of pilots, crew, and aircraft. That’s according to John DeBusk, FreeFlight Systems Vice President, Engineering.

DeBusk explains FreeFlight’s approach to avionics, and to ADS-B products.