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Certified: Turbocharged Lancair Columbia 400

Hands Over First Customer Aircraft

A new speed king was crowned today when officials from the FAA presented The Lancair Company with the paperwork certifying the new turbocharged Lancair Columbia 400. The Columbia 400 is The Lancair Company's third certified aircraft, following the normally aspirated Columbia 300 and 350. With its 310-horsepower Continental TSIO 550, the 400 speeds through the sky at 220 KTAS at 18,000 feet and 235 KTAS at 25,000 feet. Though turbocharged engines tend to reward flying at higher altitudes, the Columbia 400's performance advantage is also realized lower down with a cruise speed of 210 KTAS at 12,500 feet.

Avidyne's Flightmax Entegra Integrated Flight Deck Certified On Lancair Columbia

Avidyne has announced they have received FAA certification of their FlightMax Entegra Integrated Flight Deck for the Lancair Columbia 400. FlightMax Entegra will be offered as standard equipment on the Lancair Columbia 400. The FlightMax Entegra system for the Columbia 400 features the unique portrait versions of Avidyne’s large 10.4” EXP5000 Primary Flight Display (PFD) and EX5000 Multi-Function Display (MFD). FlightMax Entegra for the Columbia 400 fully integrates autopilot functions, providing flight director capability, full autopilot control and mode annunciations on the EXP5000.

AVEMCO Eases Insurance Tasks

To many, dealing with insurance issues is a task akin to performing black magic... but in one case, it's just gotten a fair amount easier. AVEMCO Insurance Company tells ANN that its customers are now able to pay their insurance premium online at the company's website. This is the latest in an ongoing series of improvements to Avemco's electronic commerce capabilities that allows customers to pay their premium at www.avemco.com at any time, day or night.

FAA Caves -- Public Meetings To Be Held On Charity/Sightseeing Rule

The FAA has finally agreed to hold public meetings to hear directly from pilots who will be hurt by a proposed charity/sightseeing rule and will extend the formal comment period on the rule. The agency granted AOPA's petition five months after it was filed on November 12, 2003. The meetings will be held in Washington, D.C., on May 11 and in Las Vegas, Nev., on May 21.