Alerts Pilots Of Incorrect Gear Settings

Wipaire, Inc.’s exclusive, safety-enhancing Laser Gear Advisory system is now included at no additional cost on new Wipline float purchases, and is available for retrofit on Wipline-equipped aircraft. Introductory pricing for retrofit kits is $4,995 uninstalled. The laser system may be installed at one of Wipaire’s two locations in South St. Paul, Minnesota, or Leesburg, Florida. Installation is $1,300-$1,500 depending upon aircraft model.

“Designing exclusive, innovative product improvements has always been at the heart of what we do,” commented Clint Clouatre, Vice President of Marketing and Sales for Wipaire, Inc. “The Laser Gear Advisory system continues that tradition by enhancing the safety of Wipline floats. It gives busy pilots intelligent alerts of incorrect gear settings instead of repetitive statements that become easy to ignore. Utilizing laser technology accurate over various terrains, our new Laser Gear Advisory decreases the chance of an accident due to improper gear position.”

Wipaire’s Amphibian Gear Advisory system, well-known for its “Gear is up for water landing” and “Gear is down for runway landing” annunciations, has long been standard equipment on all amphibious Wipline floats. The Laser Gear Advisory system, in contrast, remains quiet when the landing gear and detected surface are in agreement. The laser becomes active at approximately 400 feet above ground level and compares the gear position with the detected landing surface. In the event of a mismatch, the system reminds the pilot to “Check gear” around 50 feet above the surface, allowing the operator to initiate a go-around to address the gear position. In the event of a laser malfunction, the system controller will revert to the standard gear advisory voice annunciations.

The Laser Gear Advisory system is currently available for pre-order for the following aircraft on Wipline floats:

• Air Tractor AT-802 Fire Boss
• American Champion 8GCBC Scout (coming soon)
• Aviat Husky (coming soon)
• Cessna 172 Skyhawk
• Cessna 180
• Cessna 182 Skylane
• Cessna 185 Skywagon
• Cessna 206 Stationair
• Cessna 208 Caravan
• Cessna 208B Grand Caravan
• CubCrafters CC-18 Top Cub (coming soon)
• de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver
• Maule M5/M6/M7 (coming soon)
• Piper PA-18 Super Cub

Floats delivered after July 21, 2017, will receive the Laser Gear Advisory system at no additional charge. Floats delivered prior to July 21, 2017, are eligible for retrofit at the introductory price. A Boss 182 with a Laser Gear Advisory will be at the Wipaire display at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

(Source: Wipaire news release)

FMI: www.wipaire.com/laser