AVweb’s search of news in aviation found a new patent for Aspen Avionics, AOPA’s updated flying club features, a call for NATA award nominations, and the first delivery of Airbus’ U.S.-made H125 helicopter. Aspen Avionics announced it has been awarded a U.S. patent for its groundbreaking Connected Panel wireless cockpit system. The patent, first applied for in 2011, is the industry’s only FAA-certified and patented avionics technology to safely interface wirelessly with non-certified mobile devices such as the Apple iPad or Android devices. AOPA announced that free scheduling software and other new benefits and tools are now available to flying clubs. The software, available exclusively to AOPA Flying Club Network members, allows clubs to schedule up to six “resources” such as aircraft and flight instructors.In addition to the new scheduling software, theupdated Flying Club Finder offers new filters to let pilots search for exactly the kind of club and amenities they’re looking for.
The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) announced a call for nominations to acknowledge the individuals, offices and organizations demonstrating excellence in their field and the highest level of customer service to the general aviation community. The awards will be presented during NATA’s Aviation Business Conference in June 2016. Airbus Helicopters Inc. has delivered the first H125 AStar helicopter produced on its new U.S. final assembly line to the Ohio State Highway Patrol. The new aircraft is the first fully assembled at the company’s production plant in Columbus, Mississippi. The completion work, including a state-of-the-art law enforcement communications and surveillance package, was performed in Grand Prairie, Texas.
