(January 2012) It speaks volumes about our industry that, even during economic downturns, aviation companies still find ways to innovate; indeed, one could argue that some of aviation’s greatest innovations have come when times were hardest. While new-airplane introductions in 2011 were rare, there were innovations galore in the fields of avionics, electronic flight bag technology (read “iPad apps”) and pilot products such as headsets and handhelds. As a result, we had no trouble finding nominees for our annual Editors’ Choice Awards. In fact, as is often the case, our biggest challenge was not in finding deserving candidates but in narrowing down the field. The following winners (with one noteworthy exception, as you’ll read) are products that were introduced in 2011 and proved themselves in the field for their value, innovation and utility. For these reasons and more, it is our privilege to award them each a 2011 Flying Editors’ Choice Award.
Recreational Aviation Foundation
Generally the Editors’ Choice Awards go to companies that have brought innovative products to the market. Instead, this award goes to an organization that provides an innovative service to all pilots. Since it was founded in 2003, the Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) has worked tirelessly to save, reopen and even establish recreational and backcountry strips for public use around the United States. In our view, this effort recognizes the symbolic and, more importantly, the practical importance of these strips to who we are as pilots and to what we do. As a direct result of the RAF’s efforts, numerous strips have been saved from public-use closure. In addition, two dozen airstrips have opened or have been reopened thanks to the RAF, including Russian Flat Airport (M42) in Montana, the Saline Valley Chicken Strip in California, Fort Kent Airstrip in northern Maine and Blackwater Airfield (8FD3) in Florida.
Lightspeed Zulu.2
Lightspeed hit the bull’s-eye when it introduced the Zulu.2
