A friend of GlassPilot.com shared this excellent video with us. Remember, most of the technology used on these aircraft was introduced 10 – 20 years ago. If you are a pilot you’ll enjoy this video!

We found an interesting video on YouTube that our followers might find interesting. The aircraft is an older Diamond DA40 with the analog autopilot. They demonstrate an ILS approach in low conditions. The video we’d like to bring you next is the G1000 approach with WAAS and SVT…stay tuned. GP

This just in as another update from Mark Brightman who is enjoying his new DA40 XLS with SVT.  The interesting thing about Mark’s reports is a retired Air Force Officer he didn’t think the SVT would be that big of help when he acquired his airplane. This second report pretty much confirms that he made a good choice getting the SVT on his new plane.

“I had the occasion to use the SVT to back up an approach to minimums and subsequent missed approach with a weather divert recently. I was going into Lake Placid. They have a GPS approach which takes you through some hills. Even though the approach minimums are around 1400 AGL, the approach course is interesting with the course taking you between hills/high terrain. I had the GFC700 coupled up for the approach and I was able to monitor the approach both with the MFD, the PFD course indicators for approach course compliance. But what made my approach “comfortable” was knowing I could “see” the terrain throughout the approach. The missed requires I climbing right turn out of the valley with terrain all around and the SVT provided a very high sense of confidence regarding terrain clearance. I ended up diverting into Glen Falls NY for the night. All of the avionics as well as the Nexrad were instrumental in the flight. And the 50 gallons gave me a very nice margin for divert decisions.”

Mark Brightman N970DS DA40 XLS

I just wanted to let you know how my SVT came in handy during my last trip to Mass two weeks ago.  I was scheduled for an Angel Flight from Norwood (OWD) to Philly (PNE).  But I had been parking the airplane at an airfield 10 miles away Mansfield (1B9) visiting family for a couple of days.   The plan was to hop over to OWD and pick up patient and then head to PNE. The weather was just at approach minimums to OWD when I launched.  So even though it was only 10 miles away, I had to file IFR.  As soon as I got airborne I was getting vectors left and right from Boston to line me up for the LOC 35 approach into OWD.  That all kept me busy enough but throughout it all, I was able to cage my brain just by looking at the Synthetic Vision with the superimposed runway.  It provided great Situational Awareness.  Given that it was right in front of me and I was flying single pilot IFR……, having the SVT in the same display as my flight instruments made it even more valuable than the moving map at times.  Anyway, not an exciting story but when flying single pilot IFR to mins in a congested airspace AND in a rushed flight sequence, I felt the SVT made a significant difference.

Mark R. Brightman
Owner of a 2008 Diamond DA40 XLS