Not one to be left out of the growing retrofit glass panel market, Bendix/King has introduced their own replacement for the traditional cockpit six-pack. A large 8.4-inch PFD LCD display features all of the normal attitude and flight control instruments, while being compatible with the full line of Bendix/King autopilots as well as the new KSN 770 MFD. The MFD includes nav and com radios, in addition to an IFR GPS, making it a vital part of your glass conversion. The company estimates it will begin taking orders during Sun-n-Fun 2008, with shipments during the second half of 2008. Pricing is estimated to be $18,000 to $20,000 each. For more information, visit bendixking.com.

One size doesn’t fit all, particularly when it comes to flashlights. How many times have you discovered that the light that was perfect for map reading in the cockpit is too dim to be useful while unpacking the airplane? Sporty’s has the answer, with a powerful LED-based flashlight from Smith & Wesson. The light has two settings, three red LEDs for night vision, 10 white LEDs for exterior use, and each mode has its own on/off switch. The light is made exclusively for Sporty’s and is available for $40 from sportys.com.

Here’s a new spin on an old problem—do you buy a computer bag for your notebook, or a flight bag for your aviation stuff, or both? Waterfield’s new Cargo computer bag is big enough for both tasks, and it comes with your choice of airliner seatbelt buckle, or a paraglider buckle for quick access to all your stuff. It has a cavernous main compartment to hold your computer and sectionals, and there is an abundance of interior pockets to hold smaller gadgets, your E6B, and other flight essentials. These bags are even sized to hold 17-inch notebook computers, and come in six cool colors. Just $170 to $250 from sfbags.com.

Ever arrive at your hotel for a week-long trip only to discover that they’ve stopped including a dresser in your room’s décor? Now you can bring your own—minus the moving truck—with this clever nylon chest of drawers that folds flat for packing. Once you arrive, the Travel Closet Companion expands into a roomy, nearly three-foot-long hanging shelf that you can use to store socks, underwear and PJs. A great idea from magellans.com for just $25.

You may no longer need a bulky garment bag thanks to these funky PackIt Travel Folders from Eagle Creek. Each folder holds 12 to 15 items, including sweaters, blazers, suits and dresses, keeping them neat and wrinkle-free while you travel. It’s a great space—and weight—saver over traditional luggage, and ideal for general aviation travel. Available in seven cool colors for $28 from eaglecreek.com.

HUSKYS SEE IN THE DARK

Who needs pilot-controlled lighting when you can see in near total darkness? Forward Vision’s new EVS 100, which is now an option on Aviat’s Husky aircraft, is an infrared video display system that can illuminate objects otherwise obscured by darkness, whether they’re animals on a runway at night, or terrain and trees during a nighttime in-flight emergency. It even improves forward visibility in marginal VFR conditions, helping pilots “see” through snow, fog, haze and darkness. The system is priced at $22,000 and is available on all new Husky aircraft. Aviat also offers a retrofit version for older Huskys for about the same price. Visit aviataircraft.com, or forward-vision.net.