Tools and equipment are the fuel that allow aviation maintenance technicians to do their jobs efficiently and to a high level of quality. This year, manufacturers of maintenance products have been busy coming up with innovations that are sure to find their way into hangars and toolboxes in every segment of the aircraft maintenance industry. And the following Editors' Choice winners are an excellent sample of the results of efforts by manufacturers to meet the needs of today's technicians.

ELT Tester
All emergency locator transmitters must be tested each year, and Whiffletree has developed a new series of handheld ELT testers that work for both the new 406 MHz units and the older TSO C91 and C91a ELTs. The Whiffletree Beacon Tester includes a small handheld computer with a CompactFlash card containing an antenna and testing software. According to Whiffletree, "The tester can receive all COSPAS-SARSAT frequency channels, decode all COSPAS-SARSAT protocols, display pass/fail and performance data reports, and download all or selected details for printout." The Beacon Tester comes with a two-year calibration cycle. Whiffletree, 508-837-5892, www.whiffletreecorp.com.

STICK IT
Most mechanics have experimented with various sticky but ultimately useless substances in an effort to hold onto a piece of hardware with one finger while reaching into an inaccessible area. Prolific inventor Peter Burgher decided to tackle this problem head-on while building an airplane and decided to invent a substance that would allow him to stick a washer to his fingertip, without leaving any harmful residue. The result, after 31 tries by a professional chemical firm, is biodegradeable STICK IT. Available in a small tube that sells for $9.99, STICK IT is cleanable with mineral spirits, doesn't interact with electronics, is non-corrosive, and won't harm skin. STICK IT is available through Aeroworks for $9.99 per tube. Aeroworks, phone: 616-527-1302, www.aeroworks.com.

Wiring Tester
3M's handheld 900AST combines testing capabilities of a time-domain reflectometer and resistive-fault locator in a compact unit that helps locate shorts, opens, and intermittent problems in wiring. Internal help menus make using the AC and DC 900AST an intuitive process. Testing capabilities include: load test to measure current through a simulated #327 lamp; conductor and insulation resistance without the need to deactivate power thanks to foreign voltage compensation capability; extended-period resistance measurement to isolate moisture- or corrosion-induced faults; distance location to a resistive fault (in inches); and built-in self-calibration. 3M, 800-426-8688, www.3m.com/us/auto_marine_aero/aero.

Protective Covers
When airlines began mothballing airplanes after the 2001 recession, Steve Hanna, president and CEO of Protective Packaging, noticed that mechanics were using fairly crude methods to preserve stored airplanes. "I noticed that mechanics were expending an inordinate amount of time," he said. Hanna and his team designed a line of flexible protective packaging that can cover and protect aircraft of all shapes and sizes. Protective Packaging's barrier bags are designed with special moisture-barrier materials such as foil, nylon, and polyethylene and include a desiccant. The bags protect the covered aircraft, engine, or component as long as the integrity of the bag is not compromised, Hanna explained. Barrier bag kits are available for almost any type of aircraft and Protective Packaging now sells a lot of bag material for use in electrical component storage. The material also protects against static electricity damage and ultraviolet radiation. Protective Packaging, 972-446-2247, www.protectivepackaging.net.

Preventing Suspension Trauma
Suspension trauma can occur when a person hangs suspended for relatively short periods of time and blood pools in the legs. The person can pass out and death can occur in as little as 15 minutes. DBI/SALA and Protecta designed a strap to relieve that pressure and prevent suspension trauma. The Suspension Trauma Safety Strap allows the suspended worker to stand up in the harness to relieve pressure on the circulatory system at the top of the legs. The strap is a continuous loop that allows having either one foot or both feet in the loop at a time. It will also relieve the pressure with just one foot in the loop. After a fall, the suspended worker unzips the pack and deploys the web loop and hook straps. These are then connected to the harness and adjusted. DBI/SALA and Protecta, 651-388-8282, 800-328-6146, www.dbisala.com

QC Avionix 24- to 12-volt Converter
QC Avionix's Bob Glorioso has solved that problem of running 12-volt appliances from a 24-volt airplane's "cigarette lighter" with the new PC 24-12 Power Converter. The Power Converter plugs into a typical accessory outlet and converts 24- to 30-volt power to 13.5 volts suitable for any 12-volt appliance. A built-in "electronic switching regulator dissipates minimal power," according to QC Avionix, and delivers "a clean five amps at 13.5 volts." The unit includes over-voltage and over-current protection and filtering to prevent interference. The female 12-volt accessory plug includes QC Avionix's Velcro tiedown, which keeps the male and female plugs secure during flight. QC Avionix, phone: 978-897-3891, www.qcavionix.com

Wet Vacuum Pump
Airwolf Filter completed certification testing for its new 400 Series wet vacuum pump, which uses oil-mist from the engine crankcase for lubrication. The 400 Series is applicable for piston aircraft fitted with deicing boots. Airwolf guarantees its wet pumps for 2,000 fight hours or 10 years. The 400 Series wet pumps replace all 400 Series dry pumps, regardless of manufacturer, with no modifications necessary. Airwolf Filter, 440-632-5136, www.airwolf.com

Safe Cleaner Formula
Simple Green is aware of aviation industry concerns about potential corrosion caused by Simple Green cleaner and developed a new formula--Extreme Simple Green--that prevents corrosion and cleans as well as the old green solution. The problem isn't that Simple Green is corrosive, but that if all of the soap isn't rinsed off, then some Simple Green caught in crevices between aluminum joints could create a dielectric and lead to corrosion. The old formula didn't meet aircraft cleaning specifications. The new Extreme formula eliminates the corrosion problem and also meets Boeing's cleaning spec, D6-17487 Revision P. Extreme Simple Green includes an anti-corrosion agent, prevents hydrogen embrittlement, and is safe to use for general cleaning and in pressure washers, parts washers, and dip tanks. Extreme Simple Green is biodegradeable and solvent-free. Simple Green, phone: 562-795-6000, www.simplegreen.com.