Wings and a Beverage SkyGeek Style!
There’s nothing better right?
I’m not talking about chicken here; I’m talking about strapping yourself into your seat, grabbing some popcorn and a beverage, and watching a mind blowing aviation movie. I’m talking about pulling G’s in a military fighter plane, or diving down in a Bush Flyer to give the Alaskan tree-line a haircut.
If you’re picking up what I’m putting down, you’re in luck. SkyGeek has a TON of aviation movies to fill your appetite (a TON, literally, all our movies combined weigh more than a ton). With videos ranging from action packed first hand adventures, to high quality instructional videos, you can’t miss! We’ve got something for everyone. Aviation history movies for the history buff, kids movies for…well…kids, even NASA movies for all you space cadets out there (sorry about your probing, honestly. We’ll back any campaign with the goal of commissioning the Mars Rover to track down the culprits).
Sadly, within the vast collection, we don’t have Gone With the Wind. We do however have these “instant classics” that conveniently fit into Yee Olde stocking.
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Big Rocks & Long Props Volume 1 |
The Great Circle Air
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60 Degrees North at
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If you have a little pilot in training, be sure to pick up a couple of phone books. Also be sure to check out our best selling kid’s movie and a few toy planes to help them burn off the post movie excitement (a couple bucks could save an heirloom).
Andy’s Airplanes: Andy Meets the Blue Angels
All this talk about movies is making the bottom of my shoes sticky, and I think I just inadvertently turned off my cell phone and shooshed the cat. The next time you’re in the mood to watch a high flying aviation movie, make sure you don’t have to settle for watching Top Gun for the 258th time. There’s more out there!
Bottom line, if you’re looking for Ace aviation movie, SkyGeek has one fueled up and ready to go. We’ll provide the wings, but it’s Bring Your Own Beverage.
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Posted by skygeek on November 19, 2008 6:56 PM
Who’s Going to Save Your Bacon?
SkyGeek will!
With the help of a Crashkit survival kit.
Unless you’re the inspiration behind the movie Rambo, odds are you’re going to want a survival kit handy incase of an emergency.
These Crashkits are filled with all the basics to help you survive. From flares to flashlights, water purifiers to high-calorie food bars. There’s even a handy manual that will guide your instincts.
If you find your bacon a little fried, these kits may mean the difference between a BLT and a grease fire. All the Geeks here prefer that you remain on the “life” side of an emergency situation, that’s why we thought it’s about time we send out the reminder.
What comes in the box depends on which box you choose, but each one will go a long way toward keeping you upright. Here’s a look at some of our kits:
• Alpha Personal Flight Survival Kit
• Bravo Personal Flight Survival Kit
• Charlie Personal Flight Survival Kit
• General Aircraft Survival Kit
Sorry, no Wilson volleyball included. He didn’t fit. You’ll have to talk to a coconut, instead.
If you often fly with a partner, and you don’t want to resort to cannibalism, take a look at some of the multi-person kits (side note: I always thought if it was named Mannibalism it would sound a lot more terrifying, Cannibalism kind of just sounds like you’re eating a thing of Tomato Soup).
These can help your group of two, four, or six people survive for a full seven days:
· 2 Person, 7 Day Survival Kit
· 4 Person, 7 Day Survival Kit
· 6 Person, 7 Day Survival Kit
In all seriousness, these are a must-have for all pilots, campers, sailors, and anyone else at risk of finding themselves stranded. They will help you survive and signal to others where you are so people can find you. With the holiday season fast-approaching, these make excellent gifts for adventurous loved-ones. So you say you or your adventurous friend already has a survival kit? Compare its contents to those in these survival kits and see the difference. These Crashkits were developed to counteract the many other inadequate and far-from-functional kits on the market. Make it count. However, if you’re sure you can at least augment your current kit with some other Geeky survival items.
Rescue Laser Light
Safer than flares, further-reaching than flashlights, this laser light can reach up to 20 miles in the dark, signaling to nearby parties that you’re there. Rugged and waterproof, this light is non-flammable and non-hazardous, and has a life of more than five hours. The Geeks highly recommend this for your emergency stash. To answer a commonly asked question, no they do not signal Batman. Who’s going to save your bacon? Invest in a Crashkit survival kit and save your own!
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Posted by skygeek on November 17, 2008 9:12 PM
Project Pumpkin is here!
The Chief Geek has sold the SkyGeek Bush Scooter over the summer and in true October Spirit the Stinky Pumpkin has arrived.
It came with 43 Years / 9900 Hours of wear and tear plus an odd odor that led to the planes name. The odor was later credited to 4 mice (R.I.P.) that decided to shack up in the headliner and drink 
the purple Kool Aid last winter.
The idea is to go through this oldie but goody and install some modern day conveniences sold by SkyGeek and show you, our customers, every detail possible of their installation on N2758X Project Pumpkin.
Here is a preliminary list of items that can be found on SkyGeek that have been installed thus far:
• Ameri-King AK-451 406 MHz Emergency Locator Transmitter
• McFarlane Baffle Seals , Trim & Rudder Cables, Seat Rails, Seat Roller Kits
• Rosen Sun Visors
• Commant Antennas
• ICOM IC-A210 VHF Air Band Transceiver
• Garmin GMA-340, GNS-430W & a Garmin GPS 496
If you have questions about the project or are a Vendor who wants to see your product showcased on this project and eventually for sale on SkyGeek, drop us a note Sales@SkyGeek.com.
As you can see from the pictures this project will not happen overnight and all C180 past experiences are greatly appreciated!
A big friendly shout out to these Service Providers thus far on SkyGeek Project Pumpkin:
• Cawley's Aviation: When SkyGeek bought the "Stinky Pumpkin" it was only 60% there missing its tail group awaiting new material to make the trim work. The Chief Geek's wife said what the heck did you buy! Within 7-10 days the guys at Cawley's had the plane back to airworthy status and the trim has never worked so good. Big Thanks to Tom & Bill, if you are on the East Coast these guys know C180's & C185's!
• Airtex Interiors: Don and his team took the "Pumpkin's" two front seats that looked like they were removed from the "Van down by the river" and with their interior wand transformed them into two shining masterpieces. Yes you have to pay extra for Don to put on his full Sorcerer garb but man it is 100% worth it!
• Precision Avionics: (email: Avionicwiz@aol.com) Ken from Precision Avionics at Dutchess County Airport has been a loyal SkyGeek customer for years and it was great being able to give them business back. The Stinky Pumpkin had an eclectic mixture of Avionic additions from the past 43 years just no removals. Currently the "Pumpkin's" guts have been totally ripped out. The Jr. Geek and the Chief Geek have totally removed the entire interior down to zinc chromate.
Every floor panel was removed and we have attempted to remove 43 years worth of Grease, Grime, Sand & Dirt from the belly back into the tail cone. The plane was flown bare bones last Monday to Ken's ramp where he and his crew have removed all the ancient avionic artifacts. Watch the Stinky Pumpkin Blog as I add more pictures of Ken's team going from Spaghetti everywhere to finished product. Need some radio work or a quote on a new custom aluminum panel in the Northeast drop Ken an e-mail at the address above or call 845-462-5116.
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Posted by skygeek on November 10, 2008 8:19 PM
Super Cubs Gone Wild DVD
Idaho Bush Co. Productions has released its first full length DVD!
"Super Cubs Gone Wild" features Idaho backcountry & Oregon canyon flying at its best...low, slow, short and rugged!
Get the adrenaline pumping sitting in your La-Z-Boy while you watch Joe Dory and friends doing what Cubs were made for...Having Fun!
This is a great movie to unwind with after a hard day at the office.
Just need to sit and stare without all the trouble of driving to the airport, paying for fuel, and all the other rigamarole of flying?
Super Cubs Gone Wild will take you through breathtaking wilderness and the upbeat soundtrack really fits the energy of the movie. You will get the feeling that you just got together with a bunch of your Super Cub buddies and went out for a group trip flying for the sheer joy of it.
There are some subtitles which do help to explain what is going on, but most of the movie is self explanatory - pilots just having fun!!!
The visual landscape and interesting angles captured in the filming of this movie make it really fun to watch.
With the catchy toe-tapping music and really "cool" planes you might even catch the kids putting it in instead of watching "The Incredibles" for the thousandth time! Based on that, SkyGeek can confidently say that this DVD just might save your marriage!
For the Super Cub enthusiast in your life this will truly be the next best thing to actually flying, we promise!
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Posted by skygeek on January 18, 2008 12:53 AM
Little John - Always There When You Need Him, Right Robin Hood?
Robin Hood may have had a secret. Nobody will ever know. But we here at SkyGeek aren't going to keep the Little John a secret! Everyone with a bladder can use the Little John - this means you and probably everyone you know!
This genius little contraption isn't anything new, really. It's just so helpful that every time we talk about it it feels like a new product because it's so exciting. Well, ok, maybe not EXCITING...we are talking about relieving oneself here so maybe we should be RELIEVED instead?
Take the Little John and the Lady J adapter with your family on a flight or any place you'd rather not wait in line to use the nasty [insert disease here]-infested bathroom or perhaps you are headed somewhere that just doesn't have a bathroom like the Alaskan Bush?
Hey, anything that allows me to stay at the football game longer to watch the 4th quarter two-minutes-left-nailbiting-action in a really good game makes me a happy camper. Can you imagine if you had been at the Patriots game last week and had to "go" NOW? You probably would have missed some pretty good action.
Sorry ladies, but it will be tough to use the Little John in this situation, even with the Lady J adapter, unless there has been a lot of beer drinking by the spectators sitting near you who wouldn't mind you pulling down your NFL-team-of-choice zebra pants (anybody remember those from the early 90s?)...but your guy will tell you all about what you missed when you get back from waiting in line for the bathroom.
And you know there won't be a line for the men's room. Will you chance it?
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Technorati Tags: Robin Hood secret Little John SkyGeek genius contraption urinal Lady J flight bathroom Alaska Alaskan Bush football game Superbowl Patriots beer NFL zebra pants men women children bladder 90s early 90s
Posted by skygeek on January 4, 2008 12:52 PM
Ever had "burn in?" Owwww! HDTV Owners Read This!
"Burn in" – this is a super-scary term for owners of BLU-RAY and other HDTV’s. This means that whatever image you were watching last gets imbedded in your new 70" screen and there just isn’t anything you can do about it!
Luckily there are inventive people out there who have realized the need for a TV screensaver. Introducing the useful and truly beautiful (you can really show off your TV’s color and depth capabilities with this screensaver) – Aeroscapes Volume I HDTV screensaver.
Why not give it a try? Your TV will actually last longer if it’s left on (in case the sales person didn’t tell you that when you bought it)…so we at SkyGeek think that everyone should get one of these because it’s a really nice screensaver and it just might help keep your investment, oops, we mean "new baby," safe and sound!
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Technorati Tags: burn in HDTV BLU-RAY flying plane helicopter screensaver screen plasma LCD flat screen TV TV research
Posted by skygeek on January 2, 2008 3:39 PM
Sydney / Sidney: Next Time, Look at a Map
For the Inept Traveler Award that really takes the cake, read about Tobi Gutt from Germany.
Tobi intended to travel from Germany to Sydney, Australia, to visit his girlfriend. He didn't question, however, the route the airline assigned him: through Portland, Oregon, and then Billings, Montana. It was in Billings that he finally noticed the final destination listed on his itinerary: Sidney, Montana.
"I did wonder but I didn't want to say anything," Gutt told the Bild newspaper. "I thought to myself, you can fly to Australia via the United States."
Yes, he eventually managed to make it to Sydney, giving all of us a laugh along the way. Happy New Year, Tobi! from all of us at SkyGeek.
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Technorati Tags: Air Travel Tobi Gutt Sidney Montana
Posted by skygeek on December 30, 2006 3:28 PM
Private Jets in the News
For interesting news about private flying, check out these articles.
- Despite the dangers, private planes take off: from Vic Ryckaert.
A wave of fatal air crashes has claimed the lives of area businesspeople this year. ... Despite the Indiana crashes, federal data show flying is safer than ever.
Nationwide, the number of plane crashes dropped 35 percent and fatal crashes fell 32 percent from 1986 to 2005, according to the latest statistics from the National Transportation Safety Board.
Hundreds of small private jets will be exempt from a European scheme designed to make the aviation industry pay for the environmental damage it causes. ...The scheme will be introduced for flights within the European Union in 2011 and be extended to all arrivals and departures at European airports the next year. But the commission added that very light private jets, small propeller-driven aircraft and government aircraft would not be included.
The announcement was welcomed by air taxi operators, who are investing heavily in small jets to meet rapidly growing demand for private flights. More than 300 small jets are to be delivered to European operators by 2011.
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Technorati Tags: Private Jets Aviation Standards Aviation Emissions Aviation Safety
Posted by skygeek on December 27, 2006 7:01 PM
Happy Holidays
Yesterday we got to take a much needed break. We were able to get out of the office do a little flying and catch up with some friends for a Holiday lunch at our friend Mark Grusauski’s in Canaan Ct.
For those of that do not know Mark, he is the owner of Wingworks, LLC. in Canaan Connecticut. Wingworks is a small shop that specializes in restoring older aircraft. If the Howard he is working on now turns out anything like the last one, it will be not just another fine piece of craftsmanship, but a work of art. The wings he showed me were as smooth as a newborns’ bottom after months of filling and sanding.
The flight from Sky Acres Airport to North Canaan Aviation Facilities Airport, a small private grass strip where Mark has his business, is a short one. The air was smooth and the music from the XM Satellite radio made the trip even quicker. I had a chance to try out a pair of the new Peltor Nordica headsets, which were very comfortable and had great stereo sound. Steven swears by his trusty Telex Stratus 50D’s, but for short trips like this, the Peltors were perfect. We even made a quick landing at a strip carved out of the top of a hill called the Gash (more about that in another post!).
When we arrived some of the other guests had already arrived. There was a Cessna 180 on skis, a couple of Piper Super Cubs, two on amphibious floats and one brand new Cub Crafters super cub, also on floats. Mark got to fly the new Cub cross country from the factory this summer.
It was a nice mild day for the first day of winter, so Mark had everything set up outside and the hangar door open. There were picnic tables full of great food and plenty of folks to chat with. There was even a 1929 Model A Ford pickup that was being used to serve the drinks from! Mark put the new DVD we wrapped in an old sectional into the player, giving everybody a chance to view the 2nd edition of Big Rocks and Long Props; another great DVD by Greg Miller about off airport flying. If you enjoy that type of flying or are interested in flying, this is a must see!
After some great burgers, cooked on the grill, and some friendly conversation it was time to head back to Sky Acres and to work.
Thank you to Mark for inviting us out to your party. It was nice excuse to get out, do some flying and meet up with friends and other pilots.
Also at this time all of us from SkyGeek.com would like to take this opportunity to thank our loyal customers for a successful year. We are working hard to ensure that your experience on our website is pleasant and that our customer service is helpful. As always, please feel free to contact us if you have any comments or suggestions. We are always looking for ways to improve the website and make things easier for your, our customer.
We wish you a very Merry Christmas and healthy 2007.
Steven, Jeff, Sandy, Traci, Paul, Bruce, & Jackson
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Technorati Tags: Peltor Telex SkyGeek Big Rocks Long Props
Posted by skygeek on December 23, 2006 3:10 AM
Prince Charles Gets on the Bandwagon
The environment's knight-in-shining-armor is making himself known, with a new commitment to reducing his carbon footprint.
Yes, England's Prince Charles is going commercial. Read about it in these articles:
We'll be looking for him on our next British Airways flight. Wonder if princes generally travel first class?
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Technorati Tags: Prince Charles Commercial Air Travel Green Air Travel Carbon Footprint
Posted by skygeek on December 18, 2006 8:26 PM
Raised Retirement Age Will Keep Pilots in the Air
It looks like the FAA will soon be raising the mandatory retirement age for commercial pilots from 60 to 65, extending the life of a pilot's career for the first time in 50 years.
Recent changes to the international regulations took place in November, allowing foreign pilots up to 65 years old to fly into the United States as long as their co-pilots are no older than 59.
The US Congress is now considering legislation that would allow pilots between ages 60 and 65 in the cockpit if their co-pilots are younger than 60.
Read more details in the San Diego Union-Tribune's Aging pilots seek to retire FAA ceiling, keep flying and MSNBC's FAA considers raising pilots’ retirement age.
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Technorati Tags: Pilot Retirement Age FAA FAA Regulations FAA Retirement Age
Posted by skygeek on December 11, 2006 9:18 PM
Lifestyles of the Super Rich
Elite Traveler, the private jet lifestyle magazine, has published a new report: 2006 Holiday Spending Survey, along with 2006 The New Jet Set: A Psychographic Analysis of Luxury Spending.
The New Jet Set report is fascinating. It delineates the three categories of the super rich:
- Trendsetters: those who are in tune with trends and are early supporters of change. They can be highly influential with their peers.
- Winners: those who reward achievements or occasions with purchases.
- Connoisseurs: those who appreciate the finer things in life, and buy accordingly.
Elite Traveler also recounts in Nearly One in Four 'Super Rich' Will Shop by Private Jet This Holiday Season that 2006 spending by the super rich will be in 14 key categories, ranging from spas and spirits to corporate gifts and charitable donations.
In related news, the Pensacola News Journal reports in Flying in Style that there are a growing number of business professionals who recently have made the expensive leap from smaller prop planes to the rarefied realm of business jets. One person interviewed said, "From a business standpoint, it's very important to demonstrate you can hang in there with the big boys. You have to show your clients you have the staying power, and having a jet is part of that."
Finally, for a refreshing look at how the other half lives, check out this profile of Jimmy Carter in The New Yorker Magazine.
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Technorati Tags: Elite Traveler Jimmy Carter Super Rich New Jet Set
Posted by skygeek on December 4, 2006 7:02 PM
Two New Trends in Private Flying
Private flying continues to draw interest as commercial travel becomes less convenient. Here are two new solutions for busness air travelers.
- Buy your own full-bodied jet. It used to be that wealthy jet setters used smaller, streamlined private jets. But new wealth-makers are becoming entranced with commercial sized jets that seat fewer people more luxuriously (see picture to the right).
- Charter an air-taxi that will actually wait for you at the airport. New companies like JetBird are springing up that guarantee you'll get where you need to go even if you're held up in traffic.
So kick your feet up -- air travel continues to get better and better!
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Technorati Tags: JetBird Business Jets Air Travel Private Jets
Posted by skygeek on November 27, 2006 7:14 PM
Next Generation of Flyers Go to Aviation Camp
Sign us up!
Florida's The Villages Daily Sun reports on a local weekend aviation camp for 4th and 5th graders. The camp, known as "Camp Wings," is free, annual and nonprofit, and is run by Chris Hoefly, who has been a pilot for 26 years.
In setting up Camp Wings, Hoefly wanted to share his love of flying and show children what it’s all about. During the weekend, the children learn about aviation through tours of airplanes, classes with pilots, aircraft demonstrations and computer simulators. One of the highlights of the camp is a three-leg, cross-country trip the students take in various aircraft on Sunday. The children also learned about aerodynamics and flying by working with and flying model airplanes.
And, the kids love it!
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Technorati Tags: Young Aviators Aviation Camp Aviation in Florida Camp Wings Chris Hoefly
Posted by skygeek on November 27, 2006 6:38 PM
96-Years-Young Aviation Pioneer Anderson
If you want to know the history of aviation, talk to one who's been through it, step by step.
Dennis McCarthy's Aviation pioneer, 96, was born ready to fly tells the story of Dale "Andy" Anderson, who earned his flight school admission by driving his friens back and forth from college.
He flew bombing missions over Germany and France in WWII, including his fair share of brushes with death. He rose to the rank of colonel after 25 years in the Air Force.
Later in life, he partnered with an old flying pal, Percy Spencer, to design a four-passenger amphibian aircraft.
It just goes to show you, once you've got that itch to fly, nothing can stop you. Read more about Anderson at the link.
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Technorati Tags: Dale "Andy" Anderson WWII Flyers Air Force Aviation Pioneers
Posted by skygeek on November 20, 2006 9:01 PM
Kit Planes
Kit planes have a lot of fans out there. Here are some great resources to find out more about these homebuilt aircraft and experimental planes.
Kit Plane Buying from Ultralight News lists available kit planes, offers instruction on building, along with flight lessons. They'll even maintain or store your plane for you.
Kitplanes.com offers an annual directory, a monthly magazine, and an e-library for subscribers. A helpful buyers' guide for avionics is also available.
The Homebuilt Homepage features kits and plans, a vendor listing, clubs and classified ads.
The Official Guide to Experimental Aircraft is an online aviation guide to experimental aircraft, homebuilt kits and plans with aircraft models categorized by groups such as conventional airplanes, warbird replica, light planes, ultralights, sailplanes, and amphibious aircraft.
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Technorati Tags: Kit Planes Experimental Aircraft Homebuilt Planes Ultralight
Posted by skygeek on November 13, 2006 8:23 PM
Aviation in Politics
Yesterday's election is poised to effect almost everything, including aviation. Check out these headlines.
From Aero-News.Net, two election-related stories:
- Midterm Results Could Be A Mixed Bag For Aviation Interests: Potentially at stake is the "pay-per-use" program.
- AOPA's Phil Boyer Weighs In On Aviation and Politics: "The decision Congress makes regarding FAA funding, Boyer says, will set forth a pattern of funding that could last five to 10 years."
A broo-haha is developing regarding Bush officials traveling in private jets:
- Bush Cabinet Secretaries Have Frequently Traveled on Private Jets at Taxpayer Expense: from YubaNet.com
In related news and in response to the recent crash involving Corey Lidle, The Christian Science Monitor asks the question: Should aviation guidelines be revised?
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Technorati Tags: Aviation Pay-per-use Program Bush Cabinet FAA Aviation Guidelines
Posted by skygeek on November 8, 2006 4:18 PM
New SkyGeek Service: Headset Headquarters
It's not only man's best friend that can enjoy the perfect headset (see prior entry). You can get the headset that is perfect for you with SkyGeek.com's newest site section:
SkyGeek.com Headset Headquarters
With four ways to shop through SkyGeek's enormous selection, you're sure to find exactly what you want.
- Shop by Brand
- Shop by Price
- Shop by Type
- Shop by Bestsellers
Headset Headquarters even includes the amazing Headset Wizard, the only tool of its kind on the Web. With this tool you can search on the details of twenty different features, such as its weight, noise reduction, stereo/mono, ear seals, even plug type. Also included is a catalogue of popular headset accessories.
You spend a lot of time with your headset, and it's arguably the part of your plane that is closest to you for the longest. Shouldn't it be a perfect fit? Find it at SkyGeek.com's Headset Headquarters.
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Technorati Tags: Aviation Headsets Headset Wizard Headset Headquarters SkyGeek.com
Posted by skygeek on October 30, 2006 8:50 PM
Mutt Muffs® Hearing Protection for Dogs - A happy user
My Golden Retriever, Salty, loves her muffs. Put them on the first time last year and she loved them from the beginning.
I fly a lot of Angel Flights and many of my patient flyers ask for Salty to come along on the flights. She always wears her muffs along with her life vest on the over water flights.
Thought you might be interested to see Salty.
Bill Shivers
wnshivers@aol.com
Tierra Verde, FL
Cirrus SR22 N900SD (Salty Dog)
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Posted by skygeek on October 27, 2006 4:14 PM
Long Distance Flying
Two years ago my wife and I flew commercial to Anguilla to spend
Christmas and New Year's with our daughter's family at a cozy condo on
the north shore.
The American Airlines flight down would be some six hours,
passing through San Juan for customs and a short hop to St. Maarten and
then by ferry to Anguilla. The Anguilla airport was being lengthened
hence the bob and weave through St. Maarten.
No sweat.
Yet, it was! It took us eighteen and a half hours down and
twenty-seven back. One day on the return we stood in various lines for
seven hours and twenty-two minutes. This Journey from Hell was due to a
combination of Carib. laid-backness, random job actions and
dysfunctional communications.
Not again!
Then last year in mid December last year my wife asked
me, "How's the plane? Just got an intermediate and the new engine's
broken in nicely? Okay, let's fly down to Anguilla; the grandbabies are
moaning that we aren't gonna come."
No sweat. We keep our Skylane RG at Skyacres near Poughkeepsie
New York.
The route of flight down was: 44N to Savannah, to Stuart
FL, to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic and in to Anguilla
International. Total flight time: 12:32. The route back was: Anguilla,
Grand Turk, Palm Beach International, 44N. Flight time: 11:34. (We do
have 89 usable gallon tanks so 5:30 has never been daunting for us.) The
longest leg was to Savannah for 5:15 and Stuart to Puerto Plata was
5:00. Longest over water: 1:45. Three days down and two days back. This
year we'll do it again but will stay longer in Grand Turk and Florida.
I realize many flying folks are leery of making such an
over-the-water, post-911 bureaucracy-ridden trip.
Let me persuade you to do it.
The post-911 environment is in your favor. Communications at the
end of the Bahamas used to be somewhat ragged before 911, but now we
encountered black-out for only ten minutes between Stella Maris and
Grand Turk.
And there's a minimum of bureaucracy. I was erroneously
lead to believe by the friendly AOPA that I must have a special document
from the Transportation Security Agency showing dates and times for
every stop down and back - which could not be changed once engraved in
stone. But that's only if you fly Part. 135. (I flashed my sacred
document to several TSA officers and none of them had ever seen the
thing or knew what it was.)
Needless to say, you ought to buy over the Internet your
Customs Sticker and download several return forms. We have always found
PBI customs on return very squared away. AOPA has bunches of Carib. trip
publications and for the Carib. there's the uselful Bahamas & Caribbean
Pilot's Guide (800-521-2120, www.flytheislands.com.)
Fuel was not all that expensive. At Puerto Plata it was $4.35 a
gallon (cash only) and in Anguilla (which now has 100-LL) it was $4.65
(Visa accepted) - that's last year, mind you. Word of advice, always
call to be sure fuel of your choice is available and be ready to pay
cash for a possible discount.
We were treated like VIPs everywhere we went outside the
country. Before leaving Anguilla on January 2 I was told it would be a
zoo - you have to file some kind of flight plan in the Carib. and I was
advised to say 'Happy New Year' in twisted Dutch to get my clearance
from the St. Maarten controller who handles Anguilla. I was out in
fifteen minutes much to the flipping consternation of four exec-jet
pilots waiting for their clearances.
I always fly IFR in the Caribbean and ascend to 10,000 or 11,000
for long glide capability.
Charts and approaches? Jeppesen's Caribbean package has them all
and Jepp can also book you over Cuba if that's the thrill you've always
been seeking. Garmin GPS's of course have all the data. XM satellite
Aviation Wx does not, sadly, reach more than 90 miles south of Nassau.
Survival gear? There's a government-mandated series of
items, but we went overboard - so to speak - and added to it some common
sense things.
We own the mandatory raft which we have checked out
every two years, but you can rent them from several places in Florida,
especially Fort Pierce (Google for this.) We always put on our life
vests before entering the cockpit - who wants to search for the things
when that first stutter is heard?
I also take a divers waterproof bag with a spare GPS,
radio, spotlight and lots of batteries, a First-Aid kit including space
blankets, blow-up splints and fishing tackle, Ready-To-Eat meals for
four days (Mac and Cheese is the best) and from any dive shop special
mini-containers of water in plastic bags which my wife and I distribute
throughout our survival gear and our pockets. The theory is that the
more mini-containers you have the more will survive any float-away or
puncture.
We perform a few on-the-ground practices getting the survival
gear ready before leaving - who grabs what and the like.
Equipment? I always take extra tire tubes and a jack to lift my
plane plus cotter pins to put back the clam-shell wheel. But that's when
I go to the outback. In the major places there is service (although I
would wonder about annuals and serious fixings like that.)
This coming trip I will take two more pieces of gear, a pair of
Telex Stratus 50 Digital ANR headsets. SkyGeek asked me to check a pair
out.
I have owned for some years David Clark's ANR and have used a
top-flight Bose headset and know how stunningly less tired one is with a
solid noise reduction system .
But I was unprepared for the Digital stuff. When I
flicked the switch, I thought for a second that the engine had stopped.
When I did run-up, I took the headset off to hear the engine sounds.
When I leaned at altitude, I took 'em off, too, to hear the right
burbles before enriching. I only did that once though.
I bought a pair ASAP.
These headsets have it all. They are softer than the
storied Princess-and-a-Pea mattresses -- no more Inquisition torture
routine with these spiffy Telex's. They have a built-in MP3 player and
Cellular phone hook-up, Mono and Stereo modes, AA batteries plus a power
cord to the cig. lighter. You can even obtain an attachment for a small
light that ignites when you talk or breathe heavily looking at your
approach plate (doesn't everybody breathe heavily on approach?) I have a
screw-in attachment for a MagLight and it worked fine once I drilled the
proper sized hole through the headset plastic.
Downsides? None.
The 'sounds of silence' you get from these Telex
Digitals are magnificent!
Tom Hoving
October 26, 2006
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Posted by hoving on October 26, 2006 8:48 PM