Pilot Accessories Archives - Page 3 of 5

The top 5 aviation uses for the iPad

John Zimmerman has recently written a lengthy article for Air Facts about the iPad and its usefulness where he listed his top five aviation uses for the iPad. These aviation uses included:

The ability to carry more charts and more current charts. Moreover, the iPad makes it both cheaper and easier to have all of the latest charts for an entire route plus updates are available at the push of the button.
The ability to receive more pre-flight weather briefings with more weather graphics. Given the iPad’s portability and the quality of the apps, there is no need to make a last minute dash to the computer or for waiting on hold with Flight Service.
The ability to do more performance reviews and weight and balance calculations. Since this is all on his iPad, John noted that he is also more likely to check everything because there are great and inexpensive apps to do all sorts of tasks. For example: He uses Numbers to make a custom weight and balance spreadsheet for each aircraft and then GoodReader to store and read all of the information manuals from manufacturers.
The ability to have consistent information and hardware when moving between different aircraft. John pointed out that the oldest aircraft he flies was built in 1963 while the newest was built in 2011 – meaning the only consistent thing for both is his iPad.
The ability of the iPad to be a decent backup navigator but John also noted that this is probably the iPad’s weakest feature because its not a Garmin 796 when it comes to navigation. Nevertheless, the iPad is not that bad and its improving as the apps become more mature. Moreover, the iPad has a great battery life – meaning that a user is not dependent on the cigarette lighter.

John concluded that his list shows that the iPad is a major convenience but nevertheless, it has not fundamentally changed how he flies because he still file flight plans the same way, he still uses the panel GPS for navigation, he still has the same personal minimums and he still flies the same type of trips. Hence, John concluded that the iPad is a revolutionary aviation tool but only on cost and convenience rather than on features.

iPad

What is the best pair of aviation sunglasses to wear?

For pilots, having the right pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes will be an important consideration for both comfort and safety. Hence, a recent post written by Roger Worden for his Roger’s Soaring Blog is well worth reading.

Roger began his post by noting that aviator sunglasses are specially designed with a teardrop shape to prevent sunlight from coming from a wide range of angles. In other words, they do not change much and they generally don’t follow fashion trends. He also pointed out that yellow lenses will help a pilot see cloud structure better than other colors.

On the other hand, Roger noted out that polarized sunglasses should generally not be used for flying for two reasons:

Cockpit glass, instrument windows and even handheld devices such as GPS units may have some unintentional polarization. When this is combined with polarized sunglasses, dark spots and distracting color patterns can appear and interfere with a pilot’s vision.
Polarized sunglasses are designed to cut glare but a little glare can also be a good thing as it can actually be the glint off of another aircraft.

Roger then mentioned that he started using American Optical’s FG-58 sunglasses and that they were ok but somewhat uncomfortable due to their design. Hence, he now uses them as backup.

Instead, he is now using Serengeti Aviators Drivers Gradient glasses and he noted that while he likes them, he has found that their lenses are not as hard as the lenses of other sunglasses (In fact, he scratched the lenses after a year or two). In addition, he pointed out that the temples consists of pretty thin wire and when he clips his radio earpiece to them when he is flying gliders, the clip will tend to slide around a bit.

Roger’s entire post is well worth reading but we would also like to ask you our readers about the aviation sun glasses you are currently using. Specifically, what brand or brands of aviation sunglasses would you recommend and why?

What is the best aviation headset?

A key piece of gear for any pilot will be an aviation headset. After all, you will need to be able to clearly hear ATC instructions as well as protect your hearing over the long term.

Hence Mark, a reader of the Ask a Flight Instructor Website, recently posted the following question on the site:

Do any of you who wear headsets all day, have input on David Clark H10-13s VS H10-13.4 VS Telex echelon 25xt VS David Clark H20-10
or any other light comfortable passive headset to buy

Maggot/CFII responded by suggesting to look at a “D. Clark 10-60, shop “ebay”, and look at the mike to make sure headset offered is not ancient.” Apparently, she got a very good deal on a new one well below retail price.

Kent Shook then noted that a headset buyer should always go for active noise reduction as they will not only protect your hearing, they are much more comfortable to wear. In fact, he had used a passive headset during primary instruction in order to save money but then he ended up buying an ANR headset later on anyway because “the passive headset’s clamping force would cause a headache after about 1.5 hours of flight.” He also suggested a particular headset from Gulf Coast Avionics or Pacific Coast Avionics that is essentially a Lightspeed QFR Solo with ANR for US$249.00.

Meanwhile Shannon Coleman posted that she used the DC H10-13.4S for years and wore them for several hours a day while towing banners and instructing. And while she also wrote that they aren’t bad, they do tend to get tight by the end of the day. She later upgraded her DC’s with Headset Inc’s ANR kit and loved the results.

Finally, Micah posted that he has used DC H20s 8+ for years and that they are excellent but he also added:

The problem with headsets, it seems, is that there are few good ways to try one out. Unless you can borrow a set to test, you’re going to test it after you buy it.

Hence, we want to ask you our readers: What type of aviation headset do you own or recommend owning? Moreover, where did you purchase your favorite pair of headsets?

Using and making iPad kneeboards for in and outside the cockpit videos

We have noted a few options in the past for mounting an iPad in the cockpit (Mounting and using an iPad in the cockpit, Using iPads in the cockpit etc.) plus a couple of kneeboard options. These kneeboard options included:

Atlanta Flight. Atlanta Flight has introduced a new line of injection molded holders for the iPad called the “iPro Aviator.” The iPro Aviator is currently available in black while a navy blue version will become available in January. Prices for either color are US$79.95 and for more information, visit ForPilotsOnly.com
MyGoFlight.com. MyGoFlight.com, a website dedicated to the use of the iPad in aviation, has launched the iPad Kneeboard Pro and Pro C. The Kneeboard is made of anodized aluminum that is padded with a layer of neoprene foam to hold the iPad in place. For more information, visit MyGoFlight.com.

However, blogger Aluwings from the Wings Stayed On blog as recently noted the following video showing various ways an iPad Kneeboard Pro C can be used in-flight to keep the iPad accessible and secure:

In addition, having an iPad along with a kneeboard can also be useful on the ground as this short video shows:

Finally, pilot Ed Oakley created a kneeboard for his iPad to use in the cockpit and in this video, he shows you how you can do the same for US$15 to US$50:

Using iPads in the cockpit

In case you do not already have an iPad or if you do and you have not considered using one in the cockpit, check out this short video segment from Channel 9 News in Denver Colorado about the use of the iPad in the cockpit by general aviation pilots. The segment interviewed pilot Charles Schneider who (along with a business partner) has also designed a form-fitting iPad kneeboard while his company has also organized a website called mygoflight.com for pilots to easily organize and find iPad applications for their pre-flight, in-flight and post-flight routines. Both the short video segment and Charles’ website are well worth checking out.

How to be a “minimalist pilot”

With all of the new tech gadgets out there, its tempting for a pilot to become a real “pack-rat” while up in the air. However, a recent post by John Ewing for his Aviation Mentor blog is well worth reading as he mentioned a few ways that pilots can go “minimalist” and lighten their flight bag by only carrying a few essentials. The essentials mentioned by John included the following items:

New iPad Kneeboard. Although John had come up with his own kneeboard solution using an aftermarket iPad case, he noted the new iPro Aviator kneeboard which is both more cost effective and has some great new features. It goes on sale on November 1, 2010 for US$79.95 but you can also pre-order one for US$59.95 until October 15, 2010.

Mini-Bag. John pointed out that after a long search for an inexpensive and minimalist iPad flight bag, he found the Timbuktu Freestyle Notebook Messenger to hold his headset, iPad, Xaon traffic detector plus enough room for other essentials.

Flashlight. John mentioned that he carries a Petzl e+LITE LED headlamp which weights just 28 grams and takes up even less space than a set of car keys. Moreover, the e+LITE can run for about 45 hours on two Lithium CR2032 batteries.

Glasses. John noted that like many pilots who reach a certain age, he has vision problems. Hence and rather than carry multiple sets of glasses, he has started using TruFocals. TruFocals are made with two layers of lenses with the outer lenses made to your prescription while the inner lenses are silcone-filled lens that have the ability to change focus when a small slider located on the bridge is changed.

However, the main point of John’s post was that pilots should figure out what works best for them as well as take into consideration what other pilots are doing. Hence, we want to ask you our readers for your opinions: Are you a “minimalist pilot” or more of a “pack-rat”? What are the essential pieces of gear that you never leave the ground without having?