Ah, flight bags. Either too big or too small. Not enough, too much. Take something out, and you're sure to need it on the next flight. The bane of a pilot's existence. A solution? We haven't found a perfect one. Learn to lug around what you need. Of course, you can at least be reasonably stylish and efficient about it.
Enter the Captain's Bag from Global Aviation Products Co., the folks who introduced the GATS Jar fuel sampler a couple of years ago. The Captain's Bag combines the carrying capacity of a bulky flight bag with the carry-ability of a brief case. It's made of rugged yet soft and flexible nylon and has a plethora of pockets that can be closed with Velcro fasteners. Just about everything needed for your average flight will fit easily into the bag — flashlights, headsets, charts, intercom, flight computer, hand-held GPS and/or transceiver, flight food, and batteries.
To and from the airplane, the bag can be folded up and carried like a briefcase or slung over a shoulder (or a seat back, as in the photo). In the airplane, the bag unfolds. The top becomes a seat cushion, exposing the pockets for easy access in the cockpit. With your size 13 DDs on the rudder pedals, the pockets don't compete with your feet for floor space. With the autopilot on and feet pulled back, you may feel a bit crowded by the bulging pockets, but most stuff you carry in the bag should be out and in use by then. An option is to put the bag on the right front seat, if there's no passenger there. The bag secures to the seat with a pair of straps, keeping everything in place, even in turbulence.
The Captain's Bag is available from Sporty's Pilot Shop, 800/SPORTYS (776-7897) or from the manufacturer. In either case, the price is $129.95.
Global Aviation Products, Post Office Box 25533, Salt Lake City, Utah 84125; 800/972-9670.
Hire Education
Is there a pilot who has not asked the question of himself or herself: Could I make it at the airlines? Who hasn't imagined sitting in the left seat of a jumbo jet? For many, the idea is not just a passing fantasy. Those seriously pursuing such a goal need not be completely turned off by the news that the major airlines are not hiring. There are some piloting jobs out there, according to Aviation Information Resources, Inc. The openings just may not be where you expect them to be.
Atlanta-based AIR, Inc., is the brainchild of Kit Darby, a former airline pilot, flight school owner, and employee of the Future Aviation Professionals of America. Darby left FAPA in 1989 and started AIR. The company specializes in providing career information to those interested in professional piloting and to furloughed pilots. For example, AIR is under contract with pilot unions to supply career information and outplacement counseling to former Pan Am pilots. Key among its products is the Airline Pilot Career Development System, a large, three-ring binder stuffed with information on who's hiring and who's not and ways to get a flight case in the door with those who are.
A part of the kit is the Airline Pilot Job Monthly, a newsletter detailing the status of every major, national, and regional carrier. In addition to hiring status, the newsletter provides information on the companies' equipment purchases, route changes, and financial status. One recent issue, for example, showed that no majors were hiring pilots, but 31 regionals were adding to their rosters. The airlines in toto hired 4,931 pilots in 1992 and, by the end of October 1993, had hired more than that — 4,993, according to the newsletter.
Another part of the kit is "Airline Pilot Career Decisions," a guide for those entering the airline pilot job market. The section discusses airline job markets, provides guidelines for assessing your job options and how to apply, and then provides comprehensive information about preparing for a job interview. The information is based on the interviewing practices of the airlines, and thus is more than just a general guide to interviewing. For example, it includes information on medical questions the airlines will ask and how to answer questions about your flight time and flying experience.
Also included in the kit is a directory of airline addresses and contacts. The section details each airline's fleet, aircraft on order and delivery schedules, bases of operation, and starting salaries, among other things. Finally, the kit includes actual applications from the major airlines and sample resumes and cover letters.
AIR also publishes a comparison of the career earnings potential among the seven major airlines.
Each of the products is available separately, along with a resume preparation service and many other benefits for prospective airliner drivers. The Airline Pilot Career Development System costs $132, plus $4 shipping and handling.
AIR, Inc., 201 Smokerise Trace, Peachtree City, Georgia 30269; 800/AIR-APPS (247-2777).
Briefly Noted
Classic airplane buffs and lovers of beautiful photographs alike will appreciate aviation photographer Michael Terry's Aviation Legends 1994, a 16-month calendar that features many of the great civil aircraft from the golden age of aviation. The 14 x 20-inch prints highlight such classics as the 1947 Luscombe 8A Silvaire, 1938 Lockheed 12A Electra (shown here), 1930 Waco INF, 1938 Ryan SCW, and others. New for 1994 is something really unusual — a lower price compared to the 1993 issue. The 1994 price is $13.95, $2 cheaper than last year's edition. Michael Terry, 914 East Main Street, Santa Paula, California 93060; 805/525-4217. Credit- card orders: 800/266-1995.
Lots of companies offer aircraft cleaners and polishes. Most of these "aviation products" do an adequate job but usually not much better than off-the-shelf products that don't carry the "aviation" price tag. One product that does an above-average job is Racer's Edge from T. R. Johnson Co. The "Polymer One Step Aircraft Polish and Protectant" is really a two- step process in most cases. The protectant is a high-quality polish, but it is the oxidizer/cleaner that really makes a noticeable difference on well-weathered airplanes. As can be seen in the photo, the oxidizer we applied to the passenger side of the cowling restored the milky white finish of a 20-year-old Cessna 172 to near its original bug-juice green (some might wonder why you'd want to restore that color anyhow, but that's a matter of personal preference). An application of the protectant has kept the finish clear and shiny for about six months. The $30 kit ($5 additional for shipping and handling) includes a quart each of the oxidizer and the protectant, enough to clean and polish an aircraft the size of a Cessna 152. T. R. Johnson Co., Post Office Box 15726, North Hollywood, California 91615; 818/367-5351.
Each month, our office receives dozens of calls from readers who remember seeing an article in a back issue, but they can't find it when they need it. Sometimes it turns out the article was in another magazine. (Yes, it's unbelievable, but some AOPA members do actually subscribe to other magazines.) FlyData Aviation Magazine Index puts those back-issues to use by making it easy to find articles. The database computer program contains the locations of articles from the five most popular aviation magazines, including AOPA Pilot. The database only contains the article locations, not the text of the articles. You must still sort through your back issues to find the article. The program will search the database of all the magazines, or you can select any combination of the five. For example, search on "Seminole" and the program will refer you to the October 1992 report Pilot did on the Piper, among others. The user can update the system manually or buy updates quarterly. Each is $31. The user also can add in data from additional magazines. FlyData currently has about two years of back-issues for each magazine in the database but is adding older issues along with new issues with each update. The program is simple to use and requires no manual. It is available for both IBM-compatible and Macintosh computers. FlyData Aviation Software, 1257 25th Street, Santa Monica, California 90404; 800/FD-PILOT (337-4568).
Unless otherwise stated, products listed herein have not been evaluated by AOPA Pilot editors. AOPA assumes no responsibility for products or services listed or for claims or actions by manufacturers or vendors. However, members unable to get satisfaction regarding products listed should advise AOPA. To submit products for evaluation, contact: New Products Editor, AOPA Pilot, 421 Aviation Way, Frederick, Maryland 21701; telephone 301/695-2350.
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