The Relief Band may also come in handy for pilots or passengers experiencing morning sickness, as the device has no known side effects or contraindications associated with pregnancy. However, it may not be used by anyone with a cardiac pacemaker. The disposable Relief Band retails for $51.95, and the reusable Relief Band is $144.95. Both are available through Sporty�s Pilot Shop or via the Woodside Biomedical Inc. Web site (www.reliefband.com). For more information, contact Sporty�s Pilot Shop, Clermont County Airport, Batavia, Ohio 45103; telephone 513/735-9100; fax 513/735-9200; or visit the Web site (www.sportys.com).
Co Guardian Carbon Monoxide Detector
Even the most careful preflight inspection may not reveal the minute cracks in an aircraft�s exhaust system that can leak carbon monoxide (CO) into the cockpit. Detecting this gas before it causes pilot incapacitation is critical. To this end, Ash Vji, a mechanical engineer and multiengine-rated pilot, developed CO Guardian, a carbon monoxide detector.
CO Guardian plugs into an aircraft�s cigarette lighter and displays the carbon monoxide level in parts per million (PPM) divided by 100. Levels below 50 PPM illuminate a green light on the unit, and when levels rise to between 50 and 70 PPM, a yellow light comes on. If the CO level goes above 70 PPM, a red light illuminates. In addition, if cockpit levels of CO stay between, for example, 50 to 70 PPM for longer than 10 minutes, an alarm sounds. If the unit detects higher concentrations, the alarm goes off sooner, and at levels above 400 PPM, the alarm sounds instantly.
The unit is sold with a limited five-year warranty. By comparison, disposable carbon monoxide detectors typically expire 30 days after they are activated. Retail price is $199. For more information, contact CO Guardian LLC, 1951 East Airport Drive, Tucson, Arizona 85706; telephone 800/639-7139; fax 520/889-8249; or visit the Web site (www.coguardian.com).
Tales Of Two Crossings
Even though cross-country flying has come a long way since Charles Lindbergh made his historic flight back in 1927, crossing the North Atlantic in a single-engine airplane remains a daunting task. The preparation and execution of a transoceanic flight plan takes a lot of effort, but the rewards are great. Two recent offerings from AOPA members who have completed the journey give a taste of what�s required for those who dream of making it.
North Atlantic Crossing, a video with a running time of 60 minutes, follows the progress of a 1968 Mooney as two pilots take it across the Atlantic via Canada, Greenland, and Iceland to Bergen, Norway. Mark van Benschoten, an airline transport pilot-rated corporate pilot, and videographer and instrument-rated private pilot Rick Moreau collaborate on the video, which is sprinkled with the pair�s wit. The production is well edited, showing what you can do with Adobe Premiere in the modern age, and contains valuable tidbits for those thinking of following in their footsteps. Van Benschoten has five crossings to his credit, as well as a circumnavigation, demonstrating that the relative ease with which he sets out on this trip is a function of his experience. The video is available in both VHS and PAL formats for $19.95, plus $3.95 shipping and handling. For more information, contact Flight Films, Post Office Box 93, Linwood, Michigan 48634; telephone 800/510-1017; or visit the Web site (www.flightfilms.com).
For another take on flying across an ocean, The Cockpit: A Flight of Escape and Discovery, follows both the physical and psychological journey undertaken by Paul Gahlinger as he flies his Cessna Cardinal from California to Africa. The book, published in hardback by Sagebrush Press, is a quick read, filled with Gahlinger�s exciting and sometimes dubious tales of this trip of a lifetime.
Gahlinger gives up a university professorship in northern California and accepts a volunteer position in a hospital in Cape Town, South Africa�and is determined to fly his own airplane there. The story is further enlivened by Gahlinger�s forays into his own interesting past (he has been not only a logger and a bush pilot, but also has acquired a doctorate in anthropology and become a medical doctor). Again, the point is driven home that a journey of such magnitude requires extensive planning and still refuses to go exactly according to plan.
The Cockpit retails for $19.95 and is available online and in bookstores this spring. For more information, contact Sagebrush Press, 225 Tenth Avenue, Salt Lake City, Utah 84103; telephone 801/350-0237; or visit the Web site (www.sagebrushpress.com).
Sporty�s Checklists For Training Aircraft
In 1987, Sporty�s Academy was founded to develop pilot training courses for general aviation. Now, Sporty�s hosts a Part 141 flight school at Clermont County Airport in Batavia, Ohio. From this experience, Sporty�s Academy has developed a series of checklists for the models of aircraft on its flight line.
These checklists are sized to match sectional and world aeronautical charts and fit easily into a headset bag. Printed on vinyl stock, the checklists feature normal procedures, from preflight inspection to shutdown, and emergency procedures on the reverse, outlined in red with items to be memorized highlighted in yellow. Models include the Cessna 152, 172 (several models), 182S, and 206H, as well as the Piper Warrior, Cadet, and Aztec.
For more information about the lists, contact Sporty�s Pilot Shop, Clermont County Airport, Batavia, Ohio 45103; call 513/735-9100; fax 513/735-9200; or visit the Web site (www.sportys.com)
