ayavner

Where is the camera on that? How is it mounted? Beautiful video, glad you made it back down safely ;)

I believe that's correct - and welcome to the forum and CONGRATS on the ticket!

I used to use one of these http://www.justpilotwatches.com.au/contents/en-us/image_viewer.html?lmd=40888.809722 but I broke the glass - not sure how, but went out drinking one night, and noticed it the following morning I also have a Thai knockoff Breitling Navitimer, which is still going after 6 or so years, but the strap broke - not bad for $AU20. Currently I'm using a Thai-knockoff Tag Heuer. Basically anything with a large analogue dial Also use one of these - http://www.asa2fly.com/Flight-Timer-2-P599_product1.aspx velcroed to the panel.

 

Mal

This one looks the biz:

http://www.hmewatch.com/flight-snad05.html

Inclined to agree though that probably a good easy to read basic watch is best - don't you really just need it to time your rate one turns and keep track of time between waypoints?

Wow what a story, thank you for sharing Frank. I think also, as a student, that I am glad I read this. While it would be easy to read this and despair, "what chance have I got, if this happened to such an experienced pilot??", it is also comforting in its strange way to know that Knight in the end merely succumbed to the same factors that we all are subject to... the all-important Human Factors - and that is something we can practice every day whether we are flying or not.

None of us can say it couldn't happen to us, but I bet its a good percentage less likely now that I've read that story!

My lovely better half bout me a Seiko Aviator watch similar to this one, except in stainless, for my birthday a few years ago.http://www.hmewatch.com/flight-ssc008.html

 

Lovely idea, but to be honest I have rarely used the flight computer functions as it is really quite small to read. But I do love the reminder when I am sitting at my desk, and it has been a fantastic watch.

My wife has that problem, and I understand it is not at all uncommon. I always tell her she just has electric skin :)

Hi all,

I decided to start this thread because I know an accurate watch is a necessity, and looking at all the watches available in the various pilot shop outlets, magazine ads, etc, you would think that one needs the equivalent instrumentation of a 747 on your wrist!

Now, I am sure alot of those features are useful or even necessary, and I am sure alot of them are just "fluff". I have a pretty basic large face stainless steel watch with numerals on the dial, a date, marks for the seconds between major divisions, a second hand and glow in the dark hands. In other words, a basic watch. No outer dial with 3 rings of numbers to line up, or extra sub-dials, buttons, etc.

Not sure if this is adequate to my needs since I haven't gotten to Nav just yet, but what are you guys using? What are some cool features? What are some "features" that are absolute fluff, or so impossible to make accurate at that scale as to be worthless on a wristwatch?

Discuss :)

Frank I'd like to read it as well - [email protected]

Thanks!

adam

I haven't even started the whole navigation mess yet, still working up to first solo. But although the Jab dash has a GPS in it, my first experience in a small aircraft (172) before I started ab-initio, my mate took me up, even let me fly it for awhile (I did already have some aviation background via the AF), he always used the map and visual references, even for the area he was no doubt familiar with. That really stuck with me as how cool is this to be able to make sense of all this jumble on the map and use it to get somewhere!

So, Yeah I'll definitely be wanting to do it the time-tested way, map, compass, watch, wheel etc. Maybe a GPS for a quick visual reference here n there, but I think that the traditional methods of navigation are part of the package - its why some of us get into this in the first place, to follow in the footsteps of those who have gone before, and perhaps experience a little bit of what they did! Lindbergh didn't have GPS...

Hey great Nathan, thanks again mate! I intend to nail the circuits next time, i'm told visualisation helps!

Wow thanks guys, Lloyd - appreciate the encouragement! Nathan, would love to get a photo of the panel if you remember lol and don't mind too much.

http://www.camzilla.com.au/products_info/clamp-mounts__standard-clamp-mount-base

Update, just ordered and received this - great piece of gear, solidly made and the service, communication and shipping were all top-notch from Camzilla! Give em a visit!

Can't wait to try it out now...

You got a point, even my instructor steered me away from in in earlier days, saying he didn't want to put me off flying... I can see why now!

Given a choice? Probably not, depending on the choice though. I would like to fly one again in calm weather though to see how it handles then. At the moment the thought of flying it solo terrifies me! haha

Interesting feedback on the 55, good to know. My school has one as well as the Jab 170. So far I have stuck with the Jab and the Tecnam, and by the sounds of it I am glad I have! At least until I get wayyy more time under my belt to be able to cope with that kind of behaviour!

Would you fly one again, if given a choice?

Seems we (as people) are good at the Letter of the Law, but not so much the Spirit?

I think the desire to elevate the sport by passing on this sort of knowledge and wisdom is the very embodiment of Airmanship. Thanks Merv!

"Good judgement comes from experience. Unfortunately, most experience comes from Bad Judgement"

That's why I like Naremman's statement about learning from other people's mistakes. I mean, if that's the only good to come out of it, then it should do.

wow great stuff guys, I have a feeling next lesson is going to be much different! But, i won't be shocked or surprised if it isn't! I have often been accused of needing to get out of my head on things, this is just another example I guess!

haha good point FT :-)

I had days like that when I was training and now I've got my PPL I still have days like that. Especially in the Jab, I've had times when I've had to do three go arounds in a row because I just couldn't get the landing together.You'll get there :)

Then again, I think part of it is the extra mental energy I consume trying to second guess myself in front of him, not wanting to be "scolded". Its almost like doing everything twice hehe :)

I've been riding motorcycles for close to 34 years give or take, and one of the things that stuck with me when i was learning to ride on the streets was the notion that everything I do has a mental cost associated with it. So if I have a "dollar" to spend, and I spend 50 cents just thinking about the throttle position and flaps etc, then that leaves me with only 50 cents for everything else, including emergencies. The idea being to "spend" as little as possible on the mechanics of it, leaving plenty in reserve for the enjoyment of it (that has a cost too), and if necessary unforeseen circumstances.

So practicing *correctly* to the point where as much as possible gets into muscle memory is the key - i can ride on the streets and am probably only spending 5 - 10 c of my mental capacity, leaving the rest for everything else. I guess I need to get there in the air as well, and only time and practice and patience is the key. I can't wait till the day i can take a flight and just "fly" while enjoying the scenery, having plenty of mental reserve to deal with the unexpected. That's what keeps me going!

Thanks everyone for all the encouragement. Still love to hear everyone's stories about similar situations!

weird - actually this looks bigger here than it does on the website... hehe, well if anyone has the full screen size one, that would be nice, but this might actually work now that i see it like this.

... never mind, this was dumb - found what I wanted whilst typing out the question lol :)

Thanks guys, thought as much - but never quite "felt" the learning plateau quite like this before - whole different deal when you feel like your life is on the line :) And turby, you're so right, and in the end that's one of the things that makes a pursuit worthwhile; that you persevered whilst others would have packed it in.

Mazda, right now mostly practicing circuits and consolidating my training in prep for 1st solo. Still need to do stalls and forced landings as far as the lessons go. Early days...