Benton wrote:It wasn't completely clear how to interpret the subscription charge on the prepared pilot site. Is that $99/*yr* w/ shorter and longer term options to come?Benton

I appologize for any confusion my website created. I will try to add more details to the SPOT Satellite Messenger section of the website tonight.

To answer your specific questions. The yearly service fee is $99.99 That includes unlimited 911, request help, and check in messages. All messages are relayed with your GPS location via satellite. SPOT Inc. is planning on offering a monthly payment plan for $9.95/month but it will probably still have a one year subscription commitment. I had not heard about any longer term subscription choices but it makes sense they will want to encourage them.

The optional services are the tracking service called SPOT Casting, for $49.99/year and international rescue insurance for $7.95/year. This service allows you to activate the tracking mode which sends a position update automatically every 10 minutes for 24 hours. Someone with access to your account back at home can watch as you travel across the country or you can use it later when writing up a trip report blog etc. I think of it as personal flight following. If I were to disappear while flying and was unable to press the 911 or request help button my family would still have a good idea of where to start looking.

The other optional service is world wide Search and Rescue insurance for $7.95. I think this is a great deal and will definitely be signing up for it. All the literature says up to $100,000 coverage but I read a lot of the small print today and it is only $50,000 per incident and $100,000 per year. Still I think it is a bargain, especially if traveling internationally.

Feel free to ask any questions here or via PM and I will get back to you ASAP.

Rob Hunter
Prepared Pilot, LLC