There are some alternates with varying degrees of effectiveness. For those that aren't aware, N6EA is actually my amateur radio callsign, so from that perspective I can suggest a couple solutions. Ham radio has a system called APRS (automatic position and reporting system) that many pilots use to track their airplanes while in flight. It is basically a system of VHF digipeaters, some of which are connected to the internet. These fixed stations relay the digital information supplied by GPS receivers, connected to vhf transmitters in the aircraft. The info provided is updated at a chosen rate and you can track aircraft in flight (or on the ground if you are with reception range of a digipeater) via the internet. Search and rescue has been using the APRS system in conjunction with ham radio operators for years to track resources and map search areas. You can assemble an APRS transmitter that will conect to any handheld GPS for around 100.00. or you can build an interface to work with a vhf handheld radio and GPS for about 30.00. (This is what I did). The benefit of using a handheld transmitter is you can also use it for communication via either simplex, repeater or even AMSAT. The latest amateur satellite AO-51 can be worked with 5 watts and a rubber duck antenna. I have personally made satellite contacts from Minnesota to Hawaii from central California via the Low Earth Orbit satellites. Dual band (vhf/uhf) handhelds run about 300.00. Of course there are also HF transcievers (starting about 500.00) that are utilized on board off shore vessels and transoceanic flights that can talk around the world with a simple wire antenna (di-pole). More info on all these things can be found at http://www.arrl.org

BTW, The PLB's or EPIRB's are pretty fool proof and can be easily activated without special knowledge. Often the KISS method is preferable, if you can afford it.

Sorry for the length of the post...

Mark

I ordered one from Aircraft Spruce for the flight up to Alaska this year, but had a weather window before it arrived. Going up the trench, I wished I had it with me. I had it forwarded to Anchorage and so it was in my pocket on the way home. It certainly gives an added level of comfort knowing you can produce a signal that will be heeded. The SAR guys in ANC say they get so many ELT false alarms that they are skeptical of most. However, when they get a PLB hit, they act on it right away.

I got the model with interface to my handheld Garmin. A good site for info on beacons is http://www.equipped.com also lots of great survival gear info. Apparently there was some problem with the early McMurdo models. There are reviews on this site.

Here's aircraft spruce item: http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/pspages/406plb.php

Next year, if I get a satphone, I will feel I have as much comm and notification capability as one can get.

This is a great topic. PLB's seem a little cheaper than SAT phones, but I'm not sure why a person with a hand held GPS would need both. Without really know what I'm talking about, it seems a SAT phone would be enough. Why did you decide to get both?
On the whole survival thing do you know of anyone that makes a GA survival vest. I imagine something that had pockets for a PLB or a SAT phone, plus basic survival gear: Knife, food, water, minimal first aid, and approiate gear for the environment like a solar blanket, or repelling gear. The military seems to make something like I'm looking for, but all I can find is the vest at surplus stores.
I have read about a number of fatalities where the pilot had survival gear in the back of the plane, but died from exposure because he was trapped in his seat.
Any ideas?
Jeff

Yellowbelly,

Thanks for the links. I followed one of 'em to http://www.aeromedix.com/ and there are some other items that might be good to add to a survival kit / plan. As far as the sat phones go I know at one time the sub was big $ + the per minute charges. I'm not sure if you could use it for emergency only calls without a sub or not. (Like cell phones)

Bump,

A buddy nearly froze in an overturned vehicle because he could not release the seatbelt. A knife within reach is certainly a good idea...

Mark

Just go Tactical:

I think you meant that as a joke, but that vest isn't bad. My .45 would fit perfectly, and those pockets could hold a lot of stuff. Grenades are great for fishing.

Speedbump: The idea of the handheld GPS in conjunction with the PLB is that you feed a signal from the GPS into the PLB before you fire it up. That way, the first signal to the SARSAT contains your (very precise) GPS location. Otherwise, it takes the system longer to triangulate on your position. You can buy the PLB with GPS built in, but it's a bit slow, adds $$$ to the price, and if you already have a GPS source...it only takes a cable to use it.

N6EA: I found several places to RENT satphones. They will do the whole thing over the internet and send you the phone in the mail. The rates are not bad but the connect time costs enough that you wouldn't probably call home and put the dog on the line to check his breathing. To me the benefit of the satphone is not when things go wrong, but when they go right (sort of). For example: those times when you are flying in remote locations, the wx closes in and rather than wait for the crash, you find a clearing, a logging road or a lake if you're on floats, and make a precautionary landing. People are expecting you, and if you are somewhere in Canada or the Yukon, you are on a mandatory flight plan. Once safely down, there may not be any way to let the folks know that you are OK and will just be spending the next several hours re-reading the operating manual for the panel mounted GPS. It can save a lot of anxiety for officials and family if you can make a 2 minute call to say you are OK and not to worry unless the PLB lights up. The Iridium system gives coveraage in the high arctic and is a good thing to have for a trip up there. You can even check the weather with it before taking off again! I would probably try the rental program before buying.

Hope your buddy got out OK. I started wearing my Leatherman on the trip to Alaska and before it was over, I was wearing EVERYTHING. On the flights over Prince William Sound (cold water, glaciers, rocks and not too many places to land) I had the float coat with the pockets stuffed with things that would be "nice" to have on a cold beach. Many folks told me that what you wear may be all you can count on if it all turns to chocolate. Lots of guys have a made-up vest with all the necessary gear in pockets and it becomes part of the plane. You put it on like a seatbelt every time you climb aboard.

Zane: I don't see any place for sunglasses on that vest.

That's because real ultra-commandos and open cockpit ultralight pilots wear goggles.

Damn!! You're RIGHT Zane.

With a pair of ultra-commando goggles, I could toss my observer doors on the pile with my useless 3rd row seat. Never mind that the plane won't slip worth a damn and all the maps will be sucked out of the seat back pockets. Where do I sign?

Hahahahahaha!! The Batman utility belt! That is great. My friend tease me about needing one of those for all the condiments I require when eating a meal.

I have had the priviledge of flying with Amy Hoover (formerly of McCall Mountain & Canyon flying School) and she religiously wears a military survival vest in the plane regardless of where we flew. She aquired this from one of the Special Forces survival courses she has taken. They are expensive (about $5-600) but have just about everything that is required for at least short term survival and personal repair except for firearms. The obvious here is that if you are stuck in the plane, firearms are a secondary concern. I have taken to keeping the survival backpack on the back of one of the front seats but the vest is a prime thought. I have a problem with the cost but at what cost is survival acceptable? We are going to be on floats in the next year and a float vest is another addition that will need to be factored in. No answers here, just more babble.
Doooouuug! You funny man!

Jr. and I were talking PLB's again yesterday, and I found this lil guy on the REI website:

http://www.rei.com/product/47799531.htm

At first I imagined it to be about the size of an iPod, but looking at the dimensions of 5.7x3.3x1.7, I think it's more like the size of a hard drive.

Several pilots I know in the Puget Sound area have float-coats. A real good idea if you do much overwater flying, and probably should be mandatory for float op's. But they can be a hazard--you don't want to pull the inflate ring if you're still in the cabin after a water-landing gone bad,you might have to swim down before you can get out.
Most float-coats I've seen don't have too much in the way of pockets- they seem to be designed to look more like regular (non-marine) clothing.

Eric

here in northern michigan we fly over open water all the time. i carry 2 self inflating life vests in the pocket behind my seat. and i brief passengers on where they are and how/when to use them if we are headed over much water.
i have also been meaning to get some flares to keep in there too.

Zane, you're right about how big that PLB is, I wonder ir there are smaller ones?

Speaking of float coats and flying over water. If you do alot of flying around water, underwater egress training is nice to have. See:

http://www.alaska.faa.gov/flt_std/SPM/P ... mmer04.pdf

for some more information.

Chris

I fly regularly from Seattle to the San Juans and have been wearing an inflatable (SOSpenders) vest, but it doesn't have pockets.

I just purchased a Switlik Helicopter Crew vest that has pockets for basic survival gear:

http://www.switlik.com/mcrew.html

There's room for my PLB, strobe, signaling devices, etc. Should I end up in the water I expect that getting out of the plane with what I'm wearing will be all I'll be able to do, so having it on (instead of stowed).

I also bought one of the Stearns Fisherman's vest for passengers to wear:

http://216.92.223.223/product105.html

They won't get a PLB, but will get basic signaling and survival gear.

I'm planning to build a similar vest for 'over land' use, still working on finding the right one (I have several on order, including a Blackhawk Tactical).

First thing I was taught during seaplane training was egress. As a scuba diver I know how quickly you can become confused and disoriented underwater. Add the stress and confusion of the boo-boo that put you in the water and even the best swimmers can lose it. It takes some real training to overcome the panic of being probably upside down, in ice cold water with the water displacing the air pretty quickly. If you add a water activated vest you might overload your ability to handle the egress. I really don't know what the answer is but I would be afraid of water activated. Of course if your unconscious what are your choices???

Inquiring minds want to know...

Mark

Mark-

I agree. You don't want a water activated vest. And, as you point out, it is really easy to get disoriented under water...especially after a mix-up puts you and your plane there... It is pretty easy to find underwater egress training here in Anchorage. They put you in the pool and give you some experience dealing with disorientation and getting out of a fuselage. I think it is worth taking.

Chris