For those of you that don't know me and in the interests of disclosure, I am Rob Hunter an avid back country pilot based in Utah where I am a board member on Utah Back Country Pilots Inc. In the past have worked on several Search and Rescue teams and as a paramedic where as part of my duties I have had to find and treat the victims of airplane crashes as well as many other lost or injured outdoor enthusiasts. Over the years from my work experience and personal outdoor adventures (and misadventures) I got a pretty good idea about what survival equipment worked and what didn't. A few years ago I started a company called Prepared Pilot to make and sell survival kits and and emergency supplies for pilots.

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to talk to my friend Sparky Imeson. Sparky and I have been friends for several years and have collaborated on several mountain flying safety projects. Although he was still in the hospital from injuries sustained in the crash, I was pleased to note that he seemed his normal thoughtful funny, and humble self. He told me he was doing great and that he was "surrounded by beautiful women" who later in the conversation I came to realize were his wife and sister. His injuries will heal and I am confident he will be out there teaching, writing and flying again soon.

We talked about many things. At one point we talked about the Wilderness Aviator Survival Kit, Survival Vest and 406 MHz AeroFix PLB that Sparky bought from my company. Unfortunately, none of the survival gear was taken out of Sparky's airplane and loaded into JC's Husky. Since the aircraft was on fire as they exited there was no time to retrieve any stowed survival equipment and the ELT burned too. One piece of survival gear that he wished he had with him was his 406 MHz PLB that he carries in the pocket of his survival vest. If he had been wearing it he could have used the PLB immediately after the accident and rescuers would have known that he was in trouble and exactly were he was even before he was reported over due. He said that he would never make the mistake of not having his with him again when flying and that he wished more pilots had PLBs. Together we decided on "The Sparky Special" that he endorses. The Sparky Special is a discount on the ACR MicroFix 406MHz PLB that we both hope will encourage more pilots to consider buying a PLB. The MicroFix is the newest, lightest and smallest GPS equipped PLB to date. It is small enough to carry in a pocket and only weighs 10 ounces. The MicroFix PLB normally sells for $649.99 but with the special is $65 off for a total of $584.99 and comes with a free Emergency Strobe light which is a $21.95 value. Because of the manufactures minimum advertised price policy I can not extend this offer indefinitely. It is only valid until June 30, 2007. To receive the discount please mention the Sparky Special in the order notes section during the checkout procedure. Although the discount will not show on your screen it will be applied before your credit card is charged and show correctly on your receipt. If you have any questions feel free to email or call me.

I would be glad to answer anyones questions about PLBs, survival vests or survival kits even if you have no interest in ever buying anything from my company.

Thank you,
Rob Hunter
President
Prepared Pilot, LLC
(801) 455-5271

Rob,
I appreciate your consideration in granting the discount for the package I ordered yesterday. I did find that this is the forum I discovered your company on.

Thanks,
Gary Fields

Hi Rob,
Thanks for doing this, remember I bought sparky that vest from you last December for Xmass, I've never sean him flying without it in the last six months, he was the one that insisted I get a locater from you, I'm sure this will never happen again.
My best to your family and Steve D. , hope to see you in Smiley Creek,
Gary McDonald

Blue Duck wrote:I've never seen him flying without it in the last six months....I'm sure this will never happen again.
Gary McDonald

Hi Gary,

I thought he always had it with him too so I was very worried when I heard he was missing because I assumed he had it with him and that he was hurt so bad he was unable to press the button. I bet you are right and he won't ever fly without it again.

Rob

Just ordered my Sparky Special. I just saw a news article (unfortunately I don't know how to link) about an Oregon pilot who went down in Mississippi while ferrying an airplane. He hung upside down in the wreck for 50 hours until rescued. He could hear airplanes looking for him but as the article said the E.L.T. only got searchers into the general vicinity. That's enough for me. Not going without a P.L.B again. Thanks Rob, for providing this special.

I got one too. I hope I never need it. I'll take it when I ride my dirt bike and snowmobile the back country. Thanks Rob. Regards...Rob Burson