Mar
17th
Aviation Innovation
By Greg
Despite the economic downturn, I am regularly reminded of the
constant innovations that are made in General Aviation.
Yes, I know that the basic premise of aircraft design has not changed all that much over time. After all, neither has the basic design for boats. But once in a while someone comes up with something that’s really neat.
Martin Jetpack Is Still Coming
I was reminded of this again today when I received press packet concerning the Martin Jetpack. Here is an outfit that, that many thought would disappear into the pages of history after their initial appearance at Oshkosh back in 2008. But they are still around, seemingly improving their product and poking fun at those who said they were a flash in the pan.
The Jetpack as you recall if you were there was a somewhat bulky looking device that someone rode a couple of feet off the ground at their OSH exhibit – with people stabilizing the modest ascent all the while. Low and behold, it looks like they have made progress since then. The current pictures show someone hovering about 20 feet off the ground. This video shows it flying remotely quite a bit higher than that.
The thing I really like about this is that these guys have not given up. They have gone so far as to compare Jetpack operations to a light helicopter. A bit optimistic perhaps – one might even call it hyperbole – were it not for the progress these folks have made over the last several years. I wish them luck and continued success.
Inexpensive Traffic Avoidance Could Save Your Life
Other innovations also continue to be refined add to the overall safety of our General Aviation flying. One of my favorite categories are the comparatively inexpensive traffic avoidance devices. These include the likes of the Zaon XRX and MRX systems which could save you from a mid-air collision. I have recently purchased the XRX and trust me, there is much more traffic out there than you ever have a chance to eyeball. These are worthwhile investments no matter where you fly.
Getting ready of another trip into the Baja and mainland Mexico, I am also taking along another fairly recent innovation: the SPOT locator beacon system. Not only can these inexpensive devices help notify others of your location in an emergency, they also allow friends and loved ones to follow your travels on Google Maps (OK, if you don’t want to send your location all the time you don’t need to have it on all the time)!
Other innovations we can use include the portable and low cost pulse oximeters which you can use to periodically check your blood oxygen content when flying at higher altitudes. To make sure you are breathing the right stuff, you can now purchase inexpensive CO detectors to go along with it.
I-Pad Type Devices Are Information Pads for GA
Several friends have recently purchased I-pads and subscribed to one of several flight planning Web sites that provide everything from weather to online approach plates. This industry is still in its infancy and yet they are providing capabilities we would only have dreamed about a few short years ago.
I absolutely love my seat-of-the-pants flying, but I am also so pleased at all of the innovations coming out in support of General Aviaiton. These can make our flying even safer and in many cases more fun.
Another Summer Of Great Flying Is Upon Us!
I am also getting excited about the summer flying season and looking forward to all the flying coming up this year. As I mentioned, that begins with my nearly annual flying trip to Mexico which will coincide with the first fly-in I usually attend in Casa Grande, Arizona, the Cactus Fly-in the weekend of March 4 – 5, and then Sun ‘N Fun in Lakeland, Florida, March 29 through April 3. I have not decided what I’m taking to Sun ‘n Fun this year but it may just be my recently restored Paramount Cabinaire. But we’ll see. For sure I will be there all week.
Just a reminder, if you have not been flying that much this winter, it’s time to get out when you can and brush off those winter cobwebs for a safe and enjoyable summer of great fun and adventure. We look forward to seeing you at a fly-in or other aviation gathering this year.
Yes, I know that the basic premise of aircraft design has not changed all that much over time. After all, neither has the basic design for boats. But once in a while someone comes up with something that’s really neat.
Martin Jetpack Is Still Coming
I was reminded of this again today when I received press packet concerning the Martin Jetpack. Here is an outfit that, that many thought would disappear into the pages of history after their initial appearance at Oshkosh back in 2008. But they are still around, seemingly improving their product and poking fun at those who said they were a flash in the pan.
The Jetpack as you recall if you were there was a somewhat bulky looking device that someone rode a couple of feet off the ground at their OSH exhibit – with people stabilizing the modest ascent all the while. Low and behold, it looks like they have made progress since then. The current pictures show someone hovering about 20 feet off the ground. This video shows it flying remotely quite a bit higher than that.
The thing I really like about this is that these guys have not given up. They have gone so far as to compare Jetpack operations to a light helicopter. A bit optimistic perhaps – one might even call it hyperbole – were it not for the progress these folks have made over the last several years. I wish them luck and continued success.
Inexpensive Traffic Avoidance Could Save Your Life
Other innovations also continue to be refined add to the overall safety of our General Aviation flying. One of my favorite categories are the comparatively inexpensive traffic avoidance devices. These include the likes of the Zaon XRX and MRX systems which could save you from a mid-air collision. I have recently purchased the XRX and trust me, there is much more traffic out there than you ever have a chance to eyeball. These are worthwhile investments no matter where you fly.
Getting ready of another trip into the Baja and mainland Mexico, I am also taking along another fairly recent innovation: the SPOT locator beacon system. Not only can these inexpensive devices help notify others of your location in an emergency, they also allow friends and loved ones to follow your travels on Google Maps (OK, if you don’t want to send your location all the time you don’t need to have it on all the time)!
Other innovations we can use include the portable and low cost pulse oximeters which you can use to periodically check your blood oxygen content when flying at higher altitudes. To make sure you are breathing the right stuff, you can now purchase inexpensive CO detectors to go along with it.
I-Pad Type Devices Are Information Pads for GA
Several friends have recently purchased I-pads and subscribed to one of several flight planning Web sites that provide everything from weather to online approach plates. This industry is still in its infancy and yet they are providing capabilities we would only have dreamed about a few short years ago.
I absolutely love my seat-of-the-pants flying, but I am also so pleased at all of the innovations coming out in support of General Aviaiton. These can make our flying even safer and in many cases more fun.
Another Summer Of Great Flying Is Upon Us!
I am also getting excited about the summer flying season and looking forward to all the flying coming up this year. As I mentioned, that begins with my nearly annual flying trip to Mexico which will coincide with the first fly-in I usually attend in Casa Grande, Arizona, the Cactus Fly-in the weekend of March 4 – 5, and then Sun ‘N Fun in Lakeland, Florida, March 29 through April 3. I have not decided what I’m taking to Sun ‘n Fun this year but it may just be my recently restored Paramount Cabinaire. But we’ll see. For sure I will be there all week.
Just a reminder, if you have not been flying that much this winter, it’s time to get out when you can and brush off those winter cobwebs for a safe and enjoyable summer of great fun and adventure. We look forward to seeing you at a fly-in or other aviation gathering this year.
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