CMP.WERNER@UTEXAS-20.ARPA (12/17/83)
From: Werner Uhrig <CMP.WERNER@UTEXAS-20.ARPA> bought at Target: - Analog clock, with second hand sweep and light, sale-price $6. a comparable IFR-certified clock with electronic display runs for over $100 in aviation publications. Our "IFR-certified" mechanical clock, has a second-hand which gets stuck all the time, and I'd been waiting to find such a gem, as a replacement-clock has been quoted at $67 plus installation cost. this one I simply stick on ..... so now I have 2, one which is certified but doesn't work and one which is cheap and does the job. - Map spot light, for night flying. flexible reading spot light for late night studying or bedtime reading [ or pilots ]. Clip-up feature frees up hands - uses 2 AA batteries. $2 compared to $18. I also bought a second one, red plastic case, rectangular, with a wide beam bulb arrangment, which has a BIG clip, with a magnet on one side. real handy. $2 - space-type sun-tanning blanket. protects your instruments and seat covers from the sun. $4. aviation-publication at $47. - one of my flying-associates also invented a way to mold plastic boards to fit into the windows EXACTLY , curved and all. Best sun-protection ever. Priceless, if at all available. I'll post the methodology and materials, when I get to interview him in detail. - Olin alert/locate marine signal kit. bought at $15 at Best a few years back. Great when flying over open water and in remote areas. Really useful anytime, as you probably heard that the ELT fails in 50% of all accidents. Besides, most people die, because noone comes to their rescue fast enough. Even in moderately populated areas. Air-resue teams won't come looking for you until several hours overdue, IF on a flight-plan (see ELT remark above). So I decided to carry a marine-kit, with a signal-gun and flares. Of course, in case of a fire, wooosh, but then, I don't mind at that point anyway, with all the AV-gas around.... I once ran aground a sand-bar at night in the Tampa-bay many years ago, and had toswim about a mile in, because no flares on board. [ No, I wasn't driving] Now I take my signal-kit along, when I go boating with friends, or bareboat chartering in the Caribbean. UNITE in the quest for a better/cheaper life. FIGHT the rip-off artists. -------