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Garmin GPSMAP 496

Garmin has done it! They have come up with the most technologically advanced mini multi-function display.

Price: $2,395.00
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Tops Pops Gifts

Fathers Day is upon us, and you are part of us…so it’s high time you start picking out a gift. Your dad did his part to bring you into this world, so my advice is to not insult him with a stupid tie. The gift of life does not equal the gift of polka dot, it doesn’t equal the gift of aviation gear either…but at least daddy-o will enjoy it.

Whether you’re a child shopping for a dad, a dad shopping for a son-dad, or a grandson shopping for a granddad, we’ve compiled some of the best gifts we can think of to make aviation dads cheer.

Depending on what you order and what shipping method you choose, dad-man-do could get his gift a couple days late, but better late than bad-gift-disownment right. Plus, if you’ve ever thought you were done opening presents only to spy that last package tucked away under all the wrapping paper…you know the rush that can provide (think Red Rider BB Gun in A Christmas Story).

Here are some great gifts for the aviation dad in your life.

David Clark Model 27 Hearing Protection:  Dad’s going to lose his hearing eventually, why not save him a couple years.

CUBDRIVER Alaska DVD:  He’ll fully enjoy it, 60 Minutes can take a night off.

Vertex VXA-220 Air Band Transceiver: Great for aviation, great for letting you know if he fell in the bathroom.

F&M Enterprises Model 5639 Oil Filter Torque Wrench: Perfect for working on Oil Filters, satisfactory for chasing away “loitering whipper-snappers.”

AO Eyewear Original Pilot Sunglasses: Because dad may have literally been the “original pilot”, and because the sun never sets on cool.

SkyGeek Gift Certificates:  They keys to the candy shop…

That’s it for this week everyone. Have a happy Fathers Day, and take care!

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Posted by skygeek on June 18, 2009 12:57 PM

Warehouse Clearing, 15% OFF & Headset Wizardry

There are a couple things in this email we think you’ll really enjoy, but let’s start with thi picture. What you’re looking at is a SkyGeek shipment of Teledyne Gill batteries. The amount of aviation products we have in stock is growing, and it’s starting to get in the way of our Geeks! Just so you know, gracefulness must have skipped a generation here…company wide. But that’s ok, we hire based on aviation knowledge, not agility.

As you can see, we need to clear some space here at SkyGeek. That’s why we’re offering these Teledyne Gill aircraft batteries at low prices…every single day.

If you need a new aircraft battery, or if you’re in need of a back-up, here are two ways to find the right Teledyne Gill battery for your needs:

You can get to the right battery by selecting your Airframe type from here.
You can go right to the Teledyne Gill battery selection from here to find the one you’re looking for.


Teledyne Gill has introduced most of the innovations in the industry, and their batteries are chosen as original equipment by most airframe manufacturers.  They’re also a popular choice for replacement because of their reliability and predictable characteristics to narrow specifications. All in all, if you need a replacement aircraft battery, Teledyne Gill is a superb choice.

SkyGeek Headset Wizard  

Another thing we think you’ll really enjoy is the recently launched SkyGeek Headset Wizard. This new feature allows you to easily find the perfect aviation headset based on your specific needs. You can sort by headset type, price range, brand, stereo/mono, plug type & TSO options. If you’re on the hunt for a new aviation headset, your search just got that much easier.

Rosen Sunvisor Systems 

Finally, we let you know last week that SkyGeek is taking 15% OFF all Rosen Sunvisors & Rosen equipment. This 15% OFF discount runs for the month June only. Many of you recognized the value of this discount last week, so here’s a reminder for everyone that has yet to take advantage of it. We can list every Rosen Sunvisor for every specific aircraft, but you can easily find the right one starting at the Rosen Sunvisor page. You can also check out some of the related products below, all of these are also 15% OFF.
 
Rosen Crew Shade Kit 

The Rosen Crew Shade Kit includes one big shade, one pouch and two suction cups. This shade is excellent for preventing excessive heat build up in the cockpit, and the suction release tabs make it easy to pop off and reposition as needed.


Rosen Sunvisor Plastic Cleaner, Polish & Protectant  

This is the ONLY product that will not void the Rosen Sunvisor Warranty. Other brands of plastic cleaner and polish can discolor the Rosen Sunvisor lens. This is formulated so that it will not. It has been proven to have more cleaning power and a longer lasting shine, and it won’t create streaking and image distortion and leave a "greasy" film like other brands may.


Rosen 3rd Axis Modification Kit (Pair / Universal)


Add a 3rd axis of adjustability to your Sunvisor System. The modification kit provides vertical flexibility, allowing the visor to be moved from the glare shield to the top of the windshield. This is an approved FAA modification designed to enhance the performance of your system, it comes with all the hardware needed to install and installation’s easy.

That’s it for this week, hope you enjoyed the glimpse into our operation as well as all the updates. Till next week, take care everyone! 

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Posted by skygeek on June 11, 2009 6:20 PM

The Greatest Tools You Have

The greatest tools you have aren’t the brand new sockets you picked up online, and they’re not the grease guns you “dual wield” when you pretend you’re The Terminator in the hangar when nobody’s around (other people do that right…no?).  The greatest tools you have are your hands.

I thought about laying out my case to justify that statement, but then I thought about my penchant for making sure I cover every aspect of an argument. I kept those of you in mind who’ve written us saying you enjoy printing out the newsletters and reading them in the restroom. If I covered everything I wanted, you’d be printing out a phonebook…and let’s face it, you’re already using enough paper in there. So let’s take it at face value.

In honor of the greatest tools in history, I will be donating a finger to the first 9 people who send me an email . Why 9? I need to keep one thumb incase I’m ever carted off a sports field and I have to let the crowd know that I’m ok (with no fingers, it would most likely be a soccer field). It’s all part of my new Hands Across America campaign. It’s my way of lending a hand to those in need, and you have to hand it to me, although it will be a handful to accomplish, it’s pretty ambitious. Ok, I’ll stop, and I apologize.

While I’m joking, I would still like to pay homage to the hand by highlighting some of the best ways to keep them working for you.  Here’s some of the best products out there to take care of your most important tools.

Note: Most links will send you to a category page so you can pick your size first.

Custom Leather Speed Wrench™ Mechanics Gloves

Available in Black, Blue, Red & Yellow

 Custom Leather Pit Crew™ Mechanics Gloves

Available in Orange, Black, Blue, Red & Yellow

 Custom Leather Race Crew™ Mechanics Gloves

Available in Red & Black

 MICROFLEX® Diamond Grip™ Powder-Free Latex Gloves ( 50 Ea. Box)

Diamond Grip™ gloves are thicker than typical latex gloves for enhanced protection

GOJO® 1431 HITACTILE® Professional Technician Gloves

Breathable and lightweight MAXFLEX nylon weave with multi-directional stretch for maximum comfort. - MAXFLEX nylon weave is strong, and can be machine washed. - CHEMTRILE Nitrile is a liquid/oil repellant palm coat. - Ergonomic design with shaped and tapered fingers for excellent fit and dexterity. - Extended cuff provides a better fit and additional wrist protection.

That’s it for this week everyone. Take care! (of those tools).

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Posted by skygeek on May 27, 2009 6:56 PM

Aviation Jokes

It’s prime flying time, and everyone here at SkyGeek is in a great state of mind. Incase you’re not, we thought we’d share a few aviation jokes we found to help bring the balance back.

Enjoy!
-----------------------------
A Sky Diving Lesson

First time jumper: “If my chute doesn't open, and the reserve doesn't open, how long do I have until I hit the ground?"

Instructor: (with a deadpan stare) “The rest of your life.”
-----------------------------
Bob & Sue

Bob and Sue, a pair of tight-wads, lived in the mid west, and had been married for years. Bob had always wanted to go flying, but Sue would not pay the money for a ride. Bob would ask, and Sue would say, "No way, ten dollars is ten dollars."

The years went by, and Bob got word of an air show in town. It was free to watch, so the two went together. Not too long into the show, Sue and Bob started to argue about paying for a ride.

A Pilot taking a break between flights overheard the argument and intervened. "I'll tell you what, I'll take you up flying, and if you don't say a word the ride is on me, but if you make one sound, you pay ten dollars.”

So off they flew. The Pilot doing as many rolls, and dives as he could.
He dove to the ground as fast as the plane could go, pulling out of the dive at just the very last second. Not a word. Finally he admitted defeat and went back the airport.

"I'm surprised, why didn't you say anything?"

"Well I almost said something when Sue fell out, but ten dollars is ten dollars."
----------------------------
Sayings

1. The only time you have too much fuel is when you're on fire.
2. Flying is the second greatest thrill known to man. Landing is the first!
3. Trust your captain.... but keep your seat belt securely fastened.
4. A pilot is a confused soul who talks about women when he's flying, and about flying when he's with a woman.
5. There are old pilots, and there are bold pilots, but there are no old, bold, pilots!
6. The strength of the turbulence is directly proportional to the temperature of your coffee.
-------------------------
Hope you enjoyed a few laughs! Until next week, take care everyone.

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Posted by skygeek on May 20, 2009 10:09 PM

Spring Cleaning – SkyGeek Style

Ever get your clock cleaned? Not good times. Sometimes, however, when somebody brings up Spring cleaning, I’d almost prefer it. That is unless they’re talking about Spring aircraft cleaning. Going on dump runs is one thing, but doing a little Spring cleaning of the aircraft is an entirely different animal. What type of different animal you may ask?

Cleaning out the basement is like being pursued by an 800lb Silverback Gorilla on PCP, with ill intentions. Working on the aircraft is like a friendly Golden Retriever that gets the morning paper and has learned how to open the fridge and bring you a cold one.

If you enjoy making your aircraft shine, this newsletter’s going to be very helpful in providing you with what you need. If you don’t, next week maybe we’ll discuss the most creative ways to get it dirty. For those interested in keeping a clean aircraft…this is us pointing in the right direction.

If you’re looking for the best place to start…start here. This is our main “Aircraft Cleaning Products” page, you’ll most likely find whatever you need starting here. For a more direct route, and for some check below.

Aviation Grade Towels & Wipes - You can also blow your nose with them…it just might sting a little…or a lot.

 

 

 

Aircraft Upholstery Cleaners -  Coffee on the seats? Hitch-hiking shoe scum on the mats? Get it out!

 

 

Aircraft Soap & Cleaner -  Just look at this guy’s impeccable form! A true master.

 

 

Aircraft Polish & Aircraft Wax - Because everyone knows a hose and a sponge isn’t going to get you there.

 

 

 

 

Metal Polish -  “Don’t talk to me, I’m polishing metal”
 

 

 

That’s it for this week everyone, take care! Now where’s that dog with my newspaper?

 

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Posted by skygeek on May 19, 2009 4:36 PM

The Safety Dance

We’re fast approaching the aviation “sweet spot”. The weather’s getting really nice across the country, and that means there’s more opportunity to get up in the air for a crystal clear stroll through the heavens. You know what else it means? It means it’s time to do The Safety Dance.

The Safety Dance was brought into the public’s consciousness through a song by the same name sung by Men Without Hats. While largely nonsensical, this catchy little song highlights the importance of dancing and staying safe. Their solution for staying safe consists of throwing your arms in the air to make the shape of an “S”…S is for Safety! Akin to wearing Garlic around your neck to ward off vampires, Men Without Hats seems to implore the general public to practice some form of universal magic to keep danger at bay. I suggest you go to YouTube and watch the music video; it’s always good for a laugh.

While that’s all well and good, SkyGeek would like to offer a more practical solution to keep you safe and healthy during the aviation sweet spot (and the inevitable increase in the urge to fly that comes with it). Right now SkyGeek is offering a Certified First Aid & Safety Kit for a really great price. The first aid & safety kit complies with FAA 121.309, and it’s loaded with all the essentials. You can check out everything that comes in the kit here.

 

Now’s the time when pilots start stocking up on everything they need to enjoy the best time of the year to fly. SkyGeek wants to make sure that you keep safety on the brain when you’re doing so. Year over year first aid kits get poked, picked and prodded at, leaving them less and less helpful over time. Pick up a Certified First Aid & Safety Kit and avoid using that chewed up bubble gum to plug a wound (yes, I’ve actually seen it done…not pretty).
 
While we’re going to leave the dancing tips to Men Without Hats (our Geeks can’t really dance too well as you might imagine), I think it’s smart to step in and grab safety torch out of their hands. As the lyrics suggest, “you can dance if you want to”…just make sure that you’re taking some additional steps for your safety preparations.

That’s it for this week everyone, enjoy the weather, enjoy the views and take care!

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Posted by skygeek on May 7, 2009 1:56 PM

Deal of the Day

Look! Ben Bernanke at the Federal Reserve learned to fly! Actually, that’s just an image we chose to represent the SkyGeek deal of the day. If you’ve yet to see it, SkyGeek now has a DailyDealBar that you can see at the very top of the site every time you visit. Each day, SkyGeek will be offering a great deal on one specific product. That product will appear in the DailyDealBar at the top of the site; all you have to do is click on it and it brings you right to the offer.

At SkyGeek, our motto is “Our parts fly, but our prices are grounded!” Since that’s the case, you’d have to consider the daily deal prices as being subterranean by default right? Is my logic off here? Is this the beginning of a sister site; something along the lines of BlindHairlessMoleGeek or iFellinTheSewerAgainGeek? I highly doubt it, but it’s fun to think about.

To give you an idea of what we’re doing with the DailyDealBar, here are two of the deals that we’ve recently featured.



Plexus Polish & Cloth Package Deal – 3 Bottles of Plexus Polish and 10 Microfiber Cloths for $39.95.
It seems like everyone’s offering combination deals these days, and why not? If you’re looking for the most bang for your buck, combo deals are where it’s at. We’re getting our Skygeek customers in on this combo business a handy three-bottle set, complete with TEN washable 16" x 16" NOVUS Polish Mate microfiber cloths.


 

RejeX Surface Polymer 2 Pack Deal – 2 Bottles of RejeX Polymer for $26.95.
RejeX is the “missing link” you have been looking for when it comes to affordable, durable, long-lasting protection. It is a soil barrier / anti-stain protection substance that’s perfect for painted metal, glass, acrylic, gel coat, fiberglass, glossy plastic and polished metal surfaces.


 

These daily deals are still available because our webmasters shared a bag of Cheeto’s last week and they haven’t finished licking the orange film off their fingers yet. But soon these deals will be pushed out by newer deals so if this is something you need, take advantage before it’s over.      

Well, that’s it for this week my fellow SkyGeeks, take care!

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Posted by skygeek on May 1, 2009 9:25 PM

I’m Completely Lost & Illegal


“I’m completely lost.” Other than “my hair is on fire and my foot’s caught in a diamond tipped bear trap”, these are the last words you want to have to utter. So much so, the simple act of pulling over to ask for directions is often avoided because it’s an admission to the fact that you have no idea where you are. In any case, a simple admission to the fact that you’re lost is an acceptable price to pay for some direction. If you’re driving, your dilemma can easily be solved with a stop off at a gas station for a coffee and a helpful tip (writers note: avoid scratch ticket purchases during these types of stops, it’s clearly not your lucky day). The problem is, when you’re up in the air, you can’t really just pull over for some friendly local advice.

For this reason, it’s required by law to have up to date aeronautical charts in the cockpit. Martin Luther King Jr. and St. Thomas Aquinas both argued that one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws…this is not one of them. Not having up to date aeronautical charts is not only illegal; outdated charts are basically useless and dangerous to fly with. You can stay up to date with the latest aeronautical charts at SkyGeek. You can even get on a subscription basis with SkyGeek and we’ll provide you with the latest charts when necessary so there’s one less thing you have to consistently worry about. Just contact our friendly customer care center and let them know what you’re trying to do.

Got a bunch of useless old charts lying around? Fret not, you can put them to use in a number of ways. For one, you can take a page out of Mexica Airlines’ book from back in the day and use your old charts as window shades to block out the sun! This is a cheap, semi-effective alternative to purchasing actual window shades.

Another thing you can do with your old aeronautical charts is hone in your origami skillzzz (yes, I spelt it with zzz on purpose because I’m “hip” and because quite frankly I find origami boring…but you may not so I left the option on the table). Fold those charts up to make a triangle hat when you have to make a mad dash from your plane when it’s raining. Or you can fold it up into a giant paper airplane for the kids.

Speaking of kids, want to save some money this Christmas? You can keep your children entertained for hours and at the same time keep some coin in your pocket with an old aeronautical chart. How? Take an old chart, wrinkle it up something fierce then dip it into any brand of brown tea. Let it soak there for a while and the paper will absorb the brown color. Pull it out, let it dry and BOOM – you have an “old pirate treasure map” for the kids to play with. Watch them run around in circles for hours looking for a non-existent treasure (outside the house!). Not only are they getting exercise and stimulating their imagination, they’re never going to find anything so there’s always something for them to do!

Whatever you choose to do with your old aeronautical charts is up to you. The important thing is for you to have up to date aeronautical charts so you can stay safe, stay within the law and never have to say those dreaded words…”I’m completely lost.”


That’s it for this week everyone, keep taking off and keep taking care.

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Posted by skygeek on April 28, 2009 8:42 PM

Weird, or Innovative? Part 2

Because we had so many people write in with great feedback on the “Weird or Innovative” newsletter from a few weeks ago, we’ve decided to bring back the concept one more time. For those of you who missed it, a few weeks ago we let you in on some talks that took place around the SkyGeek water cooler. Basically, those talks focused on the fact that many of the SkyGeek products have uses other than their stated purpose (you can check your old email or visit the SkyGeek blog for a recap). The question is whether these alternative uses are innovative, or just flat out weird. Last time, most people surprisingly leaned toward innovative. This time…well…you be the judge.

 

Heli-Coil Aviation Spark Plug Repair Kit

Stated Purpose: Using Heli-Coil serrated aviation inserts is the only FAA approved method of repairing damages spark plug threads. It is also the only method certified by engine manufacturers such as Teledyne –Continental and Textron – Lycoming.		  

 
Innovative Purpose: While the Heli-Coil repair kits won’t actually function like laptops, they sure do look like them. So if you’re using a desktop computer and don’t have a laptop, this is a great way to fool people from a distance. Why would you need / want to fool people? Well, let’s say you’re a shy person and you’re at a coffee shop; you see a woman / man that you’d like to talk to. You sit there for a while, but you just haven’t built up your courage to make a move. Problem is, your coffee is gone and you can’t just sit there staring into space. Now, you can just flip open your Heli-Coil kit and pretend to type away while you buy some time until you find the courage to approach them.
 

 

   

ProLube Grease Gun

Stated Purpose:  This convenient grease gun handles modern, hi-tech lubricants with optimum performance at 10,000 psi pressure. It’s ideal for all aviation and industrial applications. The robust steel barrel assures durability, the dual port head cap incorporates bulk loader fitting and an air release valve, the heavy duty follower spring compresses grease constantly in the barrel and there’s 3-Way loading - cartridge, bulk or suction. It comes complete with standard 6 steel expansions and standard coupler. 

 
 

 

Innovative Purpose: Even after all you’ve greased everything up, this ProLube Grease Gun continues to work for you. If you’re sick of spending your money on exercise & strength training equipment, stop! While this grease gun is easy to squeeze, you’ll really start to build those Popeye forearms if you give it a few hundred squeezes throughout the day. While I rather enjoy their delightful singing in the early afternoon, why not kill two birds with one stone?

 
 

Airplane Christmas Ornaments

Stated Purpose:  I don’t know if there’s actually a stated purpose written down anywhere, but I think we all know what you’re supposed to do with Christmas ornaments.

 

 

Innovative Purpose: Since it’s the off season, you can plan ahead and get airplane Christmas ornaments at great prices right now. But that’s not the only reason you might want to buy some. If you’ve ever seen the movie Home Alone, you might very well know that Christmas ornaments make for great booby-trap material. In the movie, Macaulay Culkin forces the burglars to lose their shoes by putting down a layer of sticky roof tar in front of the window he purposely left open for them to enter through (genius by the way). When they enter bare-footed, they’re unpleasantly surprised by the carpet of Christmas ornaments they’re now forced to walk on. Bulb after bulb smashes under their feet, and incremental damage is done effectively. This is a security strategy you may want to consider implementing around your hangar.

 
 

Chocks

Stated Purpose: Your plane does not have a brain, so don’t let it get the best of you. Prevent a Houdini like disappearing act with some solid Aviation Chocks. Secure your aircrafts wheels with these purposely designed wedges and show your plane who’s boss (strong language I know, but the thought of a metal object putting one past me makes me a little angry).

 

 

 Innovative Purpose: Remember when you were a kid and you and your friends would get together on a sunny Saturday afternoon for some wholesome scorpion fighting fun? No? I don’t either, but if I did I’m sure that I would have wanted some of these. If you get two sets of these you can combine them in a box shape to form the ultimate scorpion fighting arena. They beat the heck out of rudimentary dirt walls and as an added benefit, each pair is attached by a rope…making for an easier getaway when the cops come to break up your fun.
 

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Posted by skygeek on April 23, 2009 12:32 AM

TCP is Back!


TCP Fuel Treatment is back, and that’s great news for every aviation enthusiast. It’s also great news for FedEx, UPS and the Department of Transportation since it is no longer puddling up in the back of delivery trucks. Yes, the leaky cans have been fixed and TCP is back in production. Engines from coast to coast that require TCP will be prrrrrrring once again because Alcor TCP is back to get the lead out!

Some may be wondering: “Why all the excitement?” Well, let’s take a look at TCP Fuel Treatment and why it’s an important product. Since the introduction of 100LL fuel as the main fuel for piston pilots, Alcor TCP has been a leader in giving pilots with low compression engines a choice on how to tackle the nagging problem of getting rid of lead before it can cause problems.
 
A simple one-shot treatment prevents (among other things) spark plug damage and, worse, stuck valves caused from lead build up. Finding a lead fouled plug is easy (if you have an Alcor EGT Analyzer) but correcting a stuck valve is not. TCP prevents against these damages and more.

Remember my fellow SkyGeeks, TCP won't remove lead already deposited, so using TCP for every fill-up is a very smart move. By nature Geeks are smart, so we know you get the idea.
With the protection of TCP, you can depend on a cleaner, more reliable engine. ALCOR TCP Fuel Treatment is accepted by the FAA for use in non-exhaust driven turbocharged Lycoming, Continental, Franklin, Pratt & Whitney, and Wright reciprocating engines. In the case of TCP Fuel Treatment, the old adage is true, “you don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone.” But now it’s back, SkyGeek has it, and everything can go back to normal. It’s kind of like breaking up with your girlfriend / boyfriend for a little while then getting back together. Except, with TCP…you can still look at it the same way and trust it no matter what.


That’s it for this week folks, hope you enjoyed the good news. Take care everyone!


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Posted by skygeek on April 8, 2009 1:37 PM

Weird, or Innovative?

By now, you probably know that SkyGeek offers just about everything you can think of in terms of products that help you maintain and enjoy your aircraft, toot toot. That was the sound of our own horn incase you were wondering. What you may not know is that many of these everyday products have uses other than their stated purpose. Through casual conversations while standing around the water cooler, the Geeks over here have come up with an innovative use for almost every product we offer. It’s tough to decide whether these alternative uses are innovative, or just plain weird. To settle the dispute, we’re asking you to be the judge. Here’s a 4 item sample.

 

AeroShell Grease

 

 

Stated Purpose: AeroShell Grease products fit every lubrication need of the aviation community. From greasing wheel bearings and engine accessories, to everything airframe, AeroShell is the high quality brand you want.

 

 


Innovative Purpose: Spring is here, summer is just around the corner, and the temperatures are on the rise baby! Grease up and old tarp with some AeroShell grease and BOOM, home-made slip and slide. Just be sure to slide with your mouth and eyes closed. You might want to clothespin that nose as well. Get this going in your front yard and watch the neighborhood kids wither with envy.

 

 

Stainless Steel Safety Wire   

Stated Purpose: Safety wire is used for securing nuts and bolts (ie. Carb nuts and Prop bolts), as hose clamps (around the fuel lines, fuel pump, carb, or primer bulb), as probe clamp replacements, exhaust springs, rotary valve tank clamps, spark plug caps for securing your air filters to your carbs & much more.

 

 

Innovative Purpose: You know how sometimes you’re in line to get a cup of coffee and there’s a person in front of you on their cell phone holding everything up and being unbelievably rude to the person serving them? Now you can do something about it. Carry some of this stainless steel safety wire around with you and swiftly jump into action at a moments notice. Tie that bird-brain up before they even know what hit them. You could also use it to subdue a bank robber, but you may not want to waste it on them, cell phone abuse is a far more important societal breakdown to focus on controlling. The banks are stealing from everyone anyway; they’ll just get bailed out.

 

 

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Posted by skygeek on March 26, 2009 7:53 PM

Spring Discount

That furry little groundhog beast had his never-ending winter, now it’s time for the skies to clear.  Aside from the occasional April shower, spring is my favorite time to fly.
 
The enjoyable weather just makes it that much more enticing to get up in the air to take it all in. It’s time to climb out of that winter semi-hibernation; it’s time to get back into full swing. To all of our loyal SkyGeek customers, Happy Spring!

To celebrate, we’re offering the Peltor HTB79A headset at just $100 a pop. You won’t find a better price on this item anywhere. This discount is going to end real soon, so don’t procrastinate.

These Peltore HTB79A headsets are perfect to use with speaker microphones, VHF/UHF radios or personal audio entertainment devises when you’re in high noise areas.

If you often find yourself in highly noisy situations, and you like your ability to hear (regardless of how much you may take it for granted), these are perfect for you. If you need to hear a VHF/UHF radio, or you like to listen to music while you work, they’re an even better fit. For those of you who remember the newsletter from a few weeks ago, this falls right in line with the “whistle while you work” strategy, and the noise cancelling aspect will even block out your out of tune attempts to hit the high notes.
                     
The Peltor HTB79A combines noise-cancelling technology with crystal-clear sound that won’t hurt or damage your ears.  The large earpieces fit completely over your ears and contain ultra-comfortable gel ear cushions.  The wire headband is adjustable and the top is padded so you can wear it for hours.  These industrial headphones are highly durable, and they’ll last you a long long time.

In high noise environments, you can’t find a better product.  And don’t limit your thinking to just the runway and the hangar. There are hundreds of uses for these, like when you’re stuck riding in a car with a bunch of jabberwockies who won’t stop talking about reality TV.  
Throw these on, lay your head back, and dream of flying your plane. You might catch some gruff, but who cares, I’d give my left ring finger to avoid something like that.

Hurry up- this deal is as fleeting as the groundhog’s shadow, so take advantage!  

That’s it for this week, Happy Spring everyone! Take Care!

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Posted by skygeek on March 18, 2009 5:36 PM

Zombies, Mustache’s & Jumping in Ice Holes


There’s a lot of reasons why owning a plane is great, but there’s a few you might not have thought of. For this newsletter, SkyGeek is going to list 8 reasons you may not have thought of as to why owning a plane is supremely beneficial. Let’s get it started!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


1.   Reason number one: You get to see things like this. No, this isn’t a close up of a wooden nickel. This is The Alberta Indian, a carving in the ground that is thousands of feet wide / tall. Good luck getting perspective on this thing while you’re standing on the ground.

 

 

 

2.   Reason number two: You don’t have to deal with road rage and traffic.  Believe me, there would be nothing more satisfying that putting this guy in his place, but not having to deal with maniacs like this can make your life a lot less high strung. And traffic! You don’t have to sit in TRAFFIC! (I think I just got a little “computer rage” typing that out).

 

 

3.   Reason number three: Revenge. Owning a plane is a great way to get revenge. I got the idea from a skit on the Tom Green Show a while back. Let’s say your friend got a ticket while using your car and now refuses to pay it (or something like that). Casually tell him to meet you somewhere outside after work. You take the day off, gather up all his belongings, load them on your plane, then you fly right over the area you said you’d meet him and throw everything out of the plane so he can see. He’ll know it’s his stuff because you call him on his cell phone right before you do it. Try and top that!

4.   Reason number four: When you put on a captains hat, your mustache becomes 12x more awesome. Being a captain is cool enough, but if you’re a captain with a boss mustache, you’re pretty much untouchable. If I walked on a plane and saw this guy was my captain, I’d feel very confident that not only could he fly the plane, if something happened where we crashed in a tropical rainforest…this guy would be taming snakes and eating Jaguars for breakfast.

 

5.   Reason number five: This is an image taken of a passenger going through screening at an airport. I don’t know if you’re aware, but these scanners are going up in airports across the country (and they’re a lot more revealing than this picture…I couldn’t even put a real one in here). I don’t know if George Orwell has prung from his grave to yell I told you so yet, but he’s certainly getting restless. When you own your own plane, you don’t have to deal with this…ever. Not to mention the long lines, bad plane food, baggage claim, shoe removal and crying babies.

 

6.   Reason number six: You get to use cool language like “Foxtrot this is Chameleon, come in Foxtrot.” You can also joke around with your husband, wife, kids or friends. For instance, say your wife or husband comes into the room and says something like “honey Craig got detention for shooting spitballs.” You can turn to him or her and with the most serious face you have, and in the most serious voice you can muster, say “Ready the plane.” Then you just get up and walk away like you mean serious business.

7.  Reason number seven: You don’t have to pick up a stupid hobby. Owning a plane and everything that goes a long with that is one of the coolest hobbies known to the human species. With that in place, you don’t have to worry about starting a stamp collection or joining a winter swimming club to pass the time. Gaining the ability to fly represents one of the biggest progressive moments in human history. Jumping into an ice hole in the dead of winter represents a step in the wrong direction. Give yourself a pat on the back for helping to move things forward.

8.  Reason number eight: Your escape is already planned. It’s a tough subject to broach, and a sad thing to think about, but if a man-made crisis or natural disaster hits your area…the roads are going to be jammed to the point where walking becomes your best option. Little Cindy’s scooter becomes more valuable than Big Tom’s Mercedes with the Ostrich leather. That is of course unless you have a plane. Whether it’s the explosion of a super volcano, a gigantor flood or a zombie attack, if you have a plane…you’re right out of there. If it’s a zombie attack, just do yourself a favor and don’t look down.

Well, that wraps up the top 8 reasons why owning a plane is super beneficial. We at SkyGeek know there’s probably close to 7,000 more reasons so if you’d like to share, send us over an email…we love the feedback. That’s it for this week, take care everyone!

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Posted by skygeek on March 11, 2009 3:46 PM

The Creative Spark

I have an intrinsic desire to create, and so do you. Creative inspiration has been hardwired into our DNA, and if you keep it bottled up, it can leave you with an unfulfilled feeling. In an attempt to temporarily avoid that feeling, I write. My most recent creative outburst is this email…which you can feel free to ridicule or enshrine as much as you’d like.

At SkyGeek, our mission is to provide you with the supplies you need to fuel YOUR creative desire. We’re here to give you access to all the equipment you need to create something you can call your own, something that falls in line with your passion.  Whether it’s creating a fully functional FBO Airbase, or creating a completely unique aircraft with all the right personal touches, we want to provide the paint for your canvas (so to speak).

Part of the joy associated with creating something is to bask in the self interpreted glory, as well as to enjoy the benefits resulting from its creation. We don’t want to tell you how to be creative with your aircraft, but this week our Dr. Frankenstein focus is on aviation headset accessories. Since headsets are some of the most commonly used aviation instruments, there’s no better place to start if you’re looking reap the aforementioned benefits.

It’s really easy to take a basic headset and create something that you’ll enjoy using every time you climb into your aircraft. Not only will you enjoy the luxury based improvements such as iPod adaptors & cell phone adaptors, you’ll enjoy the functionality improvements such as headset bags for easy transport & extension cables for increased maneuverability.

However you choose to add a personal touch on your aircraft, the satisfaction you feel in doing so really goes a long way toward maintaining the passion you feel for your project. The feeling of workmanship pride is often missing for many people; we as aviation enthusiasts are uniquely positioned to experience this gratification on a regular basis. It’s important to step back once in a while and think about that, because if you don’t, the creative spark is quick to vanish.

That’s it for this week everyone, take care and keep that spark alive!

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Posted by skygeek on February 22, 2009 3:42 PM

Pilot Scouts

Staff Sgt. Danny Shaw installs safety wiring around a bolt on an F-16 Fighting Falcon Oct. 6 during some late-night maintenance at Joint Base

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hello again everyone. In addition to an honest monologue and the occasional stab at humor, this week’s newsletter is going to focus on safety wire. Based on my mental forecast of what we’ll be discussing, I can liken the experience to that of being in the Boy Scouts (minus the turbo-nerd outfits & burnt marshmallows). Much like how Boy Scouts would learn to tie knots, we’ll be covering how to properly apply safety, what size wire to use and why it’s important. We’ll also echo the Boy Scouts motto: “Always be Prepared.” That’s my explanation for the title Pilot Scouts (incase anyone was wondering).


Most of you already know a lot about safety wire, but a little refresher never hurts. Even if the mention of safety wire reminded you that you need to stock up, this has been worth your read. So, let’s get on with the review.
Safety wire has 763.4 uses (ballpark), but the most common application is using it to secure the nuts and bolts of your aircraft. It can also help prevent other parts of the aircraft from vibrating loose – or off. Needless to say (but I’ll say it anyway) safety wire is incredibly important to have.
 
Safety Wire can be used for:

1.    Securing nuts and bolts (ie. Carb nuts and Prop bolts)
2.    As hose clamps around the fuel lines, fuel pump, carb, or primer bulb.
3.    Probe clamp replacements
4.    Exhaust springs
5.    The rotary valve tank clamps
6.    Securing your air filters to your carbs
7.    Spark plug caps
8.    Much More



More ...

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Posted by skygeek on February 13, 2009 8:11 PM

Best Headset of 2008

The Lightspeed Zulu was just voted the Best Headset of 2008 by Aviation Consumer magazine. That’s great news for Lightspeed and it’s great news for you. For a limited time, SkyGeek is going to help our newsletter subscribers fly with the best by offering a Low Price & Free Freight Shipping on the Lightspeed Zulu. If you’re thinking about upgrading your headset, this is the time to do it.

To take advantage of this limited time offer, just select Freight Shipping during checkout and your shipping is free.  

As an authorized Lightspeed dealer, SkyGeek can not only bring you great prices and free freight shipping on the Zulu, we can make it easy to get your Lightspeed $100 Trade In Rebate. All you have to do is pick up your Zulu from SkyGeek, fill out the rebate form (which is available here), and mail in your old Lightspeed headset (has to be Lightspeed) and proof of purchase (SkyGeek receipt). There’s a more detailed description on the site, but that’s basically it (as in there’s no FU moment when you get to the fine print, and Rumpelstiltskin isn’t going to pop out of nowhere and ask for your first born child).
Even if you’re not trading in an old Lightspeed for the rebate, this is a great deal. For everything you need to know about why the Lightspeed Zulu was chosen as the Best Headset of 2008, visit SkyGeek’s Lightspeed Zulu page.  For the “Cliff Notes”, scroll down.


•    NAME: Taken from “Zulu time,” the pilot term for Greenwich Mean Time.
•    NOISE REDUCTION: The best combination of Active and Passive in the market.
•    MATERIALS: Made from metal and composite plastics. Magnesium Ear cups are half the thickness of typical plastic cups yet provide a better rigid barrier for attenuation. Ear cups have heat sensitive foam covered in soft leather.
•    HEADBAND: Removable, vented headpad for comfortable weight distribution. Thin, flexible, formable spring steel band design produces 40% lower side pressure on ear cups than on the 3G series. Calibrated magnesium sliders adjust ergonomically to accommodate larger heads with uniform pressure.
•    WEIGHT: 13.9 ounces.
•    BATTERIES: Requires 2 AA batteries. Estimated to last 40 hrs.
•    STORAGE: Headset folds flat when not in use.
•    BLUETOOTH COMPATIBLE: Wireless phone and music interface with controls is embedded into the battery box.
•    COMM. PRIORITY MUTE: Circuitry gives priority to incoming radio calls, automatically muting the aux music source.
•    AUDIO SYSTEM: Full wireless stereo interface with patented Front Row Center (FRC) audio circuitry. One wireless audio input and one wired. The Zulu FRC solves the problem of left/right channel isolation on stereo headphones. The processor closely matches the shadowing affect of the head for the “crossfeed” signal to the left (or right) ear. The signal is both amplitude and delay corrected to compensate for the increased distance the sound would travel. The results are extremely pleasing and akin to switching from mono to stereo.
•    AUTO SHUT-OFF: Batteries shut off automatically (after 2 minutes) when headset is left unattended.

If you’re in the market for a new aviation headset (for whatever reason…I’m sure there’s a bunch), why not go with the very best…and why not save some money while you’re at it. Pick up your Lightspeed Zulu and see what using the best is all about.

That’s it for this week everyone. Take care and see you next time!

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Posted by skygeek on February 9, 2009 4:53 PM

Air Force One

With the Presidential transition taking place yesterday, Air Force One has been on center stage quite a bit lately. As an aviation enthusiast, constantly seeing this beautiful plane got me wondering; what’s going on in there? Does Air Force One have an emergency escape pod as rumored? What’s the history behind the planes? In honor of the Presidential transition, SkyGeek is happy to bring you everything you ever wanted to know about Air Force One.

To start, Air Force One is not one plane in particular. Any U.S.A.F. aircraft carrying the president is referred to the call sign of “Air Force One” by air traffic control. That being said, the main Presidential fleet used on a day to day basis consists of two fully customized Boeing 747-200B VC-25’s with the tail codes of 28000 and 29000. Each plane cost $325 million dollars to build and can accommodate 70 passengers and 26 crew members.


Now you can get your own Air Force One for a WHOLE lot less!!
Just have to pass on the passengers and crew members.

Air Force One Foam Board Glider

Hot Wings Air Force One Diecast Model

The first Presidential aircraft was put into use during the administration of Franklin D. Roosevelt. The aircraft used was a reconfigured Douglas C-54 Skymaster with the nickname “Sacred Cow.” The actual call sign “Air Force One” came about during the Eisenhower administration when an Eastern Airlines commercial flight with the same call sign as the Presidents plane caused mass confusion.

Over the years, the type of aircraft used to fly the President changed somewhat frequently. The C-54 was replaced by the C-118 Liftmaster. The Liftmaster was then replaced by the Lockheed C-121 Constellation, which was replaced by the Boeing 707. Ultimately, the Boeing 747 came in use during the administration of George H.W. Bush.
Now that you probably know more about the history of Air Force One than any President does, let’s jump into the fun stuff. What’s on the thing?

The front of the plane is typically referred to as the “White House” of the plane. This is where the President’s executive suite is located. The suite includes the President’s sleeping quarters, two bed-convertible couches, a bathroom with a double sink and full shower and an Oval Office in the air where the President can address the entire nation in front of a 50 inch plasma screen television. The plane also includes a conference room, workout area, two galley kitchens capable of serving 100+ people at once, separate quarters for guests, secret service and aids, one doctor, one nurse, furniture hand-crafted by master carpenters, 87 phones and 19 televisions.

So what about the escape pod? My whole life I’ve heard that one exists, but I never really researched it to find out whether or not it was true. According to the government, no such pod exists. However, my inherent distrust of government combined with my understanding of security based secrecy lead me to believe that the possibility of an emergency escape pod on Air Force One still exists. This, and the fact that there’s no reason not to have one! You’ve got all the money you need, you’ve got the ability to do it, and it makes sense to have. I have a hard time believing that there ISN’T one.

Well, that ends our short little history lesson on Air Force One; we hope you enjoyed it. For some low cost equipment to keep your Air Force One performing at its best, check out some great deals on the aviation supplies below.

 

Aero 600 Avionics Cleaner – Aero 600 Avionics Cleaner has been introduced into the aviation community as the optimal cleaner for glass cockpits, electronic notebooks, simulators and laptops.


Warning Banners – Remove before Flight should be placed on gear doors to warn and protect aircraft personnel. If you are trying to unload a plane in your fleet you can’t go wrong with colorful For Sale Banners (and For Rent Streamers) that can be mounted on your aircraft Propellers. If you want to keep someone’s grubby little hands off your prize possession, the Do Not Tow banners are what you’re looking for.

 
Zinc Chromate Primer – Zinc Chromate (soon to be discontinued: now Chromate Free products are available) and Zinc Oxide Primers are for the bare metal surfaces of your aircraft. They are meant to bond to and prime the metal surface before painting. Keep in mind that the Zinc Oxide Primer is just as good as the old Zinc Chromate products, and much safer to use.

 
Aircraft Wire – This aircraft wire is commonly used for standard hookup in light aircraft, and complies with all current and anticipated military & AA requirements. Just tell us how many feet you need and we’ll have your aircraft wire order in your hands in a matter of days!


Static Wicks & Dischargers – We SkyGeeks don’t like static, we like everything to be smooth to the point from our products to our customer service! We want to help you reduce the buildup of static electricity and increase noise reduction on your aircraft with top quality Static Dischargers Also known as discharge wicks or static wicks, these dischargers will improve your aircraft’s running performance and reduce noise. The wick or conductive element provides a low resistance discharge path between the air and your aircraft and limits the buildup of static electricity.

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Posted by skygeek on January 22, 2009 4:47 PM

New Year's Resolutions - SkyGeek Style!

Let’s be honest. New Year’s resolutions pretty much stink. All they do is put extra pressure on you to do something that’s usually completely unattainable. When you can’t actually follow through, you end up feeling like a failure. For instance, one year my college friend resolved to mow the grass every week. A few weeks later, he gave up completely. To save face, he thought it would be a good idea to buy a goat and throw “Come Watch the Goat Mow our Grass” parties. It worked great a first, but then the goat ended up eating ate ALL the grass, right down to the dirt. The “Watch the Grass Grow Back” parties just didn’t have the same appeal.

That being said, I was struck with a bit of inspiration over the holidays. As I listened to loudmouthed Aunt Millie stuff her face with black eyed peas, cabbage, and ham on New Year’s Day “for good luck” and talk about her resolution to lose weight (ironic, I know…especially because it would take her a lifetime of keeping that resolution to even scratch the surface), I realized I wanted to spite her by actually keeping a resolution or two of my own. My first one was to never eat peas, cabbage, and ham again. My second was to chew with my mouth closed.

We believe that if you resolve to do something you enjoy, you’ll actually stick with it. SkyGeek wants to bring you a new line of products to help formulate a few resolutions based on what you love to do, FLY.


Resolution 1:
You WILL remember which type of gas goes in the plane.
Ok, sometimes you can’t help being the absent minded professor any more than Millie can help herself from hoarding the chocolate cake. At least you can leave yourself helpful reminders. These decals will help your resolution “stick” (literally) by adhering right to the gas tank, so when you’re itching to grab the fuel, you’ll find the voice of reason.


Resolution 2:
You WILL make smoother landings (it’s the safest way to fly).
Yes, yes we understand that the first time you bounced because the wind caught the plane at a weird angle, and the second time you hit a pothole in the runway (they should really work on keeping those things smoother!), and the third time you were swerving to avoid a bird, etc. Just humor us and try to land smoother and straighter. In the event that this resolution proves to be fruitless, SkyGeek brings you a full selection of replacement tires and tubes by Michelin, Goodyear, and McCreary.

 
Resolution 3:
You WILL take good care of your plane.
Love it, wash it, replace worn parts, and change the oil (coincidentally, everything you need to do all that can be found at SkyGeek.com…weird…). We have a ton of airplane tow bars to help you maneuver the plane while it’s on the ground, leaving you few excuses to skive out of plane maintenance. They’re ridiculously strong, easy to attach and won’t damage the plane.

 
Resolution 4:
You WILL properly de-ice the plane instead of throwing a temper tantrum.
There is something about seeing your plane covered in ice in the morning that just makes you want to crawl back into bed. Luckily for you, the aviation grade de-icer products at SkyGeek loosen up ice on locks, handles, and windshields, ensuring a smoother de-icing session and a safer flight. Even better, there’s no need to recreate that scene from Home Alone 2. The Arrow Magnolia Boot Prep solution reduces build-up and dulling during de-icing operations so your feet will stay on the ground instead of over your head (unless, of course, you’re doing some awesome barrel rolls). Just spray it on. It’s so easy to use, a goat could eat it…I mean do it.

 
All the resolutions aside, everyone here at SkyGeek just really wants you to enjoy 2009 by making more time to fly and taking care of your plane. As another year ticks away, the “I’ll get to it later” excuse need not apply if you’re resolving to have more fun and take the bird out for a spin. Stick to it this year – it’s not over until the fat lady sings! Luckily for all of us, Aunt Millie’s throat is usually too full to speak, much less sing, so it looks like we’re in the clear. That’s all folks, talk to you again soon.

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Posted by skygeek on January 20, 2009 2:20 AM

The Little Things

Over time, we’ve all grown to appreciate the little things in life. You know, like the moment you take your shoes off after a hard days work, having exact change in your pocket, or the comfort you feel after flipping to the cool side of your pillow on a hot summer’s night. Yeah, the little things sure are great.

The problem is there are usually a few little things that drive you up the wall as well. Referencing my own experiences, I would say such things would include paper cuts, not being able to get a cowlick down, forgetting what you were going to say a few minutes prior, and stepping on a doggy “land mine”. They’re not going to affect your life in any drastic way, they’re just annoying little things that you shouldn’t have to deal with.

Well, SkyGeek is here to make sure that when it comes to flying, you’re on the right side of the “little things” pendulum swing. Chasing down a clear sunset at 8,000 feet is one of life’s’ great treasures. Angling your entire body to see out a dirty plane window is one of life’s great annoyances.

Pick up some window cleaner and save yourself the aggravation. SkyGeek has a boat load of airplane & helicopter cleaning products to keep your aircraft clean, polished up and looking sharp.

Whether it’s fate’s idea of a cruel joke I’m not sure, but doesn’t it always seem like the biggest problems stem from the tiniest little things? Whether it’s a devastating forest fire caused by a single camp-fire ember, or a few little termites being responsible for the destruction of your home, it’s easy to say that small things matter.

 

When it comes to your plane, the same thing holds true. A little grease in your engine could mean the difference between flight and fright (to put it nicely). SkyGeek carries a variety of Aeroshell Grease types that will fit your plane’s needs. While you’re at it, check out SkyGeek’s fuel testers & fuel gauges to further ensure that your plane is being properly maintained.
 

True story time!

I once had to build a bird house for geometry class. My teacher figured the angles and measurements would help us get a more hands on feel for what he was trying to teach. We had to have our parents sign a permission slip that stated we would do the math, and they (the parents) would do the sawing and whatnot. Quoting my teacher; “I don’t want to have a bunch of 8 fingered students running around here.” So I had the slip signed and eventually my father and I began to work on the bird house. Soon after, I began to notice that the bird house wasn’t turning out so good. I said “Dad, why does this look so bad…I did all the measurements correctly…I know I did.” He turned to me, held up a rusty bow saw that he must have found at the bottom of the deepest part of the ocean and said “I’m working like a #*%&*$* pilgrim over here, that’s why!” So, I reluctantly brought the birdhouse in on the day they were due. The first thing I noticed was that we had a substitute teacher. Apparently, Mr. Byrne had stayed after school the previous day helping kids who didn’t have help from their parents. While helping a student, one of the pieces of wood slipped and Mr. Byrne lost half of two fingers. I wound up with a C, and my teacher wound up “running around with 8 fingers.”

So what’s the moral of the story?
1.    In the case of the teacher, don’t throw rocks if you live in a glass house (?).
2.    In the case of my dad and I, knowledge and experience won’t get you anywhere without preparedness.


For example, let’s say you’re an expert pilot and you know your plane inside and out. What happens when you’re at 6,000 feet and you lose electrical, or your radio goes on the fritz? All that knowledge and experience isn’t going to mean much if you don’t have a handheld radio as a backup. Now, if you’re going to prepare yourself (or like some people do, just get one to listen in on all the action), you might as well save some money. That’s where SkyGeek comes in.
 

That’s enough storytelling for me today. Take care my fellow aviation enthusiasts. Enjoy the fruits of your labor and don’t forget to enjoy the little things.

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Posted by skygeek on January 7, 2009 5:39 PM

What is This, Y2K?

 

This is a public service announcement from SkyGeek. On second thought, let’s just call this a helpful reminder. Smokey the Bear has probably already blown your “public service announcement gasket” which incidentally may have caused a forest fire. Didn’t think of that did you Smokey? You know what the ironic part is Smokey, only YOU could have prevented it by letting everyone breathe in the mid 90’s without bombarding them with information they already know. Sorry, I know he’s a fictional character but I had to get that off my chest.

Anyway, there is a bit of information every Pilot should be aware of. On February 1, 2009 satellites will no longer be processing emergency distress signals on 121.5/243 MHz emergency beacons. Aviators using emergency beacons will need to switch to those operating at 406 MHz if they want to be detected. Basically, on February 1st your 121.5/243 MHz emergency beacon becomes a glorified paper weight. Well, ok, not that bad - it is 100% mandatory if you fly to Canada & Mexico.  If you fly in the US you will still be tracked via 121.5 Freqs but the 406 Mhz is much more accurate and results in a 100% quick location.

 

If you’re not 406 compliant, don’t worry, SkyGeek has you covered. We carry 406 mhz beacons at the best possible prices and they’re all fully compliant with the February 1st changes.

AirGizmos™ Universal Gust Locks – This is an extremely handy little gizmo that allows you to quickly lock down virtually any control surface securely. If you don’t know what that means, trust me, your pilot will.

Now that you know what emergency beacon you’ll need for 2009, let’s try and make sure you don’t have to use it. One of the best ways of avoiding it is to have a safety checklist. Every pilot should have a checklist to make sure they’ve done everything they need to ensure their safety before take-off. If you go to the grocery store without a list, once in a while you’ll forget something.

The difference? If you forget something at the grocery store you could end up with a dry turkey sandwich. If you forget something before take-off you could end up with a dried up corpse. Spike Lee told everyone to “do the right thing.” I think he was talking about getting a safety checklist. 

Along with a safety checklist and a 406 mhz emergency beacon, there are a few other Airplane Essentials that should be sured up for the New Year. I have something to say about all of these essential products, but it all has to do with me blaming Smokey the Bear for their necessity. I figure I’ll spare you the vent. Go to the Airplane Essentials page and you can check them out for yourself…you’ll thank me later.

Lastly, I figure it’s about time to show the Airbus Pilot some love. Too often he or she gets overlooked in our discussions. Well, it’s 2009 (hours away anyway) and I’m turning over a new leaf. If you drive an Airbus, and you want to use your standard General Aviation Headset, you’re in luck. SkyGeek offers nifty little adapters that allow you to do just that. Airbus people, it’s your time to shine.
 
Well, that’s it ladies and gents. That’s it for this message, and that’s it for 2008.
Happy 2009 from SkyGeek and thanks for making 2008 a great year !


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Posted by skygeek on January 7, 2009 5:29 PM