Gary Sobek - AOPA Pilot Information Center

After a lot of searching I can't believe how hard it has been to find an answer to what should be a simple question. How do you conduct the annual ELT inspection and how do you log it. According to 91.207, all I have to do is remove an access plate (permitted by Part 43, App A), and to comply with 91.207(d):

verify proper installation
inspect for battery corrosion (and observe battery label for expiration)
operate the controls and activate crash sensor (set to TX and set to ...

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Gary Sobek Oct '21

Richard Campbell:
After a lot of searching I can't believe how hard it has been to find an answer to what should be a simple question. How do you conduct the annual ELT inspection and how do you log it. According to 91.207, all I have to do is remove an access plate (permitted by Part 43, App A), and to comply with 91.207(d):
verify proper installation
inspect for battery corrosion (and observe battery label for expiration)
operate the controls and activate crash sensor (set to TX and set to Arm)
verify operation by monitoring 121.5 for a signal (1975 Grumman Cheetah).
And as the Owner/operator, I make the log book entry. What am I missing here?

Richard:

On my Experimental aircraft, I follow ACK manual for the inspection and test. I then make a log entry: Inspect and Test ELT In Accordance with 91.207(d) using manufacturer manual E04M Rev Date 06/26/2020 Rev 1.10. Signed name certificate and certificate number. Here is a link to a video on how to test the G-Switch.

91.409 requires the inspection be signed by a person authorized to perform the inspect but does not apply to Experimental aircraft.

Gary Sobek What is, or was, your favorite airport to fly into? Give an example.

Sep '21

Introductions and General Aviation Discussion

What is, or was, your favorite airport to fly into? Give an example.

For me, it was DCA - Washington National. Back in the day (early 1990's), all you needed was a class B (or TCA) clearance to enter VFR. The same for departing.

On one particularly nice, but breezy spring day with the winds out of the east, I was cleared for takeoff on runway 3, maintain runway heading on climb out, until clear of P-56, then on course. On most days with a normal west wind, that clearance would take you just east of P-56. On this day, however, it was clear I would ... more

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Gary Sobek Sep '21

Been watching this thread and have not been sure I wanted to answer. I have no one favorite airport. I have landed in my airplane in 49-states. Trying to pick the favorite one is hard. Do I say it was the highest airport I landed at (KLXV) or the lowest (L06) or the highest commercial airport (KSKX)? Would love to put the farthest north airport (PFYU) I have been to but because of gravel, I did a go around and landed at Fairbanks (PAFA). Should also include airports that require you to fly over water to get to but do I pick (MYLS) or (KAVX)? What about airports in. RESTRICTED areas? How do I pick between Edwards AFB (KEDW) and Nellis AFB (KLXV)? It is hard to pick what small unique airport would be my favorite. I liked Packwood (55S) and Kern Valley (L05). I have only been a pilot for 39-years. Everything listed above has been during the last 24-years or since owning an airplane. Before retiring, I made a living as an engineer.

Gary Sobek iPad cooling in-flight

Sep '21

Aircraft and Equipment Questions

iPad cooling in-flight

Having a problem with iPad overheating inflight in a high wing (Cessna 182), iPad mounted on yoke. Partially due to protective case, but others without the case have similar issues. I see only two products that appear to address the cooling issue, one with a wide range of reviews the other without any reviews and a mega-price. Has anyone done a controlled test of iPad cooling systems? I'm currently using an iPadAir2, willing to consider an iPad without a protective case

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Gary Sobek Sep '21

I fly an RV-6 low wing with sliding canopy. IF the sun is out, I have sun in the cockpit. It is almost impossible to not have some sun on the iPad in my airplane. I was based in SoCAL (KCCB) up through 2013. Was flying 200 hours a year up until 2013 when I retired. A lot of flying in the Southwest USA with high ground temperatures and sun. Have over 1,000 flying hours (based on aircraft logbook) with iPads in my RV-6. My experience with Foreflight using cellular iPads (no cell service activated) has been they work flawlessly as long as they are NOT in a case. MOST (not all) people that I know flying with iPad having over heating issues have had them in a case.

Gary Sobek Tips for flying into Airventure?

Jul '21

Introductions and General Aviation Discussion

Tips for flying into Airventure?

AOPA published an article on “Tips for Flying to Airventure”, which highlighted some changes this year. But I figured that there are plenty of pilots that have flown into OSH over the years that may also want to share their tips/experiences. Feel free to reply below with those.

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Gary Sobek Jul '21

Flown my airplane into Oshkosh AirVenture more times than I can remember. First was 1998.

Have been in a "Mass Arrival" and landed on all the runways they use at some point during the past 20+ years.

In preparation to fly into AirVenture, go out and practice flying at 90 KIAS at ~1,000 AGL over a straight road and or railroad track that is about the same distance as Ripon to KOSH. Lean to control airspeed, altitude, and navigation while looking around outside. Practice your precision, short, soft field landings. Also practice and be ready for a go around. Read and understand the NOTAM. I like to make a cheat sheet for frequencies that I need for the possible approaches that are in use. Do your best to stop, refuel, and update arrival info 1 to 1.5 hours flying time before arrival.

Repeating what others have said, keep your head on a swivel.

Be read to divert to another airport if need be. KUNU and KATW are my two favorite alternate airports. Should be able to find ground transportation to KOSH from either of those two.

Gary Sobek Flying Club - AOPA/EAA?

Nov '20

Flying Club Questions

Flying Club - AOPA/EAA?

Can a flying club be affiliated with both the AOPA and EAA (perhaps for simplicity)? Do those respective clubs differ too much for joint affiliations?

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Gary Sobek Nov '20

Not sure why not.

I am a pilot that is both EAA and AOPA member. I am not associated with any club.

Both organization complement each other and try hard to get more people to fly.

IF you are trying to start a club, look at what both organizations have to offer. One may be better for you and your group.

Gary