Archive for November, 2009
Emergency Preparedness for Amateur Pilots
As an amateur pilot, I recognize the tremendous dangers inherent to my hobby. It’s not uncommon for mechanical problems to force pilots to bring their planes in for a crash landing. Luckily, I’ve never had to deal with such a catastrophic problem. I’m always paying careful attention to sounds of the engine and to my various instrument panels. Still, it pays to be careful.
In addition to the standard emergency kit I keep inside the cockpit, I also travel with a handheld GPS. That way, if I should have to land in a densely wooded area or some other place far away from civilization, I can bring up the coordinates and find a way to get help. Technology has improved our lives in many ways, but a GPS mapping device might actually be capable of saving lives in certain instances.
Getting Lost in the Good Old Days
Sometimes when I’m bored on long road trips I’ll take some time to ponder how life would have been different if GPS technology existed during my childhood. My father was the typical all-American dad, the kind of guy who was interested in making good time on the road whenever we hopped in the car for a family vacation. He absolutely did his best to ignore our pleas for a bathroom break, and I honestly think he had an allergy to the prospect of asking directions.
That didn’t prevent him from getting lost at least once every trip, of course, and us kids sat giggling in the back seat as dad let out a few grunts of frustration and wheeled the car around for the fifth time in an effort to find the restaurant or hotel. These days, a Pioneer in dash GPS saves drivers all that hassle. While I appreciate the ability to use these devices, I still look back fondly on the days when men had to rely on their wits and stubbornness.
Don’t Navigate the Urban Landscape without a GPS device
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Whether you live in an urban area, or are a frequent visitor, a GPS device is a great option for navigating city streets and finding stores and restaurants. Though these devices come standard on many new vehicles, installing them in an old vehicle is quite simple. First of all, decide on a GPS device. Delphi as the original GPS brand, and the most renowned, is a safe bet. For city navigation, the Delphi gps is cost efficient and comes with all the contemporary features. Once you have selected the GPS device you want, you will want to purchase a car mount. These can be installed on your dashboard and will hold the GPS in place.
Once you have both the GPS and the mount, turn it on, read the instructions, plug in your destination, and follow the on screen map; piece of cake!