[Boatanchors] What VLF/LF Boatanchors are "affordable"

[Francesco Ledda]

I respect your opinion, and you should follow what your experience, level of
proficiency and guts tells you.  There is no wrong or right, but you should
not demonize NDB approaches. You may demonize those pilots that have no
healty fear or real understanding of the aviation environment.

I do fly instrument fairly often, and an NDB approach is always my last
choice.  I will do it, if I have no other choice.

I do agree with you that single engine aircraft are a potential problem. But
there is much worse than that. I see lots of aircraft with fancy leather
seats and avionics but no back up attitude indicator.  Go IMC and loose that
baby without back up, and you are done like dinner.  There is no way out, no
matter all that BS of partial panel. When the failure is joined by fear,
turbulence and other things, it is almost impossible to make it.  I do not
understand why the FAA does not make a back up AI a firm requirement. By the
way, I fly a twin....

My checklist for single pilot IMC is:
A good night of sleep
No stress
No embedded storms
No ice
Good autopilot
Back up attitude indicator (one electric and the other vacuum)
No rush
All the fuel I can carry
A bucket full of good luck!




-----Original Message-----
From: rbethman at comcast.net [mailto:rbethman at comcast.net]
Sent: Thursday, August 11, 2005 4:40 PM
To: Dan Arney; Francesco Ledda
Cc: boatanchors at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] What VLF/LF Boatanchors are "affordable"


Hank,

I have NO dispute over the ability to use NDBs for a viable NAVAID.

My comments were simply that in GENERAL AVIATION aircraft, in a Single
Engine/Single Pilot situation, especially when EVERY Piper or Cessna has it
installed to the FAR right of the cockpit, I AM NOT DOING IT.

I know VERY well that a LOT of pilots DO so, and HAVE DONE so.

The hours in rating, the pilot's endorsements, are factors that HAVE to be
figured in.

At my experience level, I did NOT feel comfortable giving it the old
"college try".

I also believe that when the pilot does NOT feel comfortable with conditions
that are at the very limits of the PRINTED manual, which does NOT allow for
the current condition/age of the aircraft - It is wiser to leave it tied
down and try the next day.

Takeoffs are optional.  Landings are MANDATORY.

I for one am one of the pilot's STILL around, when the Chief Instructor
where I learned to fly NO LONGER IS.  He forgot the above sentence.

Bob - N0DGN
Rated - Single Engine Land


> Francessco is correct on flying NDB approaches. I have flown them all
> over the world, in Canada NWT we used to fly 8 to 10 Zero/Zero
> approaches in ice fog to ice stripe hauling fuel, cargo and PAX N
> accidents in 2 years of doing them.
> You have to keep track of time, bearing, track heading, altitude at all
> points in the approach, Ground speed and time to run until "Runway or
> Missed approach positive rate Gear up flaps for your configuration. And
> it ia lot easier with the non flying pilot to be up to speed..
> But as the PIC the ball is in your court.
>
> The approach into Dubrovnik is no big deal we did it weekly in 707's all
> it takes is to be aware of where you are and FLY THE AIRPLANE.
> The USAF guys were just not up to speed going in there and there is no
> GCI or GCA it is back to Piloting skills and being up to speed and above
>   all in stable condition at the IAF and in the groove in any approach,
> Whether, GCA, ILS, GPS, NDB, ASR or VFR runway in sight 20 miles out, be
> stable. and if it all hits the basket go around. If you go around do it
> only twice and get out of there and goto the alternate because by this
> time you are getting flustered and the prong factor is way up there.
>
> Hank
> KN6DI
>
> Hank
> KN6DI
>
> _______________________________________________
> Boatanchors mailing list
> Boatanchors at mailman.qth.net
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/boatanchors
> ** List Administrator - Duane Fischer, W8DBF/W9WZE **
> ** For Assistance: dfischer at usol.com **
> $$ For vintage radio info, see the HCI web site $$
> http://www.w9wze.org
>
--
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.338 / Virus Database: 267.10.6/69 - Release Date: 8/11/2005

--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.338 / Virus Database: 267.10.6/69 - Release Date: 8/11/2005