USA 2000
Aircraft
Arrange for a 50/150/Annual check 2 to 3 weeks before leaving.
Allow time for (say) 4 hours flying after the check to shake down and time for any bugs that turn up to be fixed.
Get a backup GPS, preferably battery operated with it's own antenna.
Make sure everything is working.
Pay particular attention to the things that are not used so much these days. Particularly: ADF (essential backup for GPS), Magnetic compass - get it/them swung, panel, navigation & landing lights.
Make sure there is plenty of wear in the tyres.
Make sure the GPS(s) are loaded with the current database.
Many units require a different database for the USA. Find out the arrangements for both of yours. Some units (e.g. Garmin handhelds) will need programming by PC in Iceland. We will arrange for a couple of laptops to be available for this but make sure you have any required floppy and someone has the required lead & connector. Be warned it is NOT possible to program different units from the same floppy unless you are devious about it.
Bring some oxygen for Greenland and mountains in USA.
A possible source for hire or purchase (don't leave til last minute) is: RD Aviation Ltd Unit 23, Bankside, Station Approach, Kidlington, Oxfordshire OX5 1JE Tel: 01865 841441 Fax: 01865 842495
Be prepared for ditching, however unlikely
Read the CAA leaflet on ditching (General Aviation Safety Sense leaflet 21A).
Get a good lifejacket, get it serviced.
Get a good dingy.
See aviation liferaft review at: http://www.equipped.com/raftstoc.htm
To summarise: Any liferaft is better than none, but some have major deficiencies. Winslow FAA approved are the best. See: http://www.winslowliferaft.com/aviation/
If you are serious about surviving a ditching get an immersion suit. There are now some that are designed for light aircraft and are not too uncomfortable. Talk to: South Eastern Marine Services Ltd Tel: 01268 534427 Fax: 01268 281009 11. Get at least one Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT). You will not be found without one. There are two types - the cheaper types transmit a tone on 121.5 and/or 243MHz. These are useful if you have informed someone that you are going down, otherwise they do not provoke an instant response. The more expensive types transmit an identity code and provoke an instant response when seen by a satellite. An ELT bolted to the aircraft is not very useful for obvious reasons. Make sure the battery is fresh.
A possible source for survival equipment (food, sleeping bags etc as mentioned elsewhere) is as follows. Untried by me but recommended in the Sunday Times: Blacks Outdoor, 9-10 Phoenix Court, Guildford, Surrey GU1 3EG Tel: 01483 506432
