A glorious flight - Just add Music!

[Kyle Boatright]

I'm not really a music person. I'd just as soon listen to talk radio,
sports, or whatever on the car radio as listen to music.

That said, I just purchased an el-cheapo MP3 player to use when flying,
jogging, cycling, etc. ($65 delivered, via EBAY) It plugs into my PS
intercom system with a simple patch cord, and came with an arm band,
earbuds, etc. for non-aviation use. It even has an FM receiver, so when I
get tired of the songs on my playlist, I have other options.

Anyway, today was the first time I used it in-flight. Really, really nice
for adding some background music to a solo early-evening flight. Little
Wing by Derek and the Domino's seemed particularly appropriate this evening,
as did the Battle of Britain soundtrack.

One caveat on MP3 players for aviation use. Don't get one that relies on a
hard drive for memory. Hard drives are not designed to work at over 10k
feet, and use at altitude may greatly speed a hard drives demise.

Anyway, a neat addition to my collection of things which make flying even
more enjoyable...

[Bob Fry]

You can also load your MP3 player with audio book readings.

[Peter R.]

Bob Fry > wrote:

> You can also load your MP3 player with audio book readings.

More power to you if you can concentrate on a flight while listening to
audio books.

I once made the mistake of listening to stand-up comedy while flying and
discovered that it took too many brain cycles to listen to the comedy. So
distracting, this was, that I missed two ATC calls. Back to background
Jazz for me.


--
Peter

[Maule Driver]

I've been flying with an IPOD for some time. When the mood and flight
is right, I hook it up and enjoy.

Have to say that XM Sat beats it cold. Since installing my Garmin w/XM
Weather, the music from that is just great. Music, or talk, or
whatever. No decision about when to hook up or what playlist to have
loaded. Just turn on and choose from the many channels.... 70s is my
current thing.

Now if I can just my engine back in the ol' ship.

Kyle Boatright wrote:
> I'm not really a music person. I'd just as soon listen to talk radio,
> sports, or whatever on the car radio as listen to music.
>
> That said, I just purchased an el-cheapo MP3 player to use when flying,
> jogging, cycling, etc. ($65 delivered, via EBAY) It plugs into my PS
> intercom system with a simple patch cord, and came with an arm band,
> earbuds, etc. for non-aviation use. It even has an FM receiver, so when I
> get tired of the songs on my playlist, I have other options.
>
> Anyway, today was the first time I used it in-flight. Really, really nice
> for adding some background music to a solo early-evening flight. Little
> Wing by Derek and the Domino's seemed particularly appropriate this evening,
> as did the Battle of Britain soundtrack.
>
> One caveat on MP3 players for aviation use. Don't get one that relies on a
> hard drive for memory. Hard drives are not designed to work at over 10k
> feet, and use at altitude may greatly speed a hard drives demise.
>
> Anyway, a neat addition to my collection of things which make flying even
> more enjoyable...
>
>
>
>
>
>

[Jay Honeck]

> Have to say that XM Sat beats it cold. Since installing my Garmin w/XM
> Weather, the music from that is just great. Music, or talk, or whatever.
> No decision about when to hook up or what playlist to have loaded. Just
> turn on and choose from the many channels.... 70s is my current thing.

I wonder what's going to happen to XM after losing money in a big way for so
long? It was just in the papers that their upper management is starting
to flee the sinking ship, and taking pot shots over their shoulders...?
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[GeorgeC]

I was thinking about flying with an IPOD, but I heard there are problems with
the hard drive at high altitude. I talking C172 high altitude not B-52 high
altitude. Have you had any problems or heard of any problem with the IPOD at
altitude? I know that some of the AWACS crews members use IPOD's on they flight.
They stick the ear-buds under they headsets. But they cabins are pressurized.

On Mon, 20 Feb 2006 22:50:47 GMT, Maule Driver > wrote:

>I've been flying with an IPOD for some time. When the mood and flight
>is right, I hook it up and enjoy.

GeorgeC

[Garner Miller]

In article >, GeorgeC
> wrote:

> I was thinking about flying with an IPOD, but I heard there are problems with
> the hard drive at high altitude. I talking C172 high altitude not B-52 high
> altitude. Have you had any problems or heard of any problem with the IPOD at
> altitude?

The iPods list their maximum operating altitude as 10,000 feet.
(That's cabin altitude, which will normally be that or less in a
pressurized airplane.) So just keep it 10 and below, and you should
be fine in the 172.

I have heard of issues -- I read of one fellow who killed two of them
in a turbo, non-pressurized airplane. In both cases, the hard drives
were destroyed, and in one of them, the whole shell of the iPod popped
open. That's when he realized what was happening.

The problem is basically that the hard drive heads are riding on a
microscopic layer of air. Thin the air out too much, and the heads
crash right onto the platter. Whoops. :D

You should be fine in the 172 as long as you don't go all the way up.

--
Garner R. Miller
ATP/CFII/MEI
Clifton Park, NY =USA=
http://www.garnermiller.com/

[Gig 601XL Builder]

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:aZvKf.568977$084.389858@attbi_s22...
>> Have to say that XM Sat beats it cold. Since installing my Garmin w/XM
>> Weather, the music from that is just great. Music, or talk, or whatever.
>> No decision about when to hook up or what playlist to have loaded. Just
>> turn on and choose from the many channels.... 70s is my current thing.
>
> I wonder what's going to happen to XM after losing money in a big way for
> so long? It was just in the papers that their upper management is
> starting to flee the sinking ship, and taking pot shots over their
> shoulders...?
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"
>

Not really management. One Board member bailed. The company along with the
competition spent a bunch of cash in the 4th quarter on advertising and new
Talent. (Oprah).

The competition did the same thing only they contracted to pay Howard Stern
half a Billion dollars.

[Gig 601XL Builder]

Pressurized to 8000 feet.


"GeorgeC" > wrote in message
...
>I was thinking about flying with an IPOD, but I heard there are problems
>with
> the hard drive at high altitude. I talking C172 high altitude not B-52
> high
> altitude. Have you had any problems or heard of any problem with the IPOD
> at
> altitude? I know that some of the AWACS crews members use IPOD's on they
> flight.
> They stick the ear-buds under they headsets. But they cabins are
> pressurized.
>
> On Mon, 20 Feb 2006 22:50:47 GMT, Maule Driver >
> wrote:
>
>>I've been flying with an IPOD for some time. When the mood and flight
>>is right, I hook it up and enjoy.
>
> GeorgeC

[Newps]

Jay Honeck wrote:

>>Have to say that XM Sat beats it cold. Since installing my Garmin w/XM
>>Weather, the music from that is just great. Music, or talk, or whatever.
>>No decision about when to hook up or what playlist to have loaded. Just
>>turn on and choose from the many channels.... 70s is my current thing.
>
>
> I wonder what's going to happen to XM after losing money in a big way for so
> long? It was just in the papers that their upper management is starting
> to flee the sinking ship, and taking pot shots over their shoulders...?



Normal course of business. One guy has left. Profitability expected
by the end of this year.

[Jay Honeck]

>> I wonder what's going to happen to XM after losing money in a big way for
>> so long? It was just in the papers that their upper management is
>> starting to flee the sinking ship, and taking pot shots over their
>> shoulders...?
>
>
>
> Normal course of business. One guy has left. Profitability expected by
> the end of this year.

I hope so. I'm anxiously waiting for XM weather to migrate to new
platforms, and that won't happen if XM goes belly up...
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Peter R.]

Maule Driver > wrote:

> Have to say that XM Sat beats it cold. Since installing my Garmin w/XM
> Weather, the music from that is just great. Music, or talk, or
> whatever. No decision about when to hook up or what playlist to have
> loaded. Just turn on and choose from the many channels.... 70s is my
> current thing.

Agreed. I am also flying with XM in the cockpit and took it on my
across-the-US- country trip last May. The music was invaluable in keeping
me focused and alert. Jazz is my current thing. :)

--
Peter

[Newps]

Jay Honeck wrote:


>> Normal course of business. One guy has left. Profitability expected by
>>the end of this year.
>
>
> I hope so. I'm anxiously waiting for XM weather to migrate to new
> platforms, and that won't happen if XM goes belly up...

As more and more ADS-B stations get installed XM will be hard pressed to
sell their weather package. I just saw in Controller magazine a box
that is out now that receives the transmissions for ADS-B and from mode
S transponders. It plugs in to your computer and shows you a radar
screen picture of the traffic near you.

[Matt Barrow]

"Newps" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> Jay Honeck wrote:
>
>
>>> Normal course of business. One guy has left. Profitability expected by
>>> the end of this year.
>>
>>
>> I hope so. I'm anxiously waiting for XM weather to migrate to new
>> platforms, and that won't happen if XM goes belly up...
>
> As more and more ADS-B stations get installed XM will be hard pressed to
> sell their weather package. I just saw in Controller magazine a box that
> is out now that receives the transmissions for ADS-B and from mode S
> transponders. It plugs in to your computer and shows you a radar screen
> picture of the traffic near you.

How would that effect their sales of airborne weather (strategic)?

--
Matt
---------------------
Matthew W. Barrow
Site-Fill Homes, LLC.
Montrose, CO

[cwby-flyer]

My understanding is that the weather options for ADS-B will be limited
to text METARs and TAFs - of course I could be wrong. But, if I'm
correct there will be a market for more advanced solutions offered by
XM & Sirius/WSI. Additionally, no one knows when the government will
actually get around to providing nationwide coverage and there'e the
pesky cost of ADS-B receivers.

Mike

[Newps]

Matt Barrow wrote:


>>As more and more ADS-B stations get installed XM will be hard pressed to
>>sell their weather package. I just saw in Controller magazine a box that
>>is out now that receives the transmissions for ADS-B and from mode S
>>transponders. It plugs in to your computer and shows you a radar screen
>>picture of the traffic near you.
>
>
> How would that effect their sales of airborne weather (strategic)?

You'll get the same thing for free.

[Newps]

cwby-flyer wrote:

> My understanding is that the weather options for ADS-B will be limited
> to text METARs and TAFs - of course I could be wrong. But, if I'm
> correct there will be a market for more advanced solutions offered by
> XM & Sirius/WSI. Additionally, no one knows when the government will
> actually get around to providing nationwide coverage and there'e the
> pesky cost of ADS-B receivers.

The service will be substantially the same as XM. As for the receivers
the one I mentioned earlier was on sale for less than a thousand bucks.
That could be interfaced to any GPS or PDA or other computer.

[Peter R.]

Newps > wrote:

>>>As more and more ADS-B stations get installed XM will be hard pressed to
>>>sell their weather package. I just saw in Controller magazine a box that
>>>is out now that receives the transmissions for ADS-B and from mode S
>>>transponders. It plugs in to your computer and shows you a radar screen
>>>picture of the traffic near you.
>>
>> How would that effect their sales of airborne weather (strategic)?
>
> You'll get the same thing for free.

/Aviation Consumer/ and /IFR Magazine/ both project that ADS-B is still a
few to five years away from complete US mainland coverage.


--
Peter

[Newps]

Peter R. wrote:

>>You'll get the same thing for free.
>
>
> /Aviation Consumer/ and /IFR Magazine/ both project that ADS-B is still a
> few to five years away from complete US mainland coverage.

I understand that but when it's working effectively the market for XM
will shrink to near nothing.

[Peter R.]

Newps > wrote:

> Peter R. wrote:
>
>>>You'll get the same thing for free.
>>
>> /Aviation Consumer/ and /IFR Magazine/ both project that ADS-B is still a
>> few to five years away from complete US mainland coverage.
>
> I understand that but when it's working effectively the market for XM
> will shrink to near nothing.

Not if the market is filled with knucklehead, early adopters (this is
purely a slam on me - but that's another story) like me who prefer to pay
for the "bird in the hand" and have onboard NEXRad now rather than wait for
the "two in the bush" at some unknown point in the distant future.

/Aviation Consumer/ also mentioned that they have little confidence in a
complete mainland ADS-B network ever happening, given the FAA funding
issues and fiasco with TIS/Mode-S.

--
Peter

[Morgans]

"Newps" > wrote
>
> I understand that but when it's working effectively the market for XM
> will shrink to near nothing.

I just can not believe that XM will be without merit, no matter when ADS-B
comes fully on line. Ground based systems will still be hard to get, when
low in hilly terrain, and in parts of the country that do not have a high
concentration of transmitters.
--
Jim in NC

[vincent p. norris]

> Really, really nice for adding some background music to a solo early-evening flight. Little
>Wing by Derek and the Domino's seemed particularly appropriate this evening,
>as did the Battle of Britain soundtrack.

Glad you enjoyed that. Although I listen to music when driving a car
to avoid acute boredom, I've never felt the need for it when flying.

(I have immensely enjoyed Manfred Radius's sailplane aerobatics to the
sound of a Vienese waltz.)

>You can also load your MP3 player with audio book readings.

Somewhow that strikes me as a good way to (a) miss the point of the
book, or (b) get behind the airplane.

vince norris

[George]

I'm having trouble with my scan, I tend to fixate. My CFI suggested I keep a
beat. Glance at one instrument per beat. I was wondering if music would help
with my scan or would music be too much of a distraction for single pilot IFR?

On Wed, 22 Feb 2006 09:48:44 -0500, "Peter R." > wrote:

> The music was invaluable in keeping me focused and alert. Jazz is my current thing. :)

GeorgeC

[Jose]

> I'm having trouble with my scan, I tend to fixate. My CFI suggested I keep a
> beat. Glance at one instrument per beat. I was wondering if music would help
> with my scan or would music be too much of a distraction for single pilot IFR?

Consider that you have to look at AND INTERPRET an instrument (the
interpretation can actually occur while you've moving to the next one).
If music keeps you on beat, it may also keep you from interpreting.

Try it on something like MS Flight Simulator and see whether this occurs.

Jose
--
Money: what you need when you run out of brains.
for Email, make the obvious change in the address.

[Peter R.]

George > wrote:

> I'm having trouble with my scan, I tend to fixate. My CFI suggested I keep a
> beat. Glance at one instrument per beat. I was wondering if music would help
> with my scan or would music be too much of a distraction for single pilot IFR?

IMO, music would be a distraction if you are first starting out. In my
case I flew several single-pilot flights after obtaining my instrument
rating before I introduced music into the cockpit.

If beat is what you need, see if you can grab a recording of several
metronome-style beats off the Internet and load those to your MP3 player.
Perhaps something in the 30 to 60 beats per minute range.

--
Peter

[Matt Barrow]

"Newps" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> Peter R. wrote:
>
>>>You'll get the same thing for free.
>>
>>
>> /Aviation Consumer/ and /IFR Magazine/ both project that ADS-B is still a
>> few to five years away from complete US mainland coverage.
>
> I understand that but when it's working effectively the market for XM will
> shrink to near nothing.

Except (CMIIW) ADS-B is ground based. That's part of the reason I passed on
an offer for a King KMD-850.

[Newps]

Morgans wrote:

> "Newps" > wrote
>
>>I understand that but when it's working effectively the market for XM
>>will shrink to near nothing.
>
>
> I just can not believe that XM will be without merit, no matter when ADS-B
> comes fully on line. Ground based systems will still be hard to get, when
> low in hilly terrain, and in parts of the country that do not have a high
> concentration of transmitters.

Look at the coverage maps now on the ADS-B website. I don't think
coverage will be a problem. The other thing going for it is the FAA
will be phasing out ATC radar to use ADS-B so I believe the coverage
issue is moot.

[Gig 601XL Builder]

Looks pretty spotty to me especially at low altitudes.


"Newps" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> Morgans wrote:
>
>> "Newps" > wrote
>>
>>>I understand that but when it's working effectively the market for XM
>>>will shrink to near nothing.
>>
>>
>> I just can not believe that XM will be without merit, no matter when
>> ADS-B
>> comes fully on line. Ground based systems will still be hard to get,
>> when
>> low in hilly terrain, and in parts of the country that do not have a high
>> concentration of transmitters.
>
> Look at the coverage maps now on the ADS-B website. I don't think
> coverage will be a problem. The other thing going for it is the FAA will
> be phasing out ATC radar to use ADS-B so I believe the coverage issue is
> moot.

[George]

I do allot testing on the MS Flight Simulator. I don't Know why I did not think
of it. Thanks.

On Thu, 23 Feb 2006 05:26:38 GMT, Jose > wrote:


>Try it on something like MS Flight Simulator and see whether this occurs.

>Jose

GeorgeC

[George]

I might try the metronome on the MS Flight Simulator. Thanks.

On Thu, 23 Feb 2006 08:58:00 -0500, "Peter R." > wrote:

>George > wrote:
>
>> I'm having trouble with my scan, I tend to fixate. My CFI suggested I keep a
>> beat. Glance at one instrument per beat. I was wondering if music would help
>> with my scan or would music be too much of a distraction for single pilot IFR?
>
>IMO, music would be a distraction if you are first starting out. In my
>case I flew several single-pilot flights after obtaining my instrument
>rating before I introduced music into the cockpit.
>
>If beat is what you need, see if you can grab a recording of several
>metronome-style beats off the Internet and load those to your MP3 player.
>Perhaps something in the 30 to 60 beats per minute range.

GeorgeC