From: utzoo!decvax!duke!harpo!ihnp4!ihuxr!esac
Newsgroups: net.aviation
Title: IFR insurance low cost
Article-I.D.: ihuxr.295
Posted: Thu Jan 20 12:54:44 1983
Received: Sun Jan 23 05:57:03 1983
Reply-To: esac@ihuxr.UUCP (Bill Adams - ihuxr!esac)

I'm only a new private pilot (95 hours) but I'm already thinking about
an instrument rating.  I read with some interest previous discussions
about the loss of this or that during an instrument flight and had  a
few thoughts I'd like to pass along.

On the subject of lost comm procedures, its true that a hand held 720
is mighty expensive insurance against a low probability failure.  But
why does it have to be a 720 channel transceiver.  For about $300 one
can get a 4-channel transmitter that will probably do the job.  All
you will probably need in an emergency situation is 121.5.  Correct me
if I'm wrong but I think you should be able to get a DF steer with an
item such as I've described.  If you shop carefully or are willing and
able to do your own radio work, you can probably even beat $300..

Another item you might want to consider is a skydiver's altimeter.  The
one I have is made by Steve Snyder Enterprises (SSE) of Pennsauken, NJ.
Its cost is about $95 at the present time.  True, it's not as accurate
as a standard aircraft altimeter, but if you get a good one, they're
pretty damn close from 5 grand on down.  And it can't accurately be
corrected for changing altimeter settings but it's better than nothing
at all (isn't it?).

The last item would be to get ahold of your friendly neighborhood CFII
from time to time to make sure your partial panel procedures are up to
snuff.

Hope someone finds this worthwhile.