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Cool Stuff | PRODUCTS THAT MATTER
 It’s Not A Parachute, But…
Any non-pilot who has ever climbed into the right seat has wondered what he or she would do if the pilot passed out or became incapacitated. You can have peace of mind with the Emergency Substitute Pilot’s CheckMate checklist. This straight-forward, easy-to-read placard explains the fundamental things a non-pilot needs to know to fly, communicate and if needed, land the airplane. The 7.5” by 10” placard is priced at $15 per copy. As a practical matter, it’s a good idea to go over the card with the pilot while on the ground so you understand how the markings and illustrations relate to the airplane you are flying. Contact CheckMate Aviation, Inc., at 800.359.3741, or on the web at www.checkmateaviation.com.
Can’t Take It With You?
When you’ve just got too much stuff and POH says you’re over weight, a new service called Luggage Express will ship everything from suitcases to golf clubs from your home to your destination and back again. Prices start at around $87, and services range from overnight to three- to seven-day delivery. Each customer is given a personal customer service rep who tracks your items from pick-up to delivery. Get a free quote on the web at www.usxpluggageexpress.com or by calling 866.744.76224.
 Make Beautiful Music Together
Anyone who’s ever listened to scratchy country music through an ADF will appreciate the PXE7300 from PS Engineering. This unit is a combination CD player and AM/FM radio that has received FAA certification for installation in GA aircraft. It has a special mute feature that lowers the volume on the pilots headsets when an incoming radio transmission is detected. The unit is priced at $1,495, and scheduled to go on sale this month. Visit www.ps-engineering.com for more information, or call 865.988.9800.
Better Weather At A Glance
Long cross-countries are all about finding the most direct route around bad weather, more or less in the general direction of your destination. A quick way to assess the nation’s current weather conditions is the Aviation Digital Data Service on the Internet at adds.aviationweather.noaa.gov/projects/adds/metars/java/. This intuitive, easy-to-understand tool shows current METAR reports across the country in a color-coded scheme that makes it easy to figure out which route provides the best weather conditions.
 Spare Your Charts
We’ve all done it: You spend a half hour tracing your route along an IFR chart, only to be given a completely different route by clearance delivery. Now there’s an erasable highlighter that’s not only highly visible, it erases completely without destroying your sectionals. The Marvy Erasable Flourescent Highlighters come with one of four colors on the highlighter end, and an “eraser” tip that dispenses a clear liquid ink eraser fluid on the other. Colors are yellow, orange, pink and blue. All four colors work well on IFR charts; for VFR charts, the preferred color is pink. For more information, visit www.uchida.com, or call 800. 541.5877.
 Protection For Fragile Ears
If you’re looking to protect young ears from aircraft noise, or if a family member is flying with a head-cold, EarPlanes might do more than a ball of cotton. EarPlanes are designed to cut down on potentially damaging, high-frequency noise while helping alleviate painful sinus pressures associated with climbing and descending flight. They also work with a headset. The product comes in adult and child versions, fitting kids as young as a year old. For more information, check out www.pilotshopusa.com or call 800.327.6151.
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