iPlane

[The Ruptured Duck]

Anyone had the opportunity to plug their mp3 into their airplane?  Tried it this morning and it didn't distract me as much as I thought it would.  Stevie Ray Vaughn works well as flying music 8-)

[Mobius]

I've thought about it.  How does it work with radio transmissions?

[Ashar]

I don't fly myself, but on commercial flights (especially those with no PTV's), my iPod is a life-saver...

[EGNX]

[quote]I've thought about it.

[Splinter562]

There are headsets now with a place to plug in your mp3 player or even your cellphone. They dim or mute the volume when there is an incoming transmission. I think there are also radio stacks now that do the same with XM radio.

As for the ad-hoc method, I've done many, many hours of cross country flying with my ear phones in under my headset. You just need to make sure the radio is loud enough to be heard over the music. If you are talking or being talked to by control you just need to hit the pause button. You also want to have it off completely during any phase of flight where you are talking to control a lot (departure / approach).

[The Ruptured Duck]

The plane I fly has an auxillary port like a car or stereo that I can plug into.  When theres a transmission inside or outside the cockpit, the music goes silent, then comes back about 3 seconds after the transmission.

[Ashar]

The plane I fly has an auxillary port like a car or stereo that I can plug into.  When theres a transmission inside or outside the cockpit, the music goes silent, then comes back about 3 seconds after the transmission.

That's pretty cool, but if it malfunctions, I suppose the results could be a bit hairy no?

[Wii]

[quote][quote]The plane I fly has an auxillary port like a car or stereo that I can plug into.

[Splinter562]

How could it be a bit hairy? If the switching mechanism fails, just unplug the iPod. Though the chances of that happening are probably no more than the chances of any other radio failure occurring. As far as failures go, radio failure isn't a big deal, especially if you are VFR. The airplane will keep flying same as before if you loose the radio. I've even flown many hours in an old Aeronca Champ with no radio whatsoever.

[Ashar]

How could it be a bit hairy? If the switching mechanism fails, just unplug the iPod. Though the chances of that happening are probably no more than the chances of any other radio failure occurring. As far as failures go, radio failure isn't a big deal, especially if you are VFR. The airplane will keep flying same as before if you loose the radio. I've even flown many hours in an old Aeronca Champ with no radio whatsoever.

If you're flying in some less frequently travelled area, I suppose it may be okay...but in areas near high traffic densities, it may be kinda hard...I just asking anywhoo since I've never flown myself...

[Splinter562]

If you're flying in some less frequently travelled area, I suppose it may be okay...but in areas near high traffic densities, it may be kinda hard...I just asking anywhoo since I've never flown myself...

You're correct. In high traffic areas it is a bigger deal that out in the middle of nowhere. If you're not in controlled airspace or IFR it's still not a big deal. You just have to be extra vigilant for other airplanes, especially when entering the pattern. In fact at Oshkosh, the largest fly-in in the world, it is standard procedure that you do not talk on the radio, only listen and acknowledge by rocking your wings.

When you are under ATC control, then there is actually a procedure for that too. If it is just your radio that died (and not the entire electrical system) then you squawk (set your transponder to) 7600. This lets the ATC know that you have lost your radio so that they can make sure your route is clear from other traffic. If you're VFR than you land when feasible, if you're IFR than you continue flying your flight plan. On top of having procedures for dealing with radio failures the radios, as with most other things in airplanes, are redundant. You usually have two separate radio boxes. When both are working, it's a nice feature to be able to monitor on one while transmitting on the other, but the primary reason there are two is in the event that one fails.

To sum it up. Airplanes are designed so that a single failure, or even a few failures will not have a catastrophic result. So while radio problems may make your job more difficult as a pilot and reduce the margin of safety in operating the aircraft, if handled properly it should not cause and accident.

[Hagar]

I don't get it. Once upon a time flying was something special & the only entertainment you needed. I don't care how experienced you are, complete concentration is required at all times. If you're bored (& complacent) enough with it to want distraction by listening to music while flying the answer is simple, stay on the ground.

[The Ruptured Duck]

I don't get it. Once upon a time flying was something special & the only entertainment you needed. I don't care how experienced you are, complete concentration is required at all times. If you're bored (& complacent) enough with it to want distraction by listening to music while flying the answer is simple, stay on the ground.

I don't go flying just to listen to my ipod

[Jayhawk Jake]

I don't get it. Once upon a time flying was something special & the only entertainment you needed. I don't care how experienced you are, complete concentration is required at all times. If you're bored (& complacent) enough with it to want distraction by listening to music while flying the answer is simple, stay on the ground.

I don't go flying just to listen to my ipod  In my short experience the music complimented the flight by being a background (in my case blues rock).

I'm guessing you came from a different generation of flyers.  Today there is less romance involved with all the plexiglass and beepy flashies and such.  Planes are more stable, engines more reliable, and carrying a parachute is only for airshow performers.  Its not white knuckled (most of the time), and it is just NOT like it used to be.  What I'm trying to say is this is not our grandfathers flying.

BTW:  Have you ever flown over Kansas?  Field, fence, road, cow.  That gets real old.

Hehe...I actually have flown over Kansas...but it was my first and only time piloting a plane so.....I thought it was pretty exciting

[Splinter562]

Ha. I can relate to Duck. I've flow some long empty stretches too. Hagar, you do have a good point. Flying is alway always first. And for air work or flying in congested airspace you're right, your iPod should be the last thing on your mind. I never even bring the iPod along for such flights. If you're hauling cross-country in the middle of nowhere in sever clear I don't see a problem with listening to the iPod.

I'll give you an example. I was flying solo from Mazula, Montana to La Cross, Wisconsin. 8 hrs of flying and 1 stop. The first section of that flight is over the Rockies, you need to be well above 10,000 ft to get radar coverage so if you're VFR ATC ain't talking to you at all. Flying the airplane takes a good bit of attention in the mountains so complacency isn't as big of an issue, but listening to music quietly enough that it's not distracting you doesn't do any harm. Once you're out of the Rockies you're into the long haul over the Dakotas. There is nothing but nothing out there and even though you're in the planes, radar coverage is still sparse enough that you still can't get coverage below 10,000 ft. So again you've got no ATC and almost no traffic, but this time less vigilance is required to fly. Flying these stretches for hours at a time, especially solo, can allow you ample time to become complacent and zone out if you are not careful. In this situation I think that the music actually is a helping factor. It helps keep the wheels in your brain from slowing down and zoning out. For me it makes the long stretches much more enjoyable.

Of course it can be dangerous if used improperly, but the same is true for most things in flying. I think if you are a responsible pilot who knows when to tune it out and when to turn it off, there is no problem having music in the aircraft.