ADS-B Reflections - (a confession and a suggestion)
Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2014 11:34 am
There seems to be a tremendous interest in ADS-B “solutions”, both here and on other Light Sport sites. Page after page after page of what's available now and speculation on what the situation will be 5+ years hence.
First, my confession:
I do not have a clear understanding of what ADS-B is. Even for sure what it stands for. I mean, I’ve seen the articles in AOPA and EAA magazines, complete with diagrams and charts. I start reading them but for some reason my eyes glaze over part way through, and I find myself just not caring. At all. Same with the myriad threads here and on a variety of sites I frequent.
Why? I’m not a Luddite nor a technophobe, and don’t mind some level of gadgetry. And to the extent ADS-B may enhance safety, that can only be a good thing. But I can think of a few reasons for my disinterest:
1) I just turned 65. In 2020, God willing, I’ll be 70+. It is by no means certain I will still be flying (or even alive) then - I hope so, but wasting time worrying about something that far out seems silly.
2) If I am still flying in 2020, I don’t know what I’ll be flying, so investing in current technology for my Sky Arrow also seems premature.
3) Speaking of current technology, who knows what will be available in 5+ years? Again making it premature to make decisions now for an uncertain future.
4) And that uncertain future includes the possibility of the mandate pushed back or modified for us GA guys.
5) And finally, I bristle at each new equipment requirement - the initial cost, the installation process, and maintenance and troubleshooting and periodic certification, if required, going forward. Each additional box takes me one step farther away from the pure joy of flying I sought out in the 1970’s.
So, as far as ADS-B goes, my feelings are similar to some Jimmy Buffet lyrics:
“Is it ignorance or apathy…
Hell, I don't know and I don't care.”
Second, my suggestion:
Page after page after page of posts are being generated on the topic of ADS-B. Great! Whatever floats your boat and if its foremost in your mind, by all means keep at it for the next 5+ years. There’s clearly an interest here I personally don’t get, but that’s just me!
But without meaning to be presumptuous, maybe there are other things one could spend one’s time on instead? Read up on Mountain Flying? Or Aviation Weather? Or review the POH or maintenance manual for one’s aircraft? Or begin preparation for another license or rating?
Or not, as I said, just a suggestion.
Carry on - I just had to get that off my chest.
Now, off to the airport to figure out why my Sky Arrow won't start!
First, my confession:
I do not have a clear understanding of what ADS-B is. Even for sure what it stands for. I mean, I’ve seen the articles in AOPA and EAA magazines, complete with diagrams and charts. I start reading them but for some reason my eyes glaze over part way through, and I find myself just not caring. At all. Same with the myriad threads here and on a variety of sites I frequent.
Why? I’m not a Luddite nor a technophobe, and don’t mind some level of gadgetry. And to the extent ADS-B may enhance safety, that can only be a good thing. But I can think of a few reasons for my disinterest:
1) I just turned 65. In 2020, God willing, I’ll be 70+. It is by no means certain I will still be flying (or even alive) then - I hope so, but wasting time worrying about something that far out seems silly.
2) If I am still flying in 2020, I don’t know what I’ll be flying, so investing in current technology for my Sky Arrow also seems premature.
3) Speaking of current technology, who knows what will be available in 5+ years? Again making it premature to make decisions now for an uncertain future.
4) And that uncertain future includes the possibility of the mandate pushed back or modified for us GA guys.
5) And finally, I bristle at each new equipment requirement - the initial cost, the installation process, and maintenance and troubleshooting and periodic certification, if required, going forward. Each additional box takes me one step farther away from the pure joy of flying I sought out in the 1970’s.
So, as far as ADS-B goes, my feelings are similar to some Jimmy Buffet lyrics:
“Is it ignorance or apathy…
Hell, I don't know and I don't care.”
Second, my suggestion:
Page after page after page of posts are being generated on the topic of ADS-B. Great! Whatever floats your boat and if its foremost in your mind, by all means keep at it for the next 5+ years. There’s clearly an interest here I personally don’t get, but that’s just me!
But without meaning to be presumptuous, maybe there are other things one could spend one’s time on instead? Read up on Mountain Flying? Or Aviation Weather? Or review the POH or maintenance manual for one’s aircraft? Or begin preparation for another license or rating?
Or not, as I said, just a suggestion.
Carry on - I just had to get that off my chest.
Now, off to the airport to figure out why my Sky Arrow won't start!