Testing Out The GoPro Mounted Externally

So I finally figured out an external mounting location to try on the plane.  I put it together and tried it out yesterday.  For the most part I think it worked fine.  The good part was I did not lose the camera!  I am going to the Bahamas Habitat Fly In & Help Out Event next week, so I cant wait to see what kind of videos I get while in the Islands!

Fall 2013 Bahamas Habitat Fly In & Help Out Event Dates Just Announced!

It's almost time again for this awesome biannual event!  Here is the copy of Steve Merritt's email announcement:

Dear High Fliers & Support Crew,

Twice a year, pilots interested in gaining international flying experience while enjoying the rewarding opportunity to experience first-hand the people of The Bahamas, gather to support disaster relief efforts and build community in these beautiful islands. Join us! The Bahamas Habitat Fall Fly In-Help Out Event will be held from October 24-27, 2013 at Camp Symonette on Eleuthera Island in The Bahamas.  

Pilots and supporters from all over the country will assemble at Showalter Flying Service in Orlando, FL on Thursday, October 24 for lunch and last-minute briefings, then, load up with much-needed supplies to deliver to Governor's Harbour AIrport on Eleuthera. The supplies include hand tools, building materials and school supplies and are designated for James Cistern projects.   If you haven't flown to The Bahamas, we will have plenty of folks to walk you through the process.

To sign up for this exciting bi-annual event, go to our website: www.bahamashabitat.org.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Bahamas Habitat is an international service organization that partners with volunteers to fly their own aircraft to provide dignified humanitarian outreach to the people of The Bahamas, Haiti and Mexico. We serve by delivering disaster relief and basic medical, economic, housing and other aid. Bahamas Habitat is a 501 c 3 organization, contributions to which are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

All the best,

Steve Merritt, Co-Founder

Bahamas Habitat

Click on the "Bahamas Habitat" tab at the top of this page to see some of my blog entries with pics from past events.

Here is the link to the registration page:  

Fly-In & Help Out Registration

Please let me know if you have any questions and, if I can get away again this fall, I hope to see you there!

Resolving A Bluetooth Issue

I posted back in March how I had cancelled my XM Music Radio subscription in favor of an iPod touch to take advantage of my audio panel's Bluetooth feature: (Saving A Little Money).  Up until now it hasn't been a flawless move.  Although my iPhone 4S works flawlessly with both music and phone calls, the 3rd generation iPod touch I bought on eBay hasn't been cooperating.

Here's the problem: while listening to music in-flight, the audio stream cuts in and out almost like a skipping record at times.  I've had no problem pairing the units and playing with things on the ground, but in flight, only the iPod touch does not cooperate.  I tried all the trouble shooting methods from Apple and PS Engineering including resetting the audio panels's memory, but all to no avail.

PMA8000BT (Image by PS Engineering)

I have basically just been "living with it" for the last few months and recently started to research purchasing another alternative.  Luckily, my problem has been resolved and I'm now happily rocking it out in the skies!  Before we left NW Arkansas on Monday, I searched the internet again for help.  I found one entry that recommended to try two things: reset the network settings on the iPod touch and if that didn't work, have the iPod touch forget the device and go through the simple process of pairing and connecting it again.

So as we leveled off in the cool morning air I selected the "Reset Network" option.  I got somewhat excited since upon doing this the unit fully shutdown and then powered back up.  I was hoping this move would zap whatever gremlins were lurking inside the iPod touch and all would be well.  After it powered back up, I selected the audio panel in the Bluetooth menu to connect the two and hit play on some music............didn't work.

iPod Touch (Image by Apple)

So I tried one more thing.  I had the iPod touch "forget this device" and then re-selected and it worked!!!!!  It worked all the way to Key Filed without any hiccups.  When we departed Key Field for home and leveled out in cruise, I connected to the audio panel again and sure enough, it started cutting out.  No worries, I went through the forget device step again and all was well!

So, for those that may be having Bluetooth issues where it appears the music is intermittently cutting out or skipping, try this (for Apple products):

-  Go to Settings
-  Select General
-  Select Bluetooth
-  When you see the device you are trying to pair with, touch the blue arrow pointing right and select "Forget This Device"
-  When you end up back at the Bluetooth menu, select the device you want to connect with and hopefully it will work.

If this works for you too, just remember, you'll have to do it for every new flight.  This may seem like a lot, but the steps only take a few seconds and I am so happy to be able to enjoy my tunes again while flying.   Good luck y'all!