GPS Tracking Info

[herethere22]

I'm looking for a solution to be able to track the location of small aircraft. I know of the SPOT device but the pilot has to "remember" to push and hold the OK/check button to start the tracking. If the pilot does remember to do this - the plane's location can be mapped in real time to google earth - pretty cool for sure. BUT, what if as an owner of an aircraft, you don't want to worry about the pilot pushing and holding the correct button to begin tracking info for each flight? Is there another option available out there? Thank you.

[hydraulic fluid]

spider tracks...works well but nit cheap

[Cobber]

There are devices you can use to track your children, they might work.

http://www.gpsmagazine.com/2008/05/the_ ... rackin.php

[North Shore]

My organisation is set up with a company called Skytrac, based in Kelowna, BC. http://www.skytrac.ca

[herethere22]

My organisation is set up with a company called Skytrac, based in Kelowna, BC. http://www.skytrac.ca

Thanks North Shore, I checked on the website and their solution is probably too robust for us, and pricey, and they don't seem to have an STC for C150s, what we are using.

After the initial cost of "spider tracks" the system could be good. Appears to be a "plug-in" type product. And I'm still looking into the suggestion by Cobber but many use cell phone signals instead of satellite which is not good.

Right now SPOT is looking to be the best bet except for the pilot possibly forgetting to turn on the track mode. That is what we are worried about.

In the "OFF" thread in the Flight Training forum someone mentioned the owner of OFF in Kingston tracks flights by GPS - but I doubt he uses SPOT by the sounds of it. Can someone tell me what he uses?

Any more product suggestions are also greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

[_dwj_]

You could just leave the SPOT switching on and in tracking mode 24/7. You would need to change the lithium batteries every 2 weeks though (or get rechargeable ones).

http://www.findmespot.ca/ofah/specifications.php

[iflyforpie]

We use Guardian Mobility for our fleet tracking.

http://www.guardianmobility.com

It is a bit pricey but it is plug-and-play as long as you have a 12V receptacle in the plane (we hard-wired ours).

[Spokes]

How about dropping a trail of Skittles...

[cessnafloatflyer]

Are you kidding me???
Put it on the Startup and Shut Down Check lists and get on with it. Any pilot can hold down an OK button until the light goes out with very minimal training. Using a check list isn't very difficult either.

[herethere22]

We use Guardian Mobility for our fleet tracking.

http://www.guardianmobility.com

It is a bit pricey but it is plug-and-play as long as you have a 12V receptacle in the plane (we hard-wired ours).

Looking at the website now and it does look good - thank you for your suggestion iflyforpie

[costermonger]

We use the plug & play units from Guardian, since we don't need a tracker in every airplane all the time. Works quite well, really couldn't be simpler from the pilot's perspective.

[Bulawrench]

This system is great. A little pricey at $ 4,000 per ship for the S100.

http://www.latitudetech.com/

[twinotter3H]

Edit, double post.

[twinotter3H]

The company i work for uses Latitude Technologies in all our aircraft for flight tracking. We phased in the installation over the past 2 years and so far the results seem very satisfactory from what i've heard. The online page not only provides accurate tracking but speed, altitude, course and the aircrafts track. Also we've incorporated a WOW switch which gives information on the a/c down and out events. I imagine it's pretty pricey but a great option.

Good luck.

[herethere22]

Super info everyone - thank you.

[herethere22]

One more question here for all those in the know. Now if one of the above mentioned systems are equipped in the aircraft ie Guardian, will that suffice instead of installing a new 406 ELT? I know it is wishful thinking but a recent COPA article alluded to this. Or if there is another tracking systen not mentioned already that would comply with the emergency awareness reg please let me know. And yes I am aware that a SPOT device will not be sufficient in lieu of a 406 ELT. Thank you in advance.

[ragbagflyer]

Last I heard the minister refused to sign off on the 406 issue so for now you can stick with your old elt and buy a spot. One thing we've found with the spot though is that the light indication for the "check in" mode and the "tracking" mode are the same. This has resulted in tracking not actually being enabled when the pilots thought that it was. Read you manual carefully.

[RyanF]

We use Blue Sky Network to track our fleet.

http://www.blueskynetwork.com/index.php

[Rye]

I have installed many sat tracking systems. Some are good, some just look good, some promise the world and are nothing more than a paper weight.
Most look at the initial cost and go for the cheapest unit however attractive they make the costs look you will pay more for using them.
It comes down to you get what you pay for. Latitude Tech & SkyTrac make great products. Sure they cost more up front but your operating costs are low, you get support when you need it. Many a time I have had to deal with them after hours, weekends etc and the support is there.

If you are a private pilot go with the SPOT, it is inexpensive, you can use it on your boat, camping or wherever. That is a great unit but it does have limitations. And after discussions with operators using them and looking at the capabilities it should not be used by an operator.
We have just been involved with one company that was using them and changed to the Latitude S100 system.