A pax asks about aviator watches

[krismiler]

In the early days, a pilot's watch was mechanical, had a large dial and a big crown so you could adjust it with gloves on. In the late 1950s, Rolex came out with a GMT model specifically marketed as being for PAN AM pilots. Citizen have had models with a built in whizz wheel on the bezel and Brietling had one with an emergency locator transmitter.

Most of the special functions these days can be performed on a smart phone or are built into the aircraft. Most things I do on a basic pocket calculator or use an app on the electronic flight bag. As far as watches go, I use a Garmin Instinct 2X which is probably a bit of overkill but what I like is the large display. Having the day of the week on the home screen is useful because working irregular patterns it's something I need to look up, I've got a UTC display which is useful for knowing the validity of weather forecasts, I can easily synch with the local time on arrival and being solar powered it takes weeks to rundown before it needs plugging in. The other built in functions, I seldom use. Being made of a composite material it doesn't set off the metal detectors either.

[PAXboy]

I have often thought - not least when visiting Geneva - that the terms Pilots/Sailors/Navigators/etc. have a lot more to do with marketing than functionality.

[Friendship 7]

Though not technically a pilot watch, I like the look of Muhle-Glasshuete Seebataillon GMT watch. Easy to read, titanium case and rubber strap.

[Expatrick]

Originally Posted by Friendship 7

Though not technically a pilot watch, I like the look of Muhle-Glasshuete Seebataillon GMT watch. Easy to read, titanium case and rubber strap.

Had to look that one up. Second hand, approx €2000, and here's the rub - plus delivery!

[Friendship 7]

Yes not cheap, hence why I don’t own one

[Impress to inflate]

I have used a Rolex GMT Master 2 for the last 19 years of flying. The GMT function is great, the reason I purchased the watch (before the prices went sub orbital). I had had co-pilot purchase Breitlings with their mini whizz wheel. NON of them could use it ! You need a magnifying glass to read them. The GMT is clear and easy to read

[krismiler]

Originally Posted by Impress to inflate

I have used a Rolex GMT Master 2 for the last 19 years of flying. The GMT function is great, the reason I purchased the watch (before the prices went sub orbital). I had had co-pilot purchase Breitlings with their mini whizz wheel. NON of them could use it ! You need a magnifying glass to read them. The GMT is clear and easy to read

These days, I'd have trouble reading a full size whizz wheel, let alone something mounted on a watch dial. Citizen watches with built in whizz wheels are much more affordable but still suffer from legibility issues. The only three features I really need on my Garmin are the UTC display, day/date and the ability to synchronize the time using Bluetooth. I could probably get these features on a Casio for half the price.

[Flyingmac]

On meeting fellow pilots for the first time, I tend to sneak a look at their watch. If it's covered by a cuff I'll ask them for the time. A 'Pilot's' watch spells caution.

[Neutral Selector]

Originally Posted by redsnail

I used to use a Citizen aviators watch. Poor persons Breitling. The whizz wheel was useful when my eyes were young. It was rather large on my small wrist. When I did a type rating in Dubai over 20 years ago, shouted myself a very nice half digital half analogue solar powered watch Gmax thing. Wore it for years, tough as nails. Ended up with an Apple iwatch. It was perfect.
Now retired.

I have to agree with the Citizen aviators watch. I have 2 models. Worn the all my airline life, I think they have many more functions than a Breitling, without the huge cost. I still wear one of them, retired.

[condor17]

Frelon , just found this subject and your 'foto .. Don't know about driving .... But have an almost exact type of Omega Chronostop. Except no date , and it's the normal way round . 18th present from my dad when I got into Hamble in '71. Survived my flying until 2014 , when it changed hands to our son , 6 yrs in easyJet , and now in NZ with Jetstar . The links metal strap was the same as yours but did not last . No replacement or repair .
If I can find how to post fotos , there's one on the way to Zakinthos in '19 !

rgds condor

[justapax]

Originally Posted by condor17

If I can find how to post fotos , there's one on the way to Zakinthos in '19 !

rgds condor

How to post photos:

How to insert pictures into PPRuNe posts

[Mr Mac]

Justapax
I cannot post them either, but used to be able to, but have since found out that my learned friend in her work roll has had to have our home security re IT stepped up for when she works from home which is usually a few hours a day to complete days and my ability to post photos on here disappeared though for some reason I can post on the BRM Forum re model railway construction which is a bit odd.

As for new posts I have one that I will put up re airports best and worst in sizes from Hub, Large, Regional, local. We all use them much like airlines, and airline food and beverages, so we should have a view and its not about the airlines or aircraft but the passenger experience good or bad so it shouldn't tread on the toes of the other threads, do you think it will fly or crash and burn !

Cheers
Mr Mac

[justapax]

Originally Posted by Mr Mac

Justapax
I cannot post them either, but used to be able to, but have since found out that my learned friend in her work roll has had to have our home security re IT stepped up for when she works from home which is usually a few hours a day to complete days and my ability to post photos on here disappeared though for some reason I can post on the BRM Forum re model railway construction which is a bit odd.

As for new posts I have one that I will put up re airports best and worst in sizes from Hub, Large, Regional, local. We all use them much like airlines, and airline food and beverages, so we should have a view and its not about the airlines or aircraft but the passenger experience good or bad so it shouldn't tread on the toes of the other threads, do you think it will fly or crash and burn !

Cheers
Mr Mac

Go for it. There are a number of interesting threads launched since my appeal, another one would help as as I have said, I'm all out of ideas.

[S.o.S.]

Well done justapax for making my life busier ...

[Airbanda]

Originally Posted by S.o.S.

For those from outside the UK a 'Chelsea Tractor' is the local name for a large SUV or 4x4 that is only driven in a town. Chelsea being the name of an affluent part of inner London.

The term Wank Panzer is also in widespread usage!!

[justapax]

Originally Posted by S.o.S.

Well done justapax for making my life busier ...

But I thought you said you liked a busy forum... And it's proven that I don't have to hog the limelight to keep the replies coming. The threads have become much more interesting now other people are putting ideas forward.

[That lights normal!]

Police: “What’s your emergency?”
Woman: “There’s a dead naked pilot in my yard!”
Police: “If he’s naked, how do you know he’s a Pilot?”
Women: : He has a huge watch, and a tiny dick.”

[S.o.S.]

Thank You (again) justapax it was Monday morning ....

[justapax]

Originally Posted by S.o.S.

Thank You (again) justapax it was Monday morning ....

And you don't like Mondays?

[Uplinker]

Originally Posted by justapax

'non-precision approach final segments or ground speed from DME'. I know that DME means Distance Measuring Equipment but the rest is a foreign language to us pax........

It takes 18 months of study; 16 two hour classroom exams and 5 major flying examinations to complete the full ATPL course and training at a full-time flight school. We cover A LOT of subjects - including how human bodies work and weather patterns throughout the globe, as well as flying in 3D space by sole reference to small cockpit instruments.

A precision approach means following specific path guidance on cockpit instrumentation. This can be the ILS - instrument landing system, where two radio "beams" are transmitted from the runway up along the approach path. By sole reference to the instrumentation, we can see if we are too far to the left or right, or too high or too low from the slope. Thus we can approach in cloud and keep on exactly the correct path, as long as we come out below the clouds at a certain point to enable us to see and make the very fine corrections needed to land in the correct place.

There is a third "beam" (not actually a beam), called DME - Distance Measuring Equipment that pings a radio facility and gives us a very accurate distance from the landing point as well.

And there is a fourth navigation aid called a RadAlt - radio altimeter, which pings the ground directly below the aircraft and measures the distance to give us a very accurate height read-out.

A non-precision approach does not have such accurate "beams" or instruments, but relies on us pilots tracking a particular radial from a beacon. This is less accurate than, say, an ILS, so we cannot fly a non-precision approach in cloud as low as we can an ILS - we need to be visual at a higher and safer position, in case we are too far off course.

This is why the amount of cloud and its 'base' height is of such interest to us. We cannot legally approach to land if the cloud is too much or too low - depending what navigation aids are available for the landing.

For 'autolands', the 'plane follows very accurate guidance and lands using both, (or three), autopilots working together, and only after very accurate checks by the pilots and close monitoring all the way down the approach. So we can land in fog if the approach aids; the aircraft; and both pilots, are equipped and qualified to do so.
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