Stopwatch?
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Here, but originally from over there...
Stopwatch?
Hello - I'm looking for a half decent digital stopwatch, which I can clip onto my kneeboard - does anyone have any recommendations?
(Checked Pooleys and Transair but they only have analogue)
Thanks!!
(Checked Pooleys and Transair but they only have analogue)
Thanks!!
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Savannah GA & Portsmouth UK
I use a similar digital timer from RS Components, cheaper than Transair and it has 3 separate timers so you can keep total time and time on leg separately.
Bolt a scrap of sheet material through the stopwatch holder hole on your kneeboard and stick it on with sticky velcro.
It comes with a spring clip (easily removable) and it also has a magnet on the back which I have removed to prevent it interfering with the compass.
Parsimonious Mike
Bolt a scrap of sheet material through the stopwatch holder hole on your kneeboard and stick it on with sticky velcro.
It comes with a spring clip (easily removable) and it also has a magnet on the back which I have removed to prevent it interfering with the compass.
Parsimonious Mike
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 100
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From: Reading
I bought a sports stopwatch from a high street jewellers - 14 quid - much better value than the 40 quid for one from Transair I have to say (although it doesn't go with 4 bar epaulettes as well
). To get it to attach to my kneeboard, I just Araldited a smallish bulldog clip to it (I think WHSmiths sell them as letter clips). Works a treat.
A mate of mine who is still doing his PPL at the moment has a kitchen timer, but he said that the buttons are so big that it is very easy to hit one of them and stop, or reset the timer - DOH!
). To get it to attach to my kneeboard, I just Araldited a smallish bulldog clip to it (I think WHSmiths sell them as letter clips). Works a treat.A mate of mine who is still doing his PPL at the moment has a kitchen timer, but he said that the buttons are so big that it is very easy to hit one of them and stop, or reset the timer - DOH!
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,650
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From: Chichester, UK
Why do so many PPL students have these £50 transair stopwatches? As you don't tend to fly too many holding patterns during the PPL, what's wrong with using your wristwatch? When I arrive somewhere I glance at my watch, write down the time in minutes past the hour, add the time in minutes for the next leg (worked out earlier from distance/speed) to get the ETA at the next waypoint and that's it. I don't care if it took 7mins 46 seconds to get here. I'm doing VFR nav in a friggin' Robin, not a fast jet ... 
Seriously, does anybody use the things once they get their PPL, other than in IMC/IR flight tests (when else do you actually have to fly a hold...
)? Reckon it's part of the pilot kit to differentiate us from the spotters, 30min-trial-lesson weenies and crusty old PFAers...
<disclaimer>
before someone flames me, don't take that too seriously.
</disclaimer>
(edit: D'oh, forgot to stand on the right soapbox before i started ranting. I blame the heat. )
Seriously, does anybody use the things once they get their PPL, other than in IMC/IR flight tests (when else do you actually have to fly a hold...
)? Reckon it's part of the pilot kit to differentiate us from the spotters, 30min-trial-lesson weenies and crusty old PFAers... <disclaimer>
before someone flames me, don't take that too seriously.
</disclaimer>
(edit: D'oh, forgot to stand on the right soapbox before i started ranting. I blame the heat.
)
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Bristol and Forest of Dean
As a Crusty old PFAer I've decided to design and build my own electrical stopwatch. Naturally it will be a Valve design and use the front-end digital clock display from a 1984 Austin Ambassador.
I've sent the detailed engineering drawings into PFA towers for stress analysis and I'm eagerly awaiting the letter of approval from big Mr D.
Kingy
I've sent the detailed engineering drawings into PFA towers for stress analysis and I'm eagerly awaiting the letter of approval from big Mr D.
Kingy
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 26
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From: Surrey
I bought a stopwatch after 1 or 2 dual nav ex's thinking it may help or make things easier.
Na, didn't.
Used it once on a solo nav but kept forgetting to reset the bloody thing. Luckily I had the trusty wristwatch to hand (or at least wrist!) Not used the stopwatch since. Bit of a waste of money really, had to try though.
I suppose it is what each of us feel most comfy with.
147,
Na, didn't.
Used it once on a solo nav but kept forgetting to reset the bloody thing. Luckily I had the trusty wristwatch to hand (or at least wrist!) Not used the stopwatch since. Bit of a waste of money really, had to try though.
I suppose it is what each of us feel most comfy with.
147,
Joined: May 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 27,400
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From: Quite near 'An aerodrome somewhere in England'
As an ancient aviator I recjon that you can't go wrong with a sun dial and egg timer......
.......backed up by Breitling Aerospace, of course! The two-tone model with titanium nitride highlights.
.......backed up by Breitling Aerospace, of course! The two-tone model with titanium nitride highlights.
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 129
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From: EGHF
147 Break
I have to agree with your comments.
Having bought my Argos stopwatch and later that day duly wearing it around my neck for my Nav ex, I set it on the first leg, didn't look at it once, and forget to reset it for the following legs.
Reverted naturally to the aircraft clock!
I have to agree with your comments.
Having bought my Argos stopwatch and later that day duly wearing it around my neck for my Nav ex, I set it on the first leg, didn't look at it once, and forget to reset it for the following legs.
Reverted naturally to the aircraft clock!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 100
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From: Reading
I bought a stopwatch 'cos
(1). The clocks always seem to be knackered in the planes
(2). I keep forgetting to look at my watch, and the stopwatch is there staring at me.
(3). It only cost 14 quid (although now I feel a bit done given that someone bought one for a fiver
)
(1). The clocks always seem to be knackered in the planes
(2). I keep forgetting to look at my watch, and the stopwatch is there staring at me.
(3). It only cost 14 quid (although now I feel a bit done given that someone bought one for a fiver
)
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 1
From: gone surfin'
Prefer a wristwatch meself.
Got a fancy swatch off the mrs, looks great in the Frog and Parrot Friday nights, but competely naff for navigating.
Bought a very unstylish, extremely practical analogue wrist watch from argos, £4.99.
Has a white face, real numbers, graduated in minutes, black hands. Loses less than 30s each month. Fantastically simple, for when my mind blanks in the cockpit.
Got a fancy swatch off the mrs, looks great in the Frog and Parrot Friday nights, but competely naff for navigating.
Bought a very unstylish, extremely practical analogue wrist watch from argos, £4.99.
Has a white face, real numbers, graduated in minutes, black hands. Loses less than 30s each month. Fantastically simple, for when my mind blanks in the cockpit.
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 13
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From: Northumberland
timers
I've always found that the timer in most modern ADFs - if you've got one - is the best for flying holdings patterns or for timing from the final approach fix to the missed approach point...There are still plenty of basic NDB approaches around despite GPS. the advantage is that there is only one button to press - hit it and the timer resets to zero. I've ditched the fancy 4 way timer that I used to use - kept prssing the wrong button...
BTW, why do aircraft clocks never work? Is it a requirement of the C of A that the clock is bust?
BTW, why do aircraft clocks never work? Is it a requirement of the C of A that the clock is bust?
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,650
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From: Chichester, UK
BTW, why do aircraft clocks never work? Is it a requirement of the C of A that the clock is bust?