CAPGear

Map Planning Board

Any well managed Search and Rescue base has lots of status boards, papers, radios, and most importantly maps.  We use maps for planning, briefings, documentation, and organizing the mission.  In many cases we print, or write directly on the maps.  After a busy day of operations the crossing scribbles on the map leave the IC with “The fog of battle” cluttering up the printed maps.  An analog way to alleviate this confusion is to use a map board.  A map board consists of not much more than a piece of clear Plexiglas secured, or hinged to a backing.  Your map can be secured to the back piece, and the plastic cover folded over.  This protects your map, and allows you to use dry erase markers with out laminating anything.  It can get a little bulky, but it is a great tool when you have a large mission base set up.  

Guest Post by

John S. Halbrook

Zoom bag zipper light

Virtually every flight bag in America has at least one extra flashlight in it.  The idea of being out in the field at night with a blacked out instrument panel is not a position that any aircrew member ever wants to be in.  To combat this we pack all kinds of extra lights with us.  Unfortunately most of the time these back ups sit safe and sound in the storage area well out of reach of the pilot or crew.  With out the light in your hand, and ready for use it might as well be in the car parked at the FBO (That’s where it was last time).  To ensure that at least one flash light is available in an emergency I recommend that you attach it to your clothing.  

In this case the simple squeeze of the LED light provides enough illumination for an emergency, and it can be clipped right to the zipper of your zoom bag.  If you keep this little light as a part of your standard kit you will never be left in the dark.

Although there are many different products like the one I described the light I use is the micro light by inova.  

Guest Author

John Halbrook