DeLorme Provides Communications With SAR, Loved Ones

By Tom Woodward

Perhaps it wasn't your day and you ended up landing out due to a mechanical or worse a complete engine failure. Your 121.5 ELT sent out a signal. Maybe someone was listening, but probably not. Maybe you sprang for a 406 and SAR is starting a rescue operation. Maybe you just want to let your loved ones know where you are or when you'll be home for dinner. DeLorme has you covered with their satellite InReach communicator.

If you're in an area of little or no cell phone coverage the inReach for Aviation uses the Iridium satellite system for world-wide, fully duplex coverage. With a new upgraded battery that provides up to 72 hours of use with a waterproof and dust-proof rating.

OK, what does it do?

• SOS alerting capabilities. Push a button and send a message. Confirmation of message from rescue will be signaled to you by an indicator light.
• Follow me "bread crumb" tracking and Find me locating.
• Three preset messages such as "Help!, I'm Injured or I'll be home in an hour"

Pay a little more for additional data and you can pair it with your smart phone to send two way free text messages up to 160 characters. Utilize tracking to pinpoint you up to every two minutes, providing your speed, altitude and bearing. You can also have your family track you on your web page and send you messages, though you want to minimize that to prevent your teenage daughter from telling you about her cheerleading friends, running up your data rate.

Data plans vary, starting as little as $10 per hour for basic service and going up to $65 and beyond but the plans are flexible enough so you can find what suits you.

FMI: www.delorme.com