This photo was taken as I was turning final to land on the glacier above that blue ice. It’s a great drop off point for skiers in the Chugach Mountains, but the the landing is tight enough that conditions have to be just perfect. One of the problems with ski landings on the glacier is that without brakes it can be very difficult to get stopped. I’ve landed going uphill and got the plane turned around only to realize that she was not going to stop sliding, and another take-off is mandatory. I will often park sideways on the glacier just to keep from sliding but it usually means that I am going to be stuck.
I mentioned on Friday that the Alaska Airmen’s Trade Show was this weekend. I spent nearly 8 hours walking around learning and talking until my face nearly fell off. I always look forward to the trade show because it’s the only opportunity I get to talk face-to-face with the people who keep me in the air. I had lengthy conversations with ECI, P.Ponk, JPI, SkyTech, MAF, Wings West, Whelen, and Lightspeed headsets. I’ve flown with many different types of headsets but the vast majority of my nearly 5000 hours has been with a Lightspeed headset sitting on my noggin. I started out with the old XL series and then upgraded to the 3G and now the Zulu pictured above.
There are lots of good headsets out there, but the customer service and forward thinking at Lightspeed is unmatched. In more than 4000 hours with 3 different Lightspeed headsets I have never had to return one to the factory for repairs. I have only used their customer service to refurbish my worn-out old ear cups and head band on the the old XL version, and to use the generous trade-up program. I have big ears so the deep ear-cups are heavenly compared to the other head vices. The Zulu has worked flawlessly for more than 1500 hours with full blue tooth capability which I use on a daily basis.
I regularly have the opportunity to fly Mikes airplane with a Bose so I know the difference, and all I can say is my Lightspeed is less expensive, just as quiet, more comfortable, more durable, and with blue tooth … I really don’t see the comparison. Plus, if you stop by and harass the nice people at the Lightspeed booth, they may just give you a t-shirt or a hat. I love my Lightspeed, and people often ask me which headset I use.