I finally got my private pilot license, and one of my intended destinations is Catalina. The club that I belong to has PFDs available but I would rather have my own.

The most recent article that I've found on ETS is from 1996, and I am pretty sure that the manufacturers have updated their products since then. I've seen a company called Revere that wasn't reviewed, but their PFD looks a lot like the Mustang, but looks don't mean much, so I am lost.

Any preference between manual and auto inflation?

I would normally just go with "what the vintners buy" and get the Switlik vest that Doug has, but I don't see anyone selling them.

Does anyone have a suggestion?

Thanks

Seth

Maybe this would work

Go with a manual system. To my knowledge the only auto inflation systems in aviation are used where a parachute will be the most likely mode of water entry. You definitely do not want your PFD inflating before you are clear of the aircraft.

Yes, but not on PFDs.Catalina island 'airport' is one I would put on hold until you have some hours in your log book and a few flights over with an experienced pilot.

here are a bunch of different PFD's this is what we use in the helicopters

http://www.sospenders.com/.

Have you flown there before?

Staying afloat is the least of your problems if you have to ditch between here and there. Hypothermia is a big threat. As you are crossing, you have to plan for an engine-out procedure just as you do over terra firma. Only, over water, you want to ditch in front of a boat if possible.

Anything that will keep you bobbing for less than half an hour will be fine. Wear an international orange hat.

This advice is for the specific SoCal to KAVX route in question.

Pat

p.s.: I didn't mean to reply to Izzy's post. I hit the wrong button.

Thanks for the advise.

I already replied to Chris K privately with this, but I'll repeat it publicly.

I "finally got" is as of May. I've heard about the difficulties of flying into AVX and have an instructor scheduled to go with me. We'll probably do a few take-offs and landings, and of course eat some buffalo burgers.

Also, everyone, thanks for the advise on the PFDs. I'm leaning to the Stearns Aviation vest, and loading it with equipment that I already own, including an ACR PLB, and pretty much duplicate Doug's vest.

Further comments will still be appreciated.

Thanks again.

Seth

Focus on the runway!

If you fly out of TOA, let me know before you go. You can bring me back a Buff-Burger.

Pat

There are a bunch of vests on the Steans website, but I couldn't find one labeled "Stearns Aviation vest". Do you have a direct link?

Russ

This is the least expensive that I saw.

http://www.westpacmarine.com/aviation/vests.asp

Seth