XM weather--REALLY?

Cement85 · #1 01-23-2011, 03:16 PM

I am a VFR pilot that got my IFR ticket in 1992 and have done nothing with it since, 75% of my time has been in a Luscubme 8a, no electric, hand prop, most of the time no radio.

About to finish an RV4, to talked into Grt 200sport, I cannot see spending an extra $900 and $40 a month for XM weather. Is it really worth it? I don't plan on doing any IFR in this airplane, I understand the 4 is a lousy platform for it anyway.

Thinking outside the box, xm does offer $9 a month for fishermen, if all I want to do is stay away from the big bad stuff, will this suffice?

Just wandering what everyone else who is on a budget was doing.

I will probably hold out for the ADS-B weather system.

Vern · #2 01-23-2011, 03:20 PM

It's one of the greatest aviation tools ever invented.Allows you to fly much more safely and with greater confidence.

David Paule · #3 01-23-2011, 03:33 PM

If you're flying locally, probably no need for it. If you're going cross-country, it'll come in handy for sure. Whether it's a necessity is another matter and I'd have to say probably not.

Dave

L.Adamson · #4 01-23-2011, 03:42 PM

A few conviences of XM weather...

TFR's that you might have missed

Altimeter setting updates

Knowing --ATIS, AWOS at the destination, much sooner than with the comm.

Continous weather updates while in route. Can make a real difference in mountain country.

Winds........depending on subscription

L.Adamson

Ironflight · #5 01-23-2011, 03:53 PM

As mentioned above, in my mind it is not a question of IFR versus VFR, it is a question of local versus cross-country. In all my years of flying, I can honestly say that the thing that has created the most worry is the question "I wonder what the weather is doing up ahead?" You usually want to know this the most when the visibility is bad (and getting worse). XM is WAY more than radar - in fact, I spend much more time with the METARS and watching the TAF's.

I have serious IFR capability in my airplanes, yet I don't really file that often - I am more likely to enjoy the freedom that VFR gives if it is possible to go that way. XM weather allows me to go that way by giving me the information I need to make an informed decision.

Required? Not at all - we flew that way forever. Really nice to have? Absolutely - and I won't go without it unless I have no choice.

It is probably the single greatest safety enhancement for GA cross-country flying since the invention of the wing IMHO....

Paul

Bubblehead · #6 01-23-2011, 04:32 PM

I fly mostly cross country and VFR only (I have an instrument rating but have not used it in 10 years!).

XM Weather is the greatest safety device in my airplane. No if ands or buts. Second biggest one is the accurate fuel flow totalizer in my GRT EIS and the third is the MRX traffic alert.

I would hate to fly anywhere other than locally without XM weather.

Cement85 · #7 01-23-2011, 04:43 PM

Sounds good so far, what is the least expensive way to get it into my GRT sport

dhall_polo · #8 01-23-2011, 05:41 PM

Seeing precipitation and TFR's (or the lack of them)is handy, but the shiznit is being able to check metars all over the place without being in range of any awos/asos. All this is part of the "Aviatior Lite" package.

And while you're dropping the bills for xm-wx, may as well add xmradio! Love it.

dav1111 · #9 01-23-2011, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cement85

Sounds good so far, what is the least expensive way to get it into my GRT sport

To fully understand my response about the lest expensive way for you to get weather you need to know that I have a 2 screen GRT HX 8.4" Synthatic Vision plus a S100 for Engine Monitor info in my RV-10, with weather displayed on both HX screens, plus the RV-6A and RV-7 builds will both have the duel GRT HX system as well.

Now to answer you question, I submit that if you are not going to be flying IFR in your RV-4 the best buy for the buck in your situtation is to go buy an Apple ipad with GPS and for $25.00 a month subscription you can have weather all the time plus free flight planning, and can take it to the motel with you to check e-mails and check weather before you head to the airport.

In addition, if you want to pay $80.00 more per year, you can add the ForeFlight App and have real time moving map GPS plus lots more.

You can probably buy a used Apple ipad the first part of April for as low as $400.00 when the new version comes out.

Louise Hose · #10 01-23-2011, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhall_polo

Seeing precipitation and TFR's (or the lack of them)is handy, but the shiznit is being able to check metars all over the place without being in range of any awos/asos. All this is part of the "Aviatior Lite" package.

And while you're dropping the bills for xm-wx, may as well add xmradio! Love it.

I agree. The "lite" version gives me what I mostly use. XM radio is great, but not a safety issue.