One of the most common, and useful features of a good pilot watch, is a flight computer. Named after the E6-B flight computer that pilots use to calculate time/speed/distance, the flight computer watch provides a miniature version that you can use on the fly (literally).
Along with time/speed/distance calculations, the flight computer is also useful for calculating fuel consumption, statute/nautical mile conversions, metric to english conversions, or even currency calculations.
As a commercial helicopter pilot, I often use my Citizen Eco-Drive Skyhawk for these calculations. For a helicopter pilot, the ability to make these calculations with something as small as a wrist-watch is very valuable as we have little space, and often, no co-pilot to help us.
If you are buying a pilot watch with this feature, there are a few things to look for:
1. Ensure the numbers are large enough to read. I have purchased a great looking pilot watch, only to later realize that the numbers were so small, that I needed a magnifying glass to read them. Not much good when your'e upside down in a thunderstorm trying to find your way home.
2. Bezel manufacturing quality. If the bezel is cheaply made, you will find that eventually it becomes impossible to rotate it.
3. Engraved numbers. Ensure that the numbers on the outside bezel are engraved into the bezel itself. If they are "painted" on, it will only be a matter of time before they disapear with wear.
Stainless steel, or titanium pilot watches seem to hold up the best when it comes to the durability of the sliding bezel. Keep this in mind when purchasing your next pilot watch.
0 comments:
Post a Comment