Nobody ever expects to ditch their plane. But if you read Heidi Porch’s memoir Ditching the Sky you’ll understand the full importance of a nearby ship when your plane ends up in the ocean. Heidi got lucky that a ship was nearby to pick her up. The fact that it was Soviet refrigeration ship during the cold war, was the surprise. But if you ever have to ditch, you’ll want as much information as possible about your rescue options.
Jim Stabile, the CEO of Aeronautical Data Systems Inc formed his company 35 years ago because he saw the need for pilots flying over water to have immediate access to nearby maritime traffic in an emergency ditching situations. Thus, he created Ergo Blue an app that could be your lifeline.
Ergo Blue is an iPad app that displays a live feed of ships worldwide to enhance pilot safety and survivability in those rare events. He is also allowing everyone to use it for free with a 30 day trial on your next overwater flight. All you have to do is go to: www.adsopp.com and click on the red banner tab that says “Free Ergo Blue Trial”.
I would recommend everyone make this a part of their overwater kit. If you like it, encourage your airline management to contact Jim and ensure it’s a standard application on everyone’s company issued iPad.
You can download the DIRECTIONS here to learn how to use it, and to see the capabilities. If you have any question you can also reach out to Jim Stabile CEO, Aeronautical Data Systems, Inc. 973-223-77648
Fly safe! And let me know what you think if you get the app and use it.
2 Comments
One item I would add to the ditching app you had on LinkedIn, is
that with the FAA now allowing 2-engine extended over water flights,
makes this app even more important. Think of it this way. If a pilot
experienced a pressurization problem halfway across the Pacific and had to
descend to 14,000 or 10,000′, we both know there probably wouldn’t be
enough fuel on board to make it to an airport (another $$$ over flight
safety that the FAA allows), which makes this app even more important.
Yes, it absolutely does. The unfortunate thing is nobody ever thinks it can happen to them, until it does. Thank you for the comment!