Aero Med Training Post Traditional Geocache
Bumblebears: This geocache is getting archived for a couple reasons. It was getting pretty old and the post would require a re-do. Also I am leaving Aero Med after 23 years and we aren't using this for training anymore. Our mystery cache in the Allendale is area is still active. Thanks to everyone who visited over the 14 years it was active.- Ron and the Bumblebears
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(regular)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
In a public park with permission
This is probably the easiest Geocache you will ever do.
But first a warning- this is not on the airport. If you are thinking that you need to look on the airport, you are in the wrong place. It’s in a park. The airport security guys are twitchy enough, don’t make them worse.
Background-It was designed to help train the aircrews at Aero Med (our local air-ambulance service)on how to use a GPSr to find a location. This is their third and final exercise. The scenario is a crashed Ultra-light Aircraft, the pilot is injured but able to use his cell phone and GPS to call for help. He does not have an ELT. In reality the Sheriffs Department would come looking for him not us, but it shows the capability of a GPSr.
Because almost all of the aircrews have never used a GPS before, their goal is a white post with red reflective tape. They have to find the quote on the back. Since I’ve got to go to the trouble of making this anyway, why not include a cache inside?
If you have done more than 5 caches, you could probably find it without a GPSr, so in the spirit of having fun and providing education I’m proposing that you handicap yourself. Here are my suggestions in order of preference:
1. Take a Geomuggle with you. Let them run the GPS and take this opportunity to explain the 6 basic principles of Geocaching-
(A) Geomuggles aren’t supposed to know what you are doing
(B) You stay on trails when able
(C) Cache In, Trash Out
(D) If you take something, you leave something of equal or better value
(E) You always sign the log book
(F) It’s really all about the journey, not the destination.
Plus you get to tell them what you like best about Geocaching
2. Take a Child. You decide how young, my suggestion is a 5-8 year old. They operate the GPS, you buy the ice cream/hot chocolate.
3. You do this one at night. Try not to turn on the flashlight until you open the cache. You should probably ensure it’s really night and not just twilight. Civil Twilight is when the sun is 0-6 degrees below the horizon, Nautical Twilight is 6-12 degrees, and Astronomical Twilight is 12-18 degrees. Once the sun gets below 18 degrees it won’t get any darker. I think it should be at least Astronomical Twilight. If you’re crafty enough to know when the moon will help you, good for you.
4. Okay you get an exception if you live out of town and are just passing through. My cut off is 76 miles. Closer than 76, you gotta do one of the 3 above. Or 2 of the 3. (Why 76? We fly Sikorsky S-76 Helicopters.)
You are on your honor here, I’m not checking up on you.
Update- Spring 2006- New container placed, I have talked to the Park Super and he is fine with you doing THIS cache after dark, remember to park outside the park as the gate closes at dusk
Update Fall 2010- New Container replaces old one with cracked top. Refilled with Aero Med SWAG and a new log book. Please try not to screw top of post on too tight. Enjoy.
Update Fall 2017- New Log placed. Refilled with Aero Med SWAG. Plan to redo the lettering on outside in the Spring, but cache still works well. Try not to screw lid on too tight as above.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)