Sport Pilot Talk

RyanC · Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 3:56 pm Post subject: New iPhone weather app

I apologize for the shameless self-promotion but I wanted to announce that I've just released a new app for the iPhone and iPod touch for pilots called FlightWX.

Using a scrollable map display, it'll quickly show you the local weather at airports near you including METARs and TAFs, both as the raw codes or in a nice translated table. You can also search by FAA or ICAO codes.

Take a look and if you like it, keep in mind it's helping a Sport Pilot student go flying more often!

ibgarrett · Joined: 04 Dec 2008 Posts: 138 Location: Westminster, CO

I've got a copy of this and I definitely can see where this will be handy for quickly checking out the weather in the region... Definitely worth checking out. :D

Brian

Bill · Joined: 07 Jul 2008 Posts: 96 Location: Delaware Beaches

Just bought the app. Nicely done - a buck-ninety-nine well spent.

Hey, Ryan, I'm glad to be, "helping a Sport Pilot student go flying more often!" Good luck with your lessons. Be sure to keep up posted on your progress.

I'm thinking about creating an app for the checklist for "my" airplane. Basically to make it "easy" for doing a walk-around - and to share with other 'Coupe owners.

ArionAv8or · Joined: 20 Mar 2010 Posts: 271

Bill wrote: I'm thinking about creating an app for the checklist for "my" airplane. Basically to make it "easy" for doing a walk-around - and to share with other 'Coupe owners.

There is an Ipod/Itouch App named Checklist Lite that allows you to create your personal checklist including emergency procedures. This is a free App to use and modify. The full version is called Checklist Pro and allows you to share your created list with others. It is a pretty nice App and I use it now, but I am waiting for a checklist App to come out for the Ipad using the larger screen. This sounds like a great project for Bill or Ryan, all in favor.

Daidalos · Joined: 12 Feb 2009 Posts: 116 Location: KHWV

Since we are talking about iPhone Apps here's a list.

http://www.aviatorapps.com/

RyanC · Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 11:39 am Post subject:

Thanks for the heads up on Checklist Lite!

I made up a quick one-off preflight checklist just for myself for the Remos but this app looks like it's a got quite a nice feature set and is a lot more complete than my simple version.

One thing to watch out for though when using checklist apps -- I dropped my old iPhone from 4 feet to the cement hangar floor while checking under the wing and yes, that glass touchscreen is tough, but it DOES break! :x

spooky981 · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 42

It's funny how the latest navigation equipment costs $10,000 - but an iPad with the right apps can provide similar functionality for $500.

Obviously I'm guilty of gross oversimplification. But there's an element of truth to this.

ibgarrett · Joined: 04 Dec 2008 Posts: 138 Location: Westminster, CO

Actually Spooky - I don't think you're that far off.

Here you've got a product that's been on the market less than 6 months and it's already operating at nearly the same level as systems that have been developed over the last several years (or longer).

Yes, yes I know it's missing some key areas, but compare what it does now (after 6 months) than those that have been in development for years.

I think if Garmin isn't careful they are going to get their heads handed to them on a platter.

Daidalos · Joined: 12 Feb 2009 Posts: 116 Location: KHWV

ibgarrett wrote: Actually Spooky - I don't think you're that far off.

Here you've got a product that's been on the market less than 6 months and it's already operating at nearly the same level as systems that have been developed over the last several years (or longer).

Yes, yes I know it's missing some key areas, but compare what it does now (after 6 months) than those that have been in development for years.

I think if Garmin isn't careful they are going to get their heads handed to them on a platter.

Well you are right that Apple has a winner with the iPad. I have an iPhone (with aviation apps) and may get an iPad soon.

I believe that you are slightly off the mark however with your comments.The Garmin is overpriced no doubt and we could use some competition in the market. The iPad is a general purpose computing device where the Garmin and it’s OS is geared for a specific task. There are also others like the ATC which is built around a PDA OS even though it is marketed specifically to the aviation market.

If you are an AOPA member check out their forum . There has been a lengthy ongoing thread there on the iPad (http://forums.aopa.org/showthread.php?t=62385).

There are reports that they crash often. There are issues with the screen readability in bright light. The GPS antenna is buried within the device (no external antenna). Some have overcome that by using an eternal Bluetooth GPS. Most are happy with them as an ereader for approach plates. However to use a Bluethooth DPS you must Jail Break (http://www.jailbreakipad.org/) the unit. If you don’t know what that means then Google it, but beware you must be computer literate if you go that route.

ibgarrett · Joined: 04 Dec 2008 Posts: 138 Location: Westminster, CO

Ah yes, that's why I made sure to put the caveat that the was some things missing in some key areas. The GPS antenna is one of the items certainly.... but my point is that we've got a product that is less than 6 months out the door and is already putting some compelling products on the market.

As for the iPad crashing - I've had apps crash (but all I have to do is re-launch them), but I've never had the iPad itself crash. I'm well familiar w/ the jailbreaking function, but I've never chosen to do it on something I've owned. I think that w/ the current direction that Apple is taking a product could be engineered quite easily to incorporate some additional robustness to make it a true competitor w/ Garmin. Garmin has been around since 2000, so having a 10 year head start will afford them some time, but at the pace I see things going, I'd suggest that maybe in 5 years the playing field will be leveled.

Thanks for the link to the discussion - I'll definitely saunter over there and check it out. :D