Flight Planning and In-Flight GPS Software

Nigel Bailey · Post by **Nigel Bailey** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 8:02 pm

Notwithstanding all the "What ifs" that have gone along with the evolution of the GPS navigator, I'd bet that most Pilots don't leave the ground without one, either in use or in their bag somewhere. And it seems that virtually every month a bigger and better unit is reviewed in a flying magazine often rated good value even with a four figure price label! So it is no wonder that a guy called Tim Dawson, who runs a successful software company is ratcheting the counter up on a particular string on the Pprune forum right now with his weekly beta versions of his "SkyAngel" Flight planning software and GPS In Flight software.
http://www.pprune.org/private-flying/38 ... itten.html
I have downloaded the latest version http://fly.styli.sh/download.aspx and I have to say it is very impressive. If you create a SkyAngel account, which is free right now for test purposes, you can have Tafs, Metars, and Notams automatically downloaded into your planned route. Loads of other goodies like weight/balance and fuel calculators are included too.
I have just bought a 5" Colour, Touch screen GPS unit from Ebay for £46 + postage and I can't wait to load it up, get airborne and try it out.
Don't take my word for it, give it a try and help Tim to get it right, because until then it must be the only thing in aviation that is actually free

malcolm frost · Post by **malcolm frost** » Sun Sep 27, 2009 7:39 pm

Not free (€150 per year) but very good is Pocket FMS which will run on any device running Windows CE which includes many car GPS but not Garmin or TomTom.
http://www.pocketfms.com/

Rob Swain · Post by **Rob Swain** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 12:12 pm

Windows CE <Shudders!>

But then again I'm a software developer and view anything Microshaft with well founded scepticism.

malcolm frost · Post by **malcolm frost** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 7:48 am

Agreed but to get a full moving map display and planning software in the flight deck for c£200 it's not bad!!
The way to go would prob be a touch sensitive Atom powered tablet running Windows 7.

Steve Brown · Post by **Steve Brown** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 9:41 am

Makes you wonder at the +£1000 cost of Skymap III Garmin 496 & Avmaps etc doesn't it when you can buy a basic touch 5" screen for £60 ish.

Nigel Bailey · Post by **Nigel Bailey** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 3:47 pm

Yes Steve and for a little more (£120 or so) there are now 7" colour touch screen GPS displays with a 800x480 resolution and running Win CE on Ebay. So will the big companies presently selling the expensive GPS units have to rethink their pricing structure soon?

malcolm frost · Post by **malcolm frost** » Sat Oct 03, 2009 9:54 am

Out soon is this: http://www.obsessable.com/laptop/archos-9/#title
which would make a very nice addition to the cockpit, c€450 and fully useable as a netbook outside.