Real-time weather information in flight

[QDMQDMQDM]

I have an Orange SPV 2000 mobile phone which has a version of Internet Explorer on it and pretty fast connection via GPRS. One could easily have the relevant METAR page of www.metoffice.com on the browser and refresh it periodically while in flight to get the latest weather information. This could easily be done while flying as single pilot -- you just have to tap one button.

Of course, I would never, ever, no way, no how do this, because it is ILLEGAL. But it is an interesting hypothetical thought and would be quite useful, were anyone criminal enough to even contemplate such an action prejudicial to the good order of our country, would it not?

QDM

[Tinstaafl]

The US has services available that lets you receive near real time NEXRAD ground based weather radar images (incl. looping to see the movement trend) + METARs & TAFs. The one we use uses a colour PDA, a GPS connection & the subscription satellite weather receiver. Garmin's newer panel mount GPS/NAV/COMMs are also capable of displaying the information if you install the necessary extra bits.

After a few teething problems getting it set up the system is wonderful! Flying charter around the SE USA & Bahamas it lets me see where the weather is, where lightning has been observed, whether the Wx is VFR, marginal VFR or IFR, tap on an aerodrome to see airport details & weather reports/forecasts etc.

The major limitation is the resolution of the NEXRAD image. It's not quite as good as an airborne Wx radar for picking a way around a TS or +RASH but then the Wx radar doesn't give as big a picture of the weather system.

[FullyFlapped]

QDMetc,

Would that really work ? Surely once you got above a certain (and pretty low) level, wouldn't you be out of trnsmitter range (just as if you were trying to make a voice call while airborne, which, I am told by those naughty people who have tried it, invariably doesn't work) ?

FF :ok:

[QDMQDMQDM]

I have it on reliable authority that it does work up to levels of around 2000 feet agl anyway. I also note that the unfortunate passengers on the September 11th flights were making mobile calls from the time of the hijackings.

Also, since it is basically only data upload, i.e. reception, I do not see how it could significantly affect ground stations (which doesn't seem to happen anyway).

Lots and lots and lots of people text message in the air anyway.

The US system sounds excellent.

QDM

[Rupert S]

What about VOLMET? :confused:

[QDMQDMQDM]

If you only have one com and you are talking to someone it is much easier to tap refresh on your Internet phone than use Volmet. You also don't have to write anything down, nor listen for the ones that interest you.

[justsomepilot]

QDM, there is nothing "illegal" about using GPRS in flight. Like most "facts" in aviation, this is an old tale which just keeps getting recycled over and over, and keeps forums like PPRUNE in business.

It does generate extra traffic between the GSM base stations but nowadays they are designed to cope with much more.

Reception is the problem. Except in regions where there are population centres at elevated altitudes (nowhere really in the UK), the base station antennae don't emit anything useful above about 3000ft - intentionally as doing so would be a waste of power.

I routinely use text messages (which is about 200 bytes sent over GSM so much more likely to get through than hundreds of TCP packets when viewing some website) when airborne, to advise someone of my ETA. I've also had continuous GSM reception (for internet access) at 8000ft in places abroad where there was radiation at that level (mountains not far away).

As for the Sept 11 telephone use, at least some of the calls were made via the aircraft's satellite telephone facility.

[QDMQDMQDM]

So can you use a mobile phone in flight too?

[futurshox]

Well, they're working on getting mobile phone availabilty to passengers on airliners. God help us all when that happens! "Honey, I'm on the plane!"

[Rupert S]

It is detailed that it is illegal to use mobile phones in flight. I forget exactly where but I've read the document several times.

[justsomepilot]

Rupert, please supply the reference. If the "document" is aviation related it would be the ANO, which is in a file called cap393.pdf and it's on the CAA website, and I have a copy too.

[gingernut]

I've always found the SMS service from "fly dsc" pretty reliable.

Having said that, I've just tried it and it hasn't worked.

Am I allowed to put the number on the forum?

[drauk]

gingernut, you'd reached your limit (3 messages). I've reset this so you're back to zero.

Originally the idea was 3 messages in a set time period, but since it is really only meant for when there is no alternative then 3 should be enough for most users. Give ten quid to a registered charity and I'll set your limit at 100.

The number is +447792309176. Just text the ICAO code to have the TAF texted back, or the ICAO followed by a space and M for a METAR. E.g:

EGLL M

My recommendation is don't try it since then you'll be down to 2, just keep the number in case you need it.

[gingernut]

Sounds like a good deal.

Ps its a great service. But how did you know it was me ?

[nouseforaname]

REMEMBER as far as the illegal stuff goes don't get your mobile phone anywhere near your D.I. compass. Especially if you have a HSI and your IFR....the magnet in the phones ear speaker will distort your DI and make your HSI a complete crackpot...if found this while leaving my phone up on the dash to see if it would get reception don't anyone else get caught out.

[IO540]

Why would an HSI be more affected than a compass?

Most HSIs are slaved to a fluxgate magnetometer in the wingtip.

And a standard DI would be unaffected; it doesn't contain a compass. It is just a gyro, which is why you have to keep resetting it every few minutes from the magnetic compass...

There are magnets in aviation headsets which are at least as powerful as the one which MIGHT be in the phone speaker.

[drauk]

But how did you know it was me ?

Big Brother is everywhere these days.

Just kidding. You were the only person who used the service yesterday morning who had exceeded their quota.

[Granger9]

Didn't there used to be somthing in PINK AIC that discussed the issuse of using mobiles in flight? I can't find it any more!

[tunalic2]

I think it is Luftansa that is looking at a system using gprs to allow 'wifi' for phones inflight via the aircrafts datalink,

amen to Futurshox's "Honey I'm on the plane"!!!

how would you turn off the gsm signal from the phone?:hmm:

T2

[englishal]

It is detailed that it is illegal to use mobile phones in flight
In FAA land, ONLY while on an IFR flight plan......

Anyway, the AnyWhereWX system in the US uses a satellite phone network, like the in flight phones do...Looks like a great system and if I was living and working over there, I'd have that along with my TCAS, IFR approved GPS's and glass cockpit (not forgetting the BRS as well)
;)