Best iPad app for Flight Planning and Navigation

[quartermilltopo]

I came across what looks like a great app for ipad "Skydemon".
The functionality of the full app is amazing.
There is also a free version 'Skydemon Light'.
The full version is quite expensive £180 for the first year reducing to £90 per year, but it appears that it can be used on up to 6 devices. Any 5 other PPLs or instructors (or anybody!) interested in a one sixth share? Not sure yet how it would work - or of the legality of what I propose. Just sounding out the interest (if any) at the moment.
Thanks QMT

[BabyBear]

No question Skydemon is the best.

What you propose is not legal.

BB

[Pirke]

What BB said

[ChickenHouse]

Yes, 2014/15 SkyDemon appears to be top notch for VFR flights in Europe.
ANP lost track on customer support and further development of the app.
Jeppesen may be next rising, once they abandon their gimmicky new app.

For sharing an app like SD, have a check here: Max 2 iOS devices (http://forums.skydemon.aero/Topic13419.aspx) - no, it is not ok to share one account, but they do offer decent discounts for groups purchase.

[foxmoth]

Just to add that if you have only just come across it then you are lagging behind, many of us have been using this for quite some time now and I am surprised you had not seen it before!

[vandereydt]

been using Jeppesen mobile flight deck VFR
very easy to use
dont know about the others

Ronny

[Johnm]

SD works quite well IFR or VFR but it's not certified for IFR. I use SD and a certified panel mounted GPS in combination for most trips IFR or VFR.

[Captain Jock]

Looks pretty good value to me when you compare it with the cost of an hour's flying.

[chalmondleigh]

I have been using SkyDemon for both flight planning and navigation in my helicopter now for about 18 months. It's simple, intuitive and if you are unsure of anything I have found that SD's tech support very helpful.

Something worth bearing in mind is that once you have paid for the initial subscription then you can access as many of the maps as you wish and any map updates throughout the year come through automatically at no additional cost.

Filing a VFR Flight Plan takes seconds and GAR submission not too difficult either.

BTW, for flying in France try the FREE App iVAC which gives details of all French airfields. It works either on or offline and is updated monthly. All the data comes from the French AIP. Text is in French and English.

[quartermilltopo]

Thanks for your input. I've been away from general aviation for several years, so am looking for nice friendly, easy, idiot-proof aid to keeping me out of trouble!

[quartermilltopo]

Very good point! Thanks.

[an2ony]

SkyDemon is not the best at all!

Airbox Runway HD is the same as SkyDemon but uses CAA maps and in MY opinion is the best product on the market, Garmin Pilot is close second offering numerous 'Glass Cockpit' features.

Research the market!

[stevelup]

Well, Runway HD has copied the SkyDemon look and feel over the years, but that doesn't make it 'the same'. Everything is even the same colour now. If you look at both products from about 5 metres away, you'll have trouble working out which is which. That said, it offers a mere fraction of the functionality once you dig beneath the surface.

The use of bitmap charts rather than vector ones is a personal choice and doesn't make one product better than another. Personally, I do not like bitmap charts. You have no control over what layers are visible, they are impossible to dynamically declutter, and all the text goes upside-down if you're not flying north up.

Garmin Pilot is - at the moment - utterly useless for the UK. It doesn't have complete vector mapping - no Class A is depicted anywhere - a very serious problem indeed, and you can't buy UK bitmap charts for it either. So it is unusable in either mode.

[ShyTorque]

An2ony, I searched for Airbox Runway HD in the AppStore but couldn't find it. Do you have a link?

[piperboy84]

SD is the dogs bollox

[Bobby Hart]

* Full disclosure - I work for SkyDemon *

The personal license is for a single individual to use SkyDemon, so it cannot be shared between multiple people. However, as noted by ChickenHouse, SkyDemon offer a modest discount when several new users all buy in the same transaction

[ShyTorque]

Speaking as a long term professional rotary pilot, I'd like to say how impressed I am for all the hard work that's been put in to the SkyDemon product; it's an amazing aviation tool, especially for pre-flight planning.

I use a non 3G Ipad with an external Garmin 1000 GPS unit, which connects very easily and rapidly. In the air I keep it available as a back up to the certificated equipment fitted in the aircraft.