Flight Planning Software
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: EuroGA.org
Memory Map runs on a pocket/pc PDA but is a pretty naff job. It displays the CAA charts OK if used on a 640x480 PDA like the HP4700, useless on anything less.
CoPilot is available for the Palm; I used it on that myself but it is a very US-centred product with many UK airfields missing. It does W&B very nicely.
Oziexplorer runs very nicely on a HP4700 too, but you have to obtain the scanned maps somehow.
There isn't much else. PocketFMS is worth a look although the database is something I would personally not trust that much (user compiled).
CoPilot is available for the Palm; I used it on that myself but it is a very US-centred product with many UK airfields missing. It does W&B very nicely.
Oziexplorer runs very nicely on a HP4700 too, but you have to obtain the scanned maps somehow.
There isn't much else. PocketFMS is worth a look although the database is something I would personally not trust that much (user compiled).
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 13,787
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From: EuroGA.org
I would always support a "open source" project like pocketfms (not least because the whole business of map and aeronautical data copyright is so obscenely tight in Europe that anybody having a go needs support) so I am probably unfair to pocketfms in my comments.
However, I personally need a uniform database for Europe, not just the UK. The UK is a piece of cake - just buy the CAA chart for £14 or so, or for £50 for Memory Map, and fly around. It is when venturing into Europe that one needs uniform and reliable coverage. I don't think pocketfms will ever achieve this properly simply because GA activity in much of Europe is almost nonexistent.
I also need IFR (airways) flight planning and that is something else. Flitestar IFR is perhaps the only suitable product on the market, although one can get by with Navbox (to generate a plausible plog) if one does all the dirty work on bits of paper outside of it. It's a shame that Navbox has not gone just that bit further - the Jepp software is packed with perhaps too many features for most private pilots.
However, I personally need a uniform database for Europe, not just the UK. The UK is a piece of cake - just buy the CAA chart for £14 or so, or for £50 for Memory Map, and fly around. It is when venturing into Europe that one needs uniform and reliable coverage. I don't think pocketfms will ever achieve this properly simply because GA activity in much of Europe is almost nonexistent.
I also need IFR (airways) flight planning and that is something else. Flitestar IFR is perhaps the only suitable product on the market, although one can get by with Navbox (to generate a plausible plog) if one does all the dirty work on bits of paper outside of it. It's a shame that Navbox has not gone just that bit further - the Jepp software is packed with perhaps too many features for most private pilots.
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: UK,Twighlight Zone
I have both Navbox and Flightstar. Navbox is perfect for your VFR bimbler who just wants to run a basic what if and PLOG around the UK.
Going further afield Flightstar is the biz. I use the IFR version and its airways planning is superb, never had a flight plan from it rejected. The 3d profile and the airspace markings are excellant and allow for very accurate long distance planning. Also being able to pump out the PLOG, W&B and FLightplan are great. I can produce the flight plan and fax direct from the PC all from Flightstar.
Going further afield Flightstar is the biz. I use the IFR version and its airways planning is superb, never had a flight plan from it rejected. The 3d profile and the airspace markings are excellant and allow for very accurate long distance planning. Also being able to pump out the PLOG, W&B and FLightplan are great. I can produce the flight plan and fax direct from the PC all from Flightstar.
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 551
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From: England
Originally Posted by bose-x
I have both Navbox and Flightstar. Navbox is perfect for your VFR bimbler who just wants to run a basic what if and PLOG around the UK.
Going further afield Flightstar is the biz.
Going further afield Flightstar is the biz.
Thanks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 0
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From: UK,Twighlight Zone
there are no diasadvantages to using flightstar, it is a better product all round but costs more!
I dont upload flight plans into the GPS allthough flightstar will allow me to. I prefer to print the plog and add them manually. I also tend to fly either GPS direct or via Nav aids so I do not enter coordinates.
I dont upload flight plans into the GPS allthough flightstar will allow me to. I prefer to print the plog and add them manually. I also tend to fly either GPS direct or via Nav aids so I do not enter coordinates.
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 13,787
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From: EuroGA.org
bose-x
Serious questions:
1) Would you mind describing how Flitestar VFR is better than Navbox Pro?
2) Would you mind describing how Flitestar IFR is better than Navbox Pro?
The first one I find hard to see. Obviously FS has far more features but I am talking in the VFR flight planning context.
The 2nd one is clear enough for airways use; you can enter the airway route spec into Flitestar IFR (using the "plain text" entry option) and it draws the whole track, and then prints out the plog containing all the individual waypoints. (One then has the job of manually entering all 40 of them into the IFR GPS, but that's another story). But for UK-style Class G/D IFR, I fail to see the advantage over Navbox.
I have played around with Flitestar IFR a fair bit (the Flitemap version actually) and really tried to get the benefit of the extra features but except for generating a plog for European airways routes I still go back to Navbox every time. It's just so much easier to use and the plog is simple and concise.
The other thing is copy protection. Jepp stuff is tight. Navbox you can put on as many machines as you have kicking around; I have it at my office, at home, on two or three other devices I use.
Serious questions:
1) Would you mind describing how Flitestar VFR is better than Navbox Pro?
2) Would you mind describing how Flitestar IFR is better than Navbox Pro?
The first one I find hard to see. Obviously FS has far more features but I am talking in the VFR flight planning context.
The 2nd one is clear enough for airways use; you can enter the airway route spec into Flitestar IFR (using the "plain text" entry option) and it draws the whole track, and then prints out the plog containing all the individual waypoints. (One then has the job of manually entering all 40 of them into the IFR GPS, but that's another story). But for UK-style Class G/D IFR, I fail to see the advantage over Navbox.
I have played around with Flitestar IFR a fair bit (the Flitemap version actually) and really tried to get the benefit of the extra features but except for generating a plog for European airways routes I still go back to Navbox every time. It's just so much easier to use and the plog is simple and concise.
The other thing is copy protection. Jepp stuff is tight. Navbox you can put on as many machines as you have kicking around; I have it at my office, at home, on two or three other devices I use.
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 0
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From: UK,Twighlight Zone
Horses for courses I guess. I have Jeppview and Flightstar and the Rasta maps of Europe, Notams and weather all in one so I have a one stop shop for a flight plan.
I did not say there were any disadvantages to pro plan, it is just a bit basic for my needs. I like the fact VFR or IFR I have one common interface.
I plug in the route and out pops a full set of docs in colour that I clip to the kneeboard and off i go!
I also have flightstar running on several machines. The licence key allows 3 live at the same time. I can move the key around in seconds so it has never been a problem. I would suggest that someone who is using more than 1 copy at any time requires further licences as the licence is issued on a per user basis so the fact that Jepp allow 3 in use at once is pretty good.
I did not say there were any disadvantages to pro plan, it is just a bit basic for my needs. I like the fact VFR or IFR I have one common interface.
I plug in the route and out pops a full set of docs in colour that I clip to the kneeboard and off i go!
I also have flightstar running on several machines. The licence key allows 3 live at the same time. I can move the key around in seconds so it has never been a problem. I would suggest that someone who is using more than 1 copy at any time requires further licences as the licence is issued on a per user basis so the fact that Jepp allow 3 in use at once is pretty good.
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 13,787
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From: EuroGA.org
bose-x
Do you buy the Euro Raster Charts CD every so often, and print out en route VFR chart sections? That would make sense.
Re copy protection, this is obviously a contentious area since any relaxation tends to be associated with bootlegging, but I think one should be allowed to install a piece of software on as many machines as one wishes. I can see why Jepp limit this - the price!
Did you go on a training course?
Do you buy the Euro Raster Charts CD every so often, and print out en route VFR chart sections? That would make sense.
Re copy protection, this is obviously a contentious area since any relaxation tends to be associated with bootlegging, but I think one should be allowed to install a piece of software on as many machines as one wishes. I can see why Jepp limit this - the price!
Did you go on a training course?
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 483
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From: Europe
PocketFMS
I would like to highly recommend to all of you the PocketFMS software.
I am using it since 1,5 year with great pleasure and good effects.
The flight planning part is extreemly easy to use,
moving map just excelent.
Also the UMN (user maintained nav data) is better than Jeppersen,
but of course not certified.
And it's freeware, only the hi-res maps cost you a "donation".
Check yourself, the download of full functioning version is free.
www.pocketfms.com
(Nevertheless I have to admit I fly with PocketFMS in Poland, where
the airspace is not that congested like in UK)
I am using it since 1,5 year with great pleasure and good effects.
The flight planning part is extreemly easy to use,
moving map just excelent.
Also the UMN (user maintained nav data) is better than Jeppersen,
but of course not certified.
And it's freeware, only the hi-res maps cost you a "donation".
Check yourself, the download of full functioning version is free.
www.pocketfms.com
(Nevertheless I have to admit I fly with PocketFMS in Poland, where
the airspace is not that congested like in UK)
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 13,787
Likes: 0
From: EuroGA.org
There is no properly regularly updated VFR touring guide available in electronic format, for Europe, that I know of.
Jepp have been talking about theirs coming out for a few years. I suspect they worry about bootlegging.
Jepp have been talking about theirs coming out for a few years. I suspect they worry about bootlegging.
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,681
Likes: 10
From: Just South of the last ice sheet
As a self confessed VFR bimbler I find NavBox Pro perfect. How could it be easier than this:
1. Draw proposed route on the PC
2. Print out plog
3. Draw route on chart for sanity check and use in aeroplane
4. Amend route to incorporate any changes
5. Print out final plog
6. Upload to GPS III
7. Go flying
This cuts out finger trouble in entering waypoints, ensures that the courses and distances work on the official CAA chart and give you a plog.
1. Draw proposed route on the PC
2. Print out plog
3. Draw route on chart for sanity check and use in aeroplane
4. Amend route to incorporate any changes
5. Print out final plog
6. Upload to GPS III
7. Go flying
This cuts out finger trouble in entering waypoints, ensures that the courses and distances work on the official CAA chart and give you a plog.
