VFR flight planning and navigation software I've written
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The new Archos 9 (9 inch tablet with Windows 7, bluetooth, wiFi, touchscreen) may be the way to go but it's not released yet and will be priced at c450. Looks very nice and highly usable outside the cockpit as a netbook.
Archos 9 profile by Obsessable
Archos 9 profile by Obsessable
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After a lot of faffing and half a day in the office spent surrupticiously meddling with it I got Inflight working on my Ipaq 5550 and BT-308 GPS. Is there a minimum signal strength? I had problems getting a consistant connection - the GPS was quite hapilly paired, and I could see it was connected in GPSUtility and getting data and position info but it took *ages* for Inflight to recognise the fact that there was a GPS connected and occasionally dropped out for no real reason...Is there a minimum required satellite strength to get it to work properly? The ariel was up against a window facing a wide open space and was only a meter or so away from the PDA...
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Excellent software Tim, well done 
A couple of requests/observations/bugs for you for the Plan software...
1. Would it be possible for the user to set a symbol for user waypoints? That way we could have different symbols for different types of waypoint (e.g. we could add missing VRP's with the correct symbol, etc).
2. An extra button to enable user waypoints to be displayed, or not, on the map. Every other feature has this facility, but waypoints doesn't.
3. (Not yet seen with v0.9.5.22182) Some auto-generated METAR's are causing parsing errors in the cloud field. If the cloud is reported in the format "SCT035/" it causes an error to be displayed.
4. If the display of NOTAM's is turned off in the map they are still displayed in the enroute features window.
As I said above, an excellent piece of software that I am gladly letting other pilots know about. Have not had a chance to try out the latest InFlight in-flight yet but will hopefully do so tomorrow.
All the best,
MFC
<edited for spolling mistokes>
A couple of requests/observations/bugs for you for the Plan software...
1. Would it be possible for the user to set a symbol for user waypoints? That way we could have different symbols for different types of waypoint (e.g. we could add missing VRP's with the correct symbol, etc).
2. An extra button to enable user waypoints to be displayed, or not, on the map. Every other feature has this facility, but waypoints doesn't.
3. (Not yet seen with v0.9.5.22182) Some auto-generated METAR's are causing parsing errors in the cloud field. If the cloud is reported in the format "SCT035/" it causes an error to be displayed.
4. If the display of NOTAM's is turned off in the map they are still displayed in the enroute features window.
As I said above, an excellent piece of software that I am gladly letting other pilots know about. Have not had a chance to try out the latest InFlight in-flight yet but will hopefully do so tomorrow.
All the best,
MFC
<edited for spolling mistokes>
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Awesome piece of software, no doubt about it.
The first thing I'd like to add to the wishlist was to enable for adding external NOTAMs, either through adding one or several URLs to online NOTAMs or through cut-and-pasting them into the program manually, and parsing said notams for mainly coordinates for obstacles, temporary R/D areas and U/S obstacle lights. I live in an area which is rapidly turning into a wind farm, so the list is usually loooooong.
Creating an external parser is of course an option, and something I'm thinking about doing anyway to enable updates of Swedish airspace etc with every new AIRAC cycle, but I'd rather have it integral to the software.
Cheers,
/Fred
The first thing I'd like to add to the wishlist was to enable for adding external NOTAMs, either through adding one or several URLs to online NOTAMs or through cut-and-pasting them into the program manually, and parsing said notams for mainly coordinates for obstacles, temporary R/D areas and U/S obstacle lights. I live in an area which is rapidly turning into a wind farm, so the list is usually loooooong.
Creating an external parser is of course an option, and something I'm thinking about doing anyway to enable updates of Swedish airspace etc with every new AIRAC cycle, but I'd rather have it integral to the software.
Cheers,
/Fred
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Thanks for the feedback.
MFC
1. Good idea, it'll go on the list for post-v1 builds
2. I hadn't thought people would want to hide their own waypoints. If the concensus is that people DO want to do this, I'll add the option
3. This was fixed before 0.9.5
4. By design
ft, it did actually support this at one point but I got rid of it because there was no way of getting rid of notams that one had entered already, so one could end up with duplicates. If this turns out to be something that lots of people want, I'll re-instate it because all the code is still there. You'd need to paste notams with their Q line intact, obviously. Also B and C lines I think.
MFC
1. Good idea, it'll go on the list for post-v1 builds
2. I hadn't thought people would want to hide their own waypoints. If the concensus is that people DO want to do this, I'll add the option
3. This was fixed before 0.9.5
4. By design
ft, it did actually support this at one point but I got rid of it because there was no way of getting rid of notams that one had entered already, so one could end up with duplicates. If this turns out to be something that lots of people want, I'll re-instate it because all the code is still there. You'd need to paste notams with their Q line intact, obviously. Also B and C lines I think.
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Tim, while compiling CSV files for aerodromes and runways, I had a feeling a few more items could be useful:
- flags for takeoff-only and landing-only runways
- flags for VFR/IFR, day/night aerodromes (and/or for the type of runway lighting)
- maybe a separate remark field for all kinds of useful info
- flags for takeoff-only and landing-only runways
- flags for VFR/IFR, day/night aerodromes (and/or for the type of runway lighting)
- maybe a separate remark field for all kinds of useful info
Last edited by Ultranomad; 4th Oct 2009 at 20:08.
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Tim,
regarding the NOTAMs I think there will be a need, unless the software can be made to automatically download NOTAMs for every part of the world (as I think it does for the UK at the moment?).
We currently have eight pages of QOBCEs (obstacles) in the NOTAMS. With a few OBST LIGHTS U/S it makes for interesting night flying. I don't know if we're ahead of the times regarding the wind power plants, but I'm sure that's the way it will be all over the place eventually.
Add a few temporary restricted areas for military exercises now and then and you're really certain to eventually miss something.
How about letting the user choose to either add to existing manually entered NOTAMs, or to just wipe all NOTAMS (or just manually added NOTAMs) when entering new ones?
regarding the NOTAMs I think there will be a need, unless the software can be made to automatically download NOTAMs for every part of the world (as I think it does for the UK at the moment?).
We currently have eight pages of QOBCEs (obstacles) in the NOTAMS. With a few OBST LIGHTS U/S it makes for interesting night flying. I don't know if we're ahead of the times regarding the wind power plants, but I'm sure that's the way it will be all over the place eventually.
Add a few temporary restricted areas for military exercises now and then and you're really certain to eventually miss something.
How about letting the user choose to either add to existing manually entered NOTAMs, or to just wipe all NOTAMS (or just manually added NOTAMs) when entering new ones?
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Skyangel Data on Win CE 5.0 ipaq 314
Hi all, at first I had to say "Great Work". I like the Design and the airspace view additionally to the 2D view of Course. The PC Version works really nice on vista and I was possible to create my own Airspace, Airport and runway Data for all of Germany.
On my PNA Device with windows ce 5.o the Programm works too. But itīs not possible for me to make it show other terrain,airspace or what ever.
It only shows me UK an Irland wich came with the install .cab to the Device.
I canīt find any help or example for doing that.
So I canīt test in Flight.
I hope you can help me. If it is possible.
Thank you
Best
SG38
On my PNA Device with windows ce 5.o the Programm works too. But itīs not possible for me to make it show other terrain,airspace or what ever.It only shows me UK an Irland wich came with the install .cab to the Device.
I canīt find any help or example for doing that.
So I canīt test in Flight.
I hope you can help me. If it is possible.
Thank you
Best
SG38
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For the moment InFlight doesn't support importing of user data. If you want to take responsibility for German airspace data in SkyAngel that's great; contact me through the website and we can discuss it. I can produce a .skydata file out of the data you collect and that can be used with InFlight.
This is what I'm already doing with Swedish data, which is being assembled by another individual.
This is what I'm already doing with Swedish data, which is being assembled by another individual.
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Probably finger trouble on my part but I've just downloaded v0.9.5 and the routes I saved in v0.9.1 will not display. They give every indication of loading but nothing seen!
Otherwise, superb program. Would even consider paying real money!!!
Otherwise, superb program. Would even consider paying real money!!!
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With a bit of tweaking and some third party software it's possible to get your Nokia N95 (With integral GPS) to act as the GPS aerial - annoying as i've just bought a bluetooth GPS.
Having had a bit more of a play with the fly version, I really like the centreline option but found the implementation a bit clumsy - how about an option when you tap on the airport in question and in the sub menu (Which - for sake of example at Oxford - shows "OXFORD DME / OXFORD KIDLINGTON AIRFIELD / OXFORD NDM") add the option to go to the centreline screen with the airport already selected?
Oh, and for some reason the Centreline screen doesn't appear to know what the runways are for most military airfields and some unlicesensed airports (Lasham, North Weald all missing? If it's the source data that needs updating then quite happy to assist as it's an awesome piece of kit, otherwise.
Having had a bit more of a play with the fly version, I really like the centreline option but found the implementation a bit clumsy - how about an option when you tap on the airport in question and in the sub menu (Which - for sake of example at Oxford - shows "OXFORD DME / OXFORD KIDLINGTON AIRFIELD / OXFORD NDM") add the option to go to the centreline screen with the airport already selected?
Oh, and for some reason the Centreline screen doesn't appear to know what the runways are for most military airfields and some unlicesensed airports (Lasham, North Weald all missing? If it's the source data that needs updating then quite happy to assist as it's an awesome piece of kit, otherwise.
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Creating personal Database for Germany
Hi you,
I startet creating my personal Database for Germany.
Airspace no problem. It works out of the box from the soaring server.
Instructions on your site.
Now I created Asphalt and Grass airfields and runways. It looks very nice to see the colour of the runway and the direction of the runway and the lenght on the runway.
It is very cool that different lenght also shown different in the map.
Stand now is: creating obstructions. There I hang till now.
BUT
My biggest problem is the GPS connection on my PNA ipaq 314 travel companion
with windows ce 5.0.
port and baudrate ok. But no connection.
I hope the problem can be solved.
I donīt hope to create my Database only for my PC.
Thatīs nice but not realy comfortable in flight.
Can you help?
by
SG38
I startet creating my personal Database for Germany.
Airspace no problem. It works out of the box from the soaring server.
Instructions on your site.
Now I created Asphalt and Grass airfields and runways. It looks very nice to see the colour of the runway and the direction of the runway and the lenght on the runway.
It is very cool that different lenght also shown different in the map.
Stand now is: creating obstructions. There I hang till now.
BUT My biggest problem is the GPS connection on my PNA ipaq 314 travel companion
with windows ce 5.0.
port and baudrate ok. But no connection.
I hope the problem can be solved.
I donīt hope to create my Database only for my PC.
Thatīs nice but not realy comfortable in flight.
Can you help?
by
SG38
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Obstuctions.csv Symbol
Hi,
Only the Wind Turbine is very nice. And that the Symbols are also dynamik in map with the height. Antenna is ok too.
But What meens Height and Altitude?
I have a Database of Buildings and Antennas where the Point at the top
is in Feet MSL. So I configured it Height=300ft, And Altitude 300ft. It looks ok.
The Height I think is only for the Map Scaling.
I miss other nice Symbols like Cooling Tower, Bridge,Industrial, Building etc,
There is no option to include user ones.
Is ist planned for Inflight to show the Airspace in the bottom window in flight Direction? Or only for Flightplanning before.?
Seeing in Realtime in Flight the Airspace in front were very cooooool I think.
And Safety. And cool.
For IPAQ or Smartphone it was in the past a problem of screen dimensions.
But I have on my 4.3 inch PNA with 800*480 and all the other Navigation Systems with CE place for it.
And if that is possible:
Why not only the sideview; Compile also a FlightView for the Airspace window.
Make visible what nobody can see in front of.
thats enough
stop now
By
SG38
Only the Wind Turbine is very nice. And that the Symbols are also dynamik in map with the height. Antenna is ok too.
But What meens Height and Altitude?
I have a Database of Buildings and Antennas where the Point at the top
is in Feet MSL. So I configured it Height=300ft, And Altitude 300ft. It looks ok.
The Height I think is only for the Map Scaling.
I miss other nice Symbols like Cooling Tower, Bridge,Industrial, Building etc,
There is no option to include user ones.
Is ist planned for Inflight to show the Airspace in the bottom window in flight Direction? Or only for Flightplanning before.?
Seeing in Realtime in Flight the Airspace in front were very cooooool I think.
And Safety. And cool.
For IPAQ or Smartphone it was in the past a problem of screen dimensions.
But I have on my 4.3 inch PNA with 800*480 and all the other Navigation Systems with CE place for it.
And if that is possible:
Why not only the sideview; Compile also a FlightView for the Airspace window.
Make visible what nobody can see in front of.
thats enoughstop now
By
SG38
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HF: the route file format has probably changed since that version.
x933: we're still working on the data for military fields; should be much better in this week's release.
SG38: read the website. That's already how the approaching features instrument works. The altitude and height of the top of an obstruction are different and it's very important to get it right if you're creating data for SkyAngel.
x933: we're still working on the data for military fields; should be much better in this week's release.
SG38: read the website. That's already how the approaching features instrument works. The altitude and height of the top of an obstruction are different and it's very important to get it right if you're creating data for SkyAngel.
I am absolutely blown away by this, I'm not a techie type so I'll leave the nuts and bolts to those who are but I think this is the most incredible bit of software I've seen for flight planning.
I am as tight as a duck's chuff and I'd pay for this.
I think the work you've done, Tim, puts the big boys to shame. I've used lots of things in the past and I now know that this is what I'll use in future for flight planning and a moving map.
The side view of the route on the planning software is an inspired creation.
I am totally in awe of what you have achieved.
Given that we've established just how parsimonious I am I have a very old PDA and a mobile rescued from a dustbin - do you have any cost effective suggestions for what hardware I might acquire to run the moving map?
Thank you.
I am as tight as a duck's chuff and I'd pay for this.
I think the work you've done, Tim, puts the big boys to shame. I've used lots of things in the past and I now know that this is what I'll use in future for flight planning and a moving map.
The side view of the route on the planning software is an inspired creation.
I am totally in awe of what you have achieved.
Given that we've established just how parsimonious I am I have a very old PDA and a mobile rescued from a dustbin - do you have any cost effective suggestions for what hardware I might acquire to run the moving map?
Thank you.
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JAFO, thanks for the great (and humorous) feedback!
I'm no expert on hardware but I know lots of people are using very inexpensive car satnav units, that they've fiddled with somehow, to run SkyAngel InFlight. There are quite a few replies in this thread from people confirming that the software runs on their device.
As soon as I can (hopefully within a week) I'll have a forum set up on the SkyAngel website specifically to discuss the hardware on which it'll run.
I'm no expert on hardware but I know lots of people are using very inexpensive car satnav units, that they've fiddled with somehow, to run SkyAngel InFlight. There are quite a few replies in this thread from people confirming that the software runs on their device.
As soon as I can (hopefully within a week) I'll have a forum set up on the SkyAngel website specifically to discuss the hardware on which it'll run.
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Database for other countries in Europe.
Dear Tim.
I havent tried the software yet and I have followed this threat. It is respectable what you have done.
I live in Germany and am going back into instructing and General Aviation flying after many years flying across the atlantic and far east.
I am not a computer geek. However I am converting my old laptop into a GPS.
I ordered a GPS receiver on amazon.de I was wondering if I downloaded your software if I could optain a Database for Europe somewhere? (Germany, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria)
I am also looking for a palm computer to use as a GPS since the laptop is a little big for a 2 seater with a stick.
Yours Sincerely,
Freightops
I havent tried the software yet and I have followed this threat. It is respectable what you have done.
I live in Germany and am going back into instructing and General Aviation flying after many years flying across the atlantic and far east.
I am not a computer geek. However I am converting my old laptop into a GPS.
I ordered a GPS receiver on amazon.de I was wondering if I downloaded your software if I could optain a Database for Europe somewhere? (Germany, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria)
I am also looking for a palm computer to use as a GPS since the laptop is a little big for a 2 seater with a stick.
Yours Sincerely,
Freightops
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Freightops, so far there aren't any .skydata files available for other European countries apart from the sample France database offered on the SkyAngel site. There are lots of people in the process of creating such databases, though, so stay tuned.