How many people use a smartphone for "everything"?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: EuroGA.org
Posts: 13,787
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How many people use a smartphone for "everything"?
To do with preflight tasks, I mean.
I normally use a small laptop, which of course does a lot more than any "phone" could.
But I bought my girlfriend a (factory unlocked, SIM free) Iphone 4; £450 from the Apple online shop.
I spent several days with it, working out how it works so I could explain it to her, as well as set up email accounts etc. She has a PhD but little patience for IT stuff which basically doesn't work (which applies to most IT stuff).
It has several hear-tearing-out "features" (I posted in the Computer forum about those) but clearly it has enough capability to do everything that is needed in preflight task terms. With a lot of fiddling when using some websites, but it can do it, and for straight VFR flight, where your weather briefing comprises mostly of picking up tafs/metars, it is pretty straightforward.
I can't see any way to run AFPEx (short of a solution using a Citrix remote desktop) so one would have to use EuroFPL or Homebriefing for FP filing.
Also the only way to do IFR airways routings would be the RocketRoute website.
The same comments would apply to any "smartphone" but the Iphone seems to be quicker on browsing than most, and the 4 model has a very good screen (excellent if you have reading glasses handy
).
Incidentally I installed the £20 Memory Map app on it. This works fine with the old QCT charts; the 1:50k and 1:25k and the CAA ones all work fine, and transfer to the phone via a WIFI map transfer feature. The app is a bit clunky but does the job of running QCT maps. Just avoid trying to set up an account with the MM map shop; that really screws it up. Thus far, I have not had to hexedit any maps (a well known hack to get around the historical MM insistence on the map year matching the app year, on O/S maps). You also get dynamically downloaded UK streetmaps in the price (very very slow to download, and I cannot work out the size/time limits on this feature). It seems to work OK while moving although you have to leave the GSM/3G part switched on to retain the GPS function. MM doesn't reply to any support emails.
On balance I am sticking with my winXP laptop (which does absolutely everything) because I always carry at least a small backpack when travelling, but I can see a possible convergence here to just one gadget, and after all everybody has to be carrying a phone anyway.
I normally use a small laptop, which of course does a lot more than any "phone" could.
But I bought my girlfriend a (factory unlocked, SIM free) Iphone 4; £450 from the Apple online shop.
I spent several days with it, working out how it works so I could explain it to her, as well as set up email accounts etc. She has a PhD but little patience for IT stuff which basically doesn't work (which applies to most IT stuff).
It has several hear-tearing-out "features" (I posted in the Computer forum about those) but clearly it has enough capability to do everything that is needed in preflight task terms. With a lot of fiddling when using some websites, but it can do it, and for straight VFR flight, where your weather briefing comprises mostly of picking up tafs/metars, it is pretty straightforward.
I can't see any way to run AFPEx (short of a solution using a Citrix remote desktop) so one would have to use EuroFPL or Homebriefing for FP filing.
Also the only way to do IFR airways routings would be the RocketRoute website.
The same comments would apply to any "smartphone" but the Iphone seems to be quicker on browsing than most, and the 4 model has a very good screen (excellent if you have reading glasses handy
).Incidentally I installed the £20 Memory Map app on it. This works fine with the old QCT charts; the 1:50k and 1:25k and the CAA ones all work fine, and transfer to the phone via a WIFI map transfer feature. The app is a bit clunky but does the job of running QCT maps. Just avoid trying to set up an account with the MM map shop; that really screws it up. Thus far, I have not had to hexedit any maps (a well known hack to get around the historical MM insistence on the map year matching the app year, on O/S maps). You also get dynamically downloaded UK streetmaps in the price (very very slow to download, and I cannot work out the size/time limits on this feature). It seems to work OK while moving although you have to leave the GSM/3G part switched on to retain the GPS function. MM doesn't reply to any support emails.
On balance I am sticking with my winXP laptop (which does absolutely everything) because I always carry at least a small backpack when travelling, but I can see a possible convergence here to just one gadget, and after all everybody has to be carrying a phone anyway.
Last edited by IO540; 3rd Oct 2010 at 07:34.
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Essex
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have the 3GS and use it for (VFR) calculations and weather, but not mapping.
As a renter still, I don't do huge trips, so the majority of my planning is done with the help of my home PC, though I do use the phone to assist if everything changes when I reach the club...
As a renter still, I don't do huge trips, so the majority of my planning is done with the help of my home PC, though I do use the phone to assist if everything changes when I reach the club...
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Sussex
Age: 39
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have a netbook running Navbox Pro and Memory map. It has Wifi, and bluetooth built in so I can pull up weather etc at airports (so long as I can find a wifi link!)
I only do VFR flights so I find this adequate. I have a Blackberry but havent really got on with it for replacing my netbook
I only do VFR flights so I find this adequate. I have a Blackberry but havent really got on with it for replacing my netbook
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sth Bucks UK
Age: 60
Posts: 927
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I just got an iphone 4 and, being a bit of a luddite, I'm absolutely delighted with it mainly because I don't have to umderstand everything in IO540's post to use it. So far I've only downloaded a couple of apps, orbifly, pilotwiz and NOTAMS.
Actually, as I write I find I'm making a fool of myself because I haven't worked out how to get the NOTAMS function to work......
Still, I'm very pleased with it and if someone wants to show me how to get the best out of it I think I'd like it even more.
A year or so ago I tried a Blackberry but sent it back after four days because I couldn't work out how to use it.
Actually, as I write I find I'm making a fool of myself because I haven't worked out how to get the NOTAMS function to work......
Still, I'm very pleased with it and if someone wants to show me how to get the best out of it I think I'd like it even more.
A year or so ago I tried a Blackberry but sent it back after four days because I couldn't work out how to use it.
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Aberdeen, UK
Posts: 526
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Due to the advent of the irritatingly Java based AFPEx stuff, I'm stuck with a netbook (a Vaio P) but at least it runs Navbox.
Otherwise, I'd have decamped 100% to the iPad. I could almost get away with it using logmein back to another machine, but 3G network coverage and WiFi is just too patchy.
Otherwise, I'd have decamped 100% to the iPad. I could almost get away with it using logmein back to another machine, but 3G network coverage and WiFi is just too patchy.
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Advent netbook with XP OS running NavBox Pro and a 3 Data dongle for mobile broadband access when there is no suitable Wi-Fi. I also have a 12v DC to 240v converter so I can power from the car if the battery runs out.
I find this set-up very handy for flight planning on the move. For me a good portable printer to get hard copy of the flight planning documentation would be more useful than the smaller form factor of a smart phone.
I find this set-up very handy for flight planning on the move. For me a good portable printer to get hard copy of the flight planning documentation would be more useful than the smaller form factor of a smart phone.
Personally, whilst I'm a great fan of my Nokia E63 (Blackberry clone) for many other applications - particularly met and NOTAMs, I am a particular fan of paper in the cockpit - although I keep playing: I'm going to have a go at checklists on my Sony Reader sooner or later, and there's a remarkable amount can be done on a Garmin.
On the other hand, I've just come back from two flight test conferences in the USA - at one the University of Tenessee showed that they were successfully displaying and recording flight test data streamed directly from an instrumented King Air, and in another Lockheed Martin showed cockpit video from the rear seat of an F-16 twin sticker which was recorded on the observers iPhone after the HUD video failed. The potential there is definitely enormous!
G
On the other hand, I've just come back from two flight test conferences in the USA - at one the University of Tenessee showed that they were successfully displaying and recording flight test data streamed directly from an instrumented King Air, and in another Lockheed Martin showed cockpit video from the rear seat of an F-16 twin sticker which was recorded on the observers iPhone after the HUD video failed. The potential there is definitely enormous!
G
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: York
Age: 53
Posts: 797
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I use and old Acer win XP laptop. As soon as it gives up the ghost I get one of those Netbooks. Theyseem small enough and quick enough and the battery life is excellent.
I tie this in with a 50 quid Chinese sat nav and Skydemon has displaced memory map these days.
Works great but then I never really fly off the creases in the map.
I tie this in with a 50 quid Chinese sat nav and Skydemon has displaced memory map these days.
Works great but then I never really fly off the creases in the map.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: EuroGA.org
Posts: 13,787
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ipad Ipad Ipad
- you use it for 3 different tasks
- you use it 3 times a day
- you use it 3 times before each flight
- you have three of them, in case the others get stolen / crash / etc
?
I am a particular fan of paper in the cockpit - although I keep playing: I'm going to have a go at checklists on my Sony Reader sooner or later, and there's a remarkable amount can be done on a Garmin.
It is easy to show awesome functionality of some piece of electronics, but one is for ever stuck to using it as the backup for some other system, which in the GA context is probably going to be paper printouts for the planned/filed route.
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: UK
Posts: 2,410
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
All of the above!
Sadly I only have the Wifi versions at the moment but want to get a 3G shortly.
Its keyboard is not as good as a full size one but for data input absolutely fine.
Readability of the screen is fine and can get enhanced. The reliability and battery life is second to none.
They are the way forward and certainly if you fly in the States and therefore can use apps like Foreflight to their full potential indicate that anything else is just a poor second best (at best!)
Sadly I only have the Wifi versions at the moment but want to get a 3G shortly.
Its keyboard is not as good as a full size one but for data input absolutely fine.
Readability of the screen is fine and can get enhanced. The reliability and battery life is second to none.
They are the way forward and certainly if you fly in the States and therefore can use apps like Foreflight to their full potential indicate that anything else is just a poor second best (at best!)
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Kent UK
Age: 70
Posts: 779
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
IO540 wrote:
Now, if I hadn't already been sitting down when I read that.........
I too prefer paper in the cockpit. It cannot fail, which obviously cannot be said for any electronic device
Now, if I hadn't already been sitting down when I read that.........
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: EuroGA.org
Posts: 13,787
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
One area in which the Iphone is severely lacking is support for printing. Apart from limited support within 3rd party apps, there basically is none at all, and what there is is really crap quality; even PDFs print with fuzzy text.
So if one uses it for serious planning (rather than just checking the weather/notams are OK), one will be departing with just the device, hoping that it keeps working for long enough.
So if one uses it for serious planning (rather than just checking the weather/notams are OK), one will be departing with just the device, hoping that it keeps working for long enough.
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London
Age: 68
Posts: 1,269
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
OS 4.2 will include wireless printing and is due out in November, for the Iphone as well as the iPad
I believe none of the current printing was meant to be, the OS 4.2 version will be the first officially approved Apple printing and will be wireless
I believe none of the current printing was meant to be, the OS 4.2 version will be the first officially approved Apple printing and will be wireless