CAA charts on iPhone
 

Hi everyone, just received latest copy of Pilot mag and this topic jump on me.
has anyone used this application in air? Are you happy with it? there are quite high number of negative feedbacks on apps itself but not many will be coming from pilots as this app can be used for other activities with topo maps etc
I have old GPS that is used more like a tracker as I prefer paper chart but having iPhone I quite like the idea of moving map with half mill chart on it...
cheers F:-)

Briefly, purely as a passenger - frankly, after 30 seconds I wanted my trusted Garmin 96 back - much as I like the iPhone, unsurprisingly it doesn't really work as an aviation GPS when combined with the Memory-Map app - whilst the current position and predicted position line seemed reasonably accurate, the heading indication on the GPS location icon itself remained resolutely at 90 degrees to the actual, and the iPhone power conservation regime becomes a major pain in the neck as it turns itself off after a few minutes unless you keep jabbing the screen with your fat fingers.

That being said, I reckon the Memory-Map iPhone app + CAA charts are still worth the money, purely to have the charts on-tap whenever you want them - but don't plan on using it in the air.

i wouldnt consider it as a serious proposition to replace a dedicated GPS unit but for the sake of £20 for the app and £20 for the chart (which you can also view and print from in a very powerful desktop copy of the application) it's a great little extra to have on your phone, either to play with on the ground or just to check your position from time to time in the air. for example i will shortly be doing my QXC using charts and dead reckoning but i like the idea of having this little app in my pocket just in case.