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flysrv10(at)gmail.com
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 Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 4:48 am Post subject: iPad and Skycharts Pro - initial impressions |
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This morning, I test flew the Skycharts on my iPad for the first time. I found Skycharts to be a powerful and simple program; perfect for the iPad.
The program comes with all the charts (IFR, VFR, TAC) and plates you need. The subscription is $20 per year, a great value.
If you have been playing with your iPad inside the house, you may lose you position fix. Once you go outside and have the view of the sky, it finds your position and you are ready to navigate. You do not need Internet connection to navigate.
You begin by typing in your waypoints, the course is drawn on the chart and you are ready to navigate. You can toggle between different charts as you fly.
What I really like most is the ability to double click on an airport to get a list of IFR plates. No more looking up your plates by state, city or it's name!
Another really nice feature for my age is that you can zoom as much as you need to see all the details. This is really useful on the approach plates and the resolution is perfect at all zoom levels. Zooming and panning is lightning fast, no waiting.
Since the developer is very responsive to inquires, there are two things I would like added (I need a lot for my $20):
It would be nice to have the program nominate the charts I need to cache based on my flight plan. Right now you decide which charts your course crosses and which charts you will need to cache.
It would also be nice to have the Approch plates "georeferenced?" so that you have complete situational awareness while using the plates.
I highly recommend this app.
Rob Kermanj
Sent from my iPad
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Kelly McMullen
Joined: 16 Apr 2008
Posts: 1188
Location: Sun Lakes AZ
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| Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 6:18 am Post subject: iPad and Skycharts Pro - initial impressions |
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Which version of the iPad are you using? Is the position derived from
cell phone G3 network or a true GPS? If GPS, what are its
capabilities? Or is there need for external BT GPS with a BT stack on
the iPad?
On Sat, May 29, 2010 at 5:47 AM, Rob Kermanj <flysrv10(at)gmail.com> wrote:
| Quote: |
This morning, I test flew the Skycharts on my iPad for the first time. I found Skycharts to be a powerful and simple program; perfect for the iPad.
The program comes with all the charts (IFR, VFR, TAC) and plates you need. The subscription is $20 per year, a great value.
If you have been playing with your iPad inside the house, you may lose you position fix. Once you go outside and have the view of the sky, it finds your position and you are ready to navigate. You do not need Internet connection to navigate.
You begin by typing in your waypoints, the course is drawn on the chart and you are ready to navigate. You can toggle between different charts as you fly.
What I really like most is the ability to double click on an airport to get a list of IFR plates. No more looking up your plates by state, city or it's name!
Another really nice feature for my age is that you can zoom as much as you need to see all the details. This is really useful on the approach plates and the resolution is perfect at all zoom levels. Zooming and panning is lightning fast, no waiting.
Since the developer is very responsive to inquires, there are two things I would like added (I need a lot for my $20):
It would be nice to have the program nominate the charts I need to cache based on my flight plan. Right now you decide which charts your course crosses and which charts you will need to cache.
It would also be nice to have the Approch plates "georeferenced?" so that you have complete situational awareness while using the plates.
I highly recommend this app.
Rob Kermanj
Sent from my iPad
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Kelly McMullen
A&P/IA, EAA Tech Counselor
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coop85(at)verizon.net
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| Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 7:38 am Post subject: iPad and Skycharts Pro - initial impressions |
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Thanks Rob, great report. Makes my 'need' for an iPad continue to grow
stronger!
Marcus
Do not archive
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Tim Olson
Joined: 25 Jan 2007
Posts: 2872
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| Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 8:36 am Post subject: iPad and Skycharts Pro - initial impressions |
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I just saw an email update from the folks at foreflight on this. The
gps works ok at altitude and doesn't need 3g, but they were unhappy
with it's accuracy during climbs and descents, enough so that it
sounds like they decided georeferenced approach plates is something
they don't want to do right now....for safety. I'm sure with the
Bluetooth add-on that it would work ok, but since apple just is too
pig headed to allow that option, for non-jailbreakers you'll have to
suffer with less accuracy.
I love how well ipad works for what it does right...but it has it's
flaws too.
Tim
On May 29, 2010, at 9:15 AM, Kelly McMullen <apilot2(at)gmail.com> wrote:
| Quote: |
Which version of the iPad are you using? Is the position derived from
cell phone G3 network or a true GPS? If GPS, what are its
capabilities? Or is there need for external BT GPS with a BT stack on
the iPad?
On Sat, May 29, 2010 at 5:47 AM, Rob Kermanj <flysrv10(at)gmail.com>
wrote:
>
>
> This morning, I test flew the Skycharts on my iPad for the first
> time. I found Skycharts to be a powerful and simple program;
> perfect for the iPad.
>
> The program comes with all the charts (IFR, VFR, TAC) and plates
> you need. The subscription is $20 per year, a great value.
>
> If you have been playing with your iPad inside the house, you may
> lose you position fix. Once you go outside and have the view of the
> sky, it finds your position and you are ready to navigate. You do
> not need Internet connection to navigate.
>
> You begin by typing in your waypoints, the course is drawn on the
> chart and you are ready to navigate. You can toggle between
> different charts as you fly.
>
> What I really like most is the ability to double click on an
> airport to get a list of IFR plates. No more looking up your plates
> by state, city or it's name!
>
> Another really nice feature for my age is that you can zoom as much
> as you need to see all the details. This is really useful on the
> approach plates and the resolution is perfect at all zoom levels.
> Zooming and panning is lightning fast, no waiting.
>
> Since the developer is very responsive to inquires, there are two
> things I would like added (I need a lot for my $20):
>
> It would be nice to have the program nominate the charts I need to
> cache based on my flight plan. Right now you decide which charts
> your course crosses and which charts you will need to cache.
>
> It would also be nice to have the Approch plates "georeferenced?"
> so that you have complete situational awareness while using the
> plates.
>
> I highly recommend this app.
>
> Rob Kermanj
> Sent from my iPad
>
|
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flysrv10(at)gmail.com
Guest
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| Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 5:27 pm Post subject: iPad and Skycharts Pro - initial impressions |
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I am using the Wi-Fi 3g. The latest. Apple says the position is arrived any and al three. If using the satellite only, you must have it view the horizon and try different positions to lock the location.
I really can't comment on the GPS capabilities since this thing is brand spanking new to me . I will provide updates as i learn more. I am sure that a bluetooth gps will provide faster locks but may also drain the battery quicker.
On May 29, 2010, at 10:15 AM, Kelly McMullen wrote:
| Quote: |
Which version of the iPad are you using? Is the position derived from
cell phone G3 network or a true GPS? If GPS, what are its
capabilities? Or is there need for external BT GPS with a BT stack on
the iPad?
On Sat, May 29, 2010 at 5:47 AM, Rob Kermanj <flysrv10(at)gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> This morning, I test flew the Skycharts on my iPad for the first time. I found Skycharts to be a powerful and simple program; perfect for the iPad.
>
> The program comes with all the charts (IFR, VFR, TAC) and plates you need. The subscription is $20 per year, a great value.
>
> If you have been playing with your iPad inside the house, you may lose you position fix. Once you go outside and have the view of the sky, it finds your position and you are ready to navigate. You do not need Internet connection to navigate.
>
> You begin by typing in your waypoints, the course is drawn on the chart and you are ready to navigate. You can toggle between different charts as you fly.
>
> What I really like most is the ability to double click on an airport to get a list of IFR plates. No more looking up your plates by state, city or it's name!
>
> Another really nice feature for my age is that you can zoom as much as you need to see all the details. This is really useful on the approach plates and the resolution is perfect at all zoom levels. Zooming and panning is lightning fast, no waiting.
>
> Since the developer is very responsive to inquires, there are two things I would like added (I need a lot for my $20):
>
> It would be nice to have the program nominate the charts I need to cache based on my flight plan. Right now you decide which charts your course crosses and which charts you will need to cache.
>
> It would also be nice to have the Approch plates "georeferenced?" so that you have complete situational awareness while using the plates.
>
> I highly recommend this app.
>
> Rob Kermanj
> Sent from my iPad
>
>
>
>
>
|
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http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?RV10-List |
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flysrv10(at)gmail.com
Guest
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| Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 5:28 pm Post subject: iPad and Skycharts Pro - initial impressions |
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You are welcome.
Do not archive
On May 29, 2010, at 11:37 AM, Marcus Cooper wrote:
[quote]
Thanks Rob, great report. Makes my 'need' for an iPad continue to grow
stronger!
Marcus
Do not archive
--
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flysrv10(at)gmail.com
Guest
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| Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 5:40 pm Post subject: iPad and Skycharts Pro - initial impressions |
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Hopefully they have made the conclusion using the Wi-Fi 3G model.
There are some things to consider for the GPS location to work:
1. The Location Service must be "on".
2. The time must be set to "automatic". It should not be set manually. The setting should also be the same on the desk top being used to sync the iPad.
I learned from Airguide Publication folks at Sun/Fun that they will have a bluetooth GPS for their subscription. Not sure if it will have to be hacked to work.
I have to admit, obvious from the subject line, that this is my initial report. I did make two approaches to min. and was impressed. However, I am just as happy to be able to have the charts and plates on the screen and navigate the old fashion way, with my panel GPS. After all, we all have at least two GPSs to use for navigation.
On May 29, 2010, at 12:32 PM, Tim Olson wrote:
| Quote: |
I just saw an email update from the folks at foreflight on this. The gps works ok at altitude and doesn't need 3g, but they were unhappy with it's accuracy during climbs and descents, enough so that it sounds like they decided georeferenced approach plates is something they don't want to do right now....for safety. I'm sure with the Bluetooth add-on that it would work ok, but since apple just is too pig headed to allow that option, for non-jailbreakers you'll have to suffer with less accuracy.
I love how well ipad works for what it does right...but it has it's flaws too.
Tim
On May 29, 2010, at 9:15 AM, Kelly McMullen <apilot2(at)gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> Which version of the iPad are you using? Is the position derived from
> cell phone G3 network or a true GPS? If GPS, what are its
> capabilities? Or is there need for external BT GPS with a BT stack on
> the iPad?
>
> On Sat, May 29, 2010 at 5:47 AM, Rob Kermanj <flysrv10(at)gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>> This morning, I test flew the Skycharts on my iPad for the first time. I found Skycharts to be a powerful and simple program; perfect for the iPad.
>>
>> The program comes with all the charts (IFR, VFR, TAC) and plates you need. The subscription is $20 per year, a great value.
>>
>> If you have been playing with your iPad inside the house, you may lose you position fix. Once you go outside and have the view of the sky, it finds your position and you are ready to navigate. You do not need Internet connection to navigate.
>>
>> You begin by typing in your waypoints, the course is drawn on the chart and you are ready to navigate. You can toggle between different charts as you fly.
>>
>> What I really like most is the ability to double click on an airport to get a list of IFR plates. No more looking up your plates by state, city or it's name!
>>
>> Another really nice feature for my age is that you can zoom as much as you need to see all the details. This is really useful on the approach plates and the resolution is perfect at all zoom levels. Zooming and panning is lightning fast, no waiting.
>>
>> Since the developer is very responsive to inquires, there are two things I would like added (I need a lot for my $20):
>>
>> It would be nice to have the program nominate the charts I need to cache based on my flight plan. Right now you decide which charts your course crosses and which charts you will need to cache.
>>
>> It would also be nice to have the Approch plates "georeferenced?" so that you have complete situational awareness while using the plates.
>>
>> I highly recommend this app.
>>
>> Rob Kermanj
>> Sent from my iPad
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
|
| | - The Matronics RV10-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?RV10-List |
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rampil
Joined: 04 May 2007
Posts: 870
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| Posted: Sun Jul 04, 2010 5:23 am Post subject: Re: iPad and Skycharts Pro - initial impressions |
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greetings,
I have been using my iPad 3G for several weeks in my Europa.
I don't know why people are still confused about the GPS capability
of the iPad and iPhone. They all have real GPS. They also have
cell site aiding for use inside buildings, etc where the true GPS
Sat signals are not adequate. That said, the GPS hardware in these
Apple products is not Garmin Avionics level quality. Specifically,there
are two issues of immediate impact. The position update cycle time
is about 1 Hz, therefore you can't even begin to do a pseudo panel.
Just try one of the toy panel apps and you will see what I mean. Second,
the receiver sensitivity is not great. This is not really a problem in my
glass aircraft up in the sky, but it might be for tin car drivers if the device
is well away from your plexiglas. In the air Foreflight usually reports
5 meter spatial resolution - not WAAS, but not bad for VFR.
The software is very good, quite useable and steadily improving.
I have settled on Foreflight and on Airnav pro. Foreflight has better
maps and facility data, Airnav better Nav tools, i.e., an HSI and VOR
displays. I was using Skycharts, but the former products have now
far outclassed it. I used Air Guide paper for years, but their software
looks plebian, and I would not believe they will support a BT GPS since the
current Apple development system XCode with iOS4 (which I happen
to have for my own development purposes) specifically excludes many
kinds of bluetooth stack support at present.
I have a near bubble canopy and the ipad is too big for my panels, so
it only fits as a lap pad. It is not nearly bright enough for daylight
flight ops.
Finally, and related to perhaps my bubble canopy, I found the iPad
very sensitive to heat, frequently displaying the Orange Triangle of
Heat Stroke (not quite as catchy as the blue screen of death)
| | - The Matronics RV10-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?RV10-List |
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