Apps for Pilots! WTF?

[Velodog2]

Firstly, I'm mildly surprised by the sheer number of apps appearing that are designed specifically for airplane pilots. Although I've never given much thought to it, I didn't realize that there was so much calculating going on in the ****pit!

Secondly, how many of us want our pilots using the buggy and crash-prone iPhone and its crApps to calculate critical parameters of our flights?

[jaydoc1]

Yep there are a lot of calculations involved in getting from point A to B in an airplane but I doubt you'll find many navigators on commercial flights using the iPhone for them.
For myself, I love the ability to perform these calcs right on my iPhone.

Google E6B calculator to see what we used to have to use.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E6B

[vegasflyby]

I've been using an electronic E6b for years now. Are the navigation apps int the app store good. jaydoc1, are you using a particular one?

[LAPTOP GAMER]

Do you pilots out there really trust the accuracy of this thing as for navigating and fuel calculations you can't afford mistakes. I would be reluctant to trust a $20 app versus a proven FAA approved flight computer.

[AntonChigurh]

If all the pilots are here, then who's at all the bars?

just kidding.

[jaydoc1]

Do you pilots out there really trust the accuracy of this thing as for navigating and fuel calculations you can't afford mistakes. I would be reluctant to trust a $20 app versus a proven FAA approved flight computer.

Computer code is computer code and all the calcs are relatively simple mathematical formulas. They are just packaged into a pretty GUI in the other electronic E6Bs and now the iPhone apps. So yes, I trust it. However, redundancy is an absolute requirement in aviation so it's not the only computer I use, but it is my favorite now. For short flight plans it is all I use, but for longer flights to unfamiliar areas I back it up with either my manual E6B or another electronic computer. In addition, in-****pit GPS now is a supplement that gives me another safety blanket.

My favorite for the iPhone is myE6B AirNav Computer. Fantastic intuitive interface and handles all the functions you routinely use an E6B for while also incorporating things like available weather reports, etc... Also hints about incorporating NOTAMs in a future version.

[LAPTOP GAMER]

Computer code is computer code and all the calcs are relatively simple mathematical formulas. They are just packaged into a pretty GUI in the other electronic E6Bs and now the iPhone apps. So yes, I trust it. However, redundancy is an absolute requirement in aviation so it's not the only computer I use, but it is my favorite now. For short flight plans it is all I use, but for longer flights to unfamiliar areas I back it up with either my manual E6B or another electronic computer. In addition, in-****pit GPS now is a supplement that gives me another safety blanket.

My favorite for the iPhone is myE6B AirNav Computer. Fantastic intuitive interface and handles all the functions you routinely use an E6B for while also incorporating things like available weather reports, etc... Also hints about incorporating NOTAMs in a future version.



That's good to know that you guys are being extra safe out there.

[mikef1182]

My iPhone gets me everywhere just fine in my private plane. ;-)

[tyoung]

How about the apps for doctors? Hey nurse, grab my iPhone and remind me how to do this brain surgery again.

[jaydoc1]

Epocrates, available in the app store, is one of the most widely-used programs in the health care fields, from med students up to staff physicians. Has been available on Palm and Windows Mobile devices for a long time. Now that it's on the iPhone I no longer even charge my Palm T|X. Haven't since the app store came online. :wink:

[JimP]

This is a religious arguement... but my pesonal feeling is that general purpose programmable devices have no serious place in a ****pit.

I have a very well outfitted panel in my plane. Sadly, avionics is very expensive. Still, when flying in the soup, it is a very stressful experience and virtually all good pilots that I know want equipment that is designed specific for aviation... built into the panel... and predictable to operate easily!

The iPhone "toy" apps are fun to look at... but are more likely to get you killed than not having them in the first place.

/Jim

[projectdarkside]

How about the apps for doctors? Hey nurse, grab my iPhone and remind me how to do this brain surgery again.That made me lol!:tounge:

[GeeGawGadgetGuy]

This is a religious arguement... but my pesonal feeling is that general purpose programmable devices have no serious place in a ****pit.

I have a very well outfitted panel in my plane. Sadly, avionics is very expensive. Still, when flying in the soup, it is a very stressful experience and virtually all good pilots that I know want equipment that is designed specific for aviation... built into the panel... and predictable to operate easily!

The iPhone "toy" apps are fun to look at... but are more likely to get you killed than not having them in the first place.

/Jim

Jim,

You are correct in many aspects...in flight! However, when at the FBO, in your hotel room, base ops, etc....it is nice to have some of the simple apps around. Electronic E6b is a good one....another helpful site that I use is here....

http://www.wxsys.com/

You can add many ICAO identifiers for airports and it gives a wealth of data for flight planning purposes...plus its just pretty damn cool.

I agree with the use of the iPhone in the ****pit is not a great idea at all but using it as an aid to flight planning makes life a bit easier.:smile:

[JimP]

I agree with the use of the iPhone in the ****pit is not a great idea at all but using it as an aid to flight planning makes life a bit easier.:smile:
Agreed. On the ground... use whatever makes your life easier. I primarily use a PC for flight planning... but there are all types of good apps.

/Jim

[GeeGawGadgetGuy]

Agreed. On the ground... use whatever makes your life easier. I primarily use a PC for flight planning... but there are all types of good apps.

/Jim

I do as well but it is nice to have the METAR and other quick info at the tip of your fingers!

Have you checked that site out Jim? Works really well on the iPhone...I have it as a button on one of the home screens.... aviation.mobi

Regards:laugh2:

[JimP]

I do as well but it is nice to have the METAR and other quick info at the tip of your fingers!

Have you checked that site out Jim? Works really well on the iPhone...I have it as a button on one of the home screens.... aviation.mobi

Regards:laugh2:
Yes, I have checked out the site. It looks like a good tool.

On the ground, I generally use Jepp FlightStar on my PC for preflight trip planning. I usually print out the route... and then my wife enters it into the GPS during my run-up.

I have a very nice setup in the ****pit with dual G530s and a GMX-200. That gives me 3 pretty large pieces of glass to use for navigation, weather, traffic, terrain, IFR/VFR charts, IFR approach plates, runway diagrams, etc. I also have a portable Garmin GPS that is emergency use only... plus I keep it set to the nearest airport page in case I ever have an engine out situation. The portable is also crossfed (recieve only) to the 530s... so any time I change the flightplan in the primary navigation system... my portable is instantly updated... so even if I have to hit the avionics master, my portable has my entire flight plan, with 5 hours of navigation on batteries... which is about my range. All in all, it is a pretty sweet setup... although it costs about the same as 400 iPhones. :(

/Jim

[GeeGawGadgetGuy]

All in all, it is a pretty sweet setup... although it costs about the same as 400 iPhones. :(

/Jim

VERY nice indeed!:smile:

And you are correct...a glass ****pit outfit could buy a small city iPhones for all our friends!!!!