Live Flight Tracking with AirNav Pro

[John.com]

AIrNav Pro.jpg (67.68 KiB) Viewed 6526 times

Although AirNav Pro needs cellphone access to upload the data as you fly it is still fairly impressive!

The application and certain maps are free but other maps will cost you to download them (not unreasonable though).

AirNav Pro has full EFIS capability, including:
1. Full Aeronautical Maps (with normal smart-phone interaction of scrolling and zooming, etc. along with airspaces, airport and VOR/DME, etc. information and terrain awareness e.g. red hue for danger)
2. Moving Map
3. Flight Planning (including inflight editing through smart-phone interaction - just drag leg to create new waypoint)
4. Flight Instruments - Flight Time, Ground Speed, Compass, Variometer, ADF, Altimeter
5. Live Flight Tracking
6. Flight Recording/Log Book
7. 3D Synthetic Vision (3D view of terrain showing airports, nav points and peaks)

Applications exist for both iPad/iPhone (IOS) and Android devices.

http://www.dixdouze.com/xample/index.php/airnavigation

Once downloaded you run the application whilst flying and it tracks your flight in real time, delayed by around 30 seconds! I had someone tracking me from home, with the dots appearing on their screen as I progressed along my route!

Here is the tracking of my flight this morning from Rhino Park to Aeroden, having routed over my farm (just south of Hartebeespoort Dam) before returning to Aeroden.

With a zoom of the last section (clicking on each reporting point provides the in-flight information)

Safe Skies!

John.com

[Loco]

Thanks John nice seeing you @ Rhino today, you have the most pimped out trike in the history of aviation like the other guys suggested you definitely have to enter the next Tedderfield shootout!

Ouch app store wants R399 before I can download the app, I still want to try using my iPad but not sure which app to get (so many good ones like RunwayHD etc) never mind how to mount it on my trike

[bobthebuilder]

Chewing gum?

[John.com]

Chewing gum?

Nice one Bob!

Ant, take a look at using a Ram Mount! They are brilliant and get around having to 'flush mount'!

Available quite widely but agents are in Kya Sands (http://www.ram-mount.co.za/)

Cheers!

[Loco]

hahaha I'm not MacGyver only he can mount an iPad on a trike with chewing gum...

Macgyver198.jpg (21.95 KiB) Viewed 6425 times

I went through to Wings & Things @ Lanseria and got me one of these bad boys for +- R460:

Hope it works I guess the poof is in the pudding

Wings & Things also gave me a nice bottle of wine - all purchases > R500 very nice

Now which app to get!?

Runway HD - R1000+ per year
SkyDemon - R1000+ per year
EasyCocpit - ?
vfrTracker - ?
AirNav Pro - trying to download it for free, John are you running the free version?
Other???

Cheers
Ant

[John.com]

Hi Ant, I'm not sure where you are downloading from but I downloaded RunwayHD and AirNav Pro FREE and am running FULL VERSIONS of both on my iPhone! Where does R1000pa come from?? I downloaded apps, then maps (paid for some) and voila!!

I use AirNav Pro as my primary backup GPS (it is a way better app) and RunwayHD as a further backup!

Where and how are you planning on mounting that iPad 'bag'? On your leg? Not good as it takes your eyes off the sky!!

Do you have to open the flap to use it? If so, that could be a challenge in an open cockpit environment!

Cheers, John.com

[Loco]

Hi Ant, I'm not sure where you are downloading from but I downloaded RunwayHD and AirNav Pro FREE and am running FULL VERSIONS of both on my iPhone! Where does R1000pa come from?? I downloaded apps, then maps (paid for some) and voila!!

I use AirNav Pro as my primary backup GPS (it is a way better app) and RunwayHD as a further backup!

Where and how are you planning on mounting that iPad 'bag'? On your leg? Not good as it takes your eyes off the sky!!

Do you have to open the flap to use it? If so, that could be a challenge in an open cockpit environment!

Cheers, John.com

Hi John

This is what I get from the iStore (no download for free button only "R399.99 Buy"):

Where and how are you planning on mounting that iPad 'bag'? On your leg? Not good as it takes your eyes off the sky!!

Yup like normal knee board - how we used to do x-countries when training, I don't think looking down once in a while is that bad (it's not ideal I know) some guys put their GPS's in their Icarus flight suit leg pockets never mind checklists etc.

Do you have to open the flap to use it? If so, that could be a challenge in an open cockpit environment!

Another yup, one can always keep the flap open permanently but it's nice to have for protection against the elements

But like I say the poof is in the pudding I'll hopefully try it out soon will keep you posted

Cheers
Ant

[John.com]

Mmmm . . . . I get what you say but even with my iPhone mounted directly in my line of forward sight it is NOT EASY! Firstly flying with one hand whilst you 'fiddle' is not easy, especially if it's a little bumpy, and secondly, taking your eyes off where you're heading and the horizon compromises your situation VERY quickly, again, compounded with bumpy conditions!

Smart devices require 'work' (time other than flying), something you don't have in plenty supply when piloting a trike!

Anyway, let us know how it pans out

Cheers, John.com

[koosg]

I am also interested in buying that knee-board, please post your findings after test flying it.

[cobra]

Hi Anthony, vfrTracker is FREE but you need to register as a member on the site for R250.00 = 6 months which gives you all the other "stuff" on the site as well.

back to the kneeboard - I use a sporty's knee"pad", iPad clips into the holder with velcro straps round the leg and a half cover to close, with a clip to attached some paperwork on the outside which i don't use for obvious reasons.

Your solution looks great

[Loco]

Hi guys I can report back that the iPad knee board works like a charm in a trike!

Did 1.5 hours this morning at Rhino ducking under the fog and got soaked with rain at times - the protective cover for the knee board came in very handy

I ran the trial version of RunwayHD on it but would like to try it on a proper cross-country hopefully tomorrow if the weather permits

Cheers
Ant

[Loco]

Hi Anthony, vfrTracker is FREE but you need to register as a member on the site for R250.00 = 6 months which gives you all the other "stuff" on the site as well.

back to the kneeboard - I use a sporty's knee"pad", iPad clips into the holder with velcro straps round the leg and a half cover to close, with a clip to attached some paperwork on the outside which i don't use for obvious reasons.

Your solution looks great

Jis that vfrTracker looks cool if only I could downgrade my iOs

[Loco]

Sias I might call you later today to purchase vfrTracker, check this out: http://www.maclife.com/article/howtos/h ... back_ios_5

[Rudix]

I have tried most nav/gps apps for the iPad and I must say for me Airnav Pro works best.

I started with the free version (there is more than one version) but upgraded to the "Pro" version for $39 if I remember correctly. Since then I have bought more detailed maps and the detailed terrain database, really worth it! I have also used the tracking option and it worked well even over some rather empty places like the West Coast. If it cannot find a cell connection it will store the info till it does and then upload the lot.

Flying in some complicated airspace like down in CT I found the iPad/Airnav Pro solution better than my Garmin. The weather updates are also great!

I have only used the iPad on the seat next to me but I must say I like the knee-board idea, will be visiting the shop soon!

Fly safe,
Rudi
PS. I like VFR Tracker but downgrading iOS is not an option for me due to other apps I run

[Loco]

Thanks for the feedback Rudi

I also purchased AirnavPro & the detailed maps but contemplating getting the 3D EFIS map for Mpumulanga (I assume Rhino Park falls in this map?)

I'll probably never use the 3D EFIS terrain functionality but I'm a sucker for gadgets, you think it's worth forking out another R500?

Thanks
Ant