Aviation application news
For all you iPad owners looking for a way to secure your iPad in the cockpit, Tech Boards has released a new kneeboard made specifically for the iPad. It’s called the Tech Board iPro Kneeboard and it is available for $149.95 from the folks at ForPilotsOnly.com.
Just moments ago I flipped the switch to make both the Category and Device filters live. OK, so I didn’t literally flip a switch, but it sounded cool. What does all this mean? I means you can now filter the list of apps so that only the apps for a particular Category and/or Device are displayed.
To use the new filters, just select the desired values from the drop-downs directly above the list, then click “Apply”. Currently, you may select only one category at a time (or the default value of All), and the same goes for the Device filter where by default you will see apps for all devices or you may filter the list to see only apps for the iPhone/iPod or the iPad. These filters may be used in conjunction with each other; For example, you may filter list so that you see only the “Aviation Weather” apps for the “iPad”.
Multiple categories and devices may be assigned to each application, so it is possible for the same app to be to appear for different categories as well as for both the iPhone and iPad.
Along with the new filters you will notice several other design changes all done with the goal of making the site more user-friendly and visually appealing. I think it is a big improvement, and I hope you do too.
I still need to update the other pages of the site, but I’m just happy that I can say the Category and Device filters are now available for public consumption.
Thanks for your patience and please let me know if you encounter any problems or have comments or suggestions.
Three apps added to the list today…
Aero Charts CONUS ( iPhone/iPad)
LakeLander (iPhone)
RadarScope (iPhone)
About a week ago I received an email from 2008 National CFI of the Year Max Trescott, informing me that he had recently released two new apps in his popular GPS Guide series; Max’s GPS Guide for the Garmin aera and Max’s GPS Guide for the Garmin 430/430W.
With his books, CD-ROMs and most recently with his apps, Max has established himself as the zen master of the glass cockpit. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Max on a few occasions and his knowledge of all things GPS and Glass Cockpit related is nothing short of amazing, so when he wrote me to tell me about his new apps, I told him that I would gladly mention them here on the AviatorApps News Feed.
I have used his Garmin 430 app and I find it to be clear, concise, complete, easy to navigate and well documented with plenty graphics and screenshots for a visual thinker like me. Rather than me going on about them I thought it would be best if I let Max tell you about his apps in his own words, or shall I say his own voice.
The GPS Guide for the iPhone can be use as a Quick Reference Checklist, Illustrated Self-Study Learning Guide, or as a Refresher for Pilots and CFIs Using Many GPSs.
More than a paper GPS Checklist, the GPS Guides give detailed descriptions—not just a list of steps. They also include TIPS on the most efficient ways to use the GPS.
Each GPS guide gives clear, concise answers to your GPS questions without hunting through user manuals. Information is organization by function, so you can quickly find what you want.
~ Max Trescott, 2008 National CFI of the Year
Testing of the new category and device (platform) filters has been occurring all week and so far so good, no bugs have been found. I am currently working on some design changes to the site and I am very pleased with the way things are turning out. The changes are subtle, but to my untrained eye they seem to make a big difference.
So when will you see the filters you ask? Well, I am going to give it the old college try and I expect it to take no more than a few more days. Yup, you read that right, I said days. Not months, not weeks, but days!
Expect an official go live announcement here on the news feed and on Twitter very soon.
I am happy to announce that MAJOR progress has been made on the Category and Platform (e.g. iPhone, iPad) filters. I still have some data to enter and a few design changes to make, but there are currently several beta testers kicking the tires of the new filters.
Assuming everything goes well over the next few days (and I don’t manage to break anything), the filters should be launched very soon.
Fellow RV builder (now flyer) Don Hall posted this YouTube video where he demonstrates how uses his new iPad as an EFB.
A few new apps have been added, some with iPad support, and a few old apps have now been revised to support the iPad.
New Apps
Airporter (iPad)
Flightwise Chart Explorer (iPhone/iPad)
Power Pilot (iPhone/iPad)
SkyChartsPro (iPad)
Old Apps with new versions to support the iPad
Airports 4 Pilots Pro - World Edition
Foreflight Mobile 3 HD Aviation and Preflight Intelligence
MyRadar Pro
I’m typing this post from my lawn chair outside the Walnut Creek , California Apple store where I am waiting for the iPad to go on sale tomorrow. OK, not really, I’m actually at home sitting on my couch with my feet up and an adult beverage at my side.
All kidding aside, a few people have emailed asking me if I am planning on buying an iPad. I am not planning on it (at least immediately), although when I saw the screen shots of ForeFlight Mobile 3 HD on the iPad I suddenly felt the urge to order one on the spot (talk about cool!). As tempting as I find the iPad, I already have an iPhone and several other PCs, so I just can’t put it into the need column right now. Although, I suspect that as more applications for the iPad are released, I will find its allure harder and harder to resist.
All this being said, I’ve already begun the work need to track and filter apps by platform (iPhone/iPod or iPad). I know I’ve mentioned it before but I’ve been working on a categorization scheme and filter (yeah I know, you’ll believe when you see it) and the plan is to launch the platform filter at the same time. While the database work is complete, I’ve had to bring in some technical assistance to help with the increasingly complex database structure and associated queries. So when will you see it? As soon as possible is all I will say.
If you are planning on purchasing an iPad, just keep in mind that the version of the iPad that has 3G connectivity and GPS won’t be released until late April. I suspect most aviators will be waiting for that version, I know I would.
So, are you getting an iPad?
A long overdue update with 46 apps added to the list.
AeroInfo
air photoclock
AKAvCAMsLt
AMTFAR
AN Bolt
AS Pilot QRA
ATC 7110.65
CFI Tools RouteWX
CG Finder
Checklist for Cessna 152
ERJ 140 / 145 (CHQ) - Weight & Balance for Pilots
FA World
Flash Q/Ard!
Flight Planning & Monitoring
FlightBrief Lite
Fuel Uplift
Fuel Uplift Calculator
Fuel Uplift Calculator Lite
Gone Flying Aviation Safety
GPS Guide for Garmin 430
GPS Guide for Garmin aera
Hot Air
iBal
iBriefing
iBriefing LITE
iLoadSheet
iLogbook
Instrument Flying Handbook
Instrument Procedures Handbook
iTorqueWrench
Metar Map
MountainCFI
Navigator - Aviation Instrument Training
PA-28R-201 Piper Arrow - Weight & Balance for Pilots
PA-34-200T Piper Seneca II - Weight & Balance for Pilots
PA-44-180 Piper Seminole - Weight & Balance for Pilots
PA-46-350P Piper Malibu - Weight & Balance for Pilots
Passenger Count Helper
Pilot My-Cast by Garmin - Subscription Application
Pilot Rest Assistant
Pilot Time
SkyGauges - Cockpit for Everyone
Tail Number
Takeoffs and Landings Made Easy
TU206G - Weight & Balance for Pilots
WindSock
If you would like a quick way to view the app list with the most recent apps on top, just click this link.
