The iPad-Challenged PE Newbies Guide to ForeFlight

[Calvin Waterbury]

Nope, thar ain't no sech animal! At least not yet, AFAIK, so, we will have to make one here.

I have been (and will continue) sampling the forty-three threads produced with a search for "ForeFlight." I have to admit I am overwhelmed by all the information as well as all the doodads and gizmos available on ForeFlight. While I have played with one before, I only purchased one (on trial) this last week. My oldest son, Jake was the one who suggested I get an iPod/Mini-iPad/iPad to use with another app called "Airtrack." ForeFlight popped up as an afterthought.

I have been reading about ForeFlight on the web (adding to mental overload). I can kind of see how this would be a handy tool for RW pilots, but would the investment of $75 per annum really give a serious simpilot a decent ROI? Assuming the answer is in the affirmative, how would a simpilot actually use ForeFlight without letting it become an all-consuming monster? What should a newbie focus on and what would be best to leave alone in the beginning?

Thanks.

[julio.elizalde]

Foreflight is a pretty incredible tool especially for real world flying. Also check out Garmin Pilot, a pretty easy to use program with many similar features and a subscription fee.

If you get fast with your iPad, you can easily use skyvector to find your charts. Open three tabs: one for your departure airport, one for your arrival airport, and one for your VFR/IFR enroute charts. It's free and gets you a lot of the same information. I especially calling up the real world ATIS at the airports (this way I can simulate any runway closures or special instructions to keep my flying interesting).

[Keith Smith]

Foreflight's value is what it brings to the cockpit of an airplane. The value of using it in a sim is so that you can be fluid with it in the airplane.

If I was going to be PC-only, I would just set up a second screen with Skyvector and be happy as a clam. The exception to this would be if you wanted to make use of location services where it draws the aircraft on the map based on the sim's position. This can be very handy if you enable geo-referenced plates (another $75/yr), which allows you to see your postion on the AFD and approach plates.

You have the PFC GPS, though, which negates all of that value...so I would maximize the existing investment in the GPS, learn that inside and out and skip FF. Just my opinion.

[djrisc]

There are three main parts of ForeFlight that I use constantly.

1. The Airports Icon
Provides information on:
- Frequencies
- Taxi Map
- Pattern altitude
- etc.
- This section is relatively straight forward.

2. Plates
- If you do a search under plates for an airport ("KSMO" for example) this will provide you with all plates that you will need for that airport quickly.
- You can then hit the "+" to add them permanently to your list.

3. Maps
- You can quickly swap between the sectional, low IFR, high IFR on the upper left pulldown.
- If you type in the FULL route that ATC gives you for an IFR clearance, it will plot the entire path for you.
- So for example if you put in the search field: KSBA HENER FIM V386 PMD DAG V587 BLD KVGT
- That will give you the entire route. (I haven't tested that specific one I just pulled it from a flight plan on PE. Sometimes it complains about missing an intersection that you'll need to add to the list yourself.)

That's the "core" features I use in ForeFlight. I also use the suggested Route guide ( but as discussed in another thread, not always trust) , fuel calculator, etc, etc. But honestly, when simming you don't really need to learn that right off at the start.

Brett

[zachdecou]

I am new to the iPad-in-the-cockpit environment. I prefer tattered sectionals, a plotter, and an E6B (though I far from master of any of these). For quick access of approach plates and AFDs as well as excellent flight planning, I chose Reader Plates as my app. I don't like a screen with a blip telling me where I am along a pink line. My app gives me no current position information. It's up to my eyes and my avionics to tell me my location. When approach calls and queries me for my position, I better have an answer! (There have been times when I didn't- egg on my face and a long "uuuuuummmmmm" while i scrambled for the sectional). Looking at a plane icon ticking along on an iPad is, to me at least, a bit of a cop out. I guess it's a sign of the current state of the art, and I know I sound old fashioned, but give me a map and a swingin' CDI and let my brain do the flying.

[Calvin Waterbury]

zachdecou, I'm with you on the "flying" aspect, but I guess I'm not that picky when it comes to the charts, especially when I can hardly read the tiny print on the sectionals. In this case, I have found the zoomin/zoomout feature of the iPad to be of great service to me.

@Keith - I have been working with my PFC-430, but have not yet discovered how the unit is able to replace charts. Did I miss something or possibly misunderstand?

@Everyone - Thanks for the great perspectives. It has provided some feed waters toward a more comprehensive understanding. At least I don't feel quite as lost.

[Keith Smith]

My comment regarding the 430 replacing charts was in reference to this:

The exception to this would be if you wanted to make use of location services where it draws the aircraft on the map based on the sim's position. This can be very handy if you enable geo-referenced plates (another $75/yr), which allows you to see your postion on the AFD and approach plates.

You have the PFC GPS, though, which negates all of that value...so I would maximize the existing investment in the GPS, learn that inside and out and skip FF. Just my opinion.

Between skyvector (for the real charts) and the GPS telling you where you are in space, I think FF's value over that solution is marginal, albeit very cool. As a tool in the airplane, though, it's spectacular.

[Calvin Waterbury]

Ah!

[edit]
Skyvector is not available offline and when I am online with Skyvector I get confused what cryptically-labeled tab is what in my Firefox browser.

After some deliberation I ordered Simplates Ultra (~70,000 charts). Although every new plate I select has a small delay for downloading once it is downloaded it is instantaneously available online or offline. However, after getting over the "I don't know what to do!" factor I found the use of ForeFlight on a borrowed iPad to be somewhat liberating since I don't have to leave the cockpit (switch to a Simplates Ultra/Skyvector window) to view the chart, especially the SIDs, STARs and IAPs. Unfortunately, the ~$500 to ~$600 for a new iPad plus a $75/year subscription are some hurdles I will have to overcome. Just thinking out loud.
[/edit]

[RiteFlyer]

Absolutely LOVE FF in the RW airplane- would also LOVE to utilize it in my sim. If you run X-Plane v10 I understand it is supported via a wireless LAN, however if you’re running v9.xx (like me) the only way that I have heard of is using GPSSIMCABLE.COM ’s product...

[arb65912]

Calvin, I was reading about Simplates but I have never run of anything updates, charts change, what is the option there? Cheers, AJ