For flight operations with multiple-aircraft fleets and pilots that use iPad electronic flight bags (EFBs), app developer ForeFlight (Booth 4645) has integrated its ForeFlight Mobile iPad app with Comply365’s MyMobile365 dashboard. Comply365 specializes in enterprise optimization, and the dashboard helps fleet operators manage iPad deployment for groups of users.
With the Comply365 Connector installed, pilots can quickly sign on using the Comply365 MyMobile365 dashboard and receive authentication to use ForeFlight Mobile on their iPads, without having to go through any other setup steps.
ForeFlight and Comply365 also collaborated on a system to help operators gain FAA authorization for own-ship display for airport ground operations. The solution involves using ForeFlight’s Taxi Data Recorder function to collect GPS taxi data from multiple pilots in a flight operation. The app uploads this data to the cloud then it is exported back to the MyMobile365 dashboard. According to ForeFlight, “The Taxi Data Recorder dashboard makes it easy to start workflows and support analysis for airport moving map own-ship approvals.”
With the Comply365 Connector for ForeFlight Mobile, pilots have one-touch access to ForeFlight Mobile,” said Tyson Weihs, co-founder and CEO of ForeFlight. “With the new Comply365 dashboard for Taxi Data Recorder, operators have a powerful solution that simplifies the data collection and analysis work required to support own-ship authorization.”
New Functions
This year ForeFlight developers have been busy adding a number of useful new functions to the company’s iPad app, including Track Log flight recording, weight-and-balance, profile views and more.
The profile view function came with ForeFlight Mobile 6.0 and provides a new way to view ForeFlight’s Hazard Advisor information. Profile View is available with the opening of the Navlog/Route Editor, and then the Profile option.
With a departure and destination set into the editor, the Profile View shows the vertical cross-section of the route, with displays showing height of highest terrain, vertical clearance from that highest point and obstacles on that route and first strike, which is the distance to the impact point of that point or obstacle from departure. Touching the altitude selected in the profile mode allows the user to change that altitude, and this is also changed in the Edit view.
A subsequent improvement in version 6.2.1 allows pilots to change the parameters for the hazard altitude and route width, a useful feature for helicopter operators. Highest point, clearance and first-strike figures are highlighted in a panel on the right side.
The Pack feature was added in version 6.1 and looks at a planned route to determine whether all the necessary charts and data are downloaded. A simple push of the Pack button downloads any needed charts, data, Notams, fuel prices and pre-departure weather information, and all of this can be accessed in flight.
Flight Tracking
Version 6.3 added the Track Log and weight-and-balance features. Track Log allows pilots to record a flight when GPS information is available, either the built-in GPS receiver in the iPad equipped with cellular capability or with a suitable external GPS. Track Log is switched on using a record button on the maps page, and logs can be viewed afterward in ForeFlight or shared via email or social media or imported into the CloudAhoy flight-tracking system.
The weight-and-balance solution includes more than 100 aircraft already set up with profiles, and it’s easy to add custom profiles. Features in the weight and balance module include a variety of customizable parameters and new functions, such as the ability to add any number of stations or loads at each station to an aircraft; choice of fuel type and ability to change fuel density; start/taxi and in flight fuel consumption; editable fuel volume and a graphic display of the weight-and-balance solution with audible alert for out-of-balance conditions. Once completed, the loading summary can easily be emailed or printed.
Although ForeFlight has been optimized for the latest version of iOS 8, the company does recommend turning off automatic app updating. “When enabled, this feature can create a situation where the apps you rely upon to fly safely update automatically before you have a chance to review and ground test the changes prior to flight,” the company explained.
