THE APPLE iPAD AND THE FOREFLIGHT APPLICATION FOR AVIATION PRE-FLIGHT PLANNING

 
 

Matt F and Cees V were lined up at the University Village Apple store twice, on the first day the iPad was released, and again the day the 3G version of the iPad was released. During a visit Matt and Cees demonstrated the ForeFlight application that they installed on their iPad(s).

OK - the iPad and ForeFlight is nothing short of INCREDIBLE! I would say this is the first giant leap in general aviation pre-flight planning capability since DUATS was made available on-line. 

 

It looks like all the information available on a typical DUATS type weather brief and flight plan are available literally at your fingertips on the iPad but in a spectacular graphic display.

Cees so graciously sent some example iPad/Foreflight screen shots of a proposed flight from Boeing Field to Orcas Island/Eastsound. 

Here is a screen shot with a radar overlay - not much to see on this day.

Here is the menu for some other possible overlays, including satellite imagery, wind charts, cielings, sky coverage, visibility, temps, ifr/vfr - even lightening!

 

Next we can look at weather information for our origin and destination. 

Of course your fingertips are simply tapping the screen to bring up this information. It's like having Duats or some other flight planning service along with AOPA's airport guide or a similar guide. 

Below is a screen shot showing the airport information that is available. Notice sunrise/sunset times are shown - so you will know when to leave the Madrona Grill in Eastsound for the walk back to the airplane - to catch the sunset after takeoff...priorities.

At your fingertips is the VFR sectional chart...

 

And the approach procedures...

 

You can check the latest and recent weather conditions, maybe at your plane at the airport.

And winds aloft information in an easy-to-read format:

If you are using the iPad Foreflight app please submit your comments via our Cascade Flyers email list. This new technology will likely have issues with cell coverage and who knows what else - but initially - it looks fantastic.

Comments

[Chip]

Almost makes me want to be a pilot just to play with this toy.