JayKay

Before beating up NATFLY managment and RA-AUS can any of the people on this forum who know the identity of the pilot in question please confirm that the pilot was a member of the RAA. I don't know who the pilot was but do know that the majority of microlights in Australia are not registered with the RAA. It may not be reasonable to assume this was an RAA registered trike. NATFLY is not exclusive to RAA members.

I think the idea has merit. The problem I see is that the outcomes are NOT for the benefit of ALL RAAus member, but for the subset of those who participate (and are allowed to participate) on these forums.

We must recognise that fact that not all RAAus members:

1. choose to use this site, or

2. are at all times allowed on this site.

This site is a private site and being a member of it is a privilege, not a right. RAAus members are routinely banned from participating for various lengths of time, some may be banned permanently. The banned members would then be unable to communicate via this site with the RAAus Board and Execs because of transgression of the rules of THIS site, rather than transgression of RAAus rules. This in my view is fundamentally wrong and undemocratic for all RAAus members.

I would have not problem at all if the scope of this initiative was changed from;

"for the benefit of [all] RAAus members", to

"for the benefit of those RAAus members who choose to be members of this site" (or words to that effect).

Some may think this a trivial issue, but I believe it is an important one.

The aim of achieving greater transparency has my full support. I just hope the process does not hinder the goal.

Some might have difficulty associating "openness" with "... the threads WILL be heavily moderated to ensure forum rules are adhered to ..."

Ian,

It may be an idea to first ask the RAAus Executive members if they would be willing to use this site for the purpose you suggest. If they are not willing to participate (and there is no legal obligation for them to do so) then you may be wasting your time and this site may be seen as a threat to the executive members.

My suggestion would be that you list the board memebers who are willing to participate and only address questions to them. Addressing questions to board members who have not indicated a willingness to participate may be seen in a negative light by the general RAA membership.

Is this right:

 

• I need the unit
   
   
  
• I need Ozi Explorer CE on the unit, to make maps work? Is this the moving map part?
   
   
  
• I need some sort of planning software, either OziExplorer OR AirNav?
   
   
  
• I need the maps for use with the planning software AND the maps for the unit, but now they can all be AirNav maps, so I don't need OziExplorer PC or it's maps?
   
   
  

 

 

Basically I want to see if I can get the paper airservices maps I'm used to on the unit, and not use OziExplorer maps. I don't know them and hence don't want to trust them.

The unit runs WindowsCE. OziexplorerCE runs on the unit. OziexplorerCE uses Maptrax Charts (which are identical to the paper charts you buy from Airservices as they are supplied to Maptrax by Airservices). All this provides you with Moving Map functionality.

For flight planning you need to use AirNav VFR (or Oziexplorer PC version but this is not as comprehensive at flight planning). AirNav VFR also sources it's charts from Airservices but these are encrypted and cannot be transferred to OziexplorerCE. AirNav VFR has moving map functionality but according to their website does not run on WindowsCE therefore does not run on the unit. It only runs on a Windows PC. So if you use AirNav VFR for flight planning you have to also purchase charts from Maptrax to load into the unit. You can however load the flight plan from Airnav VFR to the unit.

If you use Oziexplorer PC for flight planning (limited functionality) then you only need to buy the Maptrax charts as they can be loaded into Oziexplorer PC or OziexplorerCE which runs on the unit.

Bottom line (as far as I'm aware) - you can NOT use Sentient Airnav VFR flight planner charts on this unit as they are locked and not transferable to Oziexplorer.

It may be that Sentient Airnav VFR can now run on WindowsCE - but if it can, it's news to me.

Maybe others can help clear up the statement "2. You can elect to use the Sentient AirNav Flight Planner charts"

Is that a Pegasus Trike?

Now, I am unsure and perhaps someone else can advise, but I don't know if you can print out your flight plan on a MapTrax chart with OziExplorer PC version like you can with AirNav

I have AirNav with charts for all of Australia and I pay to have them updated as each new version comes out. The licence allows me to download it to two computers.Is there a way I can transfer the charts files from my laptop to the Rec Flying GPS?

The same questions could be asked by those who pay a licence for OzRunways or AirNav Pro for the iPad. Is the licence to use their charts transferable to generic graphic formats such as pdf, png or jpg which could be used on the Rec Flying GPS?

As far as I know, Maptrax are the only ones who sell Airservices calibrated charts in standard, non proprietary format which can be used on the Rec Flying GPS.

I do remember one called seredent Airnav (I think thats what it was called) but apparently its unavalible anymore.

JK - just plug your phone into your computer with the suppllied USB cable and you can then choose from a menu on teh phone telling it to act as a disk drive - you can then see it in explorer (if using Windows) and you can drag the .apk file there. You will need to download an application installer app in order to install it though. There are plenty of free ones on the market.

Noticed that on OziExp site the other day JK. I actually downloaded the file but need an App uploader & not sure what one to use (or even how to at this stage). Must get back to it. Got a Samsung Galaxy S II.

I'm not familiar with Android so I would also appreciate some step by step instructions on how to install all this stuff on my HTC Desire HD.

I've read the "Installation Instructions" and the first step is: "Download the OziExplorer apk file and put it on the SD card of your device in the top level folder of the SD Card". My question is "How do you put it on the SD card?" Do you have to put the SD card into a PC and create folders that way, or is there an APP in Android (similar to a file manager like Windows Explore) that helps you do all this stuff from within Android?

Of course I'm very keen to see all this stuff working on Ian's new 7" and 10" Android devices.

I note that OziExplorer for Android has just been released. It's version 1.04 (beta). It can be purchased for $25.00 USD. The program has to be tested on your Android device prior to purchase (must supply a Device ID as part of purchase process).

Anyone out there willing to have a go at this and let us know how well it works on your Android device?

Easy, when you have created a plan in Airnav and saved it, click on the GPS button (buttons on the second row), Airnav will ask if you want to save as a rte file (which is an Oziexplorer route file). Click save, then Airnav will ask if you want to save a wpt file (a Ozi waypoint file) click save. All you need to do is copy those two files from Airnav into the data folder of Ozi and go flying. Bring up the route in Ozi and the route and waypoints are all there. I use a card reader to transfer files, just copy and paste dead easy.

Airnav produces flight plan files and waypoint files in Ozi Ce format. I plan with Airnav and load the files into the GPS no problems.

Dentist, please post the steps you use to directly upload custom route and waypoint data from AirNav VFR to a WindowsCE device. If it's simple to do, we've just made good progress.

The units come free with iGO street navigation software pre-loaded but you can install any WindowsCE navigation software on it that you like/buy/own and use that if you like...you could use Route 66, or CoPilot Live...for aviation offcourse you could also go for FMSPocket...everyone has different needs, wants, likes on software and applications so this is why I focused on the hardware getting a good unit that would be versatile for the apps. I have installed CoPilot Live on one of the test units but that costs money to subscribe. I would to start with have a look at the iGo app and see if you like it and if so use it for a while untill you find/hear about another one and as time progresses what options I can get sorted out with deals etc and decide which one suits your needs in both information and pocket. this is also why I want to get the forum going for discussions like this as users will find options themselves and share with the community...does that help?

Ian,

Can you please provide a little more information re the street navigation data on these units. Who is the data source? How up-to-date is it? What is the process for keeping it up to date?

I understand the aviation part of it all, I'm just curious about the 'street map' side when and if I choose to use it in my car.

I've never had a real GPS, or used flight planning software, so this may be a basic sort of question.I recently got told about AirNav VFR which allows you to plan then print maps, and then it can load that into a GPS. I don't yet know how that works, but the question is, would a 7" Recreational Flying GPS work with this?

 

Ryan

Having said that, there is an opportunity for someone to develop a module which could convert the data AirNav normally exports into a GPS and load it into Oziexplorer thus making AirNav at least partly compatible with this unit.

This may be a good challenge for someone to exercise the 'self help' spirit which this site is trying to foster.

CRAVN S 32 07.6 E 151 46.0 is a designated IFR Waypoint (see ERSA 18-Nov-2010 IFR-GEN-3)

Airbus A380 Cockpit - 360 Degree Panoramic View

Airbus A380 - cockpit | p a n o r e p o r t a g e | g i l l e s v i d a l

and some others ...

360 degree cockpit views

You can look left, right, up, down, and even zoom in for a closer look at the instruments!

Get the 495, it is a true aviation GPS. The Aera 500 is a land-based GPS with delusions of aviation.

The x96 series have a tested and proven track record.

Media reports say the police are looking for witnesses to the forced landing, ??

The registration of the aircraft is 24-4587

Some pics of the motor after the event ...

Note the two missing bolt heads on the cylinder head and the through-bolt is just loose (with no head)

Cficare, I thought you might be, but now that I've managed to draw you out, I know it, you're a Closet Coder Sadly I can't compete

The bulk of my flying is 2-3 day cross-country trips with different groups of pilots. In my experience, during the trips, most pilots will use their notepads or internet enabled mobile phones (eg. iPhones) to check non aviation specific weather sites (eg. eldersweather, etc).

When I ask them why they don't check ARFORs, METARs or TAFs they say it takes too long to decode and they aren't quite sure about the accuracy of their decoding.

We are living in the 21st century in the midst of a technology revolution. People want quick and easy access to information. Many weather sites provide that service leaving the good old coded ARFORs, METARs and TAFs behind in their wake.

We've got to stop kidding ourselves. If we are serious about safety then we need to provide a service which delivers relevant, useful, quick and easy to use information for ALL pilots, not just the elite few who are fluent in a coded language which has long ago lost it's justification to exist (why did they make us study Latin at school?).

I just had a quick look to see what other countries are doing re plain english weather. I came across this METAR/TAF Information Page on the National Climatic Data Center - US Department of Commerce METAR Home Page

Quoting part of the text ...

"The conversion to a plain language format for thousands of domestic and international observations that are generated each hour of the day is impractical and would easily overwhelm our meteorological communication circuits. However, having now standardized to a considerable extent does allow computer programs to expand the "code" into plain language. However, if you are getting plain language reports, it is because the service you subscribe to (DUATS, WSI, Pan Am data, etc.) is providing that for you."

I then had a look at the "National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service" website ADDS - METARs

Typed in KCOS and selected METARs, TAFs, and RAW Format and got this ...

==============

KCOS 240554Z VRB03KT 10SM FEW085 18/04 A3040 RMK AO2 SLP208 T01830039 10278 20183 50013

KCOS 240520Z 2406/2506 VRB06KT P6SM SCT200

FM240900 VRB05KT P6SM FEW040 SCT200

FM241800 17012KT P6SM SCT080 SCT200

FM242200 20015KT P6SM VCTS SCT080CB BKN200

FM250200 10012KT P6SM SCT080 BKN200

==============

This time I selected "Translated" and got this ...

==============

METAR text: KCOS 240554Z VRB03KT 10SM FEW085 18/04 A3040 RMK AO2 SLP208 T01830039 10278 20183 50013

Conditions at: KCOS (COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, US) observed 0554 UTC 24 June 2010

Temperature: 18.3°C (65°F)

Dewpoint: 3.9°C (39°F) [RH = 38%]

Pressure (altimeter): 30.40 inches Hg (1029.5 mb)

[sea-level pressure: 1020.8 mb]

Winds: variable direction winds at 3 MPH (3 knots; 1.6 m/s)

Visibility: 10 or more miles (16+ km)

Ceiling: at least 12,000 feet AGL

Clouds: few clouds at 8500 feet AGL

Weather: no significant weather observed at this time

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Forecast for: KCOS (COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, US)

Text: KCOS 240520Z 2406/2506 VRB06KT P6SM SCT200

Forecast period: 0600 to 0900 UTC 24 June 2010

Forecast type: FROM: standard forecast or significant change

Winds: variable direction winds at 7 MPH (6 knots; 3.1 m/s)

Visibility: 6 or more miles (10+ km)

Clouds: scattered clouds at 20000 feet AGL

Weather: no significant weather forecast for this period

<snip> (sorry about the loss of format - check out the webpage to see how clear it looks)

==============

All done by a government agency in the United States. I note that other government agencies are also providing this service in other countries.

I think the precedent is set. Why aren't we doing it? I see no reason why the RAA couldn't purchase a translator and provide it as a service on their website. This way they own the code, control maintenance and quality of the product.

Ianboag is not the first person to have written the translation software. A number of commercial packages are available for purchase and have been on the market for some time. Ianboag is the first person (to the best of my knowledge) who made his code freely available to the public.

There is no reason why the RAA couldn't put out a tender for the job, make a selection and provide this service to everyone via their website. I believe this would be easily achieved as it has already been developed by an number of sources (and currently freely available).

How about it RAA? Ian Baker, aren't you close to the RAA thinktank?