TeleType GPS for PDAs
When we first began reviewing software programs for personal digital assistants (see " Pilot Products: Aviation Applications for PDAs," April 2001 Pilot), we took a look at TeleType's moving-map GPS program, one of the first entrants in a field that has since exploded. TeleType's entry was an offshoot of its robust street-mapping (and marine) GPS program for handheld computers and laptops. To be honest, it seemed like the aviation functions were a bit of an afterthought and not all operated smoothly until bugs were addressed — the program seemed reasonable for use on the ground but not quite ready for prime time in flight.
Our ongoing testing of the program, however, has consistently found that one of TeleType's primary benefits, compared to its competitors, is that it moves fairly seamlessly from the cockpit to the car. If you're looking for a PDA-based moving-map program suitable for use in both your car and aircraft, this program is worth considering.
And, through the diligent work of pilot and TeleType President Ed Friedman, many of those earlier problems on the aviation side of the program have been addressed. We used the Pocket PC-based TeleType program on an HP Jornada 568, using a Pharos iGPS 480 receiver with an integral antenna, for several months in both a Cessna 172 and a Piper Archer. We found some problems with signal pickup using the Pharos. TeleType also offers proprietary GPS plug-in modules — including a WAAS-capable module for $249 — and results are optimal when using the program with these systems, according to the company. All of TeleType's plug-in GPS modules, however, fit into the memory-card slot on the PDA, and therefore take up that slot during use. The Pharos iGPS is the only portable GPS unit that we found that plugs into the input slot at the base of the Jornada PDA, which leaves the memory-card (compact flash) slot free for the cards on which the actual base maps are loaded.
The display can be shown in either an HSI- or an EFIS-style arc — which both testers preferred as it left the screen of the PDA less cluttered. Aviation maps aren't particularly large files (about 20 MB per region) — much smaller than the street databases — but we kept them on a storage card to free space on the PDA. It was easy enough to load the appropriate regional maps, once we figured out which ones to load for a particular trip. Since our first pass through the program more than two years ago, the program has added an on-screen direct-to function (called "Go Direct"), and navaids, airspace, airports, and other features are easily identified with a tap of the stylus. The Extended Runway Centerline is a nice feature, as is the emergency range (to ascertain whether you can make it to a particular airport).
An upgrade announced last fall is the ability to download to the PDA Nexrad weather images from the National Weather Service while docked (or in flight with a Qualcomm satellite phone) and overlay them onto the moving map (for a $39 annual license fee). Temporary flight restriction information is also downloadable from the TeleType Web site. E6B features are now embedded in the program, including weight and balance, flight planning, and pilot checklists, and TeleType is adding vector-based (for easier scrolling) taxiway diagrams for larger airports. One of our testers updated the program early in our testing cycle, and found the screen refresh rate to be about twice as fast as before — a plus in a relatively fast-moving airplane. However, the program doesn't respond to inputs during the screen update cycle. Sometimes we tapped an airport for needed information, but had to wait several seconds for that data while the screen refreshed (true of PDAs in general).
The map software comes in several aviation-specific bundles arranged with a particular region (United States, Europe, or Canada) in mind. The region, however, pertains to the street maps included; a worldwide aviation database is contained in each version. The GPS software comes separately, and is tailored to regions as well. Bundles are also available, as is software for PCs and tablet PCs.
Price: $195 for U.S. aviation software; $95 for GPS software (United States and Puerto Rico)
Contact: 888/835-3897; www.teletype.com
Air Chart Systems VFR Sectional Atlas
Air Chart Systems' chart books are favorites of many pilots who use these spiral-bound compendiums of world aeronautical charts (WACs) to supplement their cockpit information stores on IFR flights.
Now the company is debuting its new VFR Sectional Atlas. The atlas comes in two volumes for the eastern and western United States. This nice addition to its product mix should be welcomed both by VFR pilots and IFR pilots. For IFR pilots, they can now carry a convenient set of bound sectionals for those occasional VFR flights. For VFR pilots, it's a convenient way to keep charts. WACs are just not detailed enough for real-world VFR navigation.
The sectional atlases include details such as a control tower index, military operations airspace (MOA) and other special-use airspace indexes, update pages, and a sectional chart legend. The atlases also make great tools for flight planning or dreaming about your next long cross-country flight. The atlases are issued annually each May with 28-day and 56-day update cycles. The 56-day updates are mailed to you and are cumulative. You simply insert the new one to stay current. Updates are also noted on a map sent with the update information so that you can look over your route to see if any changes apply to a given flight.
Air Chart Systems also offers IFR en route atlases and National Aeronautical Charting Office (NACO) approach chart subscriptions. The eastern United States edition of the VFR Sectional Atlas is available now; the western edition will be available in May 2004.
Price: $99, including a year's worth of updates
Contact: 800/338-7221; www.airchart.com
Ailerona audio book CD
Ailerona, an audio book collection on CD, is a unique compilation of essays by Paul Berge, editor of IFR magazine. Narrated by the author, the CD traces the writer's journey through the skies. Ailerona is available over the Web or through the Antique Airplane Association's Air Power Museum by sending a check or money order to the address below; a portion of the proceeds goes to the museum, which houses a collection of almost 50 aircraft, many of which are in flying condition.
Price: $19.95
Contact: 515/961-0654; www.ailerona.com; Air Power Museum, 22001 Bluegrass Road, Ottumwa, Iowa 52501
OSHKOSH PRODUCTS
Aerospace Logic, of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, has introduced a line of engine and fuel-quantity instruments that are built to TSO standards and are FAA approved to replace primary instruments, including oil pressure, oil temperature, fuel quantity, ammeter (or voltmeter), and cylinder head temperature (for engines with constant-speed propellers). All are housed in the common two-and-one-quarter-inch-round format.
Contact: www.aerospacelogic.com
Castrol has reintroduced its Aviator line of aviation oils, starting with a line of single-grade oils packaged in a reusable bottle that features a unique built-in pouring funnel. All grades contain the extreme pressure lubricant (complying with Lycoming LW-16702) required
by an airworthiness directive for certain Lycoming engines. Castrol Aviator ashless dispersant (AD) oil and non-compounded (S) oils both will be offered in four grades — 65 (30 weight), 80 (40 weight), 100 (50 weight), and 120 (60 weight).
Contact: www.airbp.com
Chelton Flight Systems, as part of its work with the FAA's Capstone program, now holds an STC in the Bell 206 for its FlightLogic Synthetic Vision primary flight display. The VFR approval allows pilots a "blue-sky view" of the surrounding area in cases of whiteout conditions caused by snow, dust, and other debris encountered during hover, as well as increased situational awareness in normal operations. (See " On Display: Chelton's FlightLogic Synthetic Vision," May Pilot.)
Contact: www.cheltonflightsystems.com
The FAA has issued parts manufacturer approval (PMA) to WSI Corporation for the InFlight AV200 cockpit weather briefing system, allowing the company to manufacture the equipment. The AV200 system continuously transmits near-real-time aviation weather directly to the cockpit using a satellite in geosynchronous orbit. The service provides a display of current and forecast weather conditions, as well as WSI NOWrad, a high-quality mosaic of the Nexrad Doppler weather system.
Price: $4,995 plus installation
Contact: www.wsi.com
XM Satellite Radio announced that it has been selected by Rockwell Collins to supply its WX Satellite Weather to the Collins Pro Line 21 family of avionics. The new feature will be available for new and retrofit installations, and Heads Up Technologies will supply the XM satellite receiver. The launch aircraft for the service will be the Cessna Citation CJ3.
Contact: www.xmradio.com
Precise Flight, manufacturer of SpeedBrakes and Pulselites, is now marketing its own individual oxygen system, PreciseFlow, based on Nelson Oxygen systems. The system uses a pulsed delivery method to match the oxygen outflow to the user's inhalation, resulting in an efficient metering of oxygen so that pilots retain about 90 to 92 percent oxygen saturation while using about half the oxygen of continuous-flow systems. The system will be TSOed and use cannulas.
Price: $380
Contact: www.preciseflight.com
The latest version of Jeppesen's SimCharts, for use with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight, eases the users' ability to utilize realistic instrument charts during sim sessions. Each of the nine available CDs covers a geographic region spanning nearly the entire globe. Paper en route charts add another element, available in three U.S. regions and one package that covers Europe.
Contact: www.jeppesen.com
ASA Flight Timer
Whether you're timing between checkpoints on a cross-country flight, or counting down the elapsed time from the final approach fix to the missed approach point during instrument approach practice, the new timer from ASA has a mode for you.
The Flight Timer includes multiple timer functions. Foremost: the ability to set up to 12 separate approach timers and three additional timed events, the ability to count down and count up, a trip timer that shows elapsed time for your entire flight, and an exclusive digital notepad for squawk codes and other frequencies.
The timer features a backlit liquid-crystal display and large, distinct buttons. The chronometer also clicks over to a dedicated fuel timer so that you can keep track of both your elapsed time between waypoints and your total trip time. The clock function gives time in Zulu and military time, as well as local time.
Times are set by pushing and rotating the large dial on the face of the timer, with a quick reset button to return the timer to zero. The digital notepad was developed by the folks at ASA to record numbers such as transponder squawk codes and frequencies for future reference — not a primary function, but an interesting use of the extra space in the display. Audible and visual alarms let you know when time has run out, and multiple mounting options allow you to place the timer wherever it's most convenient.
The timer has a black, rugged plastic case. Two AAA batteries are included.
Price: $49.95
Contact: 800/272-2359; www.asa2fly.com
Unless otherwise stated, products listed herein have not been evaluated by AOPA Pilot editors. AOPA assumes no responsibility for products or services listed or for claims or actions by manufacturers or vendors. However, members unable to get satisfaction regarding products listed should advise AOPA. To submit products for evaluation, contact: New Products Editor, AOPA Pilot , 421 Aviation Way, Frederick, Maryland 21701; telephone 301/695-2350. Links to all Web sites referenced in this issue can be found on AOPA Online ( www.aopa.org/pilot/links.shtml).
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