The benefits of simulation for pilot training are well understood and are beginning to be adopted more widely in the training industry. But air traffic control has remained an elusive training component. A small company based in New Jersey seeks to change all that.
Pilotedge is live, virtual air traffic control that will allow students and certificated pilots around the world to combine the best of flight simulation technology with the interaction of a live traffic environment.
Pilotedge’s controllers, many of whom are retired FAA air traffic controllers, work virtual radar scopes that network with everything from a home simulator set-up with X-Plane to multi-million-dollar full-motion simulators.
Pilots can utilize the technology anywhere they have an Internet connection and a basic flight simulator setup, or they can work with an instructor in the background at a flight school. Virtual air traffic service is available starting at clearance delivery, through ground control, tower control, approach and departure, and even in the en route environment.
Controllers will be able to sense the location of the airplanes through the virtual radar scope, and be able to tell which frequency they are transmitting on, making for a real-life training environment.
Home plans cost $20 a month with 18 hours a day of coverage guaranteed. Pilotedge displayed at EAA AirVenture alongside Precision Flight Controls, which offers a number of different hardware options, including a motion platform for less than $40,000.
Jeppesen iPad app offers charts, flight planning
One-stop shop for plates and en route charts
Jeppesen announced in July the availability of a new iPad application that incorporates all of its en route charts and terminal approach plates. Called Mobile FliteDeck, the application allows for worldwide charts in just a few gigabytes of data on the iPad.
In addition to full charting capability, the application has a basic flight planner that overlays a route onto the chart. According to Jeppesen, that chart presentation is unlike any other on the market. Rather than scanned charts, Jeppesen uses digital data, which allows for overlay capability. Similar to panel-mounted GPS units, Mobile FliteDeck has layers of airspace, airports, waypoints, airways, and more. Each layer can then be turned on or off as the user desires. According to Tim Huegel, director of portfolio management, it’s “why our customers wait for Jeppesen.”
According to the company, Mobile FliteDeck is the basis upon which various capabilities can be built. Full flight planning, weather overlay, printing, tailored coverage, and Android support are expected in the next 12 to 14 months.
Apparently responding to customer demand, Jeppesen has reexamined pricing and is offering coverage for as little as around $75. For that users will have charts and approach plates for two to three states.
For those who already have Mobile TC, the approach plate application, the site key can be ported over to Mobile FliteDeck, meaning no new purchase is necessary.
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