I created the “general” category for this column to cover apps that don’t quite fit in any of the usual categories. We last did a general apps column Sept. 20, so let’s kick off 2014 with these five apps, covering everything from explaining acronyms and aviation terms to measuring density altitude. These are not endorsements of any app.
ATPL Dictionary (free in iTunes): Developer Lybron Sobers has created this iPhone/iPad app that serves as an aviation definition reference for pilots and aviation enthusiasts. Definitions cover areas including airframes, aircraft performance, navigation, flight planning, IFR and VFR communication, and meteorology. In the paid version of the app (99 cents), users get access to 400 more definitions, no ads, and the ability to sync the app across all devices.
CFI Tools General Aviation (free in iTunes, but subscriptions are $2.99 a month or $24.99 a year): This app, optimized for the iPhone 5, helps a pilot prepare for a flight by offering weather forecasts, weight and balance, metars, TAFs, nearest airports and navaids, and electronic E6B calculations.
FltPlan Go (free in iTunes): The folks at Flight Plan LLC have created an iPad version of FltPlan.com. Features include nav logs, charts, and weather. New for the iPad version is XM Sirius weather with a subscription, geo-referenced taxi charts and approach plates, and fuel prices.
My TBM Docs (free in iTunes): Owners of TBM 700s and TBM 850s now have access to full, constantly updated technical documentation for their aircraft with this new iPad app. Available documents represent more than 40,000 pages of information in PDF format and are searchable. The library also features a video section for educational pieces. A briefcase section enables the user to tag preferred documents for on-ground preparation of flight operations.
DenAlt ($0.99 in iTunes): This iPhone app gives users a convenient way to include the effects of nonstandard pressure, temperature, and humidity on aircraft performance. It also provides an easy way to account for the real-world consequences of nonstandard air in the preflight phase.
I’m sorry to say that I had no Google Play apps to review this week. I want to ensure that those on the Android platform are represented, so please send your apps suggestions here. And one of my resolutions for 2014 is to include Windows apps, so please send those suggestions too. The link to all the apps reviewed is here.
