It’s been a while since I’ve used the apps randomizer to select which five to highlight. So below are apps that can help you save on fuel costs, learn tips for safe cross-country flying, and fill downtime with an aviation-related game.
WingsPoints (free in iTunes)—Users of this app enrolled in the Phillips 66 program can keep track of their rewards points each time an aircraft is refueled at participating fixed-base operators. Users can find Phillips 66 locations based on airport identifier, city, state, or zip code.
ixGyro Glass Cockpit Pro ($97.98 in Google Play)—This Android app simulates a glass cockpit. It displays an attitude indicator, magnetic compass, and slip indicator, as well as the aircraft's true course, groundspeed, vertical speed, and altitude.
VFR Cross Country ($29.99 in iTunes)—This iPhone/iPad app from King Schools offers pilots a video of terrain that offers a step-by-step guide to planning and flying a fun, safe VFR cross-country trip. Users learn hidden traps to avoid, tips to stay out of trouble, how to make navigation easy, ways to obtain and evaluate weather while en route, and a flight-tracking system.
iFuel ($39.99 in iTunes)—This app, optimized for the iPhone 5, lets users find the best fuel stops. It factors fuel prices, ramp fees, fuel burn, and other data to provide dollar-saving information to pilots.
Backyard Pilot (free in iTunes, but add-ons cost between $0.99 and $5.99)—This app, optimized for the iPhone 5, lets users fly aircraft from airport to airport delivering cargo and passengers. It offers 28 levels of play for hours of amusement.
This week’s column included a nice mix of iOS, Android, and Windows apps, so please keep sending your favorites here. I’m also looking for apps covering FBOs/services, games, maintenance, and radar, along with submissions from aviation developers. See a complete list of apps highlighted here.
