The air up there. Cluster balloonist Jonathan Trappe takes floating to a whole new level as he soars above a cloud layer (see “How it Works,” p. 14). Trappe was on his way from Maine, attempting to cross the Atlantic Ocean in the gas balloon system. He landed in Newfoundland after calculating he wouldn't reach his goal.
What: Custom-built cluster balloon with boat gondola
Where: Somewhere over the Gulf of St. Lawrence in eastern Canada
Photographer: Jonathan Trappe
You Should Know
Flight Watch frequency end date
The FAA discontinued the use of the dedicated Flight Watch radio frequency 122.0 MHz September 24. This was a week earlier than the planned end date for the En Route Flight Advisory Service (EFAS) frequency. Services provided by EFAS will continue to be offered over published flight service frequencies and on 122.2 MHz, the universal frequency for contacting flight service. The FAA will monitor 122.0 MHz for six months after the discontinuation.
New flight planning tools
Online flight planner, mobile app available
AOPA recently released two new digital flight planning tools—the AOPA Flight Planner, powered by Jeppesen, and AOPA GO, a new mobile application. Designed to complement AOPA Airports and AOPA Weather, the new tools will sync pilot profiles, aircraft profiles, waypoints, and flight plans across devices.
AOPA Flight Planner—A Web-based application that serves as a preflight planning tool for GA pilots, it has multiple chart graphic and overlay options that allow pilots to customize their view and get the information needed for flight planning. Drag-and-drop waypoint editing, route profile display (depicting route line, airspace, and winds aloft), user-defined waypoints, and TFRs are some of the features.
AOPA GO—A mobile application designed for iOS and Android devices that optimizes AOPA’s flight planning tools.
Both applications are available exclusively to AOPA members. For more information, visit the website (www.aopa.org).
FlyThisSim targets flight schools
New model offers 210-degree view
By Ian J. Twombly
FlyThisSim, a company known for producing affordable touchscreen desktop simulators, is going after the flight school market with its new TouchTrainer FM (FM210).
FlyThisSim CEO Carl Suttle said the 210-degree panoramic visual system in the FM210 makes it suitable to teach skills such as takeoffs, landings, and flying fundamentals.
The display is a combination of X-Plane and the company’s own software. A key benefit of having touchscreen avionics is the ability to change aircraft quickly. Approximately 120 different aircraft configurations are available, in dozens of avionics configurations. The FM210 retails for $30,000, which includes a warranty, remote support, and national navigation data. See the website (www.flythissim.com) for more information.
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