Does anyone use foreflight?

[conura 45]

I just downloaded this for iPad and it's absolutely awesome but I believe I can only use it for a month before is have to pay a subscription. Does anybody do this? It adds a huge amount of immersion so I am considering paying.

[newtie 533]

I use it and love it.

 

Cheers,

Mark

[LawnDart 19]

I use it religiously and it's awesome.

 

I don't fly real-world anymore but use it whenever I fly my sim.

 

Using X-plane, it's a matter of a simple plug-in to get FF connected.

 

And recently, Skyvector.com added the ability to export flight plans directly to ForeFlight. If you create a flightplan in your iPad via Skyvector, you can export it directly to Foreflight and it'll automatically open in FF.

 

Foreflight is also great for airfield & taxiway identification/navigation.

 

To me it's definitely worth the annual subscription.

[JRBarrett 3,049]

And recently, Skyvector.com added the ability to export flight plans directly to ForeFlight. If you create a flightplan in your iPad via Skyvector, you can export it directly to Foreflight and it'll automatically open in FF.

The Flightaware app for iPhone/iPad will also do this, for those who like to emulate r/w flights using the actual flightplan used by a particular aircraft on a particular day. When the flightplan window is displayed, an "Open in Foreflight" button appears.

[Lizz 1]

I use Foreflight during every flight in my sim, it is a fantastic application.
Upcoming is Foreflight 8 update which also will enable a more extensive use of FF in Europe.

[newtie 533]

I use Foreflight during every flight in my sim, it is a fantastic application.

Upcoming is Foreflight 8 update which also will enable a more extensive use of FF in Europe.

Agreed. I need to do that update  :smile:

[tngarner 1]

I use it for real world and in the sim.  Best app out there, and an example of a great UI in a mobile app.

 

While I will always pay for a full subscription while I fly real world, I am surprised that ForeFlight does not do a cheaper online only version for Sims.  My guess is that would produce a nice side bit of income.  With that, and I am sure Tyson's first question, what impact would that have on my support organization.  You would be going from a Pilot to Pilot to a Pilot to beginning simmer relationship which could bring in a great deal of questions and support load.  Sooooo, maybe forum support only for the Sim package and full support for everyone else.  Good to have first world problems I suppose.

[adn 0]

Folks,

just noticed this topic googling for the status of Foreflight 8 release. I also have some expectations re v8. Agreed with Lizz that EU and other parts of the World were a bit neglected in previous versions. When I am simming in NAM I unusually use Foreflight (FSX, XP). For those in EU (but also in NAM) for all VFR flights please try Jeppesen Mobile Flight Deck VFR - could be a budget version as you can buy a license for selected countries. I use it for a real VFR flying alternating with Garmin Pilot which in EU covers well VFR and IFR (but much more expensive)

Cheers, Adam

[Overload 91]

I'm a big ForeFlight fan, but when flying in Europe I use SkyDemon (http://www.skydemon.aero/), doesn't get mentioned much, but it's not a bad standalone prog for Ipad, Android or PC, good charts, integrates well with XP, and with a little effort FSX/P3d. 

Not in the same leauge as Foreflight, but covers Europe out to (and including) Turkey, North America, around 7 African countries, and NZ. 

Not too expensive, £139 initial purchase, £89 annual renewal. They give a generous demo period - 30 days, meant to be limited to 30 mins, but that restriction didn't kick in for me, so I was able to give a good workout, and subsequently signed up.

I love these tablet apps that use virtually no resources on the main PC, and can be positioned in a convenient place, with no cables etc.

They've got some video tutorials on their web site if folk want to have some idea how it looks/works, worth a view - the maps look quite similar to the Jepp FliteDeck VFR charts - but an awful lot cheaper, and Skydemon can show (or filter out) airways type airspace for tube drivers - so not just for VFR type flying.

One quite nice feature, is if you zoom right down to airfield level it actually gives you taxiway details for many (but not all) airports - haven't worked out the logic as to why some are included, but not others - but if it is, gives a good level of detail for taxiing. 

Here's a screen shot zoomed in on Bournemouth (EGHH).

Eugene

 

 

[adn 0]

Eugene,

 

Agreed. SkyDemon is a very good option for VFR especially for EU countries. I am using it too for simming in XP when I prepare my real GA flights to airports I have never visited before. Also it is a great support for rehearsing circuits especially for the airports with non-standard pattern. One thing not discussed yet in this thread is a use of flight navigation apps in commercial flights as passengers. I do travel a lot on business and usually record, monitor, track all my flights. I am always surprised how precise iOS or Android units are in terms of GPS accuracy and sensitivity. The only problem I had in getting GPS syngal was in 787 probably because of the composite fuselage.

 

Br, Adam.

[Overload 91]

One thing not discussed yet in this thread is a use of flight navigation apps in commercial flights as passengers

 

 

I struggle to get a good SAT lock with my Sony Experia tablet in commercial aircraft,  I can usually get it eventually if I persevere, I haven't tried with the ipad yet. I can usually get a GPS lock with my Android phone, but only have a few basic maps on the phone.

I'm flying Southampton to Malaga in an E190 on Monday, will try taking the ipad pro with me, and see how it goes.

Eugene

[Overload 91]

For anyone interested - ForeFlight V8 is now released - with the improved world aeronautical map coverage. Most of the really good stuff still doesn't work outside North America/Canada, but still good to have a much improved map/data base, so flight plans and map tracking can be used, handy in the sim. The terrain profile function works - which is nice.

Thought ForeFlight would auto update or at least offer the option, but had to go to the app store to get it.

Eugene

 

[newtie 533]

Already got it, Thanks.

[Hollywood 1]

I am using ForeFlight, but do also have Garmin Pilot App. For VFR real flights, Garmin suits better. Approach plates are coming from Jeppessen and the similarity to the built in Garmin devices, makes more sense to me. At least considering Europe, Switzerland.

I am pushing on ForFlight team to get certain easy things done for Europe.
- Split screen with document viewer, in order to see the approach plates, side by side
- High Res terrain
- NAV Data with VRP included. Today they are not.

Thats a quick win for both sides if this is done

SkyDemon is nice, but I really don't like the handling and the interface. Garmin is much quicker there. And while flying, specially when I fly helicopter, you cannot release the cyclic for a second. And for this, Garmin wins. Foreflight here would be good to, but lacks of some details. Airspaces ceilings or frequencies are not being displayed.

Both work with X-Plane and don't need a plugin.

Expensive? Yes, but flying is expensive anyway ;)

 

 

 

 

[scottb613 1,188]

Hi Folks,

I've used both Foreflight and Garmin Pilot over the years for real world operations - the last several years I've moved to Garmin just because it has some features I prefer... When in the cockpit - I've always preferred the Garmin option that allows you to fly without the sectional background - as they mapped all the airports, airways, air spaces, and features which you could display on a much cleaner map... It's easier to make out important features when you're multitasking and bouncing around... I believe Foreflight has now incorporated that option but I don't think they've caught Garmin on that aspect yet...

If you live in the North America - give "Fltplan GO" a look - it's what I use in FS since Garmin doesn't have a means to connect to FS yet... It's also the only FREE source of geo-referenced approach plates and taxi diagrams I know of - anywhere... Not quite as polished as Foreflight or Garmin - but being completely free - it's the best thing since sliced bread for FS... It's more than adequate for FS and might save you a few bucks...

 

 

 

 

Regards,
Scott