United Kingdom info page.
Below you will find some information by our Regional Partner for the United Kingdom. Do you have UK specific queries or AeroData requests? Please feel free to email: .
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UK Developments.
| March 2008 - New release! | ||
| - | PocketFMS 0.9.68 is now available! New features include a fully user-defined User Interface, TCAS support and the introduction of a NavPointer mode that will allow for quick and easy information retrieval. | |
| December 2007 - Time flies! Have a warm and splendid X-Mas and a dashing 2008! | ||
| - | The concept device of our 'own hardware' is here! We'll need to tinker with it some more, but we're already pretty satisfied with it. Push buttons (5 horizontal, 5 vertical) alongside the 5.7 inch, 600 nits LCD screen make controlling it quite easy, especially in combination with version 0.9.68 of PocketFMS, which has been adapted for this. | |
| - | The use of the Everun UMPC is also being investigated further. This off-the-shelf machine seems to be quite a nice alternative to a Pocket PC. Version 0.9.68 of PocketFMS will also have special adaptations to run on this machine. A harddiskless version of this UMPC is also being explored. | |
| - | Version 0.9.68 will also support the use of the Zaon XRX GPS receiver / anti collision device. In functionality, the ZAON device is comparable to the FLARM device, but based on transponder mode C. The oppenent therefore doesn't have to have a ZAON device aboard, only a working transponder. PocketFMS will show the position and relative altitude of the other traffic on the Moving Map screens. | |
| - | Flyer magazine Flyer, leading UK aviation magazine, were quite satisfied with PocketFMS in their December issue! | |
| October 2007 - Status report. | ||
| - | Work on the hardware goes a notch up. We've acquired a few specific main boards and LCD screens that will make testing and modifying PocketFMS and the hardware a lot easier! | |
| - | For most European countries, the AeroData is now up to specs with the current AIPs. A number of East European and Balkan countries is still being worked on. A web page that will facilitate easy contacting of the right person in case of any detected errors in the data is being constructed. | |
| - | The new release of PocketFMS will support FLARM. This system, mounted in the vast majority of European gliders as well as in a growing number of motorized planes, is both a GPS receiver and a position reporter. Other FLARM-equipped planes can assess each other's positions. PocketFMS will display any other FLARM-equipped traffic on the Moving Map screens as white planes. | |
| - | Users of a Stratomaster Enigma glass cockpit will be able to update their system with PocketFMS airspace- and AeroData per the next release of PocketFMS. A smooth and easy way to keep your glass cockpit up-to-date without any additional costs besides a PocketFMS subscription! The soon-to-appear Stratomaster Odyssey will also be able to use this concept. | |
| July 2007 - AeroData / UK Airways. | ||
| - | The UK dream-team, our highly valued Beta Crew members Dave Rowe and Colm Farrell, inform us that the UK & Irish onshore and off shore obstacles have now been updated and will continue to be maintained monthly. Also due to their massive effort, all UK airways outside of controlled airspace (Lower ATS to FL195 and Advisory routes) have now been uploaded into PocketFMS! The UK infrastructure is very complicated with many segments with different levels and numerous airways criss-crossing one another, so this was by no means an easy task. Really, the PocketFMS project would probably grind to a halt without our excellent Beta Crew! | |
| July 2007 - Tax tip. | ||
| - | A handheld GPS is not normally tax deductible. But if you own your own business or negotiate a package with your employer, a PDA with integrated GPS is allowable, which means the effective cost could be reduced substantially depending on your tax bracket. The cost benefit of a PDA / GPS / PocketFMS solution over a dedicated aviation GPS just got even better! | |
| - | PocketFMS version 0.9.67 has just been released! To see what's new, please visit the Release Notes page. To download version 0.9.67 you can go here. If you're a Subscriber, then this is a free upgrade. | |
United Kingdom FAQ
Q. Can PocketFMS display official charts?
A. PocketFMS can display a scanned chart through its User Map function. However it should be remembered that charts were designed for paper, not electronic screens, and don’t necessarily provide the best representation on a small format screen - it can take a lot of panning to find the vertical limits of controlled airspace for example, and many systems become unreadable when zoomed in or out from the standard scale. PocketFMS maps have been specifically designed for electronic display and include all the features necessary for accurate ground reference and easy information retrieval.
Another big problem with scanned maps is that, like a paper map, if you rotate the view for track pointing ahead the way most pilots are taught, names and other text will be rotated and difficult to read. PocketFMS map text is displayed independently of the map background and always appears right-way-up.
PocketFMS airspace boundaries are also displayed independently of the map background. This means they are visible for visual reference as with a scanned chart, but unlike a ‘dumb’ scanned image, PocketFMS knows the location of the boundaries in relation to your GPS position and can provide warning of an impending airspace incursion. Amendments to airspaces do not require new maps, a simple and small AeroData download provides you with up-to-date information.
Finally, with scanned charts it is necessary to deal with map boundaries and overlaps. The detail on the PocketFMS map has a high level of detail and seamlessly covers the entire country, as well as Europe, USA, Canada, Australia . . . all included.
Q. Why does PocketFMS use a subscription pricing model?
A. The PocketFMS Foundation believes strongly in promoting aviation safety, and that current maps and data are crucial to safety. The PocketFMS subscription allows you to always be current for the whole of Europe, at less cost than continually buying digital chart updates of the UK for other systems. It also means that you benefit from our rapid product development - typically you will receive at least four software upgrades per year at no extra cost.
Q. Can PocketFMS be used for car navigation and boating?
A. The PocketFMS moving map display is detailed enough for inter-city travel anywhere in the UK, Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand - with PocketFMS there is no excuse for getting lost while on holidays in a foreign country. Personal waypoints and breadcrumb files allow you to follow your favourite rambling tracks or find your favourite fishing spots on the weekends when you’re not flying.
Q. Can PocketFMS do E6B calculations?
A. PocketFMS is an all-in-one flight planning and navigation system. Simple point and click route selection, automated route optimization to avoid restricted airspace, high terrain, and low cloud, W&B, fuel and flight time calculation, Plog creation and printing, winds aloft calculation, . . . and it will even drive the autopilot! All included at no extra cost.
Q. Does PocketFMS have a searchable towns database?
A. PocketFMS AeroData includes cities, towns and villages across the map coverage.
Q. Does PocketFMS provide a link to a PDA based navigation software sold by other companies?
A. Better than that, PocketFMS provides the same flight planning and navigation functionality for both PC and PDA, in the one package. Do your flight planning with the relative luxury of a fast, large screened PC and then seamlessly transfer the plan to the PDA to carry on to the aircraft, car, boat, or backpack. Need to make some last minute changes to the plan at the airfield? No problem, the PDA software offers the full suite of flight plan creation, met download, and editing tools - simply point and tap on the PDA screen. Alternatively, plan and fly with a tablet or laptop PC. PocketFMS supports all these options at no extra cost.
