Traffic, Track Vector, Stratus 2, Compliance
ForeFlight

Greetings!

The fourth major update of the year - ForeFlight Mobile 5.1 - is available for download from App Store. This release brings four new helpful capabilities:

  • Traffic: a new Traffic map layer that displays ADS-B traffic from both the Stratus 1 and Stratus 2 portable ADS-B In receivers.
  • Plate swiping: an enhancement to plate viewing enables swiping between procedures using a three finger swipe gesture.
  • Track vector: a new setting on Maps view enables display of an own-ship track vector - or "rail" - which shows where your aircraft is heading.
  • Stratus 2: added support for this new dual band 978 and 1090 ADS-B + AHRS receiver. You can order one from Sporty's.

In addition to the above, we also recently introduced Hazard Advisor™, Obstacles, Terrain, Runway Advisor, Runway Winds, Extended Runway Centerlines, Track Up / Track Forward, automatic taxi diagram display, an extension to ForeFlight for military aviators we call Military Flight Bag, new menu options for iPhone, and more. Lots of things to help improve situational awareness and in flight productivity. A video overview of ForeFlight 5 is on Vimeo.

Next week the whole development team will touch down in Austin, Texas for our second semi-annual Hack Week. Drop a comment on our Facebook page and we might just work in a feature request or three!

Blue Skies!

- Team ForeFlight

Traffic!

ForeFlight Mobile 5.1 includes a new Traffic layer in the Maps view selector that enables display of traffic targets on the map. Traffic targets only appear if ForeFlight Mobile is connected to either a Stratus 1 or Stratus 2 portable ADS-B weather and traffic receiver. The traffic map layer option is only available when you are connected to a Stratus receiver.

Traffic targets are displayed as diamonds when direction information is not available and as chevrons when direction information is available. Tail number, vertical direction, relative altitude, and the TrafficTrend™ "rail" are displayed when the appropriate bits of information are available. If direction and speed information for the traffic target are available, the rail - a line that varies in length depending upon the target's speed - is drawn from the target's last known position to the point the target is expected to cross in 60 seconds.

With certified ADS-B Out options now available for aircraft, pilots can equip with an Out transponder and get a very useful traffic picture. Without this Out equipment, however, pertinent traffic is rarely visible since ADS-B towers remain silent until contacted by an aircraft equipped with ADS-B Out capability.

Get Pro: Hazard Advisor, Geo-referenced Procedures. Click to Upgrade.

Plate Swiping and Combined Procedures

ForeFlight 5 introduced an easier way to move between approach plates and terminal procedures. Using three fingers, swipe left or right on a SID, STAR, or approach procedure to display the next procedure in the category. If you are looking at departures, the swipe will take you to and from the next and previous departure. Same for approach plates.

We use a three-finger gesture for two reasons. First, some procedures are multiple pages and a single finger swipe left or right is used to move between pages within a procedure. Second, we want to minimize the chance of accidentally switching to another approach plate during a critical phase of flight. A three finger gesture is less prone to an unintended brush of a hand or finger.

Also improved is the way we display multi-page departures, arrivals, and approaches in the Airports and Plates views. Instead of multiple procedures named "CONT.1" "CONT.2", they are now combined into one procedure so you can swipe between pages. If you had a "CONT.1"" procedures in your Plates binder, you will need to remove it and add the main procedure to your binder. This is very helpful for viewing the extra detail often provided on terminal procedure charts.

Track Vector

When enabled, the new Track Vector feature will draw a line from your aircraft's current position to a location ahead of the aircraft. The length of the Track Vector rail is configurable. Activate the Track Vector from the Settings button on the Maps view (the button on the top menu bar that looks like a gear).

The Track Vector length is set via the App's main Settings view, accessed by tapping More, then Settings, then scrolling to the Maps View group. You can choose from a range of distance or time based options for the length of the Track Vector rail.

New Documents

The Documents catalog has expanded greatly over the past months. New additions include:

  • 2013 EAA AirVenture Oshkosh NOTAM
  • NOAA Imagery Legends
  • FAA Domestic Flight Plan Form
  • FARs 61, 67, 91, 93, 95, 97, and 135
  • Stratus 2 Pilot's Guide

We have also updated the pilot's guide to cover changes in the latest version. Please read it to review important information for flying safely with ForeFlight Mobile.

Download the updated Pilot's Guide inside the app via the ForeFlight Documents Catalog or view it online.

Document Syncing and Compliance for Business Aviation

A few months ago we introduced cloud document syncing, powered by Dropbox. Last month we rolled out ForeFlight Compliance, a new feature of ForeFlight Manage that helps flight departments see which version of the app, documents, and charts are installed on their iPads.

Compliance identifies devices running older versions of ForeFlight, details any out of date documents still installed, and shows which devices are running with expired charts and which charts specifically are out of date. This is very helpful for ensuring that every iPad is loaded with up to date content.

Document Syncing and Compliance is included at no additional cost with the Pro package. Enable Compliance in ForeFlight Manage.

Upgrade to Pro, get Document Syncing and Compliance

Tip: Find the Airport with Pattern Entry Advisor

Airports have a unique way of hiding, it seems. The Runway Pattern Entry Advisor can help you get a bearing to a pattern entry that makes spotting the airport easier. Here is something to try on your next flight:

  1. Load up a Route in the Maps view on iPad (e.g. "D KGLS" if you were going direct to Galveston, Texas).
  2. Select Procedure Advisor, then Pattern Entry Advisor.
  3. Select the "45°" pattern entry, ForeFlight will draw the entry pattern.
  4. On the Instrument Panel at the bottom of the screen, select the "Bearing Next" instrument.

The Bearing Next instrument then displays your bearing to an entry that puts you spot on the 45 and at a safe distance. On reaching the entry point, you will likely see the airport. Works every time!

Training

Each month we are learning about new training options for ForeFlight customers. Training opportunities range from regular FAAST safety sessions, local area seminars put on by professional instructors, and new training videos and books. Some of the latest training offerings include:

  1. Flying With ForeFlight, an interactive iPad course produced by Sporty's.
  2. Free seminar materials (PowerPoint or PDF).
  3. An independent guide to ForeFlight produced by Henry Florentini.
  4. Many ForeFlight produced videos available on Vimeo.

A new training page is also now on our website that will highlight training materials we learn about them. Let us know if we should add something new!