REFLECTOR: Apps

[John Dibble]

Tim Walsh wrote:

> Lou,
>
> This has been somewhat of a quest for me.  Two years ago I made a
> silly, lazy mistake and needed ATC assistance to get down - solid
> overcast in my local area.  I checked the weather on my Iphone and
> thought I had the latest.  I was wrong.

Sometimes when you're right, you're still wrong.  Last week I flew from
NY to MS.  The forecast weather was basically clear below 12 k the
entire route except near my destination due to approaching weather where
a 4 k ceiling was forecast.  So I figured I could fly VFR no problem.
The last hour of flight was at night.  There was just enough light that
I could see cloud tops in the distance.  I decided to call flight watch
for an update because soon the clouds would be hard to see.  The first
thing he said was there was an IFR airmet with 400' ceilings and 1 mi
visibility and asked when I had my last briefing.  I replied 3 hours
ago.  To say that put a damper on the flight is a huge understatement.
Then he gave me weather at several nearby airports (my destination
doesn't have weather).  One report 10 mi away was clear below 12k.
Another one on the opposite side was 7 k ceiling.  At that point I
wanted to say WTF, but instead asked him to repeat the weather for the
other airports.  He got my drift and added that the airmet was for
sometime in the next 4 hours.  And so I proceeded a happy flier.
I want to get some inflight weather capability.  You say the WingX Pro7
has free weather.  I assume you have to pay for some service for the
Ipad.  How does that work, since cell phones don't work in the air?

John

>
>
> Since then, I have been looking at different programs so to use on my
> Ipad.  I currently have Foreflight, and WingX Pro7 (with geo-synched
> approach plates).
>
> For preflight weather, Foreflight is the best tool to give you that
> situational awareness to make a Go-No Go decision.  I really like the
> graphics they used to depict what is going on.
>
> WingX Pro7 also has Wx tools, but not as good.  I use WingX Pro7  as
> an excellent in-flight cross country tool.
>
> Both programs are now offering in-flight Wx capabilities, again
> something I have been watching closely.  Currently Foreflight uses a
> XM WX package.  You need about a $1,100 box, and a monthly
> subscription.
>
> WingX Pro7 also has a $1,100 box, but uses FAA’s free ADSB data to
> provide both traffic and WX.
>
> Both companies say they will expand their options for the ADSB
> capabilities.  I currently have two Dynon Skyviews in the plane (love
> them!).  Dynon has also stated they will be offering an in-flight Wx
> capability.  I am hoping it will be compatible with the Skyview, and
> my Ipad (I really like the zoom function for my old eyes).
>
> Hope this helps.  Tim
>
> Velocity 173FG
> N129VA
> Alexandria, VA
>
>
>
>
> On 1/10/12 4:40 PM, "Lou Stedman" <stedmanlou at roadrunner.com> wrote:
>
>      Wondering if anyone would like to share their favorite
>      weather APP?
>
>      Lou Stedman
>      Velocity SEFG
>      N7044Q
>      Olean, NY
>
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