Favorite Smartphone Soaring Apps

Dan Marotta wrote:

"...having to use your flight computer for an important phone call or text
message in flight
etc...)


I was under the impression that mobile phone use was strictly forbidden
during any kind of flight because of the potential to saturate any cell in
line of sight?

--
Alex

On Nov 15, 8:11*am, "Dan Marotta" wrote:
"...having to use your flight computer for an important phone call or text
message in flight
etc...)

Pul-leeze, tell me that's a joke. *Or to you text on tow? *Or kill bikers
because you're to busy playing with the phone to look outside the car?

"Ramy" wrote in message

...
On Nov 14, 10:20 am, RS wrote:





On Nov 14, 9:45 am, "vaughn" wrote:

"Whiskey Delta" wrote in message

....

Any other thoughts that may help differentiate between the two?

Also don't entirely neglect non-soaring aviation apps. For example,
several
apps will give you in-cockpit weather radar. (Yes, connectivity in
flight is
questionable, but at least you get a last-minute picture before launch.)

Vaughn

Definitely prefer android. In addition to the ones already named,
Google My Tracks and GPS logbooks are interesting.

If you only want to use one device for phone and flight computer than
yes, Android is your best bet. However I rather have a dedicated
device for flight computer and not use it for day to day as a phone
(less chance of loosing, damaging, forgetting, having to use your
flight computer for an important phone call or text message in flight
etc). In this case iphone is my preferred choice for anything else
than flight computer. Also you want a bigger screen for flight
computer (5" like the Dell Streak seem to be ideal) but it is too big
and bulky for a phone.

Ramy- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

No, this is not a joke. Occasionaly when flying XC you may need to
tell your crew who chase you were to go. A 3 word text message have
much better chance to go through than a phone call, and take no longer
than changing your MC or ballast setting on a flight computer. If your
crew can follow your spot this may no longer be needed.
But of course no one will ever use a phone in the cockpit since it is
forbidden so I guess this is theoratical only....

Ramy

I have an iPhone (and have had previous models) and wholeheartedly
recommend it as a smartphone for convenience and reliability. That
said, be aware of the total cost of ownership (phone plus expensive
plan for two years, or GSM-only contract-free phone plus cheap plan.)
A number of aviation-related apps are available, many of them very
cheaply. In-flight use isn't so great - no matter what software (and
XCSoar doesn't run), the battery drain is substantial when GPS is
running and data transfer takes place.

I also picked up a lightly used Dell Streak 5 Android PDA/tablet/phone
for use as glide computer. It cost me only US$200 and offers the best
screen among the portable, open-platform systems. It can easily be
powered and installing/updating XCSoar is a snap. At that price, I
don't see why one needs to compromise functionality. What Max
Kellermann says in this thread is true. (The Streak is too big for a
phone unless you carry a (man-)purse.)

Many Android smart phones will make a poor in-flight glide computer
due to their displays alone; do your research before you buy one.

PS.: there's an article in the current Soaring Magazine about PDAs,
but I find it fairly biased.