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-   -   Fltplan Go, free with Canadian Charts and CFS (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=113116)

vlittle 06-30-2014 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vlittle (Post 880724)
...continued...

At this point I stopped looking for bugs. There are many other features in the application that I did not check, however, I wanted to get the basic operation operating smoothly before diving in too deep.

I also noticed that the maps do not support VTAs yet. These are similar to the US TAC charts. To be fair, Pocket FMS did not support VTA data either until I worked with them to get it included in their databases. Jeppesen does not support VTA data. Only Foreflight currently supports accurate VTA information in raster form.

I am a huge fan of the promise of Fltplan Go and that's why I provided the bug reports directly to them and worked with them to improve their product. Unfortunately because of the fatal in-flight lock up, I can't recommend this product for prime time.

I am very experienced with product development, including the new mantra of 'do it, try it, fix it' that business schools are promoting. I don't think that this model should apply to aviation. In any case, when serious bugs are reported, denial or silence is NOT the appropriate response.

I've had the experience of reporting bugs to Dynon and Pocket FMS recently. Despite my grumblings about the bugs both companies took me seriously and addressed the issues.

I hope that Fltplan can step it up.

Update: looks like the map default bug and in flight lock-up bugs are resolved. Starting to become a more stable, useful app. The lack of Canadian VTA data makes it inadequate for where I fly, however.

I spent a lot time working with Pocket FMS to get VTA info and correct airfield frequency displays working on their App, which is now working well. PFMS, however, does not have CFS data. Instead they use their own airfield info pages.

So right now, FLTPlan Go is better on the ground, PFMS (easyVFR) is better in flight. If PFMS supported Canadian CFS and airport diagrams and plate display, it would be killer. If FLTPlan Go supported VTA, fixed the flightplan rubber banding bug and properly displayed VFR departure and arrival procedures from the CFS, It would be close to ForeFlight in its capability for Canada.

Since FLTPlan Go is 'free', I am hoping for the best.

Snowflake 06-30-2014 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vlittle (Post 893119)
Update: looks like the map default bug and in flight lock-up bugs are resolved. Starting to become a more stable, useful app. The lack of Canadian VTA data makes it inadequate for where I fly, however.

Canadian VTA's have been in the app for a few weeks. They're in the downloads section. The only downside is that they are an "overlay" that has to be turned on each time you start the app. The VNC's load by default, the overlay selection isn't remembered between uses.

Quote:

If FLTPlan Go supported VTA, fixed the flightplan rubber banding bug and properly displayed VFR departure and arrival procedures from the CFS, It would be close to ForeFlight in its capability for Canada.
One down, two to go. :)

Bevan 06-30-2014 11:46 AM

Well, its encouraging to see that they are trying and improving.

Bevan

vlittle 06-30-2014 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowflake (Post 893142)
Canadian VTA's have been in the app for a few weeks. They're in the downloads section. The only downside is that they are an "overlay" that has to be turned on each time you start the app. The VNC's load by default, the overlay selection isn't remembered between uses.


One down, two to go. :)

Well, so it does. You can also zoom in very close now.

vlittle 06-30-2014 08:05 PM

And, as of this afternoon, flight plan rubber banding is working.... Fltplan Go is rounding into shape.

vlittle 07-01-2014 09:01 AM

Unfortunately, many or all small airports are missing from the database. They are in the paper copy of the CFS but not in FLTPlan Go's version.

Example Duncan BC or Delta Airpark BC. GRRRRRRR.

What's the point if you still have to carry the CFS? These guys are annoying. Yes, I updated the database and I am displaying all runway lengths.

Snowflake 07-01-2014 11:56 AM

It seems that they are taking the airport location info from some database that only includes airports with runways a certain length or longer (or maybe it's paved only). The old US DAFIF database was like that, because it was military-oriented and only had airports in it that their aircraft could land on. Delta didn't qualify, and despite Duncan's resemblance to an aircraft carrier I guess it didn't either. :)

The thing that gets me is that they clearly have access now to the CFS and the Charts, through some official NavCanada channel. But they can't figure out how to get the procedures pages for the airports included with each airport's CFS page. It's all right there. They probably have to extract the page sets manually, NavCanada probably just gave them a single PDF for the CFS.

Norman CYYJ 07-01-2014 06:39 PM

They seem to be using the same data base that GRT has on their system, small Canadian airports are missing. Went to Alert Bay today and it was missing on GRT but was in the goflplan.

Funguy 07-26-2014 10:01 AM

Not bad for free
 
I loaded it on an older Nexus 7. It looks pretty good for a free program. Still missing smaller airports... Seems reasonably snappy on older hardware. Gotta go flying!

vlittle 07-26-2014 10:53 AM

It has improved since my first review, but the lack of airports is a problem, the difficulty in getting the VFR Procedures info and the lack of a time stamp on the map weather overlay are problems. Editing a flight plan is still buggy.

Still cheering them on, but still not over the goal line.


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