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  #1  
Old 04-09-2010, 09:06 AM
pierre smith's Avatar
pierre smith pierre smith is offline
 
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Default IFR low altitude charts on a laptop?

My wife, Jenny, wants to know what you IFR types are using for electronic charts....preferably on a laptop, which she intends to use for our IFR trips to be paperless mostly,

Thanks,
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  #2  
Old 04-09-2010, 09:47 AM
Bavafa Bavafa is offline
 
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I have been thinking about that and specially if you can be in such format that can be searched for fix/intersections.

As you know I am pretty new with IFR and on a couple of flights that I have been lately, it seemed to be a bit of a task when they change your clearance and give you a new fix to go to. Finding the fix on the map to get the spelling/direction etc takes a bit longer for me that I like it to be and it would be great if we can searchable map.

On the other hand, my instructor and the guy that I took my check ride were telling me that while on IFR flight no other electronic equipment including IPod can be operated and if that is the case, wouldn't a laptop fall in the same category? I wonder?.
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  #3  
Old 04-09-2010, 09:59 AM
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jcaplins jcaplins is offline
 
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I think it's still at the pilots discretion as to what electronics can be operated.


Sec. 91.21

Portable electronic devices.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, no person may operate, nor may any operator or pilot in command of an aircraft allow the operation of, any portable electronic device on any of the following U.S.-registered civil aircraft:
(1) Aircraft operated by a holder of an air carrier operating certificate or an operating certificate; or
(2) Any other aircraft while it is operated under IFR.
(b) Paragraph (a) of this section does not apply to--
(1) Portable voice recorders;
(2) Hearing aids;
(3) Heart pacemakers;
(4) Electric shavers; or
(5) Any other portable electronic device that the operator of the aircraft has determined will not cause interference with the navigation or communication system of the aircraft on which it is to be used.
(c) In the case of an aircraft operated by a holder of an air carrier operating certificate or an operating certificate, the determination required by paragraph (b)(5) of this section shall be made by that operator of the aircraft on which the particular device is to be used. In the case of other
aircraft, the determination may be made by the pilot in command or other operator of the aircraft.
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Last edited by jcaplins : 04-09-2010 at 10:03 AM.
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  #4  
Old 04-09-2010, 10:33 AM
terrykohler terrykohler is offline
 
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Mehrdad:
When ATC assigns a fix you're not certain of, ask them to spell it. Easy enough to then enter into your GPS, which will immediately give you positional reference.
Pierre:
Whatever software you use, SOP with EFBs is to print out a hard copy of IAPs at your destination and alternate for backup. If the computer fails AND you need to divert to something other than flightplan, ATC should be able to give you the necessary info to fly any approach.
Terry, CFI
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  #5  
Old 04-09-2010, 02:25 PM
DGlaeser DGlaeser is offline
 
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Location: Rochester Hills, MI
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Default Paperless IFR - sort of

I download the approach plates to a tablet PC (Samsung Q1) using Mike Steward's automated process he developed for the GRT EFIS. This creates a file folder for each airport and inside each folder are the PDF files for that airport (apprroaches, SIDS, STARS).
You can also get them from the NACOmatic site (http://dranz.readyhosting.com/) which has PDF 'books' similar to the NOS books - one PDF file for one or more states. The PDF directory is used to navigate to where you want to go.

I haven't seen electronic IFR enroute charts, but I haven't looked for them either. If anyone has a (free :-) source for those, I'd be interested.

I print out the approach charts I plan to use, and have a current enroute chart in the cockpit. I would only use the PC for an unanticipated approach.
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  #6  
Old 04-09-2010, 04:19 PM
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hevansrv7a hevansrv7a is offline
 
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Default ATC not so much

Quote:
Originally Posted by terrykohler View Post
Mehrdad:
...
Whatever software you use, SOP with EFBs is to print out a hard copy of IAPs at your destination and alternate for backup. If the computer fails AND you need to divert to something other than flightplan, ATC should be able to give you the necessary info to fly any approach.
Terry, CFI
RV-9A N323TP
Perhaps they should be able, but I recall the one time I asked them to do it they did not have or said they did not have the information I needed such as altitude for the leg before the IAF, ID for the IAP, DH, missed approach specs, the basics. Based on only one experience, I would not recommend depending on ATC.

A related experience - I once flew IFR to KFRG on Long Island and they routed me so far north that the waypoint was off my enroute chart. It was an unpleasant discussion, but they amended the route "to accommodate your non-chart status". I could have found it with my '295 but I would not have had all the other relevant information to fly that route.
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  #7  
Old 04-09-2010, 07:20 PM
sgoldin sgoldin is offline
 
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Default pdfplates.com

I use these on an iphone but should work fine on laptop and they are free. I keep the whole US and AFD's as well as plates.

Good Luck

Steve
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  #8  
Old 04-09-2010, 07:38 PM
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tc1234c tc1234c is offline
 
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Default If you are willing to pay a few hundred dollars

They do have geo-referenced IFR Low Altitude and High Altitude Charts, approach plates and airport diagram.

http://www.seattleavionics.com/Modules.aspx?gpm=1_6
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  #9  
Old 04-10-2010, 07:05 AM
jmbaute jmbaute is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sgoldin View Post
I use these on an iphone but should work fine on laptop and they are free. I keep the whole US and AFD's as well as plates.

Good Luck

Steve
Pierre is looking for enroute charts, so while the plates may help, they aren't what he's after.

We're actually working on some enroute stuff, though. I have a few Kindle samples if anyone wants them. Drop an email to admin <at> pdfplates.com. They will work on a laptop, too, but I have another format in mind for them that might work better.
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  #10  
Old 04-10-2010, 03:49 PM
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You might just check out the iFly 700. You get what you are asking for, with a GPS thrown in to boot. $500 and $89.95/year for updates. It is very simple to use. I did beta testing on it and it works well. Sectionals can be hard to read in bright sunlight, but plates (all B&W stuff) are fine. The website doesn't mention enroute charts yet as those are part of the newest release. It will be at SnF. My only connection is as a beta tester.

Bob Kelly
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