Runway Finder Shutting Down

[apkp777]

Originally Posted by SmittysRV

Here's a newly released podcast from Avweb with FlightPrep:

http://www.avweb.com/podcast/podcast..._203795-1.html

Just listened to this. Wow, sickening! FlightR.I.P. acts as if they won the lottery by receiving the patent. They could care less about flight planning. Poor SkyVector for giving in to these guys. Sounds like AOPA and Jeppesen as well as many others have told them to "pound sand".

[kevinh]

The #1 spot on aviation.reddit.com (a popular news aggregator):

http://www.reddit.com/r/aviation/com...eir_attack_on/

[DCat22]

NACOmatic is gone with this statement:

I have decided to shutdown NACOmatic due to:

* Donations - as content & features increased, traffic increased ... and donations declined significantly.

* Uncertainty re: FlightPrep's patent litigation against on-line flight planning websites. This post does not admit any infringement on FlightPrep's patent.

Also flyagogo.com seems to be missing -- no idea of course if it is related to FlightPrep's patent.

Things like this (legit or not) tend to have chilling effects on hobbyists...no one wants to deal with legal matters for peanuts or just being nice to the community.

[the_other_dougreeves]

Wow. Look what happens when you're away from teh interwebz for a few weeks.

The deja va that I'm getting reflecting back to the whole claim that SCO owned UNIX and LINUX is pretty amazing. It seems that Flight Prep and ASA have taken the tack of "If you can't beat them, litigate them." The claims of prior art are going to be very interesting.

I have a general policy not to patronize patent trolls. ASA is no longer a company that I will purchase products from or recommend. The difference between how they treat pilots and how, say King Schools does is amazing. That's the beauty of capitalism - customers get to vote with their dollars.

TODR

[N546RV]

Well, slight bit of good news: Foreflight reports that the loss of RF will not affect the charts they provide in the app.

http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?C...-b36e0aebf5ab&

[RV6_flyer]

Looks like FlightPrep is going after everyone. At least there are a few outfits that are not only saying NO but some are saying HECK NO.

http://www.eaa.org/news/2010/2010-12-16_fltplan.asp

"After review of the patent, FltPlan.com does not believe it is relevant to the FltPlan.com website, so confidential or other discussions with FlightPrep are not warranted. FltPlan.com has asked FlightPrep if it alleges the FltPlan.com website infringes the patent but FlightPrep has not responded."

FltPlan.com also said in its statement that FlightPrep recently contacted FltPlan.com concerning the patent which is directed to “A Process for Generating Travel Plans on the Internet.” In the letter, Chairman Roger Stenbock suggested that FltPlan.com enter into a confidentiality agreement to exchange confidential information. No such negotiations are happening.

http://www.fltplan.com/fltplanpressrelease.htm

[Kenny Gene]

Another great feature of RF that I'll miss is the radius,, I liked to make a circle radius for small trips to see different areas while staying within a certain mile range.

I don't know if any there is such a feature on anything out there.

And me 3, I'll never knowingly purchase a FlightPrep or ASA product again.

Kenny Gene

[apkp777]

Question? Wouldn't this be a task for a congressman? Would it be worthwhile for all of us to contact our representatives?

[hugo]

Here a coment from a dreamer,
Why "WE THE PEOPLES" show the system what we want,paying 60 dollars for a magazine ,a wing clip,an a letter for donation every two weeks,(even having $ 80 millones of Usdollars in the box,)start write letters to the biggest flying organisation in the world,which ,looking at the facts ,are very catholics,you know they act like Poncio Pilatus, instead of attach in the good of the members,clean they hands ,and say its not our problem.
Sorry for my poor English diccion.
Became an American Citizen 3 years ago,my first item purchase for my 10 was an american flag,please don' allow this country became like Europe.
Thanks
Hugo

[BrentHumphreys]

Quick question. I contacted Sporty's to ask them to stop carrying ASA products. The response was that the companies are not related.

I know that Stenbeck is an author with many products published by ASA, but is ASA directly affiliated with Stenbeck & Everson?