Flight planning software?

[airguy]

Foreflight just went up 20% on the subscription rates effective yesterday.

https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/...t-as-of-today/

That brings up the question of what flight planning software to use, a good value for the dollar. Currently I have a subscription to both Foreflight and Weathermeister, but the only thing I use Foreflight for, at ALL, is the ability to have it on my phone and file an IFR flight plan from anywhere. I use Weathermeister for all planning purposes and it's by far the best weather/forecast tool I've found so far.

Is there another tool others use for mobile IFR filing? Really that's all I use Foreflight for right now, at $120/year. That just hit my flinch point.

[Auburntsts]

Believe it or not, I use good old Leidos Flight Service (aka 1800wxbrief). I use GarminPilot as my EFB and EZWxBrief for my initial wx planning, but I file using Leidos.

[Northernliving]

Originally Posted by airguy

Foreflight just went up 20% on the subscription rates effective yesterday.

https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/...t-as-of-today/

That brings up the question of what flight planning software to use, a good value for the dollar. Currently I have a subscription to both Foreflight and Weathermeister, but the only thing I use Foreflight for, at ALL, is the ability to have it on my phone and file an IFR flight plan from anywhere. I use Weathermeister for all planning purposes and it's by far the best weather/forecast tool I've found so far.

Is there another tool others use for mobile IFR filing? Really that's all I use Foreflight for right now, at $120/year. That just hit my flinch point.

I've used FlyQ EFB from Seatle Avionics for many years. When I started using an EFB, I used the 1-month trial of FlyQ, Garmin Pilot, and Foreflight to compare. FlyQ was the winner for me. I purchased a lifetime subscription(on black Friday) 5-6 years ago for VFR/IFR along with lifetime Dynon maps for $349(each) and I've never regretted it.

Interestingly, Seatle Avionics was acquired in 2020 by AFV Partners. I was originally concerned about this I have the lifetime subscriptions, but after researching Tony Aquila who founded AFP partners, I suspect the acquisition will only strengthen Seatle over the long run. AFP also owns RocketRoute, so expect they have a plan for integration.

[airguy]

I looked at fltplan.com, but it doesn't recognize my private home airport. I sent an email to their support group asking WTF on that one. Obviously I can't use a filing tool that doesn't recognize the primary use airport.

[John Tierney]

If you are an AOPA member, iFlightPlanner is free. I can also upload the flight plans to my iFlyGPS.
https://www.aopa.org/travel/aopa-flight-planner

[rolivi]

I use Weathermeister to plan and fltplan.go or fltplan.com to file.

Fltplan is free!

ed: Saw your issue with fltplan. bummer

[airguy]

Originally Posted by rolivi

I use Weathermeister to plan and fltplan.go or fltplan.com to file.

Fltplan is free!

ed: Saw your issue with fltplan. bummer

Got a message back from fltplan.com support - they'll have it in the database in about a week - so that's a positive in their favor.

[thiggins]

I’ll probably jump ship in Jan, 2023 when my foreflight expires. That’s just too dang much $$$.

[Ed_Wischmeyer]

When Boeing bought Jeppesen, the price of Jepp charts skyrocketed and I quit using them. Then the government charts copied some of the Jepp features, and the differences became minor.

What do I use foreflight for?
* Winds aloft at my home airport
* Maps that show VFR/IFR so I get some feel for the weather
* Predictive storm position, an hour in advance
* Maps of gas prices so I can choose stops on longer trips

I use flight following all the time rather than flight plans, and rarely have an IFR flight plan with enough detail to justify uploading -- which my plane can't do.

I hate to be cynical, but it looks like Boeing bean counters at work -- especially a price hike with no warning. Maybe they spent too much money on bells and whistles and European coverage and now need to shore up the bottom line...

Foreflight is usable on the iPhone, but the web version is *terrible*, and they don't seem to care.

[wcalvert]

"Leidos Flight Service (aka 1800wxbrief)"

I already "pay" for it ...