SkyChart enhancements.

[kentb]

I am enjoying my iPad and SkyChartPro, but now have a couple of feature / enhancements to request.

1. I would like a way to find the airport by spelling it. I may not know the identifier or be able to find it on the map. Maybe hit 'direct' and then type in the name. The software could give me a list of closes matches.

2. I would would like to see Zulu time displayed on the bottom along with the trk dtk ...

3. I would like the METAR displayed in plan language.

[JDanno]

Is there a place that actually has instructions on using Sky Charts? I'm having trouble figuring out how to do a couple of things. Especially how to get the little airplane symbol to start moving. It's stuck in SoCal and I can't get it to reset someplace else. Thanks!

PS, the charts look terrific on the IPad!

[kentb]

The small icon in the lower left corner locks the plane to center of screen.
After that it will track and stay in the center. If you do anything with the map (zoom, pan) the plane will unlock and you will need to hit the lock icon again.

When you first start the app is ask if you want to view the documentation. There is a lot of information there, but you need to find it.

A little different then I am used to, no quite like my PC at work.

Kent

[flyboy1963]

...why the heck are METARS in code anymore ANYWHERE???
Pretty sure it doesn't save teletype ink either.....
R IS IT JST ME RNTNG&CMPLNING++?

[glider]

Try the FAQ first:
http://www.skycharts.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=188
And also try browsing http://www.skycharts.net for information.

However, if the plane doesn't move when YOU move, then something sounds odd. First off - do you have an iPhone or an iPad ?
If an iPad - is it the 3G version ?
If its not the 3G version you don't HAVE a gps.
If you do have an iPhone 3G/3GS OR the 3G iPad it should work - the iPhone sometimes takes a lot longer to find your location (and it helps if you are in coverage). The iPad 3G should 'find' you quickly.

Originally Posted by JDanno

Is there a place that actually has instructions on using Sky Charts? I'm having trouble figuring out how to do a couple of things. Especially how to get the little airplane symbol to start moving. It's stuck in SoCal and I can't get it to reset someplace else. Thanks!

PS, the charts look terrific on the IPad!

[glider]

Thanks Kent

I'll add those to the (already too long) to-do list.
Zulu time on display will most likely only be added in the iPad.
Regarding decoding - on the iPhone it will not be decoded due to the small display, that's what the color coded/sky condition rings are for.
On the iPad however, I may want to look into decoding the data.
But hey, we're pilots, I thought we liked reading very condensed information ?

Originally Posted by kentb

I am enjoying my iPad and SkyChartPro, but now have a couple of feature / enhancements to request.

1. I would like a way to find the airport by spelling it. I may not know the identifier or be able to find it on the map. Maybe hit 'direct' and then type in the name. The software could give me a list of closes matches.

2. I would would like to see Zulu time displayed on the bottom along with the trk dtk ...

3. I would like the METAR displayed in plan language.

[glider]

On the iPhone it made perfect sense to avoid printing long sentences on a tiny display when a condensed version is already available. It does decode into colors&sky conditions though. I'll look into adding a decoder at some point.

Originally Posted by flyboy1963

...why the heck are METARS in code anymore ANYWHERE???
Pretty sure it doesn't save teletype ink either.....
R IS IT JST ME RNTNG&CMPLNING++?

[DCat22]

Originally Posted by glider

But hey, we're pilots, I thought we liked reading very condensed information ?

I would still want a coded option, in any case. Once you learn a shorthand code of any sort well (or at least for me) I can read and assimilate it faster than longhand/wordy presentation.

Not saying you shouldn't have it spelled out -- just keep an option to have it both ways.

[sprucemoose]

Heikki,

What's the status of XM WX for Skycharts?

[glider]

Working on it. But also working on something else with higher priority.

Originally Posted by sprucemoose

Heikki,

What's the status of XM WX for Skycharts?