compilotrc

The AltitudeAlert beta test is complete. I want to thank everyone who participated in the test. Please email or message me if you were part of the test group so I can give you the promo code to download the app from the App Store. Again, thanks! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Feedback: Although I have played with the app some on the ground, I used it in the air yesterday on a cross country from KEET to KHOU. As you probably gathered from my prior posts, I like to have music playing when flying. This is especially true when solo. When running, the altitude alert app audio disables the music on IOS devices. I am certain there is probably a simple solution to this because I receive audio from Foreflight and Fuel Selector while playing music. I like the app, but only left it running for a short period of time for the lack of music. I hope this is the type of information you are seeking. This is perfect Brandon. I will look into that and have a fix implemented in an upcoming build. Thanks again!

UPDATE. Build 1.0.9 of the beta app is available for download to all beta testers. Please update it at your earliest convenience. Please send me any feedback you have using the app, good and bad. Thanks again to everyone involved, your participation is GREATLY appreciated! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Awesome! I'm glad to hear that. Please continue to share your experiences as they come me up (good and bad). Thanks again!

Terrific! Please send me your email and I'll add you to the group.

Got it Mark, thanks. I edited the OP to include iPad hardware requirements.

Don, Bluetooth is a wireless technology embedded into most (if not all) mobile and desktop devices (iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac, etc.) nowadays. Third party manufactures of aviation headsets or intercoms can choose whether they want to support bluetooth connectivity in their products (usually at a premium cost). This allows the headset to then be connected to the mobile device (iPad in this case) without any cords. The setup for this is pretty straightforward and covered in the third party manufacturers documentation. Hope that helps answer your question.

Congrats on passing your check ride! Please send me your email address and I'll add you to the group.

Very true. All alerts can be heard loud and clear if your headset is connected to your iPad. Whether that's via Bluetooth or connected via an external audio cable to your headset (if it supports it) or intercom (if it supports it).

You're correct Hank, it's to within 75' of field elevation. The comparison I made earlier to a part 121 aircraft was was only to establish a reference for the point I was making. Let's be clear though, my app is not a replacement for a barometric altimeter. It's just a tool to aid in helping pilots in the air, whether they're flying IFR or not. Some people will never need (or want) the app, and that's okay. For years I wrote down clearances on my kneeboard as well. As I said in my initial post, since coming back to GA from the airline environment, the altitude preselect and alert was one of those features that I really felt was missing. So I wrote the app. As for that GPS altimeter accuracy, I had to come up with a way to correct it, and for the most part I did. The alerts work when there supposed to work.

Not at the moment. I want to get the app out and then let it mature a little. But I would say that an android version of the app is definitely on the short list.

That's a fair question. Understand, that no two barometric altimeters are alike and all have variations. Most are accurate to within 100' or better. It's not uncommon when I fly at the airline to see differences between the Captain, FO, and standby altimeter of 100'. So when I say that my apps GPS correction algorithm corrects to within 100', it's when comparing it to the barometric altimeter in your airplane. In my personal flight testing, I'm seeing accuracy to 50' the majority of the time. There are times when the accuracy error increases, however that's due to non-standard variations in temperature and pressure as at higher altitudes. To compensate for that, I have a control that you can use to manually correct the error. In most cases, you don't have to though. I hope that answers your question. -Ray

GPS Altitude. Without getting too specific, I created an algorithm that corrects GPS altitude error. In most cases it's accurate to within 100' or better. Just send me your email and I'll add you to the group. Thanks. -Ray

Okay everyone, this will be a long one so please bear with me... I'm currently designing an altitude alerting app for the iPad that runs along side all of the most popular "all-in-one" aviation apps, i.e. Foreflight, Garmin Pilot, Wing-X, etc. A little background... I've been flying since 1987. Like many of you I started flying in GA aircraft. After gaining enough time, I moved into the regionals and subsequently the majors and have been at Southwest for 15 years. When I recently returned to GA after buying a Commander 112TC, I immediately saw a need for something I have taken for granted since I moved into bigger airplanes... An altitude alerter with altitude preselect capability that could be obtained without adding it to the panel. The app is primarily aimed at the IFR GA pilot, but VFR pilots can get use from it as well. The app can be run in the foreground, background, or side-by-side (depending on the model of iPad that you own). It works by entering a "target" altitude in the pre-selector. The app then monitors your altitude and generates an aural and visual alert when you reach default target window criteria (that part's not important). Bottom line, it alerts you when approaching your preselected altitude, and then monitors if you climb or descend away from it by mistake. In addition, it also generates a courtesy alert when you need to begin using supplemental O2 for both you and your PAX. With all of that said, I have the app up and running and have begun beta testing it. If you would like to be part of the test group, I'd love to hear from you. Of course there's no cost in being a beta tester, I only ask that you give me statistical feedback on your use. Additionally, when I move the app out of beta, all beta testers will be able to download the app for free. To be a part of the test group you need to have a cellular + wifi capable iPad. The reason for having the cellular version is because it has the GPS chip embedded in the hardware. Ideally, I'd like to get 20-50 beta testers. If you're interested, please email me at compilotrc@gmail.com Thanks everyone.