ForeFlight 6.0 In-flight App Shutdowns

[Hector]

Anyone experiencing problems with the latest version of ForeFlight? Today was my first trip after upgrading to version 6.0 and had about 8 in-flight shutdowns of the App on an iPad Mini and about 3 on an iPhone 5 I was using for backup. Prior to today I had NEVER experienced an in-flight shutdown of ForeFlight. No fun when the App decides to go bye-bye during an ILS approach to KOPF and have to rely on the iPhone for the approach plate while restarting ForeFlight on the iPad. Yes, mi culpa for not carrying a paper copy of the plates, but a least the iPad and iPhone where not shutting down at the same time. I think this has to be a software bug otherwise it would not be happening on both the iPad and iPhone. I sent a note to the technical team at ForeFlight, but thought I would post something here to see if any others have noticed the issue or just to make you aware if you just upgraded to version 6.0. Also I should mention that I was using a Stratus 2 which also received a firmware update with ForeFlight 6.0. It could be the Stratus firmware may be the problem. I must say it shook my confidence on relying on these electronic flight bags too much, but I have been using ForeFlight for so long and have never experienced anything like this.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[PLN_FXR]

Not good ... keep us posted!  Another reminder why I keep a "daylog", with printed copies of the info I'll most likely need.

[takair]

I had it happen a couple of weeks ago. Went to my "desktop". Had previously had the iPad mini reset due to overheating, but now that I think of it, I don't think it was running hot this time. I was running a Stratus I, but don't recall the software level. Foreflight restarted no problem after that. I think it only did it once in about 4 hours. Do you recall when 6.0 came out?

[Marauder]

No shutdowns but a bit disappointed on the upgrade. The terrain feature is nice, the split screen was a disappointment.

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[Hector]

I had it happen a couple of weeks ago. Went to my "desktop". Had previously had the iPad mini reset due to overheating, but now that I think of it, I don't think it was running hot this time. I was running a Stratus I, but don't recall the software level. Foreflight restarted no problem after that. I think it only did it once in about 4 hours. Do you recall when 6.0 came out?

I think 6.0 just came out yesterday. I downloaded it and installed it last night. I think I'll do a complete reset of the iPad and see if it solves the problem.

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[takair]

I think 6.0 just came out yesterday. I downloaded it and installed it last night. I think I'll do a complete reset of the iPad and see if it solves the problem.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

In that case I had it happen with previous version.

[Hector]

Response from ForeFlight. Impressed that they responded so quickly and the email was sent at 8:40 pm. Those guys are working late.

Hi Hector,

Sorry to hear about your difficulties, but we appreciate the feedback! I'll forward this on to our development team for review.

We have had a few similar PIREPS, but no specific fix for it yet. We'll let you know what we come up with. Keep the feedback coming -- we need to know!

Fly safe,

Scott Tidwell

ForeFlight Pilot Support

ForeFlight LLC

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[yvesg]

Sorry to replay the same tune... but here it is:

My work is software testing. Most development teams I have worked with do a risk approach regression testing cycle. They do not re-test everything. Because of that I always wait before upgrading to the latest and greatest software for my personal stuff. This is specifically true when a software version changes the major version number ex: from 5.1.9 to 6.0.0

You can also take a risk approach to your upgrade decision: If the last digit only changes, the risk of a problem is low... the middle number, medium and first number is high. Since the first number changed, I deem it as high. Someone having paper charts as a backup could possibly afford upgrading but souls like me without cannot.

I will wait a few weeks before upgrading to the version 6.X.X

Yves

[flyboy0681]

I'd hate to be at the FAF in actual conditions when it craps out. One reason I still retain my paper subscription.

[helitim]

Do you want to be relying on this system in actual? These systems are meant as a backup reference only.

[carusoam]

Tim,

I believe they are referring to the electronic charts which can be used as the only source???

Not being used as a primary nav device/GPS...

So if they lost their electronic chart at the FAF, what is their back-up?

I always had paper back up, but with the arrival of iPads, smart phones and iPods and other tablet displays. Pulling up another tablet may suffice?

Whenever I update software or charts, I will let it run as long as possible prior to using it in flight. My iPad 1 is prone to dropping out of service, now more than ever... Especially as software updates become too large for the old girl...

Keep in mind, I am not a CFI or even a high time IFR pilot....

Best regards,

-a-

[Marauder]

Do you want to be relying on this system in actual? These systems are meant as a backup reference only.

I would agree that the iPads data is reference and backs up the GTN for flight plan routing. But when it comes to approach plates, I do use the iPad as the primary. Like any electronic device, having a backup strategy to it is advisable. When I flew with the iPad alone, I would print out hard copies of the approach plates.

When I acquired a second device (initially a Nexus 7 and now a iPad Mini), I no longer carry paper. As a backup to the Garmin Pilot app, I had ForeFlight installed on both devices. Since I upgraded to the Aspen MFD, I will drop ForeFlight this summer and use the Seattler Avionics charts as backup.

It's all about weighing the risks... I'm more worried about losing the Garmin GTN than I am my iPad...

[Jeff_S]

I used it yesterday with no problems, other than my new Stratus 2 AHRS wasn't calibrated and I couldn't find the instructions for lining it up. I was just futzing with it anyway to test some things out, so it was no big deal. I did find the calibration instructions in the ForeFlight Guide a little while later.

[neilpilot]

I use FlyQ (just let my Foreflight expire).  I like them both.  Suggestion:  if you are about to fly an approach, grab a screen shot of the plate.  Then if the EFB craps out, you can go into the photo app and work off the screen shot.  Assuming the iPad is OK.

[N601RX]

One thing that I have found that will pretty much guarantee a hangup or crash is a long flight with the Verizon Data Plan turned on.

[carusoam]

Neil,

Interesting Plan B: theory for the single device.

It took me a while to get comfortable with the two button screen shot initiator.

For those not I-familiar, one of the buttons is the off/on button. Goof up the procedure, you may turn the iPad off.

Practice, practice, practice...

Best regards,

-a-

[jnisley]

For what it's worth, I was on a long road trip yesterday so I decided to see if any glitches show up using Foreflight 6.0/Stratus 2 with updated firmware and iPad 4, nothing showed up in the 8+ hours I ran it. I'm really impressed with how the Stratus 2 keeps Foreflight updated with the iPad in sleep mode. (yes, it does occasionally pickup ADS-B towers on the ground)

[Dkmiata]

Just as an FYI, I lost my traffic display on Foreflight after the update. On the Map page under the user selections, upper left corner, make sure to verify that Traffic is turned on, right side. I almost needed to to replace a window in the house I thought my second Stratus was starting to have problems like my fist one, which had to be sent back to Sporty's/Appareo. That took two months to fix, and they ended up sending me a new refurbished one. I really do like the Stratus, but it I could have my $900 bucks back, I would saved it to do the ADS-B with my 430 and a new transponder with out capability.

Hope this info helps,

David