Beta Testers needed for new iPad GA app

[compilotrc]

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.

Edited June 28, 2016 by compilotrc

[MooneyBob]

Email sent. 

[Brandontwalker]

I'm in.

[Bennett]

I'd like to join the beta tester group. Are you using GPS altitude alone, or making a barometric correction?

[compilotrc]

4 minutes ago, Bennett said:

I'd like to join the beta tester group. Are you using GPS altitude alone, or making a barometric correction?

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

 

[bonal]

I'm sorry and since I'm not IFR please excuse if I'm mistaken but isn't 100ft the plus minus limit for IFR flight. If so I should think your accuracy should be a bit finer

[compilotrc]

9 minutes ago, bonal said:

I'm sorry and since I'm not IFR please excuse if I'm mistaken but isn't 100ft the plus minus limit for IFR flight. If so I should think your accuracy should be a bit finer

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

[carusoam]

Welcome aboard, Ray.

My instrument rating is a bit faded.  

But there were two things that really required extra memory skills...

1) Climbing to the assigned altitude.

2) Coming up on waypoint that requires a turn.

So far, I never missed any of these things, but there has got to be a better low cost way of doing it.  My KLN90B fires off a tiny light on the instrument panel with no audio.  It's audio alert can be set to beep at a preprogrammed height above ground.

PM sent.

Hardware: iPad air with internal GPS.  Connected through wifi to WAAS GPS  in a SkyRadar....

Good luck with your app.

If you are really good at aviation app development, have you considered writing an app that calculates T/O and landing distances from the POH charts?

This is a question I ask of anyone writing an app...

Best regards,

-a-

[bonal]

Thank you Ray that's what I like here at MS I learn new things about flying all the time.

[carqwik]

I'm on Android so I'm out...

[carusoam]

Ray,

any plans for my friends with Android devices?  MS members are probably 50% I device and 50% android...

We don't want to see them accidently busting altitudes either.   

Best regards,

-a-

[compilotrc]

6 minutes ago, carusoam said:

Ray,

any plans for my friends with Android devices?  MS members are probably 50% I device and 50% android...

We don't want to see them accidently busting altitudes either.   

Best regards,

-a-

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.

[Hank]

1 hour ago, compilotrc said:

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.

The FARs say that my altimeter must indicate within 75 feet of field elevation to fly IFR. I'm not sure of the full requirements when doing the biennial IFR testing, but I'd be surprised if it's as much as 100 feet.

I surf on an iPad, but the few occasions I've used an EFB, it's running on an old Samsung Galaxy Tab or my new Samsung phone:  Avare. It's not available in iOS, only Android. My last phone ran Ice Cream Sandwich, I'm not sure what my Galaxy 6 Edge+ is running, the names keep getting weirder.

So far, I just use my pen to write down altitude clearances (climbing and descending get an ⬆️ or ⬇️ arrow before the number). You know, on a piece of discarded paper from my printer at work, folded in half to perfectly fit my kneeboard (a piece of padded aluminum with a clamp on one edge and an elastic strap to go around my leg with Velcro to lock it in place).

edit:  No, I am not a Luddite! I love my WAAS GPS! I just don't see the benefit of adding complexity. EFBs are wonderful things for preflight planning. But I don't carry my tablet everywhere I go, I use it at home every day, and I don't always leave for the airport from my house. Plus I hate batteries, multiple wires all over the cockpit and unstable software (neither iOS nor Android are certified for aviation use). And iPads are well-known to sometimes overheat in the cockpit.

Edited June 28, 2016 by Hank

[compilotrc]

Just now, Hank said:

The FARs say that my altimeter must indicate within 75 feet of field elevation to fly IFR. I'm not sure of the full requirements when doing the biennial IFR testing, but I'd be surprised if it's as much as 100 feet.

I surf on an iPad, but the few occasions I've used an EFB, it's running on an old Samsung Galaxy Tab or my new Samsung phone:  Avare. It's not available in iOS, only Android. My last phone ran Ice Cream Sandwich, I'm not sure what my Galaxy 6 Edge+ is running, the names keep getting weirder.

So far, I just use my pen to write down altitude clearances (climbing and descending get an ⬆️ or ⬇️ arrow before the number). You know, on a piece of discarded paper from my printer at work, folded in half to perfectly fit my kneeboard (a piece of padded aluminum with a clamp on one edge and an elastic strap to go around my leg with Velcro to lock it in place).

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.

[Hank]

Sounds like you've done the hard math. Congrats on making it work properly. Hope you sell lots!

[Piloto]

The altitude warning devices I have seen provide audio warnings through the audio panel so the warning can be heard on the headset and cabin speaker. This include radar altimeters and autopilots altitude select. Some GPS navigators have altitude warnings at 500ft AGL on approach. It would be helpful if the warning can be loud. I myself don't have a tablet but a smart phone.

José

 

[compilotrc]

14 minutes ago, Piloto said:

The altitude warning devices I have seen provide audio warnings through the audio panel so the warning can be heard on the headset and cabin speaker. This include radar altimeters and autopilots altitude select. Some GPS navigators have altitude warnings at 500ft AGL on approach. It would be helpful if the warning can be loud. I myself don't have a tablet but a smart phone.

José

 

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).

[Brandontwalker]

Welcome aboard, Ray.

My instrument rating is a bit faded.  

But there were two things that really required extra memory skills...

1) Climbing to the assigned altitude.

2) Coming up on waypoint that requires a turn.

So far, I never missed any of these things, but there has got to be a better low cost way of doing it.  My KLN90B fires off a tiny light on the instrument panel with no audio.  It's audio alert can be set to beep at a preprogrammed height above ground.

PM sent.

Hardware: iPad air with internal GPS.  Connected through wifi to WAAS GPS  in a SkyRadar....

Good luck with your app.

If you are really good at aviation app development, have you considered writing an app that calculates T/O and landing distances from the POH charts?

This is a question I ask of anyone writing an app...

Best regards,

-a-

I used numbers on the iPad to create a weight and balance calculator. I am certain it could be used to easily create a takeoff/landing distance calculator.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Brandontwalker]

14 minutes ago, Piloto said: The altitude warning devices I have seen provide audio warnings through the audio panel so the warning can be heard on the headset and cabin speaker. This include radar altimeters and autopilots altitude select. Some GPS navigators have altitude warnings at 500ft AGL on approach. It would be helpful if the warning can be loud. I myself don't have a tablet but a smart phone.

José

 

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).

I use a cheap Bluetooth receiver to stream music from my iPad to my audio panel. Added bonus is that I hear notifications from foreflight and fuel selector (tank timer app) through my headsets.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00MJMV0GU/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467083472&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=bluetooth+receiver&dpPl=1&dpID=41vLLjBb8DL&ref=plSrch

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Hank]

3 minutes ago, Brandontwalker said:

I used numbers on the iPad to create a weight and balance calculator. I am certain it could be used to easily create a takeoff/landing distance calculator.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I did many W&B sample loading in Excel. Numbers will open them, too. I used to carry a printout in the plane for reference:  many different people loads, various baggage amounts, and fuel in 10-gallon increments from 50 to 10 (for trip departure and arrival). Now I just have the file stored away somewhere.

should be fairly simple to do something similar for Takeoff and Landing distances. Having been initially based at a 3000' field with trees at both ends, and periodically visiting a nearby 2000' grass strip (max 2 souls and half tanks), I've never worried about this part. Mom and .dad now live near a poorly-paved strip 2770 x 40, and a PPP instructor had me make one power then one simulated engine out on a strip that was 2440 x 30. No problemo for the C.

[Piloto]

1 hour ago, Brandontwalker said:

 

 

I used numbers on the iPad to create a weight and balance calculator. I am certain it could be used to easily create a takeoff/landing distance calculator.

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You pull out the scale before flight and have everyone weighted?

Check this: http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/12/travel/airline-weighing-passengers/index.html

José

[cloud116]

I'd like in. Just passed my IFR check ride few weeks ago and was complaining to my instructor that there should be a cheap easy alert system for altitude maintenance. Glad to see you doing something about it. 

[Brandontwalker]

1 hour ago, Brandontwalker said:  

 

I used numbers on the iPad to create a weight and balance calculator. I am certain it could be used to easily create a takeoff/landing distance calculator.

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You pull out the scale before flight and have everyone weighted?

Check this: http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/12/travel/airline-weighing-passengers/index.html

José

Not generally, but I do when it will be close so I know how much fuel I can carry. All passengers, including myself, were weighed before the trip away. I reused those passenger weights for the return (wishful thinking seeing that we all gained a couple of pounds...Disney Cruise). You will note that, in the flight depicted above, we were 1.2 lbs shy of gross. We were returning from South Florida with high departure DA. I carry a hand scale for luggage too.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[midlifeflyer]

12 hours ago, Hank said:

The FARs say that my altimeter must indicate within 75 feet of field elevation to fly IFR. I'm not sure of the full requirements when doing the biennial IFR testing, but I'd be surprised if it's as much as 100 feet.

There is still leeway. How accurate is your Kollsman window? Small variations in barometric pressure that are uncorrected? Many autopilots provide a 20' buffer, which increases that 75 to 95. ATC alarms for altitude deviations sound at after 200'  (yeah, in many cases it's actually 300' but let's go with 200' to be conservative).

An app that supplements our own need to maintain a scan and catch deviations might be helpful if we don't already have that capability on board.

[compilotrc]

11 hours ago, cloud116 said:

I'd like in. Just passed my IFR check ride few weeks ago and was complaining to my instructor that there should be a cheap easy alert system for altitude maintenance. Glad to see you doing something about it. 

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