iFly GPS Forum

Hey gang.

I have been amazed at the useful stuff that IFLY can do, but isn't covered in the manual.

For instance, someone on this forum posted the fact that when going to the NEAREST feature IFLY can tell your not only the nearest airports, but also tells you whether you could possibly glide to the nearest with a silent engine given the glide ratio you put in your AIRCRAFT PROFILE. It also makes a course line from your aircraft icon to that airport.

Is that great or what?

So I have set up this thread so forum users can share little nuggets, like the feature listed above. This should help us get maximum use from IFLY until a comprehensive manual is produced.

Let me share this one:

When flying cross country and you see a range of hills or mountains on your course and you see low spots and saddles along that range, a good way to know which low spot would be best for you to cross over is to touch the profile screen to enlarge it.

Then see if there is any yellow or red spots on your intended course line. If there is then you can turn a few degrees left or right of that spot and you will quickly be able to see the profile display change showing lower areas around the red and yellow high points. Your new course will only have green ahead on the profile screen. Once past the range you can get back on your original course.

I have found this especially useful when flying the Idaho back country.

John M

John, I think this is a great idea! So, here's my two cents;
I've been an iFly user for more than five years, and I knew of the capability I will describe, but am just now getting to use it. With the new NORSEE "project" (the FAA is in the beginning stages of allowing the installation of non-certified equipment for safety enhancements), I have been working on the installation of the Trio Avionics ProPilot autopilot into the PA28's. The rest of my working group is working on 172's, 182's, and Bonanzas. This equipment was designed and sold to the experimental group, and has worked so well that we are writing an STC to be able to use it in certified aircraft. If you want an autopilot in your aircraft but can't justify an additional $20K, this is the answer.
My installation is using a 740 to talk to the ap with a simple USB cable, and the ap is able to precisely follow my track AND altitude! I have flown with it a fair amount now, and with the 740 commands, it will follow your flight plan, including ascents and descents. I will be flying a 13 hour cross country round trip this week and next, and will report back after that. In the meantime, check out Trio if you have the interest. I have been pushing the iFly in combination with it on the various aircraft forums.
By the way, I also have a G430W for ifr reasons only, but it's rarely ever turned on. iFly is just so much easier to use!
Greg

John

Assuming you completed all the information in you Aircraft Profile section including your glide ratio, all you have to do when flying and you have a problem is touch NEAREST.

All the nearest airports close to your flight position will show in a box at the top of the screen on a phone or tablet.

In the top right corner of the box you will see a red triangle with an exclaimation mark in it.

Touch on that mark and the little boxes next to the airport identifier will turn to either red, yellow or green.

If red you won't make it to that field. If yellow you MIGHT make it to the field. If green you SHOULD make it safely.

Of course, your results may vary depending on:

How quickly you respond to turning to the field

How well you maintain optimum glide speed for YOUR aircraft

And of course, any winds that may hinder progression over the ground.

Sometimes you will have a choice of more than one airport.

I have a continual indication on my Dynon 10A as to the winds aloft so I may choose an airport a bit farther in order to benefit from favorable winds.

The other feature of Nearest is that no matter what course you are following it will lay out a course line to the optimum airport for you.

Neat huh?

John M