favorite ForeFlight instruments?

GeorgeC

GeorgeC

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GeorgeC
I use:
  • Cross-track error
  • Track
  • Course next
  • Descent to dest
  • Nearest baro
  • Groundspeed
 
The magenta line :target: :)

ETE is useful to me. I like the distance rings too.
 
Let'sgoflying! said:
Are the ring supposed to be accommodating for winds aloft?
My ring is a like an earthworm on crack, no where near a circle.
Click to expand...
It depends on which rings, I suppose. I was thinking of the concentric distance rings.
Are you thinking of the glide distance rings?
My ground reference maneuver tracks look like an earthworm on crack though. :rolleyes:

I use FF a lot on business trips- What am I seeing out the window? Will we fly past that interesting thing? I've gotten pictures of Monument valley, Mt. Denali, Crater Lake, Mt. St Helens, and other things because I could see we were going to fly past them.
 
When I have an ADS-B connection, I like the nearest barometer setting feature.
 
The glide distance ring is based on a combination of your plane's entered glide ratio, winds aloft, and terrain.
 
In addition to the above mentioned features, I like the extended runway centerlines. It's helpful when approaching unfamiliar airports with cross-wind runways.

-David

foreflight-traffic-pattern-advisor.png
 
NordicDave said:
In addition to the above mentioned features, I like the extended runway centerlines. It's helpful when approaching unfamiliar airports with cross-wind runways.

-David
Click to expand...


Is that "teardrop to 01" something you created? Or is that an option somewhere, only ask because I've never seen that before.
 
It will generate pattern entries for you. I just noticed that you can also insert an along-track offset waypoint, eg 10mi before your destination. Too bad it doesn't do that for TOD.
 
NordicDave said:
In addition to the above mentioned features, I like the extended runway centerlines. It's helpful when approaching unfamiliar airports with cross-wind runways.

-David

foreflight-traffic-pattern-advisor.png
Click to expand...
Plus one on the extended center lines. One thing I am not great at is picking out the field early from a distance that are new to me.
 
GeorgeC said:
I use:
  • Cross-track error
  • Track
  • Course next
  • Descent to dest
  • Nearest baro
  • Groundspeed
Click to expand...

In my four copies of ForeFlight...:
Track x4
Groundspeed x4
Vertical Speed x4
Accuracy x3
Nearest Airport x2
GPS Altitude x2
ETE Dest
Cabin Pressure

Let'sgoflying! said:
ya, wasn’t aware other rings were available:
View attachment 73639
Click to expand...

Dave,

You live in an area with a lot of terrain, which is why your ring is pretty squiggly. The glide ring is corrected for both winds aloft and terrain. In flat area, it'll be practically circular. When winds aloft are strong, there'll be an obvious offset. It's a great feature.

GeorgeC said:
It will generate pattern entries for you. I just noticed that you can also insert an along-track offset waypoint, eg 10mi before your destination. Too bad it doesn't do that for TOD.
Click to expand...

It *kind of* does. At some point, they added a route line in the Profile view, so you can start the descent there. Hopefully they'll add it to the Nav Log, or add a VCALC-style "instrument" and/or alert. I wouldn't expect it to look like the Garmin banana... Maybe they'll put a dot on the magenta line.
 
There's a TOD in the navlog under Flights, but unfortunately it doesn't get exposed in Maps. In the meantime, I just wait for "descent to dest" to become something reasonable.
 
GeorgeC said:
Hit the Procedure button. I think it's iPad only.
https://blog.foreflight.com/2015/04...dure-preview-faster-downloads-foreflight-7-0/
Click to expand...

This. Hit "Procedure" and then "Traffic Pattern".

I really never do it, simply because at that point, I've got the field in sight, I don't need the magenta line and I'd prefer to keep my eyes outside instead of on the iPad. I suppose if you have GPSS and an autopilot that can make those turns, you could send the plan to your GTN/GNS and have it do all the work, but that's just asking for your flying skills to atrophy.

I mean, I love gadgets, and what they can do for us in aviation, but it needs to have its limits.
 
Notwithstanding the fact that the pattern entry is not correct. Too close to the airport and it's not 45°. Might as well do whatever you want.
 
dmspilot said:
Notwithstanding the fact that the pattern entry is not correct. Too close to the airport and it's not 45°. Might as well do whatever you want.
Click to expand...

Repeat after me:
A 45º pattern entry is not a requirement.
A 45º pattern entry is not a requirement.
A 45º pattern entry is not a requirement.
(repeat as necessary)

Now, when you punch this flight plan in and go to Procedure->Traffic Pattern->Rwy xx, you have the option of straight in, or 45º, midfield teardrop, or midfield direct entries into either right or left traffic. So, if you need to be a purist:

IMG_0583.PNG
IMG_0584.PNG

Coming from the direction in this flight plan, a 45º entry requires pretty much a complete 180 as well. Since RFD is towered, they're likely to tell you to just enter on a right base anyway.

FWIW, when going to an untowered airport, ForeFlight only offers entries on the correct traffic pattern side. That *IS* required (for airplanes).
 
Really appreciate this thread..added many of the above especially as I have things like groundspeed and vsi in other screens.

The nearest airports and nearest nav aid is a big Time saver.
 
I know FF shows traffic on the moving map, but does it have a traffic page with the distance rings showing the traffic? I noticed that Garmin Pilot has that. I was flying with someone who was doing a split screen with the map on top and the traffic on the bottom as seen below.

L7XhLIS.png
 
flyingcheesehead said:
Repeat after me:
A 45º pattern entry is not a requirement.
A 45º pattern entry is not a requirement.
A 45º pattern entry is not a requirement.
Click to expand...

I didn't say it was required. But encouraging performing a procedure that sort-of looks like the recommended one but is really a half-assed version is probably worse than not doing it at all. However, it's good that FF gives you multiple options to choose from.
 
Anybody know if you can look at cloud tops on the imagery area of FF? When I get a briefing there is the cloud tops pics like you find using the online GFA tool. That is helpful for planning at times but I don’t want to bother with requesting a briefing for a flight.
 
GeorgeC said:
Doesn't look like it:

https://support.foreflight.com/hc/en-us/articles/203398529-How-can-I-view-or-determine-cloud-tops-

Interesting that the cloud tops layer is available via ADS-B but not internet.

This suggests the data are coming from HRRR anyway:
https://ral.ucar.edu/sites/default/...reeman-fis-b-newproducts-fpaw-2018jul17-1.pdf
Click to expand...
Frustrating as it pulls it for your briefs. The gfa tool online is great but crappy to use with a phone. Any serious flight planning it’s not an issue as I get the briefing and get it that way. But I like so a lot of flight planning for fun quick and FF makes that nice.
 
benyflyguy said:
Frustrating as it pulls it for your briefs. The gfa tool online is great but crappy to use with a phone. Any serious flight planning it’s not an issue as I get the briefing and get it that way. But I like so a lot of flight planning for fun quick and FF makes that nice.
Click to expand...

Send a feature request, with a link to the tool you use, to team@foreflight.com. Sounds like it would be a good addition.
 
flyingcheesehead said:
Send a feature request, with a link to the tool you use, to team@foreflight.com. Sounds like it would be a good addition.
Click to expand...
And I did jus that now!! Thank you for the suggestion. Doesn’t hurt to ask. Maybe get an explanation as to why they can’t. But they have access to the maps. Shouldn’t be to hard to update the imagery section of the app
 
Course Next or Bering Next on Foreflight
Normally they give the same reading in Foreflight

Definitions:
Course Next- desired course to next way point
Vs
Bering Next- Bering to next waypoint

Which one do you use and why?
 
The reason I ask is I was playing around with FF during an approach, after I loaded the Garmin 430w, and wanted to compare what the Garmin 430W was giving me vs FF.
When I decided to go vectors to finial on the Garmin and FF, Atc was vectoring me around for other traffic, basically 180 degrees away from the FAF.
I noticed that the Course Next was exactly what would be expected for the finial approach course, and exactly what Garmin was giving me.
For fun I switched he Next Course to Next Bering in FF on the bottom ribbon. As I thought, FF gave me directions to the Next Bering (as the direction to take To get to the FAF). I found that different information quite helpful and thought I should share.
 
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