For Sale New checklist app could save your life

E

Emmanuel

Filing Flight Plan
Joined
Jan 23, 2009
Messages
16
Display Name
Display name:
Emmanuel
Hi Pilots,

I am more a follower than a writer on your great forum, so I'll try to make it short.

I am thrilled today to announce that my app Aero Checklist for iPad is available on the Apple's App Store.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/aero-checklist/id1033777621?l=en&mt=8


This app is a real tool for pilots willing to enhance their flight safety since you have the most critical emergency checklists right under your finger tips, thanks to its revolutionary user interface and design.
Aero Checklist is a comprehensive app, with features like instant key word search for emergency and abnormal checklists, audio speech (allows you to litteraly hear the checklist into your headset), linear emergency checklist continuity, complete follow up of the checklist history and more.

The checklist is free to download on the App Store with the C172SP checklist.
Other checklists requiring the subscription of a paying package are available:
- Cessna 182T
- Cirrus SR 22 G3
- Daher Socata TBM 850
- Pilatus PC12 NG
- Piper Archer II
- Piper Saratoga II HP
- Piper Seneca III
More to come soon...

I invite all of you to visit and like the Facebook's page of Aero Checklist: www.facebook.com/aerochecklist
or visit the website: www.safeapps.aero for more details

Any feedback will be very valuable to me to improve the app, so you can drop a line on FB or send an email at info@safeapps.com

I thank you all in advance

Emmanuel
 
Will you assume responsiblity if it does not in fact save my life? Asking for my wife.
 
Agree with the others that the "save your life" tag can open you up to product liability hassles. You are making a claim that your lawyers are unlikely (or unwilling) to defend.

And for "full disclosure" on advertisements like this, I would like to see what the subscription costs and what I get for it.
 
In his defense, he says "could"

Bare with me.
You are hearing impaired.
You are on the ramp doing your preflight using this elec. doodad.
You don't hear it but the pilot of a caravan has fallen asleep just as he was doing his runup.
The plane is barreling toward you at a high rate of speed.
Just as you are about to check your oil, a gust of wind knocks your smartphone out of your hand and to the ground.
You bend over to pick it up just as the wing of the caravan passes over your head.

Whew!! That was close.
If you had been using a paper checklist, it would have gotten blown down the ramp and you would have run off chasing it and right into the path of the plane leading to your demise.

The fact that you used this particular checklist is the reason you are alive today.
 
The "save your life" banner is indeed very explicit. It does not mean it WILL save your life, but the app is designed to help you efficiently should you are facing a situation.
On the law side, please read http://www.safeapps.aero/safeapps-tou.html
http://www.safeapps.aero/safeapps-tou.html
But please, before shooting at the app or at me ;-), try Aero Checklist and, as I said, your feedback is very valuable.

Thank you.
 
Okay here's some: Why is the 172 app free but for all of us who don't normally fly a 172, have to pay?
 
Yes, the app comes with 2 free checklists.
It is to give a boost to student pilots learning to fly.
There is a Private Pilot package you need to purchase within the app to unlock all the available checklists. Included in the package, the Aero Editor which allows you to modify or create checklists and share them to the catalog.
It is $ 49.90/year but there is a 40% off discount as for launch offer until Sept. 20.

In a few weeks, a flight school / private operators version will be out to let them create or modify checklists according their SOP and share the checklists to their members, pilots, students.
 
How about an app that detects the presence of GA aircraft, with or without the engine running, and automatically shuts down all personal electronics? I'd buy that for a dollar (RoboCop)

I used to scoff at the airlines wanting personal electronics off during various phases of flight. I've come to be a believer.

VIVA la Airplane Mode!
 
If I'm in situation where the checklist is critical for safety, I'm not wasting my time powering on any electronics nor searching for an app or trying to get to the right page.

I'm not your target audience.
 
I can't figure out why this is a subscription service. What continually updated content are you providing that justifies an annual "subscription?"
 
Checklists will be regularily added, as well as improvements or new features to come. This is why an annual subscription is required.
 
murphey said:
If I'm in situation where the checklist is critical for safety, I'm not wasting my time powering on any electronics nor searching for an app or trying to get to the right page.

I'm not your target audience.
Click to expand...
Neither am I for the same reasons. I agree with Blanche that this is one area where an App is not the right solution.
 
Last edited:
With respect for the OP, this seems like a solution in search of a problem. I suppose a CFI or commercial pilot who flies lots of different types could use a thing like this. But most of us who only fly one sort of aircraft most of the time have self made or preprinted checklists that don't change at all. The aircraft are old, there really isn't that much new to add.
 
My checklists are all customized to me and often to particular tail numbers, laminated, and require no batteries. I have little interest in someone else's idea of what should be on my checklists though I am not above stealing good ideas. POH checklists are particularly lacking in completeness while being bloated with CYA. A starting point but not much more. So I'm not your market. Sorry.
 
A few points of concern I see:

-The majority of people don't care about adding more checklists once the one or two aircraft they fly are available.
-Unless you're going to make a checklist for every variant of GA aircraft, customers are going to end up having to create or heavily modify the checklist anyway.
-You mention that users can share their checklists to the catalog and download checklists from it. Does this mean that the app really revolves around users creating your inventory of checklists for you? And paying for the privilege of doing so?
-$50 is half the cost of Foreflight, which includes checklists and a laundry list of other features.
-The design of the app, based on the screenshots on your website, is very.....well, poor. The rainbow of colors is not comfortable to look at, and controls and text seems to be scattered randomly across the screen. It looks like what a website in the early 2000s looked like.
 
Pay you forever for the privilege of not being able to create my own checklists? No thanks.
 
Congratulations on learning to develop a mobile app. No, I'm not being snide, what you've done is something not too many are willing to attempt. I'm not, and I've been in the software business for decades.

1) First step is to identify a target audience.
2) Then determine what problem the audience has.
3) After identifying and learning all you can about the problem, then you can develop the solution to that problem.
4) After creating the solution, and verifying it solves the problem, understand the basic concepts of usability, colors, user experience, etc.
5) Then go develop an app.

Welcome to the world of systems/software engineering.
 
There is another challenge for @Emmanuel ... The competition is already out there and "big names" are offering it at no charge. See this image from an email I received today...

So while I appreciate Emmanuel's desire to bring us an Aviation related app for our tablets... The checklist concept with subscription might not be the right mousetrap.

upload_2017-8-23_15-0-13.png
 
I'm gonna start a new thread in the classifieds and ask people that don't want to buy my product to take their time to reply to me. I also am going to ask for opinions of why you might think my product sucks.

On the other hand, this might be a good place to survey a slice of the aviation community.
 
455 Bravo Uniform said:
I'm gonna start a new thread in the classifieds and ask people that don't want to buy my product to take their time to reply to me. I also am going to ask for opinions of why you might think my product sucks.

On the other hand, this might be a good place to survey a slice of the aviation community.
Click to expand...
I LOL'd
 
Item #1 on the checklist.... put this damn tablet down and fly the airplane! Just kiddin. No ill will on my part. Good luck, I hope it's a success.

Creating something is hard. Criticizing is easy.
 
Stewartb said:
Item #1 on the checklist.... put this damn tablet down and fly the airplane! Just kiddin. No ill will on my part. Good luck, I hope it's a success.

Creating something is hard. Criticizing is easy.
Click to expand...
Realistic criticism is how ideas go from mediocre to excellent.
 
ZeroPapaGolf said:
-The design of the app, based on the screenshots on your website, is very.....well, poor. The rainbow of colors is not comfortable to look at, and controls and text seems to be scattered randomly across the screen. It looks like what a website in the early 2000s looked like.
Click to expand...

Wow, no kidding. It almost gave me a seizure.
 
1. Too expensive to even get me to try.

2. I will never launch an app in an emergency. Fly the plane. No time to load and launch.

3. I will never rely on a portable electronic device in an emergency. I will get immediate vector to closest place to land.

4. Free checklists abound. Garmin has free in GTN devices, FltPlan Go is free, just to name a couple.

I wish you the best, but I think there are some headwinds.
 
Emmanuel said:
Checklists will be regularily added, as well as improvements or new features to come. This is why an annual subscription is required.
Click to expand...

But really, that doesn't explain the need for an overpriced subscription. Most people might fly one or two types, so just one or two checklists might be needed at say, 10 bucks each. But, to pay 50 bucks () a year for improvements, new features or new (not needed) checklists... that's just crazy expensive.

Plus, as already mentioned, the screenshots of the app and interface are just painful to look at. Printed paper is sooo much nicer to look at and use...
 
I feel very sorry and uncomfortable with opinions raised here without knowing what Aero Checklist can do, or can help you.

I hear voices about 'If I have an emergency, i know my emergencies by heart!" Great!!
I know some too, but that doesn't mean I don't have to carry them with actually reading them because I'm not upset proof (already got a real failure in flight with no consequences at all, but I do remember that it took seconds (15 I'd say) before the "Oh s***, it is happening to me..!" and the moment i used my own app to manage the failure. And I also remember well I was still shaking minutes after I managed it !!) and I know I may have forgot an item while carrying my emergency by heart !
We are humans, and 80% of accidents happen because of a human fault, - Errare Humanum Est -.
We don't (fortunately) have a engine out during take off, but do you exactly know what to do in case your gear doesn't retract or extend, what to do if your oil pressure drops like that, and the engine is still running..., your alternator quits...?
Sooner or later, you'll have to carry your emergency checklist and maybe another one because your manufacturer tells you to do so.

This is here where you can rely on Aero Checklist !
You have all the critical emergencies at your finger tips, and should you need to carry a new one, you just have to tap on it, that's it.
I am not a developper, I am an instrument and multi engine rated pilot, so I have designed the app to be the most responsive and efficient should you take just a minute to try it out and figure out how it can help you the best.

Regarding the price, the dev took almost 2 years w. 4 people full time. The recurring subscription is a necessity for us to have a regular income to add value to the product (improvements, and new features as I said), and develop new apps.
Many software aviation developers have released a 1 shot app, and finally got back with annual subscriptions since it is economically not reliable to have users to pay once.

Speaking about design, the interface is what it is, and the colors are what they are, period ! @ZeroPapaGolf, sorry but there is no pink in the cockpit ! ;-)
You don't like the design of the app, perfect ! It's been simply thought to be effective and simple, while ensuring a good focus on the active checklist itself and an super fast access to the most critical emergencies according the phase of the flight.
I don't force you all to use the app if you don't want to, especially if you find it ugly ! You may miss something, but that doesn't matter since few of you took the time to download and tried it before giving your opinion. (I hope I'm wrong !! ;-) )

This app is to help pilots when they need it the most: handling any kind of situation and backing them up,and I was just here to present the app and glad to help if you have questions :D
 
Emmanuel said:
I feel very sorry and uncomfortable with opinions raised here without knowing what Aero Checklist can do, or can help you.

.......

This app is to help pilots when they need it the most: handling any kind of situation and backing them up,and I was just here to present the app and glad to help if you have questions :D
Click to expand...

Actually, you requested feedback on the app:

Any feedback will be very valuable to me to improve the app,
Click to expand...


You also glossed over the part where it seems that people are expected to create their own checklists and share that with others?
 
Last edited:
IMHO, I wouldn't give my feedback on something just based on screenshots. Tastes and colors!!

ZeroPapaGolf said:
You also glossed over the part where it seems that people are expected to create their own checklists and share that with others?
Click to expand...

Yes, you're right. I forgot that one ! ;-)
Users are free to share or not their checklist(s). It is definitely not a requirement. You do what you want and I don't expect users to fulfill the catalog with their own checklists so I don't have to do except looking how much money I get from them...
This is our job here to make as many checklists as possible. The list is huge and we do our best to release checklists very soon and on a regular basis.

The fact is if you want to share a checklist, you simply can do it.
 
Emmanuel said:
IMHO, I wouldn't give my feedback on something just based on screenshots. Tastes and colors!!
Click to expand...
Sorry, I expected than the demo video on the website would accurately reflect the app's appearance and function.


Just a tip: when good developers publicly solicit input on their new app, they graciously say "thanks for your input" even if they necessarily don't agree, rather than attacking their potential customers with a long, rambling, sarcastic reply.
 
Last edited:
Like I said, the design is what it is. The app is not supposed to shine with it (or just a little ;-) ), but with its efficiency regarding the other checklists apps which just offer... a list as the one you have printed.
 
Good luck. You're going to need it to convince people to pay a subscription to fund your future projects.
 
Emmanuel - let me go back to my original comment about the target audience and a problem to solve. You obviously believe an electronic checklist is the solution to problem. Now I ask - did you do a comprehensive analysis of the target audience, including surveys, interviews, etc to quantitatively identify that The Problem in an emergency is lack of a checklist, and that a mobile app is the best, or at least a viable, solution?

If not, then this is just your opinion, that a mobile checklist is a solution in search of a problem.

But if you have done this, then there's the issue of usability. How much wireframing did the developers perform with pilots of various experience to arrive at a practical UX design? Then how much beta testing of the prototype was done to ensure it was a practical implementation of your solution? How much feedback from testing did you incorporate back into the final product?

Oh? You and a few friends were the test subjects? Sorry, that's not acceptable usability testing. It must be done on those ignorant of the product to be valid.
 
Last edited:
The solution doesn't lie in the app or an app itself, it may lie in the use of it and also how it's designed.

You rely on paper checklists to fly the most normally. But what if you have a situation ? Where are your emergency checklists ?
I heard so many FE telling me stories about pilots during their own prof checks who had theirs at the back of the aircraft !!
An app may not be THE solution to THE problem, but I read extensive articles on the use of checklists, whether printed or electronic, asked pilots about what they would like to have as a comprehensive tool, and ended up with an idea.
Tactile devices offer a great opportunity for passionate people to use them for almost anything you can find nowadays, seeing the number of apps Apple has on its App Store (just to name Apple)
I used the technology along with that idea and a talented team to develop an app offering the ability to pilots to fly confidently their aircraft with ALL the checklists at hand including the emergencies, while offering them to access the latter in no time, and other features.
This does not mean that the app WILL save their lives (I really do hope it will), but at least, they can use it to handle and manage a situation if time permits, since I agree that facing an engine out during takeoff requires nothing but your training and ability to land the aircraft or secure the failed engine to land + luck.

A pilot flying its 12 hrs a year won't use Aero Checklist since a paper checklist is already way enough for him.
A student pilot may use it (for free if he flies a C172 G1000 or the other EU trainer aircraft) to learn more than a regular paper checklist as well.
A private pilot may buy the app and customize its checklist, even if 50 bucks is a budget (say 30mn of flight ??) and also feel confident with the app.
A pro pilot may fly with Aero Checklist since he knows he can rely on it should he face a situation.

There are a lot of 'may' but to be honest, I hope the app to help pilots trusting it enough like you trust the printed one you have (with all due considerations to limitations of electronic devices)
Regarding the other competitors, if it's just a matter of a bad market price, this is then just easy !
 
garmin pilot has this built in. You hit the big red EMER button and the nearest airports are displayed, and in split screen your emergency checklists.

Emer.png
 
Feedback: I went to your web site and began to read the text.... Unfortunately your slide moved on the the next slide before I could finish reading. This continually happened on each slide. Very annoying. Hope the app has better GUI.
 
@Emmanuel doesn't seem to research much before acting.

Proof 1 - designing and funding an app without a market.
Proof 2 - advertising it on forum he's never read.

Sure, he got it into the classified's and might not have gotten the reaction "we" reserve for the snake oil salesmen. But, in the end, it went the way of the AOA indicator.
 
I think the title of this thread should read, "This Checklist App could cost you your life". You need to know the emergency checklists and react to emergencies, not get out an IPAD app.
 
Ravioli said:
@Emmanuel doesn't seem to research much before acting.

Proof 1 - designing and funding an app without a market.
Proof 2 - advertising it on forum he's never read.

Sure, he got it into the classified's and might not have gotten the reaction "we" reserve for the snake oil salesmen. But, in the end, it went the way of the AOA indicator.
Click to expand...
He also needs to fire his GUI designer for the app. The website is ok, but lord, that app is 'orrible.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top