PDA's in the cockpit.

[Minima-No-Contact]

I remember reading on the forums somewhere that quite a few companies have their pilots/check-in/groundstaff using PDA/Palm pilots for operational use.

Could someone tell me what sort programs you run on these? And what type of PDAs are most compatable for the available software out there?

Can you run these type of programs from a PDA?
- Trim sheet/W&B
- Tech log, which can be uploaded from an aircraft with a data port
- Pax manifests that can be sent via infrared between PDAs
- Flight plans
- Weather info

Many thanks,
MNC

[USMCmech]

I'll have to look for it, but there is a program that has every aproach plate in the US for a PDA. YOu can print out the ones you want ot use, or you can look at them on the screen with a special zoom function. A kind of poor mans EFB. I really want one of those! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

[Minima-No-Contact]

Thanks, I believe a company out of Chicago operates with them? Cant remember which company, use Saab 340s I think.

I'm just trying to get some info together to see if its worth using them down here in Aus in the future. May save a bit of time in some areas.

Cheers

[ready2fly]

[ QUOTE ]
Can you run these type of programs from a PDA?
- Trim sheet/W&B
- Tech log, which can be uploaded from an aircraft with a data port
- Pax manifests that can be sent via infrared between PDAs
- Flight plans
- Weather info

[/ QUOTE ]
1. Yes - look here.
2. Dunno.
3. Dunno for sure, but I'm thinking yes.
4. Yes... look here.
5. Same site.

I've recently purchased an iPaq Pocket PC and am VERY happy with it... and I haven't even downloaded any of the aviation tools yet. Can't wait to do that.

[Cheechako]

The airline perspective:

Some airlines, including Skywest, are looking at what's called the EFB- Electronic Flight Bag. Right now I have my company operatoins manual (a 6" thick notebook) and two hefty Jepp manuals in my flight bag that I cart all over creation. The EFB will eliminate the need to carry these items around. Several options are out there. Two examples are personally owned/issued (like JetBlue) where the pilot carrys his own PDA or laptop and is responsible for updates, or aircraft mounted units that are updated by the company.

We're also working on getting flight releases (with weather, flight plans, and performance) through the already-installed ACARS units that are linked to dispatch through VHF-data communications. That's separate from the EFB, though. Many companies already have this and more installed in the aircraft.

The GA community is still leaps and bounds ahead of the airlines when it comes to realtime weather and radar images uplinked to the airplanes. It's still too expensive for an airline to equip and train an entire fleet.

[Looking4Lower]

I use a PDA regularly for flight-planning and W/B. There is a super program that does both exceptionally well for GA use - it's called CoPilot and you can find it on palmflying.com (it's free). I can't say enough about this little program- it's perfect.

You can customize a W/B envelope with loading stations - it makes a W/B situation so quick and easy that you will never have an excuse for being out of the envelope! The flight planner is easy to use, too - you can download a database of airports, navaids and waypoints that can be used to build flightplans. Just plug in the points, plug in your winds and go. You can customize aircraft performance profiles too (just use the numbers from your POH).

You can have a complete set of W/B and flightplan data ready for a trip in about 2 minutes - and it's all very accurate based on my experience.

I run this program on an old Palm VIIX that I bought on ebay for $28.

Stuff I also have in the palm, but don't use too often: a web browser and a telnet program that I can use to dial the 1-800 DUATS number to get text weather.

[Minima-No-Contact]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

The sort of software I am after would need to be able to be programmed and approved for an operation using both turbo props and regional jets, up to 50 seats.

The info so far has been great, keep it coming.

[Doug Taylor]

[ QUOTE ]

I've recently purchased an iPaq Pocket PC and am VERY happy with it... and I haven't even downloaded any of the aviation tools yet. Can't wait to do that.

[/ QUOTE ]

Mine should be arriving tomorrow!

I got the HP iPaq Pocket PC 4155.

Can't wait!

[Minima-No-Contact]

Just out of curiosity, How much are the iPaq PC 4155's?

[stuckingfk]

I looked at nextag.com and the cheapest nonrefurbished 4155 was $350 from Nice Electronics. HP has it selling directly from that for $400, but they are running a deal for a 12 month payment plan and no interest.

[ready2fly]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

I've recently purchased an iPaq Pocket PC and am VERY happy with it... and I haven't even downloaded any of the aviation tools yet. Can't wait to do that.

[/ QUOTE ]

Mine should be arriving tomorrow!

I got the HP iPaq Pocket PC 4155.

Can't wait!

[/ QUOTE ]

You'll love it! I became dependent on the thing within a week. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[Doug Taylor]

[ QUOTE ]
Just out of curiosity, How much are the iPaq PC 4155's?

[/ QUOTE ]

I got mine for $365 from Amazon.com. Actually it was $379 minus a $15 "Amazon Associates" discount because I sell their junk.

[JEP]

check out shopping.com they had prices from $330-on up.