July 10th.
We Updated both the trial and the paid version of the VFR GPS navigation APP.
Permissions are now treated correctly eliminating a nagging bug from when the requirement for the app writer to prompt for permissions was instituted.

Lots of new formatting for all phones and tablets. There is more to come with some new
easier to use screens.

-John
 

   

As always, feel free to call or text 650-888-5828 to the developer.

New Version 112

New Additions

 Reverse Flight plan to facilitate returning to your departure point and points in between.

An Improved Route View, fitting the current Departure point and the Current Destination. 

A Flight Plan View that fits the next 5 points in the flight plan on one Screen View.

  In Nearest View, shows 10 nearest points on the Map, you can direct to any of them with a finger press.

New Version 110

Yesterday we uploaded Version 110. It contains many improvements to the moving map that affect the entire app.  We strongly suggest that you upgrade as soon as you can.

Improvements include the following.

Map User Interface improvements. Route View Improvements. Screen Refresh Improvements. The implementation of multiple way points, a New View that shows the current location, destination and up to 3 more way points. As you step to the next way point, another will show. For preflight and in flight planning, way points may be added and deleted directly from the Moving Map Screen. The New, Large option screen (below)  is accessed accessed by a single touch on the screen, or by the OPTIONS button.

New Full Screen options screen designed to be easy to use during flight in moving environments

Finally, many problems with later android versions were fixed.

Call or email us with questions or suggestions.

New Radial option implemented and Map Screen Redesign

Tomorrow we are releasing a new version which has several new features.  We have enhanced the screen with the ability to place colored radials around any point on the moving map. Simply touch an existing airport or create a new point with a long press and a "Add Radial" menu makes it easy. We have also  made the Digital Navigation Read outs easier and less obtrusive to view.

We have also added a new Larger Readout option for the Navigate screen.  Very easy to see at a glance.

Map Screen with new Radial and

DigitalNavigation's 2 screens

View 1 and View 2(scroll down for 2nd 1/2 of screen)

New Release in November

We are about to release a new version with an "Airspace Awareness" feature.  Something we use ourselves.  From the app you can tag an airport or LAT/LON location and the Moving Map will draw a circle around it of any diameter you wish. This makes it easy to avoid areas that are not desirable to approach. It can also be used to remind the pilot of an event like required altitude change.

Portrait Display with Digital Data Showing

Landscape Display with Digital Data Hidden

Added VOR's and NDB's

This week we added VOR's and NDB's waypoints to the internal Database , plus a free 2 week trial version on Google Plan.

The additional waypoints can be selected for the flight plan or looked up in the NEAREST screen.

Point of Interest in VFR Navigation Flight Planning

In the following simple sequence I entered Eiffle (note mispelling) Tower and Touched Point of Interest Look up

Selected the bottom flight plan entry Eiff(el) . Note that Look Up corrected misspelling. 

And Selected Map from the Fly To Eiff(el)

That selection will be held in the Flight Plan even without a Data Connection until you remove it.

Aerial Photographers: Here is an Easy way find an earthbound Point of Interest from the Sky and Take Great Pictures

With The VFR App this task is easier than ever.

Here's How:

1) Freeze the Moving Map using the OPTIONS button.
2) Move the map with your finger to the location you want to photograph.
2a) Optionally,  switch the VFR's Map View to the Satellite View and verify the exact location.
3)  Long Press the location and select Store the location.
4) To fly to the point you then need to Unfreeze the Moving Map from the OPTIONS button.

The result of this process is that the new Point is then added to your flight plan and a Bearing Line is drawn from your current location to the point.

It is now ready to fly to that point using either the Map Screen or the Navigate Scree.

If you wish you can Email or Store the Modified Flight Plan for later editing or reuse. The newly stored  location will be accessible until you delete the flight plan.

Call with questions 650-323-0148 or email gipsinavigation@gmail.com

Avoiding Class B Airspace

VFR+ makes it easy to avoid Class B Airspace.
Using the Fly To: Screen or Moving Map Screen in Flight Plan Mode the Next or Previous buttons continuously show the distance and bearing to the next and previous way point.  Modify your flight plan so that the Class B airport that you wish to avoid is next to the destination that requires you to pass it.  Then as you navigate to you destination, watch the distance to the Class B airspace to guarantee that you avoid it. This is a great time and stress saver.

Voice Navigation hints

Did you know you can use voice navigation in the Fly To screen? It will work with the devices speakers, Bluetooth, and the headphones.

To use push the Correction Entry Value on the Navigate Screen.  You will get a sort "Voice Guidance ON," or "Voice Guidance OFF" message on your screen. When on an a difference between track and bearing occurs, you will be warned "Right (or Left) 005."  These advisories will continue with a delay of 20 seconds between messages until the the Correction entry is pressed again.

Note that these advisories will continue when you move to the MAP screen.

World Mobile Congress

Samsung is showing our VFR+ app at the Congress in Barcelona, Spain this week.

This  week we put up a new version of the Full App Trial download on the home page http://www.vfrapps.com

Current News

We just put up a new version with an improved moving map screen. Added  Status button on map screen  as a draw/delete track line to make it easier to redraw the bearing line to destination. Now either the Status button or the draw/delete plot.  The two buttons are next to each other so it is easier to press either one to get the desired action.

We have chosen the New home screen

We have chosen the Simplified Home Screen
The new screen is on the Google Play site now.

We are updating the look of the app home page.  Tell us your opinion of the new proposed page.

 Old (No longer used)            NEW                                      

     

Version 1.46A and B(11/22/13)

I just put up a new version.  The previous one would crash on loading a destination file if it was not perfect.  New checks have been added that should be able to handle all manner of errors.  Please write or call with questions on how to use this new feature.  Currently Android will prompt you to use VFR in strange circumstances.  If this is a problem. Use the prompt and after setting the proper app to run on your file, select the option to always use this app in the future.

John

Annoying question with new version 1.44

With the new release of Version 1.44 on 11/4/2013, since the app tells Android that it wants to download all files with the .vfr extension, Android will some times ask if you want to use the VFR app on something completely unrelated.  Here is a work around until we can get Android to behave.

When you start gmail, it might prompt with "Complete Action Using" screen. Set the bottom button "Use by default for this action,"  , then select the proper app to run. Then it won't bother you anymore.

If this does not resolve the issue, please call me at 650-323-0148 anytime.

John Benedict

A couple screen shots of our next release of the Navigate/Moving Map screen.

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Email us if you would like a free beta version. Support

New Map Features-Sat View./Destination View

I just added Satellite View to the Moving Map Navigation Screen.  I also added a Destination VIEW which I have not seen on other GPS Navigation Applications or Panel products.

I am testing and will release by 7/28/2013. If you would like a Beta version to test, send me your email address and I will email the app  to you, free of course.

If  you have every run out of battery power when flying, I have found this little backup/battery charger to be great.  I bought it on Amazon, but they are generally available.
http://www.amazon.com/SIIG-Portable-Battery-Charger-CE-CH0012-S1/dp/B0032ANC9Q/

Flying Tip
If you are using the new Moving Map feature you can "spin" the screen using 2 fingers and rotating. Very handy to get you location thoughts going in the proper direction.

Gipsi Navigations VFR apps Blog. Please enter questions or suggestions and we will answer ASAP