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Date: Wed, 28 Sep 2011 07:49:54 -0400
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From: "Rob Murawski" <rob@robmurawski.com>
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Subject: RE: [LML] Re: IPAD
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I recently downloaded the evaluation versions of both Foreflight and WingX
to test them side-by-side.

My primary purpose was to find a nice flight planner that I could use on the
go.  I also wanted to be able to reference approach charts in flight so I
wouldn't have to page through the book all the time or switch approach chart
books en route.

I liked the Foreflight interface much better.  I also liked that when you
buy it, you get a license to use it on one iPad *AND* one iPhone.  So if I
wanted to file while away from WiFi (I'm not paying for the iPad data plan)
I could do so from my phone.

For WingX, I did like the split screen, so I could have an approach up and
watch my position on the IFR en route chart.  I just didn't think I'd need
this feature this often.  WingX only supported ADS-B weather, while
Foreflight could download the radar image over the network.  WingX had
better overlays for weather, TFRs, etc on the charts themselves.  However,
WingX wasn't always correct in the TFR interpretation. When Obama was in
Shanksville, PA for the 9/11 memorial, it showed the first half of the TFR
over KPIT, but it never showed the second half over Shanksville, PA.  This
is probably an extreme case, but showed me I couldn't count on it.

I didn't really see myself using all of the in flight features.  WingX
supports Synthetic Vision, but you would really need an external AHARS to
make use of it well.  It also needed an ADS-B receiver to get the radar
images.  I did like that WingX would show me which airspaces I was in.
(Class B/class D/etc and floors/ceilings)  Granted, Foreflight won't show
weather in flight, but again, I was more interested in preflight planning.

My primary use was for preflight planning, filing, and reduction of paper.
Foreflight seemed much better for this purpose.  WingX seemed more like a
tool for use in the air.  When it comes to aerial navigation, I prefer the
systems installed in the aircraft.  I've had both applications crash on me
and, possibly, Foreflight crashed a bit more often. Generally related to
having a network, then having it disappear for a bit and it thinking it can
still download stuff. The crashes reduced once I bought a subscription and
could download chart data.

Disclaimer: I did all of my IFR training in a G1000-equipped 172.  So I'm a
bit spoiled at having a nice in-cockpit system to augment my situational
awareness.

-Rob