Flight information services provider Jeppesen (booth 5144) is demonstrating the latest version of its ground-based flight-planning software, FliteDeck 3.2, at NBAA. The company says that although sales of the electronic version of its flight-planning solutions software have grown, they have not yet affected sales of the paper version of its pocket charts and information service.
It is possible that general aviation pilots are apprehensive about transitioning to a paperless cockpit environment, although take-up of the software has been greater among small owner-operators than in the corporate community. Jeppesen says that it is trying to accelerate the transition from paper to virtual information, which it expects to happen “within five to 10 years”. The company invests heavily in both services and has bought on-demand printers to cater for the hard-copy version of its planners.
Created by pilots, FliteDeck 3.2 was engineered for touch screens, using proven human-factors design principles. Fully compatible with modern operating systems, the software can be used on portable computers, including GPS systems. In addition to vector-based chart images, the system offers communication and navigation frequencies, airport information and an emergency nearest-airport function.
Source: Flight Daily News
