Top 10 Aviation Apps Every General Aviation Pilot Should Have for 2024
Posted by BAS | Aircraft Salvage Experts on Aug 21st 2023
Technology has greatly influenced the development of aviation. Innovation and technology have significantly improved military, commercial, and general aviation. These improvements are primarily due to better sensors, faster data usage, and more powerful computer systems.
Moreover, operators and aircraft manufacturers worldwide look to technology to make aviation cheaper, greener, and more efficient. Student pilots, general aviation pilots, and flight instructors use iPad apps to monitor important flight details like fuel, navigation, and GPS. They can also jot down ATC instructions and thoroughly plan their flights using the latest aviation apps. This article lists the top ten must-have apps for pilots that should be in every general aviation cockpit.
1. ForeFlight
ForeFlight is a comprehensive Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) that helps pilots plan their flight. The software was developed in 2007 by Tyson Weihs and Jason Miller and has become a significant navigation tool for general aviation pilots. The user-friendly application makes flight planning easy for flight instructors, students, and general aviation pilots’ it even connects to your Apple Watch!
The aviation app uses real-time data such as prevailing weather conditions, wind speed, and airspace availability to establish the best routes and alternate airports. All the user must do is enter the departure airport and the destination aerodrome. The platform also provides critical information that may affect the flight.
What makes ForeFlight the top app for pilots in general aviation is its unprecedented combination of features in one aviation app. This app is compatible with various devices and offers updated & detailed weather graphs, NOTAMS, and an inflight GPS navigation feature. The app also has interactive aerodrome and airspace charts for IFR and VFR flights. These valuable features have ranked the application among the most beneficial general aviation apps available to pilots.
2. Garmin Pilot
Ipads are the most common handheld devices that general aviation pilots and flight instructors use in their flight operations. For this reason, software developers have over-produced iOS-powered EFBs leaving out Android users. Garmin Pilot is a diverse EFB that runs on both Android and iOS.
The application's exclusive NavTrack features offer weather information that may affect the flight. The application is also equipped with advanced features that allow pilots to sync the aviation app with Garmin Avionics, allowing users to transfer data to the avionics and flight computer automatically. This exclusive feature reduced the pilots' workload by eliminating the need for manual data transfer from the handheld device to the avionics display.
Additionally, Garmin Pilot offers 3D display features for terrain and runway surroundings, updated electronic charts, and airport information, enhancing the pilot's efficiency.
3. The BAS Mobile App
The BAS Part Sales Mobile App is the first mobile app in the aircraft salvage realm. BAS Part Sales, an aircraft salvage company located in Colorado, developed the application to solve the challenge pilots, aircraft owners, and maintenance personnel have in finding high-quality but affordable aviation parts.
Since its deployment, the application has been downloaded in over 28 countries worldwide on both the App Store and Google Play. The app allows users to purchase used aviation parts and has over 57,000 aircraft parts and components in good condition and ready for use at affordable prices. And most app orders ship same-day with free 2-day shipping.
Users who find needed parts can purchase them directly from the application with just a few clicks. Moreover, the application notifies users of new parts listings, hard-to-find aircraft components, avionics, and more. The mobile application also has a live chat feature. Users can quickly ask questions, share pictures with an airplane parts expert, or get updates on their shipping progress.
4. AeroWeather
Weather information has a significant impact on the progress of a flight. One of the responsibilities of the pilots is to ensure they have the latest weather information to identify threats that natural phenomena may pose to the flight. One application that pilots use to stay updated on weather information is AeroWeather.
This application provides pilots with the latest weather updates in the form of Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAFs) and Metars for departure, destination, and alternate airports allowing pilots to plan accordingly for each flight.
5. LiveATC
LiveATC is an application that gives pilots live access to ATC audio feeds. The app has access to more than 1200 airports worldwide, helping pilots and aviation enthusiasts sharpen their radio communication by listening to real-world conversations between pilots and air traffic controllers.
To listen in on a frequency, users select the airport they want to listen to and can add the airport to their list of favorites. The application has a user-friendly interface that allows listeners to browse and tune in to their desired airport ATC frequencies. Student pilots can listen and learn from other pilots and use the app to practice their communication skills.
6. SkyDemon
The SkyDemon aviation app is among the best VFR flight planning software solutions on the market. Divelements Limited developed the platform in the UK and included charts for the United States and Europe. During the planning phase, the software automatically prompts the user with TAF, SIGMET, and Metar weather reports to help the pilot enhance his planning decisions.
The aviation app has special alerts and warnings that inform the pilot about restricted airspaces, obstacle clearance, and terrain.
7. MyFlightBook
MyFlightbook is a crucial software that allows airplane owners and pilots to access and manage their flight records, including logbook entries. The app provides users exclusive access to a digital logbook from anywhere using handheld electronic devices such as mobile phones or iPads. Pilots may import flight information from GPS units, aviation apps, and even paper logbooks thanks to MyFlightbook's connectivity with several aviation data sources. This data import function makes converting traditional paper logs to digital format easy.
8. E6B Aviation Calculator
The traditional flight computer has deep ties with the aviation industry to date. This manual flight computer allows pilots to carry out numerous navigation and flight planning calculations to make vital flight decisions without relying on electronic handheld devices. These calculations include fuel calculations, crosswind components, altitude, airspeed conversions, and wind corrections, to mention a few.
Its tactile interface promotes a thorough comprehension of the underlying concepts and forces during the flight. It boosts a pilot's capacity to make wise judgments and address issues, especially when electronic assistance may be absent or inaccurate. The E6B Aviation Calculator software is a digital rendition of the classic E6B flight computer, used extensively in aviation. Pilots regularly utilize this app's vast aircraft computations and conversions in flight planning, pre-flight preparation, and in-flight procedures.
9. Xavion
Xavion is a unique piece of aviation software made to help pilots in emergencies and improve situational awareness. To provide pilots with direction in the event of an engine failure or other life-or-death situations, Xavion integrates real-time flight information with predictive modeling.
The program provides tools to automatically determine and display the optimal glide routes to local airports or appropriate landing locations while accounting for wind, topography, and aircraft performance. This technology increases the chance of safe outcomes while giving pilots helpful support in emergencies.
10. CloudAhoy
The aviation program called CloudAhoy provides post-flight assessment and debriefing capabilities for pilots. The platform enables pilots to capture and upload flight data, such as GPS tracks and sensor data. Once uploaded, pilots may evaluate their flights in-depth, obtaining insights into their performance and flight routes.
Generating precise flight profiles with data like airspeed, altitude, and others is one of CloudAhoy's primary capabilities. Users can use this information to investigate the precision of their maneuvers, approaches, and overall flying performance. The app also includes features for analyzing specific flight segments, such as takeoffs, landings, and maneuvers, to provide a complete view of each flight's characteristics.
Final Thoughts
Aviation technology is constantly growing, with improved versions of existing tech and new apps continually appearing. These apps make flying more fun by reducing pilots' workload and enhancing their experience on the ground and in the skies.
