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HomeHomeDiscussionsDiscussionsiFly Wish-ListiFly Wish-ListVFR or IFR?VFR or IFR?
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9/30/2010 8:58 AM
 

I thought the iFLY was basically a VFR tool. I guess I'm a little confused as to why there seems to be a desire by some to try and add a bunch of capabilities for IFR use. I'm far from an expert on the technology, but wouldn't it's purpose be best served by improving and refining its VFR functions rather than redesigning it to be something it wasn't meant to be? Don't get me wrong, if these IFR aides can be added without creating a complicated mess, go for it. But I'm just afraid that in an attempt to be too many things to too many pilots, it's going to become another one of those tools that becomes too complicated to use.

 
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9/30/2010 10:17 AM
 

I am just an IFLY user like yourself. I decided to buy this unit and knew it was great for both IFR and VFR . I do fly IFR and love the IFR features of the unit as well as the VFR . I also like that the unit can be used as an EFB (electronic flight bag) . Storing approach plates and a moving map IFR low altitude enroute chart . Keep in mind those who need the IFR related capabilities pay extra on the subscription costs . My guess is that IFLY will not do anything which will jeopardize losing IFR and VFR customers I will agree that some items in the wish list submitted by people are a little too much in my opinion . I see no need for even having non aviation capabilities in the unit so I just do not use them . But that is my opion only . That being said I have the utmost trust that the ifly team knows whats best and will not load these devices with everything but the kitchen sink causing it to run like a commodore 64 computer back in the 70 's

You also never know .......people who are strictly vfr pilots may decide that after flying vfr for so long getting the IFR rating opens up a whole new challenge that not only makes you a safer pilot but also lowers your insurance costs and lets you fly more . That being said they have a gps that only needs an extra $20 in subscription cost making it now useable in IFR for situational awareness . Its nice when you get task saturated in actual to see that you are in fact established on an airway and have a heads up when approaching an intersection .

 
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9/30/2010 1:20 PM
 

Not being instrument rated, I'm not familiar with the features included in the enhanced subscription - low enroute charts, etc. I do agree, an instrument rating does keep looking like a nice option, even if only to make for a better VFR pilot. And from what I have seen to this point, I think you're right, that Walter & Co. have a pretty good handle on this product. Like I mentioned, I just would hate for the owners manual to get to looking like a NYC yellow pages book. I still keep congratulating myself for opting for the iFly. Best thing in the cockpit. (Except for my wife, of course!)

 
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10/2/2010 12:14 AM
 

While it's true that a GPS like this one shouldn't be used as the main source for navigational guidance on an instrument approach (not legal or smart), it can be very valuable to have a second source of navigational information in a graphical format. One example of this is the case of a fellow who decided to go out and fly some instrument approaches in Northern California. The weather was IMC, and he was on the VOR approach for Petaluma Airport (O69). Unfortunately, he misconfigured his NAV heading to the runway heading (290) instead of the required radial for the approach (276). He flew right into a mountain. If he had been using some kind of moving map GPS he would have been able to easily see that he had made a mistake and was following the wrong radial. I'm a firm advocate of IFR features.

 
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10/3/2010 7:46 PM
 
Greg wrote:

I thought the iFLY was basically a VFR tool. I guess I'm a little confused as to why there seems to be a desire by some to try and add a bunch of capabilities for IFR use. I'm far from an expert on the technology, but wouldn't it's purpose be best served by improving and refining its VFR functions rather than redesigning it to be something it wasn't meant to be? Don't get me wrong, if these IFR aides can be added without creating a complicated mess, go for it. But I'm just afraid that in an attempt to be too many things to too many pilots, it's going to become another one of those tools that becomes too complicated to use.



I had an alternator failure while in IMC. The compass and the iFly was all I had for navigation. I was able to use a handheld transceiver and was able to get down below the clouds. I didn't have to use the iFly to fly an instrument approach but it would have been good if I had that choice as an unofficial, emergency backup.

It is convenient to be able to see the initial approach fixes on the iFly (they are not all in the iFly database).

S. Morgan
 
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