iFly GPS Forum

So, after someone here mentioned (and so reminded me of) the Traffic Alert text message, I've been using it consistently. It's nice that I don't have to constantly look at the map to see who's nearby now that I get a pop up alert.

But I still have to read the message, which takes a little time when time is of the essence.

Some here have asked for an ATC-like audio Traffic, 12 o'clock, 3 miles, your altitude." (In that ATC order.))

I've asked earlier for the option of having the Traffic RADAR Instrument pop up instead of the text message so that I can see where the traffic is relative to me. I would still like that, but that display can get busy and my eyes have to sort thru a bunch of targets to see which is the threat. (Unless the Traffic Instrument only showed the threat that initiated the Alert, which might be the easiest solution.)

Or, how about an optional pop up graphic (instead of the text box) somewhat like the NRST graphic for emergency runways? It would pop up and point to the traffic in question. The length of the line would show distance. (I can cobble up a graphic if iFly wants.) There can be text too for completeness. But since "a picture is worth a thousand words," a graphic that quickly shows me where to look is much better than making me read text.

You would tap it to dismiss it.

P.S. (Updated) As I'm about to click submit, here's another idea. How about if iFly were to surround the threat traffic on the map with a TFR stadium size black-filled circle? That would get your attention and would draw your eyes to the threat real quick. (Again, tap to dismiss - or the circle goes away whe the traffic is no longer a threat.)

I'm not sure I'm a fan of what seems like just additional bells and whistles for traffic targets.

Currently, targets are displayed in different colors based on estimated danger: Blue is no factor, yellow is more concerning, and red is too close for comfort.

I've learned that blue targets are almost never of concern to me. Usually, they're located somewhere it's impossible for me to see out the window. Nice to know they're out there, but no real worries. I mostly use them to confirm my data link is working.

If a target becomes a worry, it will turn yellow. Those stand out from the map and so are more attention-grabbing.

Red targets are very easy for me to see.

I don't ever have any trouble seeing the yellow and red targets, and I don't really need to see the blue ones.

I don't think additional lines and circles associated with those yellow and red targets would add any value to me. In busy airspace, I think it's likely that those extra graphics would become distracting and create more obscuration of the map.

I think your suggestion to modify how the Traffic instrument works (like focusing on the most important threat(s)) might be a better approach.

@Cobra - yeah, the red/yellow/blue are fine, but even when I get a text alert that someone's nearby, if I don't read the text, I sometimes have a hard time finding the red target quickly on a VFR map. (Can be farily small on a high res screen and smaller depending on map scale too.) That's why I was thinking that a black TFR-sized circle would help me find it. OR - when there's a Traffic Alert, the Red Target could go 3x in size to get my attention. (IIRC, they already get a bit larger.)

Or, as you say, an optional modified version of the Traffic RADAR would help me know where to look faster - or a diagram in the Alert Box with a pointer. (I really don't need to know about distance, just where to look. The Alert wouldn't have alarmed if traffic wasn't close, so it's a given that I had better look in its direction NOW.) Altitude is my next critical thing to know. We have a Monroy PCAS, and even tho I usually can't see what its squawking about, it tells me the altitude of my traffic. So usually I just make sure I'm not within a few hundred feet of the other guy.