ForeFlight yesterday released an updated version of its ForeFlight Mobile electronic flight bag app, adding a long-asked-for feature: iOS multitasking. This allows users to run two multitasking-capable apps side by side on an iPad, with full functionality for each app. Other new features include internet traffic, customizable menus, and iPhone flight planning updated to match ForeFlight planning on the iPad. These features are included for all subscription levels.
A simple way to demonstrate the multitasking capability is to open the Apple clock app then slide up ForeFlight so both are multitasking. While ForeFlight is running, the clock’s timer can be set to countdown time an approach, for one example. Any apps that allow multitasking can run side-by-side with ForeFlight.
For apps that don’t allow multitasking, ForeFlight can continue running in the background while the non-multitasking app can be running in slide-over mode, on top of ForeFlight.
The iPhone version of ForeFlight also got a big upgrade and now it matches the iPad version with the bubble editor flight-planning function. Now the only difference between the iPhone and iPad versions is that the iPhone version doesn’t include the profile view.
To see what the iPhone version looks like, when multitasking with another app, the ForeFlight pane can be shrunk down to a one-third size pane on the iPad. In this mode, ForeFlight demonstrates the iPhone version functionality.
Internet traffic is a new feature available on the iPad and iPhone. Powered by FlightAware, internet traffic is selectable from the overlay menu. When internet connectivity is available, this layer shows traffic on the ground and in the air, with the same information available as ADS-B traffic by tapping the aircraft symbol. Once in the air and disconnected from the internet, the traffic layer reverts to ADS-B traffic if the device is connected to an ADS-B In receiver. It is possible to view internet traffic in the air when connected to the internet via Gogo or a Satcom Direct Router, but this is not the same as ADS-B traffic. According to ForeFlight, “[It] uses the distinct position reports received from FlightAware to interpolate each airborne target’s movement and display it smoothly on the map.”
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The benefit of the internet traffic layer, according to ForeFlight co-founder and CEO Tyson Weihs, is to see how weather is affecting airports and potential routing during the planning process. “It’s helpful to understand what’s happening at the airport or along the route of flight,” he explained. Pilots can also use that feature before takeoff to see which departure and arrival procedures and runways are being used at the departure and destination airports. With internet connectivity in the air, he said, “You can look long-range and see weather effects and what traffic is doing further down route.”
The new internet traffic feature in ForeFlight allows pilots to see traffic activity anywhere in the world. In this example, the traffic at Chicago Midway International Airport shows that Runway 22L/R is favored, so planning the flight can take that into account.
Weihs gave an example of the closure of the Q100 route over the Gulf of Mexico, which forced traffic to fly a longer over-land route, requiring a bigger load of fuel. “Being able to see traffic will help you more quickly understand what’s happening in the airspace,” he said.
FlightAware gathers its information from public sources and its own network of nearly 30,000 ADS-B ground stations around the world.
“This is bridging the gap,” said FlightAware CEO Daniel Baker. “it’s a whole new use case for FlightAware, and you get a better picture of what’s going on. Sometimes the weather is shifting and you don’t know which way it’s going, now you can see. Or maybe the weather is better than forecast. This is an opportunity to add a little more information for decision making.”
FlightAware and ForeFlight are working on other ways to integrate their services. “We’re talking about all sorts of things, complementary products, and overlap,” he said. “We’re trying to find ways to leverage our strengths and have lots more conversations.”