Using GPS device In-Flight

jfallon

One of my favourite in-flight features is the 'FlightTracker'. I fly longhaul frequently and I find the info both useful and reassuring!
I was on a short hop flight recently with no flight tracker so I decided to try the GPS tool built into my smartphone and to my surprise it worked! It was also a lot more responsive than some of the inflight ones but unfortunately only worked up to 8,000FT , i don't know if this is a limitation of GPS technology or just my phone. Has anyone else ever tried this?

The GPS app I use is 'GPS Test' by Chartcross

bluecode

There is an APP just called My Tracks which works in flight. Don't know about the legality of it on board airliners but I tried it recently in flight. I was the pilot so I gave myself permission. It was surprisingly accurate. Interesting to see my groundspeed readouts.:eek: It's not intended for flying as it happens. Hikers and such like are it's main target.

There is an APP called cloud ahoy which is optimised for pilots and flying but it's currently only on Iphone and for the USA. Looks amazing. Like to see a version for Android and this side of the pond.

Some great apps out there. I recently flew a flight sim app, X plane while flying for real. It was really quite difficult, virtually crashed several times. Hard work let me tell you.

I would love a flight sim app where you could fly the sim in the same virtual airspace as you are in reality. That would be weird.:D

jfallon

bluecode wrote: »

There is an APP just called My Tracks which works in flight. Don't know about the legality of it on board airliners but I tried it recently in flight. I was the pilot so I gave myself permission. It was surprisingly accurate. Interesting to see my groundspeed readouts.:eek: It's not intended for flying as it happens. Hikers and such like are it's main target.

There is an APP called cloud ahoy which is optimised for pilots and flying but it's currently only on Iphone and for the USA. Looks amazing. Like to see a version for Android and this side of the pond.

Some great apps out there. I recently flew a flight sim app, X plane while flying for real. It was really quite difficult, virtually crashed several times. Hard work let me tell you.

I would love a flight sim app where you could fly the sim in the same virtual airspace as you are in reality. That would be weird.:D

Thanks for the App Tip! Not sure why mine only works at lower altitude, if it is the app or the hardware! I like to have a second opinion to the VOD, some of them on older airlines are really slow at updating and unresponsive!!

Tenger

jfallon wrote: »

....I like to have a second opinion to the VOD, some of them on older airlines are really slow at updating and unresponsive!!

Ohh the horror.

*Kol*

I have often switched on my garmin GPS on flights. It gives exactly the same info as is displayed on the in flight display (as it should)

balkanhawk

jfallon wrote: »

Thanks for the App Tip! Not sure why mine only works at lower altitude, if it is the app or the hardware! I like to have a second opinion to the VOD, some of them on older airlines are really slow at updating and unresponsive!!

The app you are using is using the mobile network for data connection. Usually cuts out above 10000ft. If you download the maps and set the phone to airplane mode then it should work fine. Plus you can set the phone to airplane mode no problem.

jfallon

Tenger wrote: »

Ohh the horror.

as you can imagine!:rolleyes: oh and i should have said older aircraft, not older airlines!

jfallon

balkanhawk wrote: »

The app you are using is using the mobile network for data connection. Usually cuts out above 10000ft. If you download the maps and set the phone to airplane mode then it should work fine. Plus you can set the phone to airplane mode no problem.

GPS app triangulates location, speed and altitude by analysing and cross referencing current calculated position in relation to the info received from the series of GPS satellites in orbit. It doesn't require connection to cellular network to function.
The closest to the ground I've ever receieved a cellular signal is around 2500ft

balkanhawk

jfallon wrote: »

GPS app triangulates location, speed and altitude by analysing and cross referencing current calculated position in relation to the info received from the series of GPS satellites in orbit. It doesn't require connection to cellular network to function.
The closest to the ground I've ever receieved a cellular signal is around 2500ft

But mobiles need the data to load the maps if they aren't in the offline memory. Often sent a text from 5-7,000ft with no problem. Don't tell anyone though!! I guess it depends on what type of maps the app uses.