Hi Tim,



Marvellous piece of software, I'm in the 30 day trial period and will then sign up (I was one of the early beta testers when you started), also will upgrade to the mobile version once you bring out the sunlight readable screen you're working on (at least 7"), as our group Robin DR400 canopy is simply too bright in direct sunlight for any of the existing units that we use - our group are all moving to Sky Demon and we have been experimenting with a number of different devices.



Anyway, I thought an extremely useful software enhancement would be the addition of an engine failure glide range, perhaps depicted by a dashed magenta circle. Simply indicate the likely glide ratio of your aircraft in the aircraft details screen i.e. 7:1, 9:1, 10:1 etc as appropriate for an engine failure and the display would indicate the glide range available. This would then reduce as descent commenced.



This would be fantastic in the heat of the moment to glance and have a pretty accurate indication as to whether or not you can make that airfield of your port wing etc. Particularly re-assuring on longer water crossing i.e. Ireland, Channel Isles etc as you desperately attempt to calculate whether or not you are still 'feet wet'!



Hopefully not too complicated to implement, but great value add - what do you think?



Keep up the superb work,



Many Thanks,



Ian

I like this idea. My two main concerns are that in hilly or mountainous terrain (and anything other than nil wind) a glide range circle would be very misleading, and also how (and when) should this circle be displayed.

I think you could simply state that the guidance circle assumes nil wind, as for the terrain would it be possible for the circle to auto adjust for the highest terrain within a defined area i.e. if you're flying over Snowdon then the circle would shrink to assume summit height for say a couple of miles radius and then expand as the terrain height decreases within a similar parameter - sure there's a way.



Folk can then apply a simple mental adjustment for wind, but at least they would have a great benchmark to start from - at the moment there is nothing and we all mentally use various tricks i.e. if the landing spot is under your wing you may well be ok etc. all very hit and miss. At least this would give a concrete baseline and be very easy to interpret. Toggle it on or off from the map screen - in advance of engine issues i.e. when settled in the cruise.



Cheers,



Ian

he glide range indicator does sound like another useful feature for SD, though I doubt I would want it showing all the while.



Perhaps some sort of method to tap the screen in a particular place which would then bring up the glide range circle together with the screen zoomed to show the glide range circle full screen.



A button marked 'panic' maybe

Not so sure about this. Think best to concentrate on options you can see out of the window (unless very very high) and use as much time as possible to set up an optimal approach in to a sub-optimal field, rather than not quite make the runway.

Whilst you are thinking of this feature, it would be interesting to think about this other one that is strictly related.



A feature that shows the minimum height AGL within a given radius.



This could help a lot here in Italy:

- Ultralights have to fly 500/1000 ft maximum from the highest obstacle within a radius og 5km.

- Most controlled airspace has lower limits such as 2000ft or 1000ft AGL whichever is highest.

- IFR 8km clearance from the highest obstacle.



Let me know what you think about it.

Enrico

R 44 II from Italy

Hi Tim,

Just to say thanks for adding my suggestion as 'Glidesafe' - well done I think it's a really useful addition.

Cheers,

Ian

Just to highlight that in an emergency such as engine failure, in GA, all those interviewed were too busy trouble shooting and rigging up the approach to effect a safe landing. The only one instrument that received virtually all attention was the airspeed indicator. Even the DI did not get much notice in those circumstances.

Very Newbytheway

DurhamTeaseAirport