Garmin Waypoints

https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B6ytVYfsfAiNMzZiMTI5ZjYtNWE1Ni00YjI4LWE1YWEtYTQzY2RmMjQ4Yjky&hl=en_GB

The link above refers to files that, I believe, formed the original source for the Garmin 495/6 database. They are a bit old now but many do not move!

I have a feeling that something similar was done for France. Also there is a French VFR software programme doing similar stuff to SD. I can get a reference to it I think.

Anyone else have firmer data/links?

David

We added the option to include sites without known runway lengths to the Direct To window this afternoon, so it'll be in the next release.

We'd love to improve our database of small strips in France (possibly a new thread is warranted here) and if there is such a database already out there, we would happily integrate it.

I bought a GROB 109b motorglider in Munich 25 years ago and just prior to departure I was introduced to the proud owner of the Company, Herr Grob who told me in broken English (He was actually...SWISS) that the aircraft was designed by the best team in Germany and had been test flown by Germanys finest Test Pilot!  I believed him of course, but replied how many have you sold?  I think he replied 72. My response was now you have 72  extra Test Pilots, which is true because 'ordinary' pilots for the most part will not fly in the same way as fully trained military pilot.. Perhaps the same could be said of the SkyDemon package. The software designers probably set out with a clean sheet of paper with certain objectives which, for the most part they have appeared to have done an excellent job. It is only now that the 'test pilots' are appearing making valid (and sometimes invalid) suggestions on how to improve the package.

PS: I kept the Grob for 23 years and flew it frequently. It never let me down on trips as far away as Africa. So Herr Grob was right.........It was designed by the finest team in Germany

Alpi Pioneer 300 Owner



BGA Inspector 854

Braking was corrected by 'spell checker' to BREAKING.........nothing perfect

Alpi Pioneer 300 Owner



BGA Inspector 854

I would agree any flat straight strip is sometimes the best option. whatever length. Also what about disused airfields? Wisley in Surrey is a case in point. It has crash barriers erected across it but is possible to land between these in a emergency in a light A/C even using heavy breaking one would restrict damage. So how about these type being included on the Charts. No one I am sure would blame the publishers after all its the Pilots responsibility to decide whether to use them or not.  In an emergency what might appear to be a nice flat green field may be sodden and cause an A/C to pitch over, its all down to the 'captain'

I am sure that the SkyDemon team are hard pressed with all the suggestions that appear on the forums but they make it clear that the charts and other information is provided with the best of intentions but in the end they are only aids to proper map navigation. Nevertheless more info such as microlight sites (as shown on the French Boissy one mill maps would be appreciated, Italy and Germany fare well on the Skydemon Charts why not the UK?

Alpi Pioneer 300 Owner



BGA Inspector 854

I am biased since anything over 250M is OK at a pinch. But I agree that I wd rather have the option but w/o runway length.

I also still say that if you change the min runway length preference in the PC version, it should be carried across to Mobile via sync. I realise that it still means we cannot alter in Mobile directly. But thats not too much of a deal.

D

If it's an emergency, who cares so long as it was designed to land aircraft!

When it shows up in the "Direct-to" list, if runway length is missing, we know we run a risk.

But if you're at 3000ft and the nearest runway with a published length, is 20 miles away, give me the unpublished length rather than nothing any day.

An onscreen keyboard is definitely required to use all of SkyDemon Mobile's functionality.

That's a great idea about an option for also including sites for which we don't have runway information, though it does present the risk that someone will end up diverting to somewhere with a runway that's too short. What are your thoughts on that?

Actually, unless your mobile device has a virtual keyboard, it does not seem possible to alter this from the 700M default. Tried amending in SD desktop and synced to the card. Still says 700M when I look at preferences in mobile.

Need a way of changing.

D

PS maybe I have missed something.

I can see how to change the minimum Runway length. But the microlight & glider sites do not have runway lengths. The glider sites have long runways and in emergency are happy to take anyone.

Is there a way of including these sites   .. say by setting min distance to 0? If not can we please have tickboxes to include them in the list of nearest sites.

Cheers

D