Going digital question

[KCOTT]

I just recently finished Primary and one of the instructors recommended that I go digital as early as possible. We were doing cross country planning and he had to look up something in the FAR/AIM and he was able to access a digital copy he had uploaded and was able to read it and find what he was looking for. I didn't catch what site he was using. He said it's also great because it syncs with his iphone, so he can just look up what he needs to on there if there's no way to access a computer. I could see the usefulness of this, especially if I didn't have a certain book/FTI/pub on me at the time and could view it over the internet to find out what I needed to know. I know you can upload documents on gmail, but if I remember correctly you can't access gmail over NMCI. I know the simple answer to this is to go ask him what he used, but I'm also curious if others do this and what site/service they use.

Also, I have a Droid, so anything that syncs with a droid would be great. Thanks for any input.

 

[eas7888]

I just recently finished Primary and one of the instructors recommended that I go digital as early as possible. We were doing cross country planning and he had to look up something in the FAR/AIM and he was able to access a digital copy he had uploaded and was able to read it and find what he was looking for. I didn't catch what site he was using. He said it's also great because it syncs with his iphone, so he can just look up what he needs to on there if there's no way to access a computer. I could see the usefulness of this, especially if I didn't have a certain book/FTI/pub on me at the time and could view it over the internet to find out what I needed to know. I know you can upload documents on gmail, but if I remember correctly you can't access gmail over NMCI. I know the simple answer to this is to go ask him what he used, but I'm also curious if others do this and what site/service they use.

Also, I have a Droid, so anything that syncs with a droid would be great. Thanks for any input.

Though I'm not by any means an expert on the subject, I have a lot of Army TMs on my Kindle in PDF format. I also have the FAR/AIM and a number of other aviation related documents that are helpful to have in a compact space. It beats the hell out of carrying around 50lbs worth of books.

 

[KCOTT]

Do you upload them online somewhere so you can access them over a public or NMCI computer?

 

[DocT]

I know a fair number of people who keep the natops, anttp, opnav, etc on a kindle. It's pretty convenient. However, I know that probably wouldn't fly in flight school. They like you to do things the hard way....like jet logs.

 

[HooverPilot]

I've got every document a COD guy could need on deployment on my iPad and also uploaded to my mobile me site. The mobile me means I can access it from any Internet connection; I.E. My iPhone, FBO computers, Thai Internet cafe's...

 

[PropAddict]

I've got every document a guy could need on deployment on my iPad

Ditto. I actually use it for work way more than I ever anticipated. I'm even debating not dragging my 20 pound print NATOPS on deployment, since I have it digitally and Fleet NATOPS seems to be preety good about quickly posting updated PDFs online when changes come out.

To answer the question of where to get them:

The FAR/AIM is available in PDF for free download from the FAA website. I have no idea why anyone would buy a hard copy anymore.

OPNAV 3710 is on NKO for download.

NATOPS is on our FRS's NKO site.

As far as putting them on a phone: I know iPhone will take PDFs through iTunes. I'm told there are numerous apps that allow it for Android phones. It just kind of sucks because the screen is too small to comfortably read most pubs.

And FYI: G-mail now works on NMCI. Hotmail, too. Hooray!

 

[mmx1]

AIM for anyone searching:
http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/ATPubs/AIM/aim.pdf
I couldn't find the FAR, though.

The Navy airworthiness website (CAC only) has each IC to the NATOPS- useful if you're trying to update a hard copy. Otherwise get it from NATEC (also CAC only), which has the last version with changes incorporated.

I don't know about pulling up docs on an iPhone; I've tried and it's pretty lousy - slow to scroll and hard to read. One of the new jumbo android phones might do better but you're better off with tablet or e-reader screen.

 

[Banjo33]

I use the Goodreader app on my iPhone for most docs. You can zoom/scroll just fine, it's just a little more work since the phone is small. I keep NATOPS and NTRP on my phone. I also bought a FAR/AIM, airplane Flying Handbook, and Instrument Procedures (FAA pubs) apps from "Double Dog Studios". They're converted and much easier to read than normal docs. They're iTunes store is worth checking out.

 

[scoolbubba]

In the same vein as this thread, does anyone have a useful logbook app they can recommend? Homecycle hours are a bitch to come by, and I don't physically keep my paper logbook, ops takes care of that... I'm just checking it against sharp every month or so.

I have a spare paper log book, but I already lug enough shit to and from the plane and would probably lose it or leave it somewhere and be s.o.l. Something I can plug the numbers into my iphone while I'm sitting around waiting for a fuel chit that syncs with the computer/internets would be ideal. I've looked at logbook pro and flight log...does anyone use these?

 

[eas7888]

In the same vein as this thread, does anyone have a useful logbook app they can recommend? Homecycle hours are a bitch to come by, and I don't physically keep my paper logbook, ops takes care of that... I'm just checking it against sharp every month or so.

I have a spare paper log book, but I already lug enough shit to and from the plane and would probably lose it or leave it somewhere and be s.o.l. Something I can plug the numbers into my iphone while I'm sitting around waiting for a fuel chit that syncs with the computer/internets would be ideal. I've looked at logbook pro and flight log...does anyone use these?

Personally, I use a Google docs spreadsheet. It's something I can edit on my phone, export it to Excel if I want to use it offline, and all around customizable. You can add any columns you want to, keep running totals for what you want. Check it out! http://docs.google.com

 

[phrogpilot73]

In the same vein as this thread, does anyone have a useful logbook app they can recommend?

Upon recommendation from HAL Pilot, I went with Logbook Pro. It's a great program, and I'd recommend it. Windows Mobile & iPhone clients. Not sure about Droid though....

 

[GMK]

I couldn't find the FAR, though.

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/tex...9&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title14/14tab_02.tpl

 

[AllAmerican75]

Did some digging because I was interested myself and found This Site where it seems that they've wrangled someone into making a logbook for Android. It's currently in beta testing if you're interested.

intelliPilot v.0.3.2

 

[Gatordev]

Upon recommendation from HAL Pilot, I went with Logbook Pro. It's a great program, and I'd recommend it. Windows Mobile & iPhone clients. Not sure about Droid though....

Am I the only one that finds it amusing that they have an iPhone/Touch version of the program, their website utilizes QTime to show demo videos, but they don't have a Mac version of their software?

I'm seriously thinking about pulling the trigger on Logbook Pro now that they have an iPhone/Touch version (I only have a Touch at the moment), but how is data entry? I don't sync my Touch w/ my PC, so everything would be entered on the Touch and not in the main software, which I'm guessing would be painful when I have to back fit a logbook and a half of info.

And this is the same software that was written by a Naval Aviator, right? I remember HAL raving about a program like this, so I'm assuming it's the same thing.

 

[Gatordev]

Upon recommendation from HAL Pilot, I went with Logbook Pro. It's a great program, and I'd recommend it. Windows Mobile & iPhone clients. Not sure about Droid though....

So any updates? I'm going through old threads about Logbook Pro (apparently one was created while I was on deployment) but thought I'd ask for first hand info. I'd probably put it on my Macbook (under Bootcamp) just so it can move around with me, but how's the interface? It looks a little Windows 3.1 clunky, but usable. Is it easy to add events after the fact (like entering events after you've entered items that took place after the event you're currently entering)? Their App Store app looks a little pricey for something that really only syncs with the off-site server.

Thoughts? I really need to start plugging in my first logbook before I switch over to logbook #3. It's going to be painful.