AOPA's new online flight planner

[Jim]

Just got an email from AOPA pushing their new online flight planner. First
impression is telling me not to give up my E6-B, plotter, and sectionals.
It's slow, clunky, and disconnects constantly from the Jepp server bank.
I'll give them time to improve it, but they're doing a poor job re-creating
something that's already available online in several versions that are
smoother, faster, and less cumbersome. Hopefully it's just a v1.0 problem.

Anybody else trying it this morning? What are your experiences?

--
Jim Burns III

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[Ryan]

I cant even get it to work at all !
It wont connect at least from my computer and my dsl connection. I've never
had problems with any other 'net based software, so I'm not sure if its me
or Jepp with the problem.

Ryan

"Jim" > wrote in message
...
> Just got an email from AOPA pushing their new online flight planner.
First
> impression is telling me not to give up my E6-B, plotter, and sectionals.
> It's slow, clunky, and disconnects constantly from the Jepp server bank.
> I'll give them time to improve it, but they're doing a poor job
re-creating
> something that's already available online in several versions that are
> smoother, faster, and less cumbersome. Hopefully it's just a v1.0
problem.
>
> Anybody else trying it this morning? What are your experiences?
>
> --
> Jim Burns III
>
> Remove "nospam" to reply
>
>

[Jay Honeck]

> Just got an email from AOPA pushing their new online flight planner.
First
> impression is telling me not to give up my E6-B, plotter, and sectionals.

What are those?
;-)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Jay Masino]

Ryan <f> wrote:
> I cant even get it to work at all !
> It wont connect at least from my computer and my dsl connection. I've never
> had problems with any other 'net based software, so I'm not sure if its me
> or Jepp with the problem.

Plus, the downloadable app is only for PCs (as per the .exe extension), so
Mac and UNIX users are screwed.

-- Jay


__!__
Jay and Teresa Masino ___(_)___
http://www2.ari.net/jmasino/ ! ! !

Checkout http://www.oc-adolfos.com/
for the best Italian food in Ocean City, MD and...
Checkout http://www.brolow.com/ for authentic Blues music on Delmarva

[Roger Tracy]

I did some Beta testing of it and found it to be ok. Was a quick easy
planning
tool. I tried it on my laptop and my home PC and didn't have any problems
with
it. Did the client for your PC install okay?


"Jim" > wrote in message
...
> Just got an email from AOPA pushing their new online flight planner.
First
> impression is telling me not to give up my E6-B, plotter, and sectionals.
> It's slow, clunky, and disconnects constantly from the Jepp server bank.
> I'll give them time to improve it, but they're doing a poor job
re-creating
> something that's already available online in several versions that are
> smoother, faster, and less cumbersome. Hopefully it's just a v1.0
problem.
>
> Anybody else trying it this morning? What are your experiences?
>
> --
> Jim Burns III
>
> Remove "nospam" to reply
>
>

[Ryan]

It's working now. I suspect that their server was temporarily down.

"Ryan" <f> wrote in message ...
> I cant even get it to work at all !
> It wont connect at least from my computer and my dsl connection. I've
never
> had problems with any other 'net based software, so I'm not sure if its me
> or Jepp with the problem.
>
> Ryan
>
> "Jim" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Just got an email from AOPA pushing their new online flight planner.
> First
> > impression is telling me not to give up my E6-B, plotter, and
sectionals.
> > It's slow, clunky, and disconnects constantly from the Jepp server bank.
> > I'll give them time to improve it, but they're doing a poor job
> re-creating
> > something that's already available online in several versions that are
> > smoother, faster, and less cumbersome. Hopefully it's just a v1.0
> problem.
> >
> > Anybody else trying it this morning? What are your experiences?
> >
> > --
> > Jim Burns III
> >
> > Remove "nospam" to reply
> >
> >
>
>

[Richard Ross]

I just looked on the AOPA site and can't find the flight planner you are
talking about. Do you have the URL?

Richard


"Jim" > wrote in message
...
> Just got an email from AOPA pushing their new online flight planner.
First
> impression is telling me not to give up my E6-B, plotter, and sectionals.
> It's slow, clunky, and disconnects constantly from the Jepp server bank.
> I'll give them time to improve it, but they're doing a poor job
re-creating
> something that's already available online in several versions that are
> smoother, faster, and less cumbersome. Hopefully it's just a v1.0
problem.
>
> Anybody else trying it this morning? What are your experiences?
>
> --
> Jim Burns III
>
> Remove "nospam" to reply
>
>
>

[Jim]

(<rant on>)
It installed okay only after having to download it 3 times because the Jepp
server disconnected twice during the download.

Why in the world would any software need to download the geographical
boundaries AND download the lat / long lines every time you log on and every
time you zoom in or out?? It needs a default view option that allows you to
save a view of your local area each time you load it. I don't think any of
us will need to plan a flight from Iceland to Hawaii or from Japan to North
Africa, why have a default view of 1/4 of the world??

It also needs to save all pertinent route data in between changes that you
make to altitudes along your route (rather than forcing you to re-create the
entire route, including your departure point, to see the wind effects.) It
would be nice to see the winds aloft entered in the NavLog also.

It would be nice to be able to scroll through the weather data as it is
downloaded, instead of having to wait for the entire download before viewing
any part of it.

I'm sure it will grow on me.... (like a wart)

Only disconnected twice during my last session. Call me a whiner, but the
least they could do is leave their old flight planner available instead of
killing it at the end of the year. A big pet peeve of mine is websites and
software being updated for no reason other than to give software developers
and webmasters job security. If it works, don't fix it. (<rant off>)

--
Jim Burns III

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[Paul Tomblin]

In a previous article, "Jim" > said:
>Only disconnected twice during my last session. Call me a whiner, but the
>least they could do is leave their old flight planner available instead of
>killing it at the end of the year. A big pet peeve of mine is websites and

I thought the old flight planner was exactly the same as
http://www.duats.com/ ? That one's not going away.


--
Paul Tomblin > http://xcski.com/blogs/pt/
"It's free they say, if you can get it to run, the geeks say `hey, that's half
the fun', but I've got a girlfriend and things to get done, the Linux OS sucks"
- Three Dead Trolls In A Baggie, "Every OS Sucks" http://mp3.com/deadtroll/

[Jim]

http://www.aopa.org/epilot/redir.cfm?adid=2939

Knock yourself out. Although I will admit it's running smoother now than it
was this morning.

My email to AOPA was responded to by a "keep trying" and a "more now than
ever us pilots need to stick together".
--
Jim Burns III

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"Richard Ross" > wrote in message
m...
> I just looked on the AOPA site and can't find the flight planner you are
> talking about. Do you have the URL?
>
> Richard
>

[Bob Noel]

In article >,
(Jay Masino) wrote:

> > I cant even get it to work at all !
> > It wont connect at least from my computer and my dsl connection. I've
> > never
> > had problems with any other 'net based software, so I'm not sure if its
> > me
> > or Jepp with the problem.
>
> Plus, the downloadable app is only for PCs (as per the .exe extension),
> so
> Mac and UNIX users are screwed.

what kind of idiot creates an online tool that requires a windows-based
client?

WWW? browser? bah, who needs em?

--
Bob Noel

[Newps]

I used it tonight for the first time. Took 12 seconds to download and
was easy to install. Got a weather briefing and some maps. All very easy.

Bob Noel wrote:
> In article >,
> (Jay Masino) wrote:
>
>
>>>I cant even get it to work at all !
>>>It wont connect at least from my computer and my dsl connection. I've
>>>never
>>>had problems with any other 'net based software, so I'm not sure if its
>>>me
>>>or Jepp with the problem.
>>
>>Plus, the downloadable app is only for PCs (as per the .exe extension),
>>so
>>Mac and UNIX users are screwed.
>
>
> what kind of idiot creates an online tool that requires a windows-based
> client?
>
> WWW? browser? bah, who needs em?
>

[Jim Vadek]

"Jim" > wrote in message
...
> Just got an email from AOPA pushing their new online flight planner.
First
> impression is telling me not to give up my E6-B, plotter, and sectionals.
> It's slow, clunky, and disconnects constantly from the Jepp server bank.
> I'll give them time to improve it, but they're doing a poor job
re-creating
> something that's already available online in several versions that are
> smoother, faster, and less cumbersome. Hopefully it's just a v1.0
problem.
>
> Anybody else trying it this morning? What are your experiences?

I tried it. I like it. And I like the price...

[Captain Wubba]

"Jim" > wrote in message >...
> Just got an email from AOPA pushing their new online flight planner. First
> impression is telling me not to give up my E6-B, plotter, and sectionals.
> It's slow, clunky, and disconnects constantly from the Jepp server bank.
> I'll give them time to improve it, but they're doing a poor job re-creating
> something that's already available online in several versions that are
> smoother, faster, and less cumbersome. Hopefully it's just a v1.0 problem.
>
> Anybody else trying it this morning? What are your experiences?

I tried it. I think it's quite useful, especially the thumbnail
weather maps. But I think it's clearly a level below the 'best' flight
planner I've found...the one at 'aeroplanner.com'. I prefer
Aeroplanner.com for a few reasons:

1. The fantastic PDF 'triptik' output that includes charts, approach
plates, frequences, etc.

2. The ability to store completed trip information on your local PC or
at the server.

3. Aeroplanner seems faster in compiling all the necessary
information.

4. The increased scope of the Aeroplanner product, and the ability to
see a much greater variety of information and charts.

That said, I like the AOPA product, and will certainly use it. But it
won't replace Aeroplanner (or even Co-Pilot on my Palm, for quick
planning.

Cheers,

Cap

[ArtP]

I tried it. It is not bad. Although I can't figure out how to display
VORs when zoomed out enough to see the route (I usually ask for a
direct route then pick VORs along the route line).

If I have access to the web I will still use DUATS and AEROPLANNER, if
I am on the road, Cirrus (or FSS) are still my only options.

I would really like the AOPA version if I could:
Plan a route off line.
Display VORs on zoomed out displays.
Had an 800 number for direct connection to the planner.

[ArtP]

On Sun, 16 Nov 2003 21:19:09 -0500, Tony Woolner >
wrote:

>Would it be possible to talk to you about GATTS instrument training in
>Kansas on the phone?

Email me

>By the way what is the weather like out there in March? I just received a
>letter brochure and CD from them.

I was there in December for my instrument, it was windy and snowy.

I was there in March for my commercial, it was windy and snowy.

[Cub Driver]

On Sun, 16 Nov 2003 14:48:00 GMT, ArtP
> wrote:

>I was there in December for my instrument, it was windy and snowy.
>
>I was there in March for my commercial, it was windy and snowy.

Sounds like home!
all the best -- Dan Ford
email: (put CUB in subject line)

see the Warbird's Forum at www.warbirdforum.com
and the Piper Cub Forum at www.pipercubforum.com

[Tony Woolner]

Would it be possible to talk to you about GATTS instrument training in
Kansas on the phone?
By the way what is the weather like out there in March? I just received a
letter brochure and CD from them.
Tony Woolner

ArtP wrote:

> I tried it. It is not bad. Although I can't figure out how to display
> VORs when zoomed out enough to see the route (I usually ask for a
> direct route then pick VORs along the route line).
>
> If I have access to the web I will still use DUATS and AEROPLANNER, if
> I am on the road, Cirrus (or FSS) are still my only options.
>
> I would really like the AOPA version if I could:
> Plan a route off line.
> Display VORs on zoomed out displays.
> Had an 800 number for direct connection to the planner.

[Dave Butler]

Jim wrote:
> Just got an email from AOPA pushing their new online flight planner. First
> impression is telling me not to give up my E6-B, plotter, and sectionals.
> It's slow, clunky, and disconnects constantly from the Jepp server bank.
> I'll give them time to improve it, but they're doing a poor job re-creating
> something that's already available online in several versions that are
> smoother, faster, and less cumbersome. Hopefully it's just a v1.0 problem.
>
> Anybody else trying it this morning? What are your experiences?

I posted my experiences with this somewhere, I guess it was a different thread.
Anyway, I think we are finally past all the problems where the servers weren't
up in the first few days after introduction.

I'm still having some other problems that I haven't heard anyone else report. Am
I the only one?

- crashes with regularity.

- displays "Uuuuuu..." for the names of various facilities.

I've reported both problems to AOPA, but apparently there is no feedback
mechanism to tell you whether they acknowledge the problem, or kiss my foot, or
anything.

Dave
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