Sectionals for GlidePlan

[2KA]

I've recently acquired the capability to make updated sectionals that can be used with GlidePlan. Kinda. Right now it is a pretty manual process that takes me about an hour or so for each one. I'm trying go gauge how much interest still remains in that program to see if it would be worth the time it will take me to automate the whole process and publish new sectionals for GlidePlan regularly on my website.

If you are in need of updated sectionals for GlidePlan, please contact me using the Questions and Comments link on my website at http://www.soaringdata.info. Let me know what sectionals you need.

I've also successfully done one custom chart for a contest site, but I'm not to the point where I could provide those yet -- the process just takes me too long. If I got very many requests, I'd either have to quit soaring or quite my job. And my wife tells me we need the money.

Lynn Alley
"2KA"

[Gianni Isotope]

Is GlidePlan still available for purchase? I've tried unsuccessfully to buy it online several times.

[CJ[_3_]]

Ditto. It's now totally unsupported by Matt Heron, the developer. Even
worse, you can't even *buy* a licence and self support! I managed to make
the required changes to Lynn Alleys excellent sectionals to 'self support'
but I'm afraid I can only use them in the limited, trial version. :(

Cumulus Soaring still advertises licences but it's unknown if there are
actually any for sale. Perhaps Paul will comment.

Casey
B3

Gianni Isotope > wrote:
> Is GlidePlan still available for purchase? I've tried unsuccessfully to
> buy it online several times.

[[email protected]]

On Wednesday, June 4, 2014 5:02:23 AM UTC-7, CJ wrote:
> Ditto. It's now totally unsupported by Matt Heron, the developer. Even
> worse, you can't even *buy* a licence and self support! I managed to make
> the required changes to Lynn Alleys excellent sectionals to 'self support'
> but I'm afraid I can only use them in the limited, trial version. :(
>
> Cumulus Soaring still advertises licences but it's unknown if there are
> actually any for sale. Perhaps Paul will comment.
>
> Casey
>
> B3
>

One big issue for GlidePlan was all the effort requires to stitch sectionals together to make unified maps that matched contest areas and common cross-country corridors. I still print maps for my own use using the old sectionals and contest area charts on the GlidePlan website.

If it were possible to generate GlidePlan-compatible maps for an arbitrary soaring area I'd _imagine_ it would be a relatively minor issue to get the software license key generator running again. I'll look into it.

Thanks Lynn for making the effort to get this kick-started.

Andy Blackburn
9B

[[email protected]]

I purchased it years ago and thought it was pretty useful. What I always thought would be great as a CFI is using these with terminal and not sectional charts. For student pilots soloing and freshly minted private pilots, having a very detailed and not very long range chart with conservative safety circles would be great and making them by hand is a pain in the ass. I emailed support about this maybe 2 years ago and never got a reply. Lynn, so you apparently know the inner workings of GlidePlan, can you even get it to work with terminal charts or is the scale of the charts GlidePlan supports fixed?

I also use it for cross country soaring, but unfortunately, yeah, my glideplan made charts use ancient sectionals.

[[email protected]]

Hi Lynn,

Could not get the e-mail link to work, so I am posting here instead.

Updated maps for GlidePlan would be wonderful, especially for soaring/contest sites which require several sectionals. I would use Logan, Nephi, AirSailing, Montague, and Ephrata.

So if 10 pilots flying Nephi paid $10.00 for an updated map, that would be about $100.00/hr, right?

[John Seaborn (A8)]

Another yes for supporting Glide Plan maps. I know Matt has put a ton of work into Glide Plan and I hope that he could see a way clear to release the program for general use if he is not interested in supporting the program. Matt did a brilliant job of knitting together the Sectionals for contest and sites then publishing them as such - which is key. Consider a subscription plan in which we can pay something reasonable for annual use.

Digital maps on the tiny screen are fine for inflight but nothing provides situational awareness of an area better than a printed map. Glide Plan makes it easy to import the waypoints for the area and print a full color Sectional in any scale you desire. You can color code waypoints, assign symbols, edit names and do a host of other functions with Glide Plan then print out a Sectional with this information overlaid on the map. The capability is a must have for contest pilots.

John Seaborn

[WaltWX[_2_]]

Lynn,

I support using your sectionals stitched together use in GlidePlan. But, only for sites with enough pilots signing up to support your time/labor to do the work. Wholeheartedly agree with John Seaborn. My electronic moving map display is nice, but cannot compete with a paper map... at least for backup... if not otherwise.

Walt Rogers WX

[Paul Remde]

Hi,

I should probably take GlidePlan off my web site, but I haven't yet because
I still hold hope that it will be supported. I haven't received any orders
for it for some years. It is a neat product but it must take a lot of work
to support the maps. Matt is a great guy - perhaps he just got too busy
with life to support the product well. He is very slow to respond to
emails.

Perhaps it's time for him to sell it or hand it off to someone who is
motivated. The contest maps due offer some revenue potential.

Best Regards,

Paul Remde

"CJ" wrote in message
...

Ditto. It's now totally unsupported by Matt Heron, the developer. Even
worse, you can't even *buy* a licence and self support! I managed to make
the required changes to Lynn Alleys excellent sectionals to 'self support'
but I'm afraid I can only use them in the limited, trial version. :(

Cumulus Soaring still advertises licences but it's unknown if there are
actually any for sale. Perhaps Paul will comment.

Casey
B3

Gianni Isotope > wrote:
> Is GlidePlan still available for purchase? I've tried unsuccessfully to
> buy it online several times.

[CJ[_3_]]

Paul,

The million dollar question. Can you still sell a (functioning!) licence
key? I can update the sectionals myself, I just need a functioning copy of
GlidePlan (SeeG would be nice too if you can swing it).

Casey

"Paul Remde" > wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I should probably take GlidePlan off my web site, but I haven't yet
> because I still hold hope that it will be supported. I haven't received
> any orders for it for some years. It is a neat product but it must take
> a lot of work to support the maps. Matt is a great guy - perhaps he just
> got too busy with life to support the product well. He is very slow to respond to emails.
>
> Perhaps it's time for him to sell it or hand it off to someone who is
> motivated. The contest maps due offer some revenue potential.
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Paul Remde
>
> "CJ" wrote in message
> ...
>
> Ditto. It's now totally unsupported by Matt Heron, the developer. Even
> worse, you can't even *buy* a licence and self support! I managed to make
> the required changes to Lynn Alleys excellent sectionals to 'self support'
> but I'm afraid I can only use them in the limited, trial version. :(
>
> Cumulus Soaring still advertises licences but it's unknown if there are
> actually any for sale. Perhaps Paul will comment.
>
> Casey
> B3
>
> Gianni Isotope > wrote:
>> Is GlidePlan still available for purchase? I've tried unsuccessfully to
>> buy it online several times.

[Paul Remde]

Hi Casey,

I can try to order a GlidePlan license key from Matt. It couldn't hurt to
try. Please send me an email or order on my web site. I won't bill you for
it until I deliver a license.

Best Regards,

Paul Remde

"CJ" wrote in message
...

Paul,

The million dollar question. Can you still sell a (functioning!) licence
key? I can update the sectionals myself, I just need a functioning copy of
GlidePlan (SeeG would be nice too if you can swing it).

Casey

"Paul Remde" > wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I should probably take GlidePlan off my web site, but I haven't yet
> because I still hold hope that it will be supported. I haven't received
> any orders for it for some years. It is a neat product but it must take
> a lot of work to support the maps. Matt is a great guy - perhaps he just
> got too busy with life to support the product well. He is very slow to
> respond to emails.
>
> Perhaps it's time for him to sell it or hand it off to someone who is
> motivated. The contest maps due offer some revenue potential.
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Paul Remde
>
> "CJ" wrote in message
> ...
>
> Ditto. It's now totally unsupported by Matt Heron, the developer. Even
> worse, you can't even *buy* a licence and self support! I managed to make
> the required changes to Lynn Alleys excellent sectionals to 'self support'
> but I'm afraid I can only use them in the limited, trial version. :(
>
> Cumulus Soaring still advertises licences but it's unknown if there are
> actually any for sale. Perhaps Paul will comment.
>
> Casey
> B3
>
> Gianni Isotope > wrote:
>> Is GlidePlan still available for purchase? I've tried unsuccessfully to
>> buy it online several times.

[Matt Herron Jr.]

Hi All,

I am very sorry that support for GlidePlan has been less than what is needed for quite some time. As Paul correctly guessed, some life changing issues have gotten in my way, and prevented me from providing the attention that it and you deserve.

In the short run, more current maps are now available at http://glide2.glideplan.com. I put this site up as the original was compromised by hackers. While not completely current, they are at least more modern than what is available on the original site.

You can still buy the software there, but I have been considering a drastic price reduction, and a release of the tools I have developed to process FAA sectionals and custom stitched maps. Sectional processing is fairly straightforward, and mostly automated, although instructions must be followed carefully.

Stitching sectionals together is significantly more valuable to pilots, and unfortunately significantly more difficult. It requires the use of Global Mapper for re-projection of different sectionals into a unified geo-referenced file, then post processing with tools I developed to be compatible with GlidePlan. Global mapper is not cheap in and of itself.

I developed GlidePlan to fill a need in the soaring community, and as a way to give back, not to make my fortune. If folks feel there is still some value to GlidePlan, I would like to hear your thoughts about making the program available for say $49 and allowing the community to support map updating and creation themselves. There would need to be a common repository of maps, sort of like WWTE, I would think And a few hardy souls willing to contribute to map making. I can provide the post processing tools (including source code for mapping tools only, in XoJo) and instructions.

I am also happy to host a content repository for now if someone wants to administer it.

Please let me know your thoughts in this open forum. I am open to suggestion.

Cheers,

Matt

[2KA]

All,

Here is a summary of the feedback I have received so far. I have had emails from a few of you, as well as the replies posted here.

Most of the interest has been in custom, stitched sectionals for contest sites. Unfortunately, as Matt pointed out, these require significantly more effort (especially the first time), and I'm not in a position now to commit the time involved to support requests for those. I did do the Nephi site as a test, and I'll post that on my website sometime soon.

Given the possibility of Matt publishing instructions on making the sectionals, I don't plan to do much more at this point. Unless I get really bored (after the soaring season)!

L.

[CJ[_3_]]

Hi Matt,

Thank you for your reply and even more so for your kind offer! I think
making a WWTE-esque map exchange for sectionals is the best possible
outcome for all involved. Though you may not have considered it at the
time, GlidePlan is a tool that has resulted in a very significant safety
benefit.

Under the terms you've outlined, I would be willing to undertake the
processing of sectionals. Someone's gotta help Lynn out! ;)
Additionally, I would volunteer to be one of a number of people to stitch
sectionals together for the GlidePlan community. As Region 2 is my home
region when flying in the US, perhaps that'd be an appropriate start.

Whilst I'm happy to volunteer my time, $449 for Global Mapper...perhaps not
so eager. If an honorarium for stitched maps produced was paid by the users
until the software cost was covered then that would seem fair. 45 users at
$10 a pop shouldn't take long I'd hope.

Best regards,

Casey
B3
see jay el seven six @me.com or the email associated with this post

"Matt Herron Jr." > wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> I am very sorry that support for GlidePlan has been less than what is
> needed for quite some time. As Paul correctly guessed, some life
> changing issues have gotten in my way, and prevented me from providing
> the attention that it and you deserve.
>
> In the short run, more current maps are now available at
> http://glide2.glideplan.com. I put this site up as the original was
> compromised by hackers. While not completely current, they are at least
> more modern than what is available on the original site.
>
> You can still buy the software there, but I have been considering a
> drastic price reduction, and a release of the tools I have developed to
> process FAA sectionals and custom stitched maps. Sectional processing is
> fairly straightforward, and mostly automated, although instructions must
> be followed carefully.
>
> Stitching sectionals together is significantly more valuable to pilots,
> and unfortunately significantly more difficult. It requires the use of
> Global Mapper for re-projection of different sectionals into a unified
> geo-referenced file, then post processing with tools I developed to be
> compatible with GlidePlan. Global mapper is not cheap in and of itself.
>
> I developed GlidePlan to fill a need in the soaring community, and as a
> way to give back, not to make my fortune. If folks feel there is still
> some value to GlidePlan, I would like to hear your thoughts about making
> the program available for say $49 and allowing the community to support
> map updating and creation themselves. There would need to be a common
> repository of maps, sort of like WWTE, I would think And a few hardy
> souls willing to contribute to map making. I can provide the post
> processing tools (including source code for mapping tools only, in XoJo) and instructions.
>
> I am also happy to host a content repository for now if someone wants to administer it.
>
> Please let me know your thoughts in this open forum. I am open to suggestion.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Matt

[SoaringXCellence]

On Thursday, June 5, 2014 9:30:39 AM UTC-7, CJ wrote:
> Hi Matt,
>
>
>
> Thank you for your reply and even more so for your kind offer! I think
>
> making a WWTE-esque map exchange for sectionals is the best possible
>
> outcome for all involved. Though you may not have considered it at the
>
> time, GlidePlan is a tool that has resulted in a very significant safety
>
> benefit.
>
>
>
> Under the terms you've outlined, I would be willing to undertake the
>
> processing of sectionals. Someone's gotta help Lynn out! ;)
>
> Additionally, I would volunteer to be one of a number of people to stitch
>
> sectionals together for the GlidePlan community. As Region 2 is my home
>
> region when flying in the US, perhaps that'd be an appropriate start.
>
>
>
> Whilst I'm happy to volunteer my time, $449 for Global Mapper...perhaps not
>
> so eager. If an honorarium for stitched maps produced was paid by the users
>
> until the software cost was covered then that would seem fair. 45 users at
>
> $10 a pop shouldn't take long I'd hope.
>
>
>
> Best regards,
>
>
>
> Casey
>
> B3
>
> see jay el seven six @me.com or the email associated with this post
>
>
>
> "Matt Herron Jr." > wrote:
>
> > Hi All,
>
> >
>
> > I am very sorry that support for GlidePlan has been less than what is
>
> > needed for quite some time. As Paul correctly guessed, some life
>
> > changing issues have gotten in my way, and prevented me from providing
>
> > the attention that it and you deserve.
>
> >
>
> > In the short run, more current maps are now available at
>
> > http://glide2.glideplan.com. I put this site up as the original was
>
> > compromised by hackers. While not completely current, they are at least
>
> > more modern than what is available on the original site.
>
> >
>
> > You can still buy the software there, but I have been considering a
>
> > drastic price reduction, and a release of the tools I have developed to
>
> > process FAA sectionals and custom stitched maps. Sectional processing is
>
> > fairly straightforward, and mostly automated, although instructions must
>
> > be followed carefully.
>
> >
>
> > Stitching sectionals together is significantly more valuable to pilots,
>
> > and unfortunately significantly more difficult. It requires the use of
>
> > Global Mapper for re-projection of different sectionals into a unified
>
> > geo-referenced file, then post processing with tools I developed to be
>
> > compatible with GlidePlan. Global mapper is not cheap in and of itself.
>
> >
>
> > I developed GlidePlan to fill a need in the soaring community, and as a
>
> > way to give back, not to make my fortune. If folks feel there is still
>
> > some value to GlidePlan, I would like to hear your thoughts about making
>
> > the program available for say $49 and allowing the community to support
>
> > map updating and creation themselves. There would need to be a common
>
> > repository of maps, sort of like WWTE, I would think And a few hardy
>
> > souls willing to contribute to map making. I can provide the post
>
> > processing tools (including source code for mapping tools only, in XoJo) and instructions.
>
> >
>
> > I am also happy to host a content repository for now if someone wants to administer it.
>
> >
>
> > Please let me know your thoughts in this open forum. I am open to suggestion.
>
> >
>
> > Cheers,
>
> >
>
> > Matt

I'll pledge $25 toward a license for the Global Mapper software. I've been trying to get going on the GlidePlan for some time but the lack of current charts has been a deterrent.

Come on guys let's get this resurrected!

Mike

[WaltWX[_2_]]

Matt,

QGIS is an open source GIS program that has many features (http://www.qgis.org) and has expanded considerably in the last year or two. Would it have the features necessary to "stitch" together sectionals?

Walt Rogers WX

[Tom (2NO)]

Ordered the SeeG / GlidePlan combo at work. License keys were waiting for me when I got home. Thanks!

[WaltWX[_2_]]

And BTW...

Thank you very much for supporting GlidePlan over the years. Without a subscription service, it's hard to keep maintaining it once everyone who is going to but it... has bought it. Also, life intervenes with other priorities.. so it is.

Do you know of any other GIS programs that can "stitch" together maps without the high cost of entry? Lynn... what are you using?

Walt Rogers WX

[[email protected]]

On Thursday, June 5, 2014 4:34:29 PM UTC-7, WaltWX wrote:
> And BTW...
>
>
>
> Thank you very much for supporting GlidePlan over the years. Without a subscription service, it's hard to keep maintaining it once everyone who is going to but it... has bought it. Also, life intervenes with other priorities.. so it is.
>
>
>
> Do you know of any other GIS programs that can "stitch" together maps without the high cost of entry? Lynn... what are you using?
>
>
>
> Walt Rogers WX

Lynn pointed me to what he uses.

"I use GDAL for reprojecting, cropping, otherwise manipulating the images, as distributed in OSGeo4W."

http://www.gdal.org

Seems a lot more cost-effective.

Andy Blackburn
9B

[2KA]

GDAL is a powerful set of command line utilities for manipulating geo-referenced imagery. It is free and open, but the learning curve is quite steep. It is developed, maintained, and used primarily by the research community.. Some familiarity with technical aspects of map making is presumed, and some programming background (i.e. python, perl, and the like) is helpful.

It can do much of what Global Mapper does and more, but there is no GUI at all, much less a slick one.

L.

[2KA]

OK, I posted the Nephi chart on my website at http://www.soaringdata.info. it is on the "Sectionals" tab. You need both the tfw and the jpg file for GlidePlan.

L.