Jeppeson

Jeppeson sure has a nice little monopoly going. $760.00 to get the updates
for my mx 20 and Apollo 60 GPS.
Dang.

Aluckyguess writes:

Jeppeson sure has a nice little monopoly going. $760.00 to get the updates
for my mx 20 and Apollo 60 GPS.
Dang.

And the margins are probably around 99.9999%, since generating an update
probably requires no more than pressing a button.

--
Transpose mxsmanic and gmail to reach me by e-mail.

Mxsmanic wrote:
Aluckyguess writes:

Jeppeson sure has a nice little monopoly going. $760.00 to get the updates
for my mx 20 and Apollo 60 GPS.
Dang.

And the margins are probably around 99.9999%, since generating an update
probably requires no more than pressing a button.

Not really. Creating the distribution media is pushing the button. But
acquiring the data from the appropriate CAA (civil aeronautical
agency), verifying & validating it, then ensuring it's in a format
suitable for distribution for the corresponding hardware/software...

That's what you're really paying for.

Of course I'm not a happy camper either, when I need to update the
GPS. But at least I understand the process involved.

Blanche writes:

Not really. Creating the distribution media is pushing the button. But
acquiring the data from the appropriate CAA (civil aeronautical
agency), verifying & validating it, then ensuring it's in a format
suitable for distribution for the corresponding hardware/software...

That's what you're really paying for.

Over, and over, and over, even though it's a one-time conversion, highly
automated, that costs very little. There are no white-haired scribes
transferring data from one sheet of parchment to another, even though the
final product is priced as though there were.

--
Transpose mxsmanic and gmail to reach me by e-mail.

Mxsmanic wrote:
Blanche writes:

Not really. Creating the distribution media is pushing the button. But
acquiring the data from the appropriate CAA (civil aeronautical
agency), verifying & validating it, then ensuring it's in a format
suitable for distribution for the corresponding hardware/software...

That's what you're really paying for.

Over, and over, and over, even though it's a one-time conversion, highly
automated, that costs very little. There are no white-haired scribes
transferring data from one sheet of parchment to another, even though the
final product is priced as though there were.

Actually, there is. 1/4 of the first floor of the main offices is
dedicated to an extremely human-labor-intensive activity that must
validate and verify *each and every* item of information when it
comes in from the various CAAs. I didn't notice any "white-haired scribes",
oh wait -- yes, there were a couple of gentlemen that might be offended
at the term.

Then the data is verified and validated a *second* time.
Add to this the time constraints - there are four cycles of
7/14/28/56 days depending on need. Then and only then can the data
be converted to the JAD - Jeppesen Aviation Database, from which
all Jepp data is munged.

Every time an airport changes a frequency, identifier, phone number,
runways, departure procedures, approach procedures, terminal information,
fixes (intrument, visual, GPS), low-enroute, high-enroute, *anything*.
And it happens more frequently than most people realize imagine.

And, Jepp handles the world. When I use the term CAA, that's the generic
for any country's aviation authority. In the US, it's the FAA. There's
also the JAA, and others.

The advantage of living in the Denver area - Jepp is located just
west of the 17-35 runway of KAPA. When you decide to visit, I'll
happily arrange a tour.

"Blanche" wrote in message
...

And, Jepp handles the world. When I use the term CAA, that's the generic
for any country's aviation authority. In the US, it's the FAA. There's
also the JAA, and others.

The advantage of living in the Denver area - Jepp is located just
west of the 17-35 runway of KAPA. When you decide to visit, I'll
happily arrange a tour.


And on the other side of the street is the 5th hole at Inverness Golf Club,
a beautiful par 3 of about 175-180 yards over the water...

Ahhhh, memories!!!

On Apr 5, 10:10 am, Blanche wrote:
Blanche writes:

[useless excretions snipped]

Actually, there is. 1/4 of the first floor of the main offices is
dedicated to an extremely human-labor-intensive activity that must
validate and verify *each and every* item of information when it
comes in from the various CAAs. I didn't notice any "white-haired scribes",
oh wait -- yes, there were a couple of gentlemen that might be offended
at the term.

Then the data is verified and validated a *second* time.
Add to this the time constraints - there are four cycles of
7/14/28/56 days depending on need. Then and only then can the data
be converted to the JAD - Jeppesen Aviation Database, from which
all Jepp data is munged.

Every time an airport changes a frequency, identifier, phone number,
runways, departure procedures, approach procedures, terminal information,
fixes (intrument, visual, GPS), low-enroute, high-enroute, *anything*.
And it happens more frequently than most people realize imagine.

And, Jepp handles the world. When I use the term CAA, that's the generic
for any country's aviation authority. In the US, it's the FAA. There's
also the JAA, and others.

The advantage of living in the Denver area - Jepp is located just
west of the 17-35 runway of KAPA. When you decide to visit, I'll
happily arrange a tour.

I was there the week of the 19th for the RAA Flt. Tech. Cmte
conference. Impressive facility.

The president came in for a quick brief to us, and someone in the
audience asked him why the electronic versions are not cheaper than
hardcopy. What you indicate above concurs exactly what he said wrt
format conversions, V&V, etc. being the bulk of the process.

Regards,
Jon

Blanche writes:

Actually, there is. 1/4 of the first floor of the main offices is
dedicated to an extremely human-labor-intensive activity that must
validate and verify *each and every* item of information when it
comes in from the various CAAs.

How do they do that from a desk?

--
Transpose mxsmanic and gmail to reach me by e-mail.

"Mxsmanic" wrote in message
...
Blanche writes:

Not really. Creating the distribution media is pushing the button. But
acquiring the data from the appropriate CAA (civil aeronautical
agency), verifying & validating it, then ensuring it's in a format
suitable for distribution for the corresponding hardware/software...

That's what you're really paying for.

Over, and over, and over, even though it's a one-time conversion, highly
automated, that costs very little. There are no white-haired scribes
transferring data from one sheet of parchment to another, even though the
final product is priced as though there were.



Ahhh.....just one more of the many concepts well beyond your apparently
crippled ability to read, comprend and understand. Special thanks for TODAYS
reminder.

Let's simplify for the benefit of the poster. Forget all the details about
updates, liability and approvals. In the American system of free enterprise,
there are enough innovative and hard working people, that if any one could
offer the same service and cut the price by setteling 90% profits, you could
find a phone book full of vendors offering the same service. Gee... I wonder
why you can't?

But then again, if it's that easy, and we all know you are so damned smart -
spend a little less time guiding tourists and flying your sim, and start
your on service. Surely with even 85% profits, you could live, eat and still
get your PPL in France. We'll be watching for it.

Maxwell,

But then again, if it's that easy, and we all know you are so damned smart -
spend a little less time guiding tourists and flying your sim, and start
your on service. Surely with even 85% profits, you could live, eat and still
get your PPL in France. We'll be watching for it.


All talk, no action - that's MX. He knows everything better, but he can't make
a dime on it. And it's never his fault. AND he prides himself on being a
logical thinker. Yeah, right.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)