GPS Guidance For Ag-Pilots... What Will They Think Of Next?

TrackMap is a GPS-Enabled device designed specifically for the ag pilot, making it possible to fly precise grid patterns over spray areas.

Colin Brown, President of TrackMap GPS says that the device is for the guys who fly close to the ground. The system was designed in New Zealand where agricultural flying in mountainous areas can be particularly challenging.

The TracSystem consists of a standard-looking GPS display which represents the path of the airplane across the ground. The spray pattern represented graphically on the device, and a second annunciator which sits on the glare shield tells the pilot whether he or she is on track, and which direction to steer to stay on course, which can be loaded into the device.

The system also displays terrain features, and areas such as lakes and rivers over which spraying may be prohibited is some areas. The divice interfaces with a trigger switch on the aircraft's yoke or cyclic control, and shows when the spray product is being applied. It also retains that information, and should there be any question about where the pilot applied the agricultural product, the spray pattern can be displayed on Google Maps on the client's computer.

The unit retails for $14,500, which Brown says pilots tell him is a very good price for the system.

FMI: www.tracmap.com, www.aero-tv.net, www.youtube.com/aerotvnetwork, http://twitter.com/AeroNews