Airguide Publications Announces Release of iEFB for Apple iPad

By Deborah Grigsby

The little brown book has gone digital. California-based Airguide Publications recently announced the availability of "Flight Guide iEFB," a new Apple iPad application that stores and displays pertinent airport, chart and supplementary data either during flight or general aviation planning purposes.

Flight Guide iEPD Application For The Apple iPad

The Flight Guide iEFB makes use of Apple's "pan, pitch, and drag" interface enabling pilots to zoom in and out of all airport chart and information pages with just a tough of the finger. There's even a special screen lock to ensure data is not closed or rotated by inadvertent or unintentional contact. "We have data plans available for both VFR and IFR pilots that include high quality airport and supplementary information, sectionals, terminal area charts, approach plates, high and low enroute charts for the lower 48 states, Alaska, Hawaii, and the Caribbean," said Brenda Garcia, Air Guide Publications publisher.

According to Garcia, what distinguishes Flight Guide iEFB is that they research their own airport information and "finely detail" nearly 5,000 airports with taxiways identified and business on field locations pointed out, as well as current and nearby fuel prices. Designed with pilots in mind, the Flight Guide iEFB airport pages provide critical information at a glance through limited menu selection. "The information we're showing in the 'content list' window is a key feature," said Larry Garcia, Airguide Publications owner. "I've seen other apps out there where it takes so many windows to find what you're looking for. We have it all right there at a glance."

Larry and Brenda Garcia

Garcia also said the iEFB will soon be integrating moving seamless maps, and geo-referenced charts as well as a proprietary GPS device.  "We've had to disable our geo-referenced charts currently because the GPS in the iPad is not aviation grade," explained Garcia. "So don't let anyone fool you--it is unsafe. The GPS device we are developing is Apple-approved.  I don't think anybody else has an Apple-approved device like that. I pretty much think were the only one."  Garcia went on to add that the iPad-based GPS is celluar based and is pretty much "hit and miss," and the company will soon introduce a proprietary GPS device of their own. "So we are coming out with our own GPS-to-iPad device under the Flight Guide name and that will give you a perfect GPS signal and location on our charts, and will work only on our app."

The device will most likely will be tethered on the bottom of the iPad as Garcia pointed out Apple will not permit them to use Bluetooth technology at this time.  "But the nice thing about the iPad is that you can spin (the screen view) it around so the connector is on top and you'll get better GPS signal (with the device) on top."

Larry Garcia Demonstrates The iEFB

Larger in size, the iPad is a suitable platform for iEFB as it is similar in size to standard approach plates, and information can easily be zoomed in or out for ease of reading.  Finally, The Flight Guide iEFB incorporates geo-referenced hyperlinked charts that enable the pilot to instantly bring up information on any airport simply by touching that airport's icon on the chart.  Sectionals will be hyperlinked as well.  Flight Guide iEFB is available for free through the Apple App Store. Data plan pricing ranges from $9.95 to $19.95 per month.  GPS moving map, seamless charts and geo-reference approach plates, are all part of a continuing effort to make their products better concluded Garcia. There is no regional limitation for Flight Guide iEFB and products are expected to be available this fall.

FMI: www.flightguide.com