Seattle Avionics
Software, Inc. has announced the release of SmartPlates Instrument
Procedure Management Software for the Pocket PC. Building on its
successful Voyager flight planning software,
SmartPlates-Pocket PC uses the latest hybrid Internet software
technology to enable pilots to more quickly and easily manage their
IFR procedures. After loading all the instrument procedures once,
SmartPlates automatically monitors the Internet to download any
plates that have changed, keeping them ready to print or view, and
always current on any PC, laptop, tablet, or Pocket PC. Both the
desktop and Pocket PC versions of SmartPlates include all 12,000+
procedures for all 50 states.
SmartPlates customers never pay annual subscription fees,
because SmartPlates uses the new, vastly improved NACO plates with
color terrain, missed approach icons, and more. 28-day cycle
updates are free courtesy of the FAA.
Many IFR pilots complain about paying for and carrying thick
stacks of approach plates along in the cockpit, especially when 95%
of them are never used, just thrown away or recycled. But most
pilots cannot afford or choose not to take a tablet PC in the
cockpit, or are not yet comfortable relying entirely on digital
plates. SmartPlates has been written specifically for this
"paper-to-digital transition," providing the best solution for
either easy and inexpensive printing, or digital use.
Ultimately convenient and easy to use, procedures are
automatically kept up-to-date through the convenience of your
Internet connection. Each plate carries a time stamp of valid dates
so, even when printed, you can easily confirm you have the latest,
most current plate. Selection, sorting, and instrument plate
management is done automatically on the PC, so no more endless
paper shuffling, sorting or recycling. Plates are crisp digital
images with your choice of sources. Either use original PDF file
format direct from the FAA's website, or pick Seattle Avionics
server for condensed files which can be downloaded 5x to 10x
faster.
According to John Rutter, President of Seattle Avionics
Software, "IFR pilots have typically had to pay over a hundred
dollars a year for paper procedure plates or over five times that
for digital plates. The only affordable alternative, FAA/NACO
plates, have been available for years but have lacked many features
like colored terrain and missed approach graphic icons. The new
NACO plates available through SmartPlates now combine modern
graphics with a level of convenience that had not been available at
any price."
SmartPlates and SmartPlates for the Pocket PC are both available
now. The SmartPlates software costs $149, and the Pocket PC version
is an additional $49. Neither have any ongoing fees. Free 10-day
full product trials are available on the company Website.