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.

FMI: www.seattleavionics.com