WELCOME
Welcome to the world of 1st Officer, the premier Flight Planning and Management package for Palm OS.
1st Officer has the objective to reduce the flight planning and management workload of the General Aviation pilot through the use of generally available (i.e. low cost) technology. It will give the pilot access to flight planning and management technology normally only found in business jets, but at reasonable cost.
The guiding principle behind the project is to keep things 'simple stupid' in both the user experience and development. The developer is an experienced GA pilot, and has used his experience to develop an application that limits the amount of information fed to the pilot to what is useful in the phase of flight the pilot is in. In terms of development, this simplicity is best illustrated by the use of an existing and stable platform (Palm OS), and a simple programming language (NSBasic).
If early versions of the project prove successful, the concept will be developed further. The destination at this point is to develop a panel-mounted device that will run under Palm OS that will function as a souped-up Flight Management Computer. It will even use more advanced technologies like voice activation, aural warnings etc. as soon as they become available for Palm OS devices.
The current version of the software has the objective to prove the concept and to serve as a basis from which to research further enhancements. Version 0.3 of the software allows the user to manage a flight with the help of an electronic checklist and an electronic logbook that automatically enters the most commonly used data at the end of each flight.
At this point only the checklist for an IFR flight for a Cessna 172M has been entered, and the airport and waypoint information has been limited to the New York / Connecticut area.
The unit system is limited to what is being used in Europe (i.e. ft for altitude, Kts for speed, m for runway length, C for temperature, DD/MM/YY for dates), but that should not impact the use as a checklist for US based users. Later versions will include full English measurements and full metric system for glider pilots
FUTURE ENHANCEMENTS
Version 0.4
* Approach Timer
* Holding Timer
* Alternate routing in checklist
* # of Landings included in Log
Version 0.5
* Ability to edit Logs
* Ability to edit checklists
* Fuel management options
* Complete US measurement system
Version 0.6
* Basic Flight planning capability
Version 0.7
* Color
* IFR/VFR choice
Version 1.0
First Shareware version
Version 2.0
* GPS input
* One button emergency checklist access
LICENSE
1st Officer 0.3 is Freeware
PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU READ THE DISCLAIMER INFORMATION BEFORE INSTALLING AND USING THE PROGRAM
DISCLAIMER
1st Officer is for demonstration purposes only. It should not be used in flight.
Use of this software does not substitute for flight planning and management as set forth by the regulations governing flight in your country, or as recommended by the manufacturer of the aircraft.
The information presented by this program does not substitute the airplane manufacturer's flight manual.
Use of this program does not relieve the pilot in command from his or her duties as the ultimate authority as to safe operation of the aircraft and safe conduct of the flight.
The author cannot guarantee the accuracy of the data in the program.
The author cannot be held responsible for the outcome of the use of this program.
DOWNLOAD
If you still want to download the software, click here.
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
* Download the program to any directory on your harddrive
* Unzip the file
* Double click on each .PDB and .PRC file
* Send the author an e-mail to be added to the list of people who will be notified of updates
* Comments and feature requests are also welcome
You can reach the author via e-mail at
