How did that flight go? It’s a easy query—one that each pilot ought to ask themselves after each flight—however there’s normally not a easy reply. While you’re judging your proficiency as a pilot or monitoring the efficiency of your engine, it pays to be particular. That’s what makes FlySto, a free software program platform that provides highly effective debriefing instruments for pilots, so invaluable. There’s no iPad app (but?), however there’s a succesful iPhone app and an incredible web site.
We’ve written about CloudAhoy many occasions at iPad Pilot Information, and it stays a well-liked app for analyzing flights. In actual fact, ForeFlight (who bought CloudAhoy in 2023) is slowly integrating this expertise into the net model of its app. FlySto options most of the identical capabilities, however I might argue it’s even simpler to make use of. Mix that with its free worth and you’ve got a compelling product. Right here’s what it might do and the best way to get began.
Monitoring proficiency
At coronary heart, FlySto does an incredible job of ingesting all the info that fashionable glass cockpits file after which presenting it in a digestible format. You possibly can view 2D or 3D playbacks of your flight, overlay site visitors and climate, and see graphs of velocity and altitude.
This data-rich presentation takes all of the emotion out of the “how did that flight go” query. Listed below are only a few examples:
How was your airspeed management on last? You possibly can see a graph of your velocity in comparison with 1.3 Vso.
How stabilized was that RNAV method you flew? You possibly can overlay your flight to the RNAV glide path and see precisely how stabilized it was (for those who had been chasing the needles, it’ll appear like a sine wave).
Was your steep flip or S-turn inside ACS requirements? The reply shall be proper in entrance of you in FlySto.
Did you drift off centerline after takeoff? FlySto will present precisely how a lot you deviated from centerline. That is considered one of my favourite options—the graphic by no means lies, as you possibly can see beneath.
The most effective half concerning the app is that it’s so computerized. There aren’t any sophisticated profiles to arrange or personalised warnings to create. FlySto will provide you with a warning to exceedances primarily based on an enormous library of default limits. See how I bought chastised for taxiing with an excessive amount of energy within the two screenshots beneath, taken from the iPhone app:
It can additionally evaluate your flight to the typical pilot flying the identical sort of plane, and to the POH (this isn’t obtainable for all fashions). Under, FlySto is evaluating my precise takeoff to the POH numbers, a good way to match each your pilot approach and your airplane’s efficiency.
FlySto can even routinely rating your method and touchdown, a vital characteristic since touchdown accidents proceed to be a number one explanation for GA insurance coverage claims. This judges your efficiency primarily based on 10 metrics, together with sink price, airspeed, pitch angle, and extra.
Analyzing engine knowledge
Flight path monitoring is barely half the story, although. Fashionable avionics may also monitor a dizzying array of engine knowledge, from CHTs and EGTs to gasoline circulate and oil temperature. Making sense of all the info, particularly within the airplane, could be tough. As soon as once more, that’s the place FlySto makes such a distinction.
When importing a flight log, the app will routinely create graphs for each engine parameter monitored by your Engine Indication System (EIS). I not too long ago helped break in a brand new engine on a Cirrus, and this instrument was invaluable for diagnosing minor points. For instance:
How scorching did the CHTs get throughout climb, and which cylinder is working the most popular?
Are there any patterns within the EGT readings, which could counsel exhaust valve issues? That is simple to identify on a graph as a daily oscillation.
What was the gasoline circulate when working 50 levels lean of peak? How about 100 levels wealthy of peak?
How did indicated airspeed affect oil temperature?
It’s simple to zoom out and look at the complete flight, or select a specific phase to get particulars. You may also faucet on the graph to get actual readings. It is a nice approach to share the small print of a take a look at flight together with your A&P—I do know it saved me time troubleshooting a timing challenge.
Tips on how to get knowledge into FlySto
After all, all of those cool options solely work for those who can file the info within the first place after which import it into FlySto. How simple that’s is dependent upon the avionics you fly with. First, you must have the sensors to file the info. For flight knowledge (airspeed, altitude, financial institution angle, and many others.) it’s greatest to have an AHRS that may file detailed data. In the event you don’t have a glass cockpit, you should utilize ADS-B knowledge to play again your flight, however it’s not almost as detailed. For engine knowledge, you’ll want an EIS of some sort, such as you’d discover in a Garmin GI-275 or G1000.
Then you want to get the info out of your airplane into FlySto. You possibly can learn all the small print on the FlySto web site, however there are principally two methods to switch knowledge:
Use an SD card to retrieve flight logs out of your panel—best for avionics just like the Garmin G1000, Garmin G5, and Avidyne Entegra.
Add a flight log to the FlyGarmin web site, which could be carried out routinely by some Garmin avionics. That is best for pilots who’ve a Flight Stream 510 (switch knowledge from panel to iPad) or a GDL 60 (switch routinely by way of WiFi/LTE to the web site). FlySto not too long ago introduced a brand new partnership with Garmin that makes sharing computerized after a one-time hyperlink is enabled.
FlySto requires you to create an account, however the service is totally free. As they are saying on their web site, “FlySto is freed from cost to your log uploads amounting to a beneficiant variety of flight hours per 12 months. To make FlySto’s ongoing improvement sustainable in the long run we’ll provide paid subscription plans for processing massive quantities of knowledge in addition to superior performance.” That feels like flight colleges and enterprise jet fleets might require a subscription in some unspecified time in the future sooner or later, however particular person pupil pilots and plane house owners can get pleasure from all these advantages for free of charge.
The app, obtainable for iPhone and Android, can also be free to obtain.
Coming from an aviation household, John grew up behind small airplanes and realized to fly as a youngster. Ever since, he has been hooked on aviation of all types and recurrently flies a Citabria, a Pilatus PC-12, and a Cirrus SR22. He’s a 4000-hour ATP and likewise holds rankings for multiengine, seaplanes, gliders, and helicopters. He has written for Flying journal, AOPA Pilot, and Airplane & Pilot, and is at present the Editor-in-Chief of Air Info and the host of the Pilot’s Discretion podcast.
