With their Summer 2021 update to version 13.5, ForeFlight has added several new features that will enhance safety while also making one of IFR flying’s most demanding tasks easier. The app has also added support for several jet makes and models to their Runway Analysis product, including the Bombardier Global 5000, Global Express, Global XRS, Learjet 60R, and Learjet 70, the Gulfstream GVII-G500, and the Embraer Phenom 300 and 300E.
The new Hold Advisor feature is included with the Pro Plus subscription plan and above, and it allows the set-up of any type of hold, making one of IFR flying’s often-frustrating procedures much easier. Like most all of ForeFlight’s features, pilots can access Hold Advisor with just a few taps, and the app will then automatically select the appropriate pattern entry based on the course to the fix, which can be a waypoint along the route, outside the route, or any arbitrary lat/long coordinate.
Another new feature is Augmented Procedures, which allows a pilot to quickly find the appropriate minimum for an approach procedure and display it as part of their route to supplement the plate and reduce the risk of errors. ForeFlight uses Jeppesen procedure data to recreate the information displayed on the plate itself, narrowing down the available minimums for each approach type based on your aircraft category and airport equipment status. Augmented Procedures is available with ForeFlight Performance Plus plans.
With support for more jet makes and models, Foreflight’s Runway Analysis tool now can directly display the various engine-out procedures (EOPs) available for a given runway directly on a preview map, simplifying comparisons between multiple EOP options. Foreflight works closely with major OEMs to enable support for the most widely flown jet aircraft in business and general aviation, with many more models coming in the near future. See a full list of currently supported models here. The Runway Analysis tool and EOP feature are available in ForeFlight’s Performance Plus subscription plan.
“ForeFlight’s June release broke ground on some amazing new technology,” said Tyson Weihs, ForeFlight co-founder & CEO. “Augmented Procedures represents the logical next step in the progression from paper charts to digital charts, in which we leverage Jeppesen’s high-quality data to enhance how pilots engage with procedures; in this case by helping them quickly find the appropriate approach minimum as a supplement to the plate. The other major feature, Hold Advisor, is a long-time customer request that we’re thrilled to finally be able to fulfill. With this in their toolkit, IFR pilots will never again have to deal with the mental gymnastics required to set up a holding pattern.”
ForeFlight can be downloaded for free in the Apple Store, with subscription plans starting at $99 per year for the Basic Plus plan, which includes the essential feature set for VFR and IFR flying. Their Pro Plus plan starting at $199.99 per year adds more safety and situational awareness features like geo-referenced charts and synthetic vision. The top-tier Performance Plus subscription at $299.99 per year adds more support for jet aircraft but has been swiftly growing in utilization amongst a broad spectrum of GA pilots. Devices that are compatible with the latest version of ForeFlight Mobile are any iPad or iPhone that can update to iOS 13, including iPad Air 2 and newer, iPad Mini 4 and newer, and iPhone 6S/6S Plus and newer. Each annual subscription grants license to one individual to use ForeFlight on two iPads and one iPhone, or one iPad and two iPhones. One geographic region is included (United States, Canada, or Europe), with additional regions available for purchase for $100.
