At the NBAA Convention in October, Flight Explorer announced the launch of version 5.0 of its aircraft tracking software

At the NBAA Convention in October, Flight Explorer announced the launch of version 5.0 of its aircraft tracking software. The upgrade is available from the Alexandria, Va.-based company at no cost to existing subscribers to Flight Explorer Professional. The cost to new subscribers remains at $250 a month for a one-year contract for the basic system.

Important new features of Flight Explorer version 5.0 include:

• route checking and display that enables users to view several alternative routes in relation to current traffic, TFRs and weather before filing a flight plan.
• map and background image overlays. In addition to U.S. and Canadian street-level maps from NAVTEQ, customers may also overlay any other raster-based geo-referenced background images they have available, such as FAA charts, aviation maps and satellite imagery.
• airport summary information such as METARs and TAFs, pireps, sunrise and sunset information and FAA delay information.
• new weather products such as worldwide infrared satellite coverage are available for an additional charge.
• new alert mechanisms provide the ability to highlight an aircraft of interest by zooming in on it and highlighting it with a change of color and/or a marker. More robust options allow for wireless alerts to Blackberries, PDAs and other similar portable devices.
• enhanced integration capabilities that allow the user to overlay additional data, such as trucks, cargo or other assets on the display. Flight Explorer can be integrated with other desktop applications, including flight planning systems.
• expansion of the event system includes several new events to increase usefulness to helicopter operators.
• aircraft location information has been expanded to include the latitude/longitude position for the last known location of the aircraft and the location of “parked” aircraft.
• worldwide airport, Navaid and fix information.

Other productivity-enhancing and time-saving features, such as keyboard shortcuts, have been added. For additional information, visit the Flight Explorer Web site at www.flightexplorer.com or call (866) 235-6870.