ForeFlight Releases Flight-planning Improvements

In the new Version 9.6 update of the ForeFlight electronic flight bag app, ForeFlight developers have improved the app’s flight-planning features, delivery of important airport Notams, flight log updating, and other capabilities.

The former AviationCloud Autoroute flight routing engine has been redesigned and renamed Recommended Route (this feature is available for ForeFlight Performance subscribers). Based on aircraft performance profiles built into the app for a variety of piston and turbine-powered types, the Recommended Route optimizes routing and altitude and also analyzes FAA preferred routes and ATC-cleared routes to provide options that the pilot can choose from.

For jet airplanes, the routing engine maximizes time at efficient high altitudes, but also, according to ForeFlight, “applies, roughly, a one-third rule for climb, cruise, and descent so you’re not running a full parabolic flight plan and can level off for a few minutes,” which frequently is requested by ATC. If the crew is planning to fly a short leg, the routing engine compensates and doesn’t automatically try to suggest climbing to higher altitudes.

To help pilots gain more use from the voluminous Notams published by various authorities, ForeFlight analyzes Notams and looks for specific runway closure information, which is then made available prominently. When connected to a compatible ADS-B In receiver, ForeFlight updates the closure warnings in flight.

When the crew uses the "Flights" tab to plan flights, all the data needed for the flight—such as charts, weather, and Notams—can be downloaded using the Pack feature. Pro Plus and Performance-level subscribers also receive icing and turbulence map layers in their Pack download.

Other new v9.6 features include a Flight Log with automatic time calculations, including block, flight, and meter times. Performance users can fine-tune the built-in performance profiles by comparing ETE and fuel burn with actual results using bias sliders in the aircraft view section. ForeFlight model output statistics (MOS) forecasts now include temperature and dewpoint data. The Navlog has been updated with FBO details, and this includes buttons for contacting the FBO via email and telephone.