ForeFlight has added new functionality to its mobile app’s weight and balance and hazard advisor features and announced new prices that became effective on March 22.
Enhanced weight and balance makes it easier for pilots to update an aircraft’s loading at the last minute—for example, when there is a change in the number of passengers or cargo load near takeoff time. A new “Weight & Balance” link in the Flights payload section gives instant access to the weight and balance profile, allowing editing of any elements without having to open the aircraft’s separate weight and balance page.
The new weight and balance is an optional ForeFlight Labs feature, and users can opt to switch it off and continue using the existing system. Users will need to migrate their aircraft profiles to use enhanced weight and balance. The feature will become a permanent part of ForeFlight later this year.
Hazard advisor now includes an altitude preview function, allowing pilots to plot a path around high terrain before and during a flight and see how different altitudes affect terrain clearance. Available with Pro Plus and above subscriptions, hazard advisor matches the aircraft’s actual GPS altitude while in the air, though the user can still manipulate the altitude slider to see how terrain clearance changes, including in the profile view. After letting go of the altitude slider, it snaps back to the current altitude.
When flight planning, hazard advisor always matches the planned altitude whenever it is changed. This includes when using the altitude advisor, route advisor, or selecting an aircraft with a different default altitude. An interesting aspect of this new feature is that in profile view, the user can move the slider up and down and simultaneously see how both the planned altitude and changed altitude look compared to terrain.
Another recent addition to ForeFlight is for subscribers to Jeppesen charts, allowing viewing and planning flights with North Atlantic, Pacific, and Australian organized tracks on Jeppesen IFR en route charts. This is available with Performance Plus plans, and pilots can add the tracks to their route using the “include track” option in the route advisor constraints menu.
ForeFlight has raised the three individual tier prices to $120 for Basic Plus (from $100); $240 for Pro Plus (from $200); and $360 for Performance Plus (from $300). Legacy Basic and Pro subscription plans are no longer available, even under “grandfathered” status. Business and military customer pricing did not change.
In a FAQ response on its website, Boeing-owned ForeFlight explained the new prices: “In the more than five years since we introduced the plus plans, we've worked hard to continually add value for all customers while keeping prices unchanged. We're making this adjustment now to reflect our ever-growing investments to give you the most advanced integrated flight app available. We remain as committed as ever to our mission of making your flight planning easier and your flying safer and more enjoyable, and we sincerely appreciate your business.”