Plan-G ... amazing VFR flight planner (donationware)

[Adamski]

I've just discovered an incredible VFR flight planner: Plan-G. It's free/donationware. I was so impressed that I lobbed the author some Paypal credit within minutes of giving it a test run. It's an *awesome* piece of work.

Here's me (quickly) setting up a quick trip around Auckland - from NZWP to NZAR, taking in my house (HEBE), then North Head, One Tree Hill on the way. You can use any of the familiar Google Earth views - Map, Terrain, Satellite etc. to place your waypoints. After importing your FS data (airports, waypoints etc.) it superimposes the info - with many options as to what to show/hide. You add your points of interest, then edit your flight plan. So easy - even I could do it!

Here's the interface:


... and here's me about to set off from Whenuapai:


Can't wait to plan some trips down the Wanganui or along the Milford Sound

You'll need to register on the forum here to get the link to the latest version.

[Ian Warren]

Looks like another goodie to try out , i do like maps , will this work with the simple autopilots ?

[Adamski]

QUOTE (Ian Warren @ Mar 16 2010, 02:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Looks like another goodie to try out , i do like maps , will this work with the simple autopilots ?

If you mean can you follow your progress in Plan-G with the a/p on in FS? Dunno!

I created the plan in Plan-G, closed it, then "flew" it from the C172 cockpit using the GPS + a/p. Or rather - I let it fly itself as I watched the landmarks roll by!

I've just read the release notes - apparently it can also show weather and AI traffic (when connected to FS). Have yet to try that. Also, there's an add-on to factor in elevation/profile.

EDIT: It shows all AI, your own a/c - everything. I watched as the AI used the same taxiways as shown on Google Earth ... scary!



The above is a testament to Plan-G, the Godzone Auckland scenery, plus WOAI. Amazing how the AI parking slots mirror the real ones so exactly! Bad day for ATC though - two aircraft landing on 23L simultaneously

UPDATE: Tim (Arnot) is an NZFF member ... "I do still have a login at nzff (g-hevn, which is the reg of the plane I used to fly), although I don't get on there very much these days.". Now I know where I found the link ... it was here, on NZFF. Mega DUH!

[ASHLEE]

QUOTE (Adamski @ Mar 16 2010, 01:55 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I've just discovered an incredible VFR flight planner: Plan-G. It's free/donationware. I was so impressed that I lobbed the author some Paypal credit within minutes of giving it a test run. It's an *awesome* piece of work.

Here's me (quickly) setting up a quick trip around Auckland - from NZWP to NZAR, taking in my house (HEBE), then North Head, One Tree Hill on the way. You can use any of the familiar Google Earth views - Map, Terrain, Satellite etc. to place your waypoints. After importing your FS data (airports, waypoints etc.) it superimposes the info - with many options as to what to show/hide. You add your points of interest, then edit your flight plan. So easy - even I could do it!

Here's the interface:


... and here's me about to set off from Whenuapai:


Can't wait to plan some trips down the Wanganui or along the Milford Sound

You'll need to register on the forum here to get the link to the latest version.

[ASHLEE]

[quote name='Adamski' date='Mar 16 2010, 01:55 AM' post='8256347']
I've just discovered an incredible VFR flight planner: Plan-G. It's free/donationware. I was so impressed that I lobbed the author some Paypal credit within minutes of giving it a test run. It's an *awesome* piece of work.



Hi Adam,
i managed to figure out how you displayed the flight plan on the 172 GPS of PlanG. What an awesome program from Tim Arnot of
TA Software. It runs great with FSX and vista32 on dual monitors doing the Central Otago mountain flights and passes into Milford Sound. i can now low level VFR into the Capels and Greenstone valleys with more confidence and clear the Gertrude saddle without tearing the wheels off.
I thankyou again for drawing the forums attention to this amazing program.
This being (donation ware) quote: A labourer is worthy of his hire.
thanks from,
ASHLEE
Mid Cant

[Adamski]

QUOTE (ASHLEE @ Mar 28 2010, 01:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

i managed to figure out how you displayed the flight plan on the 172 GPS of PlanG. What an awesome program from Tim Arnot of
TA Software. It runs great with FSX and vista32 on dual monitors doing the Central Otago mountain flights and passes into Milford Sound. i can now low level VFR into the Capels and Greenstone valleys with more confidence and clear the Gertrude saddle without tearing the wheels off.

Now ... that's got me thinking! Someone else (in another thread) wanted to know if the Roads & Rivers add-on shows the Wanganui shows up correctly (it does ... in all its glory) ... so I took a whole series of screenshots. Maybe I should create a flight plan - using Plan-G - for a full-length trip up t' river? Could be fun to do.

It's a shockingly professional looking little program isn't it?

[2fst4u]

My plan G seemed to want to crash when I had FSX and it fired up. It's just a tad touchy. I'll give it another go soon.

[Adamski]

QUOTE (2fst4u @ Apr 26 2010, 08:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My plan G seemed to want to crash when I had FSX and it fired up. It's just a tad touchy. I'll give it another go soon.

Hmmm ... mine seems to be stable. Is your .NET up to date? Also - a problem connecting to the Internet <?> - as it has to grab the maps off Google. What order are you starting up in? Another thought is ... I seem to remember it re-loads the old map from an old session. I wonder what happens if that gets deleted.

[2fst4u]

I had FSX started up then Plan G. And my connection was good at the time (It isn't right now. Bloody capped plans )

EDIT: Reinstalled and worked fine. Only problem is my computer's specs. It just doesn't like running anything else when FSX is open.