AirCalc versus CoPilot

Guest Discussion
1

As I promised about a week ago, I have downloaded CoPilot and the associated waypoint databases, and can comment on my comparison versus AirCalc.

First, AirCalc cost $79 from AvShop, while CoPilot is free. I’ll disregard that for the balance of my comparison, but the value equation obviously is influenced by the price difference.

When all is said and done, I found that the most useful features of AirCalc were the Weight&Balance calculator, and the E6B functions. While it has a “flight planning” function, you have to enter lat/lon - not much use.

CoPilot, on the other hand, has a true flight planning function (if you download the waypoint data base), just like Destination Direct or your software of choice. I compared it to the information I derived from Destination Direct, and it was virtually on the mark for distance, direction, fuel burn, and time. Amazing! This is a true asset, as you’re stranded in nowheresville, and you need to know how long and far it is to civilization, and how much gas you’ll need. The W&B, while not quite as glitzy as the AirCalc, clearly does the job accurately.

So, the AirCalc has E6B functions which the CoPilot doesn’t. CoPilot has real flight and fuel planning functions, which AirCalc essentially doesn’t. In my opinion, there’s no comparison, irrespective of the price difference. The price (or lack thereof) makes CoPilot all the better. Take your Palm Pilot, loaded with CoPilot, and your whiz-wheel or Sporty’s electronic E6B, and you’ve got it made!

Laurie, on behalf of those who use your terrific shareware, and those who don’t but should, THANKS!! (And to think one of us called you a girl) If you’re ever near SUS, let me know (e-mail works) and I’ll take you anywhere you want to go in the world’s greatest aircraft.

Andy

2

Regarding Weight & Balance; Check out the Excel Spreadsheet that Denis (N726CD) modified. It has buttons to change the weights and fuel, etc. It works great and can be loaded onto a laptop or a Palm that has Excel. No keyboard needed. Look on the main page under “STUFF”.

Bill

As I promised about a week ago, I have downloaded CoPilot and the associated waypoint databases, and can comment on my comparison versus AirCalc.

First, AirCalc cost $79 from AvShop, while CoPilot is free. I’ll disregard that for the balance of my comparison, but the value equation obviously is influenced by the price difference.

When all is said and done, I found that the most useful features of AirCalc were the Weight&Balance calculator, and the E6B functions. While it has a “flight planning” function, you have to enter lat/lon - not much use.

CoPilot, on the other hand, has a true flight planning function (if you download the waypoint data base), just like Destination Direct or your software of choice. I compared it to the information I derived from Destination Direct, and it was virtually on the mark for distance, direction, fuel burn, and time. Amazing! This is a true asset, as you’re stranded in nowheresville, and you need to know how long and far it is to civilization, and how much gas you’ll need. The W&B, while not quite as glitzy as the AirCalc, clearly does the job accurately.

So, the AirCalc has E6B functions which the CoPilot doesn’t. CoPilot has real flight and fuel planning functions, which AirCalc essentially doesn’t. In my opinion, there’s no comparison, irrespective of the price difference. The price (or lack thereof) makes CoPilot all the better. Take your Palm Pilot, loaded with CoPilot, and your whiz-wheel or Sporty’s electronic E6B, and you’ve got it made!

Laurie, on behalf of those who use your terrific shareware, and those who don’t but should, THANKS!! (And to think one of us called you a girl) If you’re ever near SUS, let me know (e-mail works) and I’ll take you anywhere you want to go in the world’s greatest aircraft.

Andy

3

And of course, if you want E6B capabilities, there are lots of shareware applications out there, there may be some freeware too. In either case, they are all less than $79 …

Chris

As I promised about a week ago, I have downloaded CoPilot and the associated waypoint databases, and can comment on my comparison versus AirCalc.

First, AirCalc cost $79 from AvShop, while CoPilot is free. I’ll disregard that for the balance of my comparison, but the value equation obviously is influenced by the price difference.

When all is said and done, I found that the most useful features of AirCalc were the Weight&Balance calculator, and the E6B functions. While it has a “flight planning” function, you have to enter lat/lon - not much use.

CoPilot, on the other hand, has a true flight planning function (if you download the waypoint data base), just like Destination Direct or your software of choice. I compared it to the information I derived from Destination Direct, and it was virtually on the mark for distance, direction, fuel burn, and time. Amazing! This is a true asset, as you’re stranded in nowheresville, and you need to know how long and far it is to civilization, and how much gas you’ll need. The W&B, while not quite as glitzy as the AirCalc, clearly does the job accurately.

So, the AirCalc has E6B functions which the CoPilot doesn’t. CoPilot has real flight and fuel planning functions, which AirCalc essentially doesn’t. In my opinion, there’s no comparison, irrespective of the price difference. The price (or lack thereof) makes CoPilot all the better. Take your Palm Pilot, loaded with CoPilot, and your whiz-wheel or Sporty’s electronic E6B, and you’ve got it made!

Laurie, on behalf of those who use your terrific shareware, and those who don’t but should, THANKS!! (And to think one of us called you a girl) If you’re ever near SUS, let me know (e-mail works) and I’ll take you anywhere you want to go in the world’s greatest aircraft.

Andy