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Dear Voyager User,
Ah, good to be behind a keyboard writing a newsletter again! For the past few months, we've been hard at work at two projects -- Voyager 4.2 (available today -- more later in the newsletter) and, well, something I can't talk about yet.
We're also preparing for the annual flight of passage (get it?) called Oshkosh. This year, we're looking forward to another great show, like last Oshkosh where we set a sales record. And, keeping with a summer tradition, we're offering any module for just $99 until June 1.
Flight Log is a recurring newsletter for all Voyager users, with the latest Voyager news, tips, and tricks. I'm very interested in your feedback, either to the newsletter or to Voyager itself. Please send any comments or suggestions to me directly at SteveP@SeattleAvionics.com.
Back issues of Flight Log are available from our Web site at http://www.seattleavionics.com/Newsletters
Pictures of the Month
This is a demonstration of Voyager 4.2's new Flight Guide service. With this optional service, you get incredibly easy to follow airport and airspace diagrams that cover about 5,000 US airports -- unlike the FAA charts that only cover about 1,500 airports.
| FAA Diagram |
Flight Guide Diagram |
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 New Voyager 4.2
Voyager 4.2 adds several frequently requested features plus, like all releases, fixes some bugs.
Flight Guide Integration
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This is a really useful feature. When I learned to fly, one of the first things I bought was a subscription to a little brown book called Flight Guide. It was like the FAA's AF/D book on steroids in that it had more information, much better layout and, above all, far more and far better airport diagrams. In fact, Flight Guide has detailed airport diagrams for about 5,000 airports, each of which clearly point-out individual FBOs and other locations on the field. They also have extremely easy to understand airspace diagrams for dozens of areas around the country. |
With Voyager 4.2, we now display these diagrams in the Airport Information window, while in GlassView and when printing information about an airport.
Introductory Special, 20% Off
This data is licensed from Airguide Publications, the publishers of Flight Guide. The usual price for the annual subscription which covers the continental 48 states is $89. However, we can offer these subscriptions at an introductory price of $69 or $49 for a six month subscription.
Export to Garmin G1000/430W/530W and the Bendix/King AV8OR
Voyager 4.2 adds considerably to the devices to which we can export a flight plan. In particular, we've been able to export to Garmin handheld units for years but everyone with an in-panel Garmin has been clamoring for export to their 430, 530 or G1000. Now we can do it. You can transfer either a complete flight plan or just your Personal Waypoints. If you have a G1000, you simply need a $5 SD card and you're done. If you have a 430W or 530W (does not work on the non-WAAS units), you'll also need to get the Flight Plan Migrator Kit from Garmin. Click here for more information.
In addition to the Garmin support, we also introducing export to the very popular new Bendix/King AV8OR device. If you were at Oshkosh last year, you may remember that Bendix/King made quite a splash when they introduced this little $799 powerhouse last year.
Of course, keep in mind that Voyager can also export to many other applications and devices such as a Lowrance handheld, Google Earth, Microsoft Flight Simulator, WingX and Anywhere Map.
To download Voyager 4.2, all you need is a current ChartData subscription. If you have one, simply start Voyager and it should tell you that the new version is available (or try Tools/Update Application). If your ChartData has expired, this would be an ideal time to renew.
 $99 Module Sale Until June 1
Got your IFR during the winter? Decided to fly with a tablet in the plane? Want to move up from SmartPlan Express to SmartPlan Premier? Well, if any of these apply, today's the day as we're offering any single Voyager module (SmartPlan Premier, SmartPlates or GlassView) for just $99. That's more than a 30% savings from our usual price but the offer expires June 1, 2009 so act fast.
Tips and Tricks
As always, please send your questions and favorite tips to SteveP@SeattleAvionics.com.
A reminder that past Tips and Tricks are available from our Web site at
http://www.seattleavionics.com/Newsletters
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Watch the Video. If you haven't already watched our Voyager 4 Overview video, we strongly suggest you have a look. While it won't win an Emmy, it will give you a great start on using Voyager.
Voyager 4 (full product) Overview
http://www.seattleavionics.com/videos/V4Overview.wmv |
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Downloading All Flight Guide diagrams. Once you subscribe to the Flight Guide service, you can download diagrams for all 5,000 or so airports with one click. That's Tools/Update Data/Download Flight Guide Diagrams. |
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Preload Scanned Charts. When you display a scanned Sectional or IFR chart, Voyager works like Google Earth in that it downloads 'bits' or 'tiles' of the appropriate chart on the fly. This works great while connected to the Internet but most of us don't have the Web while we fly. Thus, Voyager includes a feature to not only download full scanned charts but also automatically ensure that they stay current. From the Chart button, select Show Chart Viewer then click the  button. Check the charts you want Voyager to constantly monitor and click OK. |
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Remove Old Files. Voyager keeps track of all the flight plans you create and open for quick access later. Over time, you may want to clear the list and start again. To do that, select Options from the Tools menu then click the Clear List of Recently Opened Files button. In addition, if you use Web Synch, you'll also want to remove the files from the server or they'll come back after a synch. To do that, select Web Synch from the File menu and click the Delete old items from WebSynch link. |
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Update Your Video Driver. Voyager 4, like Google Earth and Microsoft Flight Simulator, is very much dependent on your computer's video card and, perhaps even more so, on the video card driver. Even if the video card or computer is new (in fact, especially when either is new), there is often an updated video driver that enhances performance and fixes problems. Microsoft DirectX and Voyager 4 depend on the video card driver so any weakness in the driver may be very obvious by stray lines or generally garbled images. Thus, it's a very, very good idea to ensure that you have the latest video driver for your card. Oddly, the automated Microsoft Update mechanism does not usually find updated drivers so you'll need to check your video card manufacture's Web site. Click below for more information such as how to determine which video card your machine has and how to update the driver; it's not as hard as it sounds.
http://www.seattleavionics.com/support/VideoCards.aspx |
Upcoming Events
Seattle Avionics Software will be showing Voyager at the following upcoming events. Stop by to say hello, see the latest Voyager features, and ask the experts any questions you have about Voyager.
July 27 - August 2, 2009. AirVenture. Oshkosh, WI.
Until next time, happy flying.
- Steve Podradchik, CEO (and Editor)
SteveP@SeattleAvionics.com |
