DALLAS — Aviation Mobile Apps has introduced GPS Coordinate Converter, which gives pilots a faster and simpler way to convert coordinates mid-flight, among other functions.
The new app measures distance and bearing, and includes a database of airports and radio navigation aids, a smart keyboard, bookmarks, and a built-in user guide, according to Aviation Mobile Apps Founder Bill DeWeese.
According to DeWeese, GPS Coordinate Converter was designed to do one job: Convert coordinates between all the major formats. These include latitude and longitude, decimal degrees, degrees-minutes-seconds, degrees and decimal minutes, UTM, ARINC 424, and FMS.
The app is especially useful for pilots on oceanic flights, where receiving coordinates in several different formats is common, he noted.
Pilots can use GPS Coordinate Converter to convert data relayed by an air traffic controller to a format accepted by their flight computer.
The distance and bearing feature of GPS Coordinate Converter places both coordinates on a map, tracing a line between them showing the shortest route. The app naturally accounts for the curvature of the Earth. Initial distance and bearing is measured in several formats simultaneously: Nautical miles, nautical miles UK, kilometers or statute miles.
When an Internet connection is available, the app can even provide time zone and postal code data for coordinates, he noted.
The GPS Coordinate Converter’s smart keyboard is designed exclusively for working with geographic coordinates. The app understands and adapts to the context of different coordinate formats. Only the keys that make sense at each position are active, which prevents many common data entry errors, according to DeWeese. Should the user hit an inactive key, the app will suggest which type of entry should be made instead.
“Our specialized keyboard makes it easy to do the right thing and hard to do the wrong thing,” he said. “And yes, copy and paste works, too.”
Users can save and recall frequently used coordinates with GPS Coordinate Converter’s bookmark feature. Coordinates are saved locally in any format rather than in the cloud, so network strength is never an issue. Users can re-arrange saved data to suit their needs. “Delete” and “Delete All” commands are also available.
A searchable database makes it easy to find the coordinates of airports and navigation aids around the world. Complete postal addresses are provided when applicable. Database contents include not only airports, but also heliports, seaplane bases, VOR/VORTAC stations, NDB stations and DME stations.
Other Aviation Mobile Apps include METARs Aviation Weather, myE6B Aviation Calculator and Holding Pattern Computer.
Pilots can download GPS Coordinate Converter now from the App Store.
This is a good idea! Is a vewrsion available for Android?