I would suggest that the extra level of detail (e.g. the CAA 250:000) would be great to have for the printed back up but is unnecessary when everything is working as advertised on the ipad. This would avoid the need for huge data downloads on the ipad itself.

Suggestion...... If you're planning to fly over unfamiliar territory, you could choose to create additional waypoints such as chalk figures. Then give them a particular type of symbol, such as a blue spot.

I tend to confirm such features via google earth and then create the waypoints.

Having been used to CAA 250k MM charts prior to my conversion to the faith, I was a little apprehensive when I did my first long distance flight with SD. However, I found the basic mapping to be quite adequate.

Having bolstered the detail with assorted recognisable features as waypoints, I'm happy with the compromise.

SD and a cheap Chinese satnav = Jobzagoodun.

We would consider increasing the detail level for roads etc if a lot of people made it clear that the level of detail at the moment is insufficient. I don't see that happening any time soon as I think we've got the balance right for the normal usage pattern of the software. I can't see us adding things like white horses though; it's a GPS navigation system after all.

Thanks for the reply Tim,

As a moving map for real-time navigation it is perfect and the fast update and less cluttered view is definitely a bonus.

I was just hoping to be able to increase the detail levels for printouts (even if this was an optoin on the PC only it would be useful) as having a single sheet printout with my planned route drawn on it exactly (ie matching the PLOG I have printed from SD) would be really useful as a backup should the iPad fail in some way.

I did this as a 'test' which is how I discovered this and I found it much easier to use a sheet of A4 than the unwieldy folded CAA map, which I found throughout my training that I always seem to pick up upside down or looking at the wrong side for several seconds. A single sided print of A4 is so much easier to use for a quick glance (even if the CAA map is carried in case it is needed).

However, what I found was that with the current levels of detail (and and lack of visual references, like the white horses) then I'll have to carry on drawing up the route on the CAA map. Maybe you could consider this in the future?

(Oh, along with being able to get SD to draw in plot 5deg/10deg 'off track' lines to aid estimation of closing angle)

Because we have decided that, in our product, highly detailed roads are not important. There are other products where that decision might not have been made, but it fits our needs well and is a good balance between detail and speed and memory consumption.

To say our charts are not accurate implies they are not accurate from an aeronautical standpoint, which would be wrong.

I do a lot of open cockpit flying where it isn't an option to take out a printed map, unfold it and re-fold it in a way that shows your route and fits on my kneeboard. Doing that would just tear it out of my hands.

For exactly that reason I was looking toward SD as my chance to a paperless cockpit. Therefore I put in my vote in favor of a more accurate map representation.

I would like to have the option to select the level of accuracy in the setup. Every video game lets me choose my balance between fidelity and speed. Why not SD?

-- Chris.

I have to say that the CAA maps are great when it comes to "in cockpit" use. Those moments when you haven't folded it quite right in the pre-flight checks (I'm sure we have all been there) and have to refold "in flight".

It guarentees at least 5 minutes of IMC flying on an otherwise perfectly sunny day when you begin to undertake the CAA set Mensa task of working out what folds goes where in order to put a 4' x 4' object into an 8" x 8" space.

The most enjoyable part has to be that it's the only IMC flying I have done where I cannot see outside the cockpit while, at the same time, not being able to see any of the instruments inside the cockpit.

Adds a new meaning to "flying by the seat of your pants". Best total instrument failure I've ever experienced and still trying to work out how to determine which way is up!

Just a thought!

Biggles -- EGKB

Thanks for the reply Tim, I was just checking there wasn't another overlay I'd missed for the extra features either on the moving map or for pre-flight planning. They are quite useful as turn points.

As for the detail levels of roads/rivers, I understand for the moving map whilst airborne that speed is important and the GPS fix means the exact shape of features isn't really an issue.

Howecver, that was really more a question for the planning side. I have been printing out a map with route on it, but found that this really isn't accurate enough for falling back on if there is a GPS issue so was again wondering if there was an increased detail level I'd missed. Clearly for pre-planning (which I tend to do on the PC) having the most accurate printout is beneficial and load time isn't an issue.

I guess I'll just continue to draw my route on the CAA map as well (though a nicely cropped and printed single sheet would be easier to refer to that a folded CAA map)

Surely, there is also the added fact that a pilot should always carry a constantly refered to, up-to-date, route marked map so that in the event of a GPS failure he is not bimbling around in a three dimensional no-mans-land!!! All the additional data for further accurate VFR navigation is there-on.

I love SkyDemon but traditional VFR navigation techniques must never be forgotten or allowed to fall into dissuse. You never know when you might need them in earnest!!!

Fly safe

Smokey