CoPilot is a software application program for Palm OS handhelds that performs general aviation flight planning calculations -- the calculations that you would usually perform with a ruler, a protractor and an E6B calculator. CoPilot stores the data for flights so that you can refer back to previous trips (or modify them for new trips).

CoPilot is based on the concept of a flight. A flight consists of four components - a flight description, a route, a weight and balance calculation, and a flight plan. Each of these components has an associated form. The information that you enter on these forms is automatically stored in the flight database. The number of flights that can be kept is limited only by the total memory on the Palm handheld. CoPilot can be customized to use any set of units.

The Flight Description form is used to enter basic information about the flight. The aircraft and pilot information must have been previously entered into their respective databases in order to have them available for selection on this form. This form also contains buttons to enable the user to create a new flight, display an existing flight in the database, or delete the currently displayed flight from the database.

The Route form is used to specify the legs of the flight. For each leg, the distance, the magnetic track, the magnetic heading, and the estimated time enroute are displayed. The waypoints and aircraft performance information must have been previously entered. Waypoint databases (airports, navaids, etc.) are available for download.

The calculations (e.g. time to climb, cruise speed, fuel flow) are based on the detailed performance characteristics of the aircraft as entered in the aircraft database. The aircraft performance is adjusted according to the altitude, pressure and temperature. The heading and groundspeed are based on the wind speed and direction.

The Weight & Balance form is used to calculate and plot the aircraft weight and balance for the flight. The fuel reserve is calculated using the fuel consumption from the Route form and the fuel on board which is entered on this form.

The Flight Plan form is used to collect the data that is required when calling the FSS to file a flight plan. It supports the standard ICAO flight plan format as well as the Canadian and American formats. Most of the form is automatically completed using information from the aircraft database, the pilot database, the Flight Description form, the Route form, and the Weight & Balance form.

What would the flight time be in a different aircraft? Simply select a different aircraft on the Flight Description form and all of the information is automatically updated. Is the aircraft out of balance? Simply move some weight around on the Weight & Balance form and see how the graph changes.

CoPilot also provides a number of E6B functions. Crosswind and headwind components can be calculated using the Cross Wind form. Simply enter the wind and the runway.

Density Altitude and True Airspeed can be calculated using the DA & TAS form. The temperature can either be the true temperature or the indicated temperature (CoPilot will compensate for the air compressibility).

The Winds Aloft form can be used to calculate the winds. Enter the track, heading, airspeed and groundspeed.

Waypoint databases (airports, navaids, etc.) are available from Paul Tomblin.

Do you have a GPS connected to your Palm and would like navigation support? Check out FlightMaster. FlightMaster will provide enroute navigation support for your CoPilot flight.

CoPilot is distributed free, however donations are gratefully accepted. You can make a donation by "purchasing" a copy of CoPilot. There is no difference between the trial version and the full version.

No new features in version 5.2, just a number of bug fixes.

New versions of CoPilot are compatible with any PREVIOUS version. Do NOT delete the old version before you install the new version.