# Flyover Country — offline flight tracking

> Offline GPS tracking with geologic maps and points of interest for travel and outdoor activities. (iPhone/iPad app by Regents of the University of Minnesota.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flyover-country/id1059886913 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Regents of the University of Minnesota](https://appshunter.io/developer/455216626)
- Category: Travel, Navigation
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.16/5 from 299 App Store ratings · 79 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 11.0 · 85 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2015-12-03
- Data updated: 2026-08-20
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flyover-country/id1059886913/reviews.md

## What is Flyover Country?

Track your flight with GPS - discover information about the world below and clouds above with offline maps and points of interest.  Worldwide.
**GPS functionality is only possible from the window seat and GPS reception quality varies by device/conditions**

Learn about the world along the path of your flight, hike, or road trip with GPS tracking. Offline geologic maps and interactive points of interest reveal the locations of fossils, core samples, and georeferenced Wikipedia articles visible from your airplane window seat, road trip, or hiking trail vista.

Follow Flyover Country for updates and photos from the sky!
https://www.facebook.com/flyovercountryapp/
https://twitter.com/flyovergeo/
https://www.instagram.com/flyovergeo/
https://flyovercountry.io/

Submit issues, suggestions, and comments via Google Forms http://goo.gl/forms/Yhw9AvMcbTOHTZCf1

Flyover Country is a National Science Foundation funded offline mobile app for geoscience outreach and data discovery. The app exposes interactive geologic maps from Macrostrat.org, fossil localities from Neotomadb.org and Paleobiodb.org, Wikipedia articles, offline base maps, and the user’s current GPS determined location, altitude, speed, and heading. The app analyzes a given flight path and caches relevant map data and points of interest (POI), and displays these data during the flight, without in flight wifi.  By downloading only the data relevant to a particular flightpath, cache sizes remain reasonable, allowing for a robust experience without an internet connection.  

Flyover Country is not limited to the window seat of airplanes. It is also ideal for road trips, hiking, and other outdoor activities such as field trips and geologic field work.

## Key features

- Offline GPS tracking
- Interactive geologic maps
- Points of interest (fossils, Wikipedia)
- Flight path data caching
- Altitude, speed, and heading display
- Offline base maps

## What do users think of Flyover Country?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- 🌍 Educational geological and scientific content
- ✈️ Real-time GPS tracking during flights
- 📱 Offline map downloading capability
- 🎓 Wikipedia entries and field guides integration
- 🪟 Detailed geological and paleontological information
- 🎯 Intuitive path selection interface
- 🔬 Science-based app from University of Minnesota

**Cons**

- 🐛 GPS frequently fails to locate signal
- ❌ Path/route saving consistently fails
- 🌐 Internet connection errors despite strong signal
- ⏳ Extremely slow data downloads
- 📵 Non-functional in airplane mode
- 🔄 Downloads freeze at high percentages (71-95%)
- 📱 Inconsistent performance across devices
- 🖼️ Portrait orientation only limitation
- ⚠️ Frequent app crashes
- 🗺️ Terrain maps lack hydrologic feature labels

**Commonly reported bugs**

- GPS signal not detected during flight despite other apps working
- Path saving fails with 'check internet connection' error on iPad
- Download progress freezes at 71-95% completion
- File system initialization fails on startup
- App crashes unexpectedly
- Map panning becomes unresponsive
- Wikipedia content no longer loads
- Geologic map layer cannot be disabled
- App won't accept special characters in path names
- GPS stops working once airborne
- Offline download fails despite strong WiFi/cellular connection
- White screen appears instead of map
- App won't appear or update on some devices

**Most requested features**

- Better terrain maps with labeled hydrologic features
- User-defined Points of Interest (POIs) with export capability
- User-updatable geologic maps with local detail options
- Landscape feature identification (rivers, mountains, etc.)
- Ability to label saved paths after creation
- Map resolution selection for storage optimization
- Wider path display options for great circle routes
- Integration with flight path databases
- Colorblind-friendly color schemes
- Support for international/non-USA coverage
- Landscape orientation support
- City/state and airport code search functionality
- Alphabetized saved city pair list
- Allow special characters (dashes) in path names

## Recent user reviews (10 of 79)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flyover-country/id1059886913/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Worthless

*2026-06-14, version 2.6.5*

Have never been able to get this app to work. Never gets a GPS fix. Garbage.

### 4/5 — Please release a fix :(

*2026-05-14, version 2.6.5*

Such a great app, pity it doesn’t work anymore

### 1/5 — Fix save to iOS please

*2026-05-07, version 2.6.5*

Love the app, been using for years.  Can no longer save paths on iPhone, always an error about internet connection.

Hint: It’s not an internet connection issue.

### 3/5 — BUG REPORT: Can’t save anything

*2026-04-25, version 2.6.5*

I LOVE this app! I only added a lower rating to try and get attention to this bug report. On iOS you can no longer save anything. I’ve been using the app for years without problems, but a few months ago I noticed the bug that doesn’t allow you to save data. I tried reporting it through the app and nothing happens when you click “provide feedback “

### 5/5 — Loved the app but lately

*2026-01-27, version 2.6.5*

Failed to initiate file system on startup? Thoughts? Brand new iPad. Up to date iOS

### 1/5 — Doesnt allow path saving to IPAD

*2025-11-02, version 2.6.5*

there s a bug on Ipad Mini 6, does not allow to create or save paths on ipad. Fails with Error “Requests failed,, please check internet connection”

### 5/5 — Fully recommend

*2025-07-10, version 2.6.5*

Although I have flown many times I still feel anxious and I realise that is a lot to do with not knowing where I am. I downloaded this a few days ahead of my flight, typed in the route and saved the maps. I was able to easily get GPS location of where I was while at high altitudes and found it really useful- fully recommend and will use again.

### 1/5 — Doesn’t work at all

*2025-05-04, version 2.6.5*

Every time I try to create  path it says it failed because I’m not connected to the internet. I have full bars plus wifi available. And yes I tried to break the path into tiny pieces too. Nothing works. Very disappointing. Would love if it worked

### 1/5 — 💀

*2024-09-02, version 2.5.3*

I tried downloading a route and it just stops at 71% I’m on decent wifi

### 1/5 — GPS Kaput!

*2024-08-17, version 2.5.3*

It could have been a great app… if the GPS worked.
I wonder why so many navigation apps are disappearing from the App Store.

## Frequently asked questions about Flyover Country

### What does Flyover Country do?

Flyover Country is an offline mobile app that uses GPS to track your location during flights, hikes, or road trips. It provides interactive geologic maps, points of interest like fossil locations and Wikipedia articles, and displays your current altitude, speed, and heading, all without requiring an internet connection.

### How does the offline functionality work?

The app analyzes your planned flight path or route and caches relevant map data and points of interest. This allows you to access detailed information about the world below, including geologic maps and articles, even when you don't have in-flight Wi-Fi or cellular service.

### Is Flyover Country free to use?

Yes, Flyover Country is a free mobile application. It is funded by the National Science Foundation for geoscience outreach and data discovery, meaning there are no costs associated with downloading or using its features.

### What kind of information can I discover with this app?

You can discover information about the geology, fossils, and geography along your route. The app displays interactive geologic maps from Macrostrat.org, fossil localities from Neotomadb.org and Paleobiodb.org, and georeferenced Wikipedia articles relevant to your location.

### Can I use this app for activities other than flying?

Absolutely. While designed for flights, Flyover Country is also ideal for road trips, hiking, and other outdoor activities such as field trips and geologic fieldwork. Its offline capabilities make it a valuable tool for exploration in any environment.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.6.5 — 2024-12-21

Update eODP ocean sites naming

### 2.6.4 — 2024-12-05

New ocean layer - eODP scientific drilling expeditions, revamped location and saving processes.

### 2.5.3 — 2021-06-05

Fixed a GPS permissions issue.

### 2.5.2 — 2021-05-06

Fix for iPad saving issues.

### 2.5.1 — 2021-03-06

We're now incorporating citizen science observations from NASA's GLOBE program as an optional data layer! In addition, scientists can request observations for different regions of the planet. If you happen to be passing through one of these regions on a trip, you'll be prompted to contribute observations that will help NASA scientists understand our world.

## Apps similar to Flyover Country

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Flightradar24 \| Flight Tracker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flightradar24-flight-tracker/id382233851) | 4.8 (651,840) | Free | Travel |
| [Planes Live - Flight Tracker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/planes-live-flight-tracker/id1097815000) | 4.6 (93,079) | Free | Travel |
| [AirNav Radar – Flight Tracker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/airnav-radar-flight-tracker/id1382868950) | 4.7 (1,262) | Free | Travel |
| [Plane Finder ⁃ Flight Tracker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/plane-finder-flight-tracker/id361273585) | 4.7 (60,105) | Free | Travel |
| [FlightAware Flight Tracker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flightaware-flight-tracker/id316793974) | 4.9 (379,888) | Free | Travel |
| [Flight Tracker +](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flight-tracker-plus/id533365777) | 4.7 (289,693) | Free | Travel |

## More apps by Regents of the University of Minnesota

- [Wellscapes](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wellscapes/id455216623)
- [Psychological First Aid (PFA) Tutorial](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/psychological-first-aid-pfa-tutorial/id551424464)
- [UMD German Grammar Guide](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/umd-german-grammar-guide/id605464079)
- [Healthy Horse](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/healthy-horse/id644334127)
- [Hay Price Calc](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hay-price-calc/id650828103)
- [University of Minnesota SALSA](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/university-of-minnesota-salsa/id935301274)

All apps by Regents of the University of Minnesota: https://appshunter.io/developer/455216626

## Related topics

[flyover country](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/flyover-country) · [flyover](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/flyover) · [the flyover](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/the-flyover) · [geoheritage](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/geoheritage) · [gopher trip](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/gopher-trip) · [mount lemmon science tour](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/mount-lemmon-science-tour)

---

*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-20.*