Spin vs FBOlink

Featured in Flying Magazine July 2012 "8 Great Aviation Apps"! Reviewed favorably on AOPA Flight Planning App Roulette 20 Nov 2012 Designed by an airline pilot, Spin-a-Wind calculates wind components, temperatures, altitudes and airspeeds. The headwind (tailwind) and crosswind components are based on the runway, and reported wind direction and speed. If the airport has parallel runways, using the runway number closest to the actual magnetic heading of the runway gives the most accurate results. The result is also displayed graphically. Crosswind and tailwind components are rounded up, while the headwind component is rounded down, making sure that all results depict the worst case. To instantly change to the opposite (reciprocal) runway, tap the runway number at the far end. Spinning reels are used to make your selections. No keyboard is necessary. Results of calculations are displayed instantly when the last reel stops. The app was designed for one handed use, and ease of operation. The second item on the tab bar links you to a page with temperature conversions. Enter the temperature in degrees Celsius, and instantly the Fahrenheit conversion is displayed, as well as the chill factor in °C and °F using the NWS Wind Chill index used by the U.S. and Canada. (note: the NWS Wind Chill index is not valid for greater than 50°F or less than 3 mph of wind. Relative Humidity and Heat Stress Index are calculated using the entered Dewpoint Temperature. The third item deals with altitudes, metric, pressure altitude and density altitude. Density altitude is diaplayed for assumed dry air, and also moist air (based upon the temp/dewpoint spread entered in the temperature page. The fourth item is the Airspeed Calculator. It uses equations for TAS, mach, and speed of sound. The equations used will be accurate even for the higher speeds of jet aircraft. The fifth item on the tab bar moves the view to the settings page. Here, you can set your display speed units (kts, mph, kph) and pressure units(inHg, hPa, mb) as well as the threshold points where the wind results turn amber (caution zone) and red (aircraft limits).

Digital communications between airplane and Fixed Base Operators (FBO) Customer Service Representatives (CSR) Over 1000 FBOs are now available for messaging with FBOlink! FBOlink provides air crew with a direct, real-time communications channel to Customer Service Representatives! Send text messages to an FBO CSR terminal from anywhere in the world via an internet connection! Communicate in-flight itinerary changes or accommodate unique passenger requests during the relative calm of en-route cruise segments when outside of radio range. The airplane's tail number and aircraft type are included with every message so that the FBO CSR terminal can best help the pilot's exact needs. All messages include a Read Receipt for both the pilot and CSR to indicate successful communication.