Flymap L GPS

FLYMAP L
PRICE: £3300 APPROX

FOR anyone who hasn't seen a Flymap GPS moving map system, the key feature is that your GPS position is displayed on a digital re-creation of a VFR chart that moves as you fly along.

LOOP has had the Pocket Flymap version on long term test and we've now finally got to use the Flymap 'L' - so how does it measure up?

If you just want a GPS to get from A to B, then the Flymap L or XL isn't for you. At around £3300 for the 'L' version (with a 6.4 inch screen) and around £4100 for the 'XL' (8.4in screen), it's a lot of money if you're not intending to use the full range of unique features it offers.

But if you're a regular flyer and cover large distances then the Flymap will soon become the heart of the cockpit. Why? Seeing what's coming up ahead on such a large screen with things such as airspace and obstacles highlighted, frees up the brain cells you'd usually be using to worry about your location.

Pressing the touch screen to zoom in on the map or to scroll to see what's ahead makes it easy to use. It also has safety-related features such as proximity alerts for controlled airspace or danger zones.
The black track line extending out in front of the aircraft symbol is also useful - it shows where you'll be in 10 minutes' time. 

You can also download weather information from the internet before your flight and call this up on the display whilst airborne.

If you need to enter an extra waypoint in flight (to route round a control zone or bad weather), then you simply tap the screen where you want to go!

Whole routes can be entered in this way or you can plan your route on a PC using Flymap's own software called 'FlyWin'. You save your route to a USB memory stick which plugs into the front of the Flymap and within seconds your planned route is shown on the unit's screen.

Flymap is planning to introduce approach charts into the system along with NOTAMs, and possibly Pooleys' VFR Flight Guide.

W: www.flymap.co.uk

Words Dan Tye