Hi friends,

Another week, another update ? 

This week's beta release addresses several improvements and fixes that were in high demand. All are listed in belows release notes. The most important one is for those Android users that run Android 10 or lower. Since version 4.0.929 on some specific models the display did not stay on when EasyVFR 4 was in foreground. This is now solved.

Also two new features are added. Create route using free text, and sharing routes via any sharing app like WhatsApp or email.

Create route by entering free text "EDRK SOBRA EDFM-R EFFM"

New in today's beta version is the ability to create a route using free text. When you know all the ICAO idents of your airfields and waypoints you want to use in you route, simply writing these in the order of your route down in a text field is the fastest way to build a route. That is exactly what is now implemented. You can now enter them in one long string. EasyVFR 4 will recognise the objects and create a route out of them. You can even copy/paste the official ICAO flight plan message into the text field and let EasyVFR 4 do the work. When you entered the text, tap on ok and on the Create route From Text button. Then the route will be created as yellow draft route. After that you can adjust it using the route planning menu or rubberbanding on the map and VPV and confirm it when you are happy.

The feature is currently a bit hidden since the UI is still beta. But it is working for those who like to work this way. You find this feature at Route Planning menu -> Route Tools -> Import from free text. 

Some tips:

• First update the AeroData to receive some the IFR/VFR route idents we just added to our database.
• Separate each waypoint using a space. For example "EHLE EHTE" for a route from Lelystad to Teuge. 
• A "-" is used to address objects that are part of an airfield. For example "EHLE EHLE-B EHTE-S EHTE" for a route: from Lelystad, to Lelystad VFR reporting point Bravo, to Teuge VFR reporting point Sierra, to Teuge.
• As waypoints can be used the ICAO idents of VORs, DMEs, NDBs, VFR reporting points, IFR waypoints, and Airfields.
• An example official ICAO flight plan you can copy/past is:
  (FPL-PHWOH-ZG
  -DA40/L-SDFGRY/SB2
  -EHLE1130
  -N0120A030 DCT NYKER/N0120A030 IFR Q21 INKET
  -EHRD0055 EHSE EHTE
  -PBN/B2C2D2O2S1 DOF/210806 RMK/IFR TRAINING FLIGHT
  -E/0400 P/2 R/VE
  A/WHITE WITH RED AND BLUE STRIPES
  C/WEIJERS)
• Note that these ICAO messages need to start with and opening bracket followed by FPL "(FPL" and need to end with a closing bracket ")".
• Airway identifiers in FPL messages are recognised and each waypoint making part of that airway is inserted as route waypoint.
• On macOS copy/paste is not yet working. Will be addressed soon.

Share routes with WhatsApp and other apps

Sharing routes and logbook entries using WhatsApp, email or any other sharing tool installed on your device now works far better on Android and iOS. To share a route that is active on your device, go to Route Planning Menu -> Route Tools -> Share XML -> Confirm/Enter name -> Open in. This will open a app selecter with which you can share/ send the route. On the receiving device you only have to open the shared .xml file within the receiving app, for example WhatsApp. Note than on some Android and most iOS devices the actual xml text will be shown. In this case click on the open in icon to open with app selector page. EasyVFR 4 will be listed as an app to open the file with. This will launch EasyVFR 4 and import and open the route within a few seconds.

What's next?

We have one more beta release planned before the next public release that goes into the app stores. If you have anything more that you think needs to be addressed with that version, feel free to share it here at the forum or send us an email.

As always, many thanks for your input! Together we are making EasyVFR 4 better every day!

Cheers,
Team EasyVFR 4

Release notes

• NEW: Create route using free text. Route Planning menu -> Route Tools -> Import from free text allows to create a route by simply typing route elements (for example "EHLE EHLE-B EHTX"). Or by copy-paste an official ICAO flight plan message. Note that these ICAO messages need to start with and opening bracket followed by FPL "(FPL" and need to end with a closing bracket ")". Airway identifiers are recognized and each waypoint making part of that airway is inserted as route waypoint.
• NEW: On Android EasyVFR 4 routes can now be exchanged to other pilots using for example WhatsApp messenger by choosing Route Planning menu- > Route Tools -> Export to EasyVFR (XML).
• IMPROVED: Water runways are now no longer rendered on the map because their position is always estimated and therefore meaningless on the map. The icon is still rendered.
• IMPROVED: Handling of passwords with special characters.
• IMPROVED: Route Planning menu -> Airspace listing now shows SQUAWK remarks when applicable.
• IMPROVED: NOTAMs marked as deleted or hidden on one device are not synchronized via EasyVFR4 to all other devices after NOTAMs are downloaded on those other devices.
• CHANGED: When auto centering to a location on the moving map (for example after selecting a NOTAM, airfield etc) then a single tap on the map will stop this automatic panning and zooming.
• CHANGED: When EV4 is started it will no longer switch to flight mode automatically when flight mode was activated the last time. Instead EV4 will validate if you are still flying.
• FIXED: On Android devices running an older Android OS than version 11, leaving the screen on when EasyVFR 4 is in foreground was no longer working since version 4.0.929. 
• FIXED: Airfield icons could vary in size significantly when zooming on our out even a little bit.
• FIXED: Crash with georeferenced plates when the new pdf has fewer pages than the previous version for that airfield.
• FIXED: Sometimes a new logbook entry was not saved when another logbook entry was manually deleted that had its takeoff or landing time within 5 minutes of the new logbook entry.
• FIXED: Entering Logbook maintenance could sometimes end up in an endless loop attempting to synchronize logbook items from cloud.
• FIXED: On all Android versions the option "EasyVFR 4 menu -> Flightlog Maintenance -> Export to Google Earth (KML)" will now launch the Google Earth app automatically when it is installed.
• FIXED: On all Android versions the option "EasyVFR 4 menu -> Flightlog Maintenance -> Export to excel (CSV)" will now launch attach the created CSV file to the app choosen (worksheet in case of Excel, attachment in case of mail etc).
• FIXED: On all Android versions the option EasyVFR 4 -> Help and Legal -> About EasyVFR 4 should now show show the details in a browser window.

Downloads

Apple iOS & iPadOS

• Minimum requirements:
  • 64-bit and 2GB RAM. Effectively:
    • iPad Air 2 and higher.
    • iPad Mini 4 and higher.
    • iPhone 6S and higher.
  • The iPad Mini 5 and iPad Pro perform extremely well.
• Download
  1. Install the Apple TestFlight app via the Apple AppStore.
  2. Go to the following URL to download the latest version of EasyVFR4 via TestFlight:
  https://testflight.apple.com/join/Zxbi0Hof

Android

• IMPORTANT
  
  • Devices with the old 32-bit Android OS are not supported
• Minimum requirements:
  • 64-bit, +3GB RAM. Android 7.0 and higher is advised.
  • Android 11 is not yet stable.
• We have good results with:
  • Huawei MediaPad M5.
  • Xiaomi Mi Pad 4.
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 and S6.
  • Most modern smartphones.
• Download:
  
  • To install you must enable the option: "Allow the installation of apps from sources other than Play store" in Android Settings, Lock screen and Security. Some Android devices require you to tap&hold the link below, then choose [Download link] to store the APK on your device from where you then can install this downloaded APK.
    https://members.pocketfms.com/WebProgramDownloads/EasyVFR4/EasyVFR4_4.0.938.apk
    

Windows desktop

• Minimum requirements:
  • 64-bit, 2GB RAM, Windows 7 and higher is advised.
• Download:
  
  • https://members.pocketfms.com/WebProgramDownloads/EasyVFR4/EasyVFR4_win32_4.0.938.exe

macOS High Sierra, Mojave and Catalina

• • IMPORTANT:
    • Apple macOS (Runs up to Catalina, Big Sur is NOT supported!).
  • Minimum requirements:
    • Most 64-bit macOS versions. E.g. High Sierra, Mojave, Catalina.
    • Anything with the new M1 chipset (beta).
  • Download:
    • https://members.pocketfms.com/WebProgramDownloads/EasyVFR4/EasyVFR4_osx_4.0.938.dmg
  • Installation instructions:
    • After downloading the DMG, open it and drag the EasyVFR 4 icon into the Applications folder. EasyVFR 4 is now available via Launchpad.
    • When you get the message "EasyVFR4.app can’t be opened because it was not downloaded from the App Store" choose [Open in Finder] from that popup, then right-click on EasyVFR4.app and choose open. Now the same popup will appear, now with a [Open] button.
    • From there on you can launch EasyVFR 4 from the launchpad without this warning.