Hello Aviators!
What an incredible journey it has been for our EasyVFR community over the past year and months, and we owe it all to your enthusiastic support. Thank you!
As more pilots join us, we've noticed common inquiries about creating routes and accessing NOTAMs and airspace details directly from the map. Recognizing the need to streamline these processes, we've been hard at work refining the app's workflows. We've listened closely to your feedback and dedicated the past few months to enhancing your experience, aiming to make map navigation more intuitive while retaining all the familiar features and workflows you cherish.
We’re excited to announce the latest beta update for EasyVFR 4, following extensive testing and live demos at Aero Friedrichshafen. We've moved beyond the Quick Info Wheel to introduce the new Info Sheet, simplifying how you access information and perform map-based actions. This update also brings both visible improvements and subtle behind-the-scenes enhancements.
What’s New:
Tap the Map - Info Sheet
- Single Tap on Map: Instantly access information on any map element. Simply tap airfields, navigational aids, airspace labels, or NOTAM centers. EasyVFR will predict the type of information you need based on your zoom level, previous actions, and whether you're planning a route or currently in flight.
- Long Press on Map: A long press opens the route info sheet, setting the tapped location as a waypoint. It displays route options and lists nearby objects, allowing you to switch focus easily.
- Switch Sheet Category: Effortlessly switch between different info sheet categories using the icons at the sheet's header.
- Sheet Height: Adjust the info sheet size by tapping or dragging the horizontal handler at the sheet's header.
Map Layers Menu Redesign
- Compact Design: The menu is now more condensed, making it easier to view map changes, even on smaller screens. You can adjust the menu's position by dragging the three-dotted icon at the menu's header.
- Map Preset Tabs: We've reorganized Map presets into tabs for smooth switching and to highlight the unique settings of each preset.
Dynamic Airspace Mapping Update
- Name Change: Formerly known as SmartMap, it’s now "Dynamic Airspace Mapping," better reflecting its capabilities.
- More Sources: Now with the integration of several new local data sources and enhanced validity criteria, you can now see the status for an even broader range of airspaces.
- Airspace and Activity NOTAMs: EasyVFR now distinguishes between NOTAMs that create new airspaces or activity areas. Allowing to hide any other NOTAM from the map.
- Simple on/off: We've moved all underlying options to developer tweaks to avoid confusion and streamline use.
Background Operations on Android
The capability of EasyVFR 4 on Android to manage tasks seamlessly in the background is improved. Now, even when you switch to another app temporarily, it can complete data updates and continue to provide vocal warnings during your flight.
NOTAM / TripKit Briefing
A new button on the right-hand toolbar for quick NOTAM and Airspace briefings. Essential and Live users get a briefing PDF based on the current map view or active route, while Pro and FFM users can generate a comprehensive TripKit PDF, including navigation logs, VFR approach plates, weather updates, and mass and balance calculations.
MGL EFIS Data Export
Like our Dynon SkyView users, MGL EFIS owners can now prepare their MGL data, including VFR Approach Plates, directly within EasyVFR 4.
New Translation System
We've completely overhauled our translation system for enhanced accuracy. We'll soon invite local experts to help refine our app translations.
Ready to Update?
If you're eager to try the latest version, find the beta installation files and links below. We're confident these updates will make your flying experience smoother and more enjoyable.
We're preparing to release a second beta version next week and quickly transition this to production as version 4.3.000. Alongside this release, expect a detailed newsletter and updated documentation to keep you informed.
We deeply value your feedback, which drives our continuous improvement. Please keep sharing your experiences with us.
Happy flying and blue skies!
Cheers,
The EasyVFR Team
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📝 RELEASE NOTES
- NEW: Dynon HDX1200 can now be selected in Dynon Data Exchange.
- NEW: Besides Airspace NOTAMs, EasyVFR 4 now also classifies Activity NOTAMS and will show these on the map, because they are considered to be very useful too.
- NEW: Support for Gliding Areas and U-Space. These are now also classified as a separate airspace and can be individually fine-tuned regarding visibility on the map, on the Vertical Profile, and if the airspace warning system should warn for them or not.
- NEW: On a clean install of EasyVFR 4, a WebView will be launched during the initial data download offering the user some tutorial videos to watch.
- NEW: For EasyVFR Essentials users, when country data is being downloaded after country selection, a WebView will be shown with the various license options and offering for a trial.
- NEW: Android version can now run entirely in the background, including downloading of data and spoken airspace warnings.
- NEW: Entirely new language support system including in-app and web-based editing for appointed translators.
- NEW: MGL users can now use EasyVFR 4 also to create Approach Plates for their MGL equipment.
- NEW: Totally revised QuickInfo window, now renamed to Infosheet.
- NEW: Entirely removed the use of the QuickInfo wheel; EasyVFR 4 is now much smarter when the user taps on the screen and tries to anticipate why the user tapped and then provide the Infosheet already set up for that need.
- NEW: Essential and Live users can now also create a NOTAM briefing.
- IMPROVED: Cleaned up Map Layers menu, and slight color and text style improvements for several other menus.
- UPDATED: Updated the Flarm decoder for SkyEcho2 users.
- CHANGED: Dynamic Airspace Mapping settings are now moved to the Developer Tweaks.
- CHANGED: Phrase ETA and ATA in navlog changed to ETO and ATO.
- CHANGED: Moved Geo, Readability, Map Brightness, and AeroData Charting Theme to map layer options to Map Layer menu -> Other Map Layer Settings.
- FIXED: Vertical Profile sometimes displayed erroneous descends for routes containing multiple legs.
- FIXED: Dynon Data Exchange could sometimes (appear to) hang when it was waiting for the EFB catalogue download to complete.
- FIXED: Symbol for DME-Only on the map.
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📥 BETA DOWNLOADS
📱 Mobile & Tablet
🍏 iOS, iPadOS, and Apple Silicon Mac
Minimum requirements:
- 64-bit and 2GB RAM.
Effectively:
- iPhone 8 and higher.
- iPad Air 3 and higher.
- iPad Mini 5 and higher.
- iPad Pro's.
- M1 MacBooks and higher.
The iPad Mini 6 and newer, and any iPad Pro perform extremely well.
Download Steps:
- Install the Apple TestFlight app via the Apple AppStore.
- Go to the following URL to download the latest version of EasyVFR 4 via TestFlight.
👉 Open the EasyVFR 4 page in the Apple TestFlight app
🤖 Android
IMPORTANT: Devices with the old 32-bit Android OS are not supported
Minimum requirements:
- 64-bit OS, +3GB RAM. Android 10 and higher is advised.
At least compatible (but slow) are:
- Huawei MediaPad M5.
- Xiaomi Mi Pad 4.
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 (except SM-T810). (slow)
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S4.
We see good results with Samsung Galaxy Tab S6, and higher and most modern high-end tablets and smartphones.
Download Options:
- Google Play: You can download the beta directly via Google Play when enrolled in the beta program on the Google Play app page.
👉 Open the EasyVFR 4 page in Google Play to enrole for beta - Sideload (alternative): 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.
Download APK https://members.pocketfms.com/WebProgramDownloads/EasyVFR4/EasyVFR4_4.2.1.apk
💻 Desktop and Laptop
🪟 Windows
Minimum requirements:
- 32-bit, 2GB RAM, Windows 8 and higher is advised.
Download: Download EasyVFR 4 for Windows https://members.pocketfms.com/WebProgramDownloads/EasyVFR4/EasyVFR4_win32_4.2.1.exe
🍏 Apple Silicon Mac
See the iOS version.
🍎 Intel Macs
IMPORTANT: Intel Macs on Big Sur and Monterey need to have the latest macOS version 11.6.1 or 12.0.1 or higher installed.
Intel-based Macs can only install the below .dmg file and need to follow the below instructions.
Minimum requirements:
- Most 64-bit macOS versions. E.g. High Sierra, Mojave, Catalina. BigSur 11.6.1 and Monterey 12.0.1 and up.
- Apple Silicon M1 and greater Macs can download via the iOS AppStore.
Download: Download EasyVFR 4 for Intel Macs https://members.pocketfms.com/WebProgramDownloads/EasyVFR4/EasyVFR4_osx_4.2.1.dmg
Installation instructions:
- After downloading the DMG file, 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.
- With every update, you need to redo step 2. 🔄
Great update, thanks chaps!
Couple of minor bugs and one MASSIVE request (I asked a few years ago; I hope it is higher in the priorities now).
1. This update turns off Preferences > Auto Create Local Flight
2. Notam button appears above Map/Track North Up, until you select Map Layers > Notam (or Wx) then go back to Nav… they reverse position!
3. Please (please please) can we have “normal” date and time selectors? The OS default calendar and clocks are fine in iOS, Android & Win - your selectors in Map Layers > Date and Time Filter and Pro Route > Planned Dep take *ages* to slide sideways and are really fiddly - sorry!
Thanks again for a great refresh!
Paul
G-PLPM
Hi Paul,
1. This update turns off Preferences > Auto Create Local Flight
This option is now turned off by design. We got too many complains from users who had a lot of user-defined markers on their map
2. Notam button appears above Map/Track North Up, until you select Map Layers > Notam (or Wx) then go back to Nav… they reverse position!
Great find; fixed in the final version.
3. Please (please please) can we have “normal” date and time selectors?
I wish that would be easy. Due to our multi-platform development system we do not use any operating-system specific UI elements like the calendar picker. There also isn't a nice stock element for us available, so we have to build such a calendar from scratch, and that is *a lot* of work unfortunately, sorry.
Thanks Rob - rapid reply, as ever!
"This option is now turned off by design" - yes, but if I had it turned *on* in *Preferences*, it should carry through from one version to the next, Shirley?*
Sorry for all the work it takes to build a calendar and clock - next time you're in that part of the code, give me a shout and I'll show some options for nice (and easy to use!) versions.
Cheers,
P 🙂
*
Sorry chaps - another bug... (not sure if this was always there or new in 4.2.1).
Using Win version:
Click here, SW of LIDE, and it says the airspace includes LFR3204B (!)
Click the Airspace and it pans to SW of LFLL (!!)
Sorry!
P
I think that may have been an AeroData error, Paul. I released a new dataset yesterday and I believe the issue is now gone. Thanks for the PiRep!!
Thanks Nosegear - yes the new dataset seems to work (but crashed 2/3 times on download for each of iPad, Android & Win devices 🙄😠)
P 👍🛩️🙃
Sorry (🙃) - another one - also not sure if it's new to 4.2.1 or has always been there...
Shouldn't this NOTAM be supressed - it's not in force on Saturdays - and Date Filter is set to 11 May, which is a Sat, no?
P 👍🛩️🙃
Shouldn't this NOTAM be supressed - it's not in force on Saturdays - and Date Filter is set to 11 May, which is a Sat, no?
The weekdays & times you referred to are internally "text only". Since this depends a lot on the person who entered the NOTAM and therefore there are different writing styles we don't dare yet to do text analysis on this to hide such a NOTAM. We believe its better to be safe then sorry, if there is even a little doubt about the date× the NOTAM is valid then EV4 will always still display it.
(but crashed 2/3 times on download for each of iPad, Android & Win devices 🙄😠)
Is this still happening ? If so, would you be so kind to let me know which countries you have installed ?
"don't dare yet to do text analysis on this to hide such a NOTAM"
A wise idea Rob, I agree!
"Is this still happening?"
No - strangely, all 3 OSs behaved when I downloaded again, thanks for checking up - maybe the corrupt data in the old dataset caused it? Unlikely, but all I can think of...
I do still have an issue with NOTAM & Wx downloads repeating after an Aerodata update. Shall I post the sequence of events here, or in reply to our email thread from a month ago (sorry - been away!)
Cheers,
P 👍🛩️🙃
do still have an issue with NOTAM & Wx downloads repeating after an Aerodata update. Shall I post the sequence of events here, or in reply to our email thread from a month ago (sorry - been away!)
Please lets continue that via email. I vaguely remember having discussed this subject some time ago, but I don't remember the outcome anymore :blush:
Good evening,
when I tapped on the map and the info wheel no longer appeared, but I saw the window on the bottom left side, I thought: "where did I go wrong?".
Sincerely I preferred the old dear info wheel that was direct and easy to use...
Now, for me, it is more difficult to make a new flight plane....
Sorry, but I don't like it.
Thanks for your feedback. we are always pleased to receive feedback because it helps us improve easyVFR. But we can’t please all the people all of the time! in fact the information wheel was removed precisely because users told us they found it an unnecessary additional step in operating the app. Think of the new system as an automatic Info wheel! Now when you tap the map instead of selecting a function from the Info wheel the app chooses what it thinks is the most likely function you would want by tapping at that location. Often it chooses the right function and therefore it saves you one tap to select the desired part of the wheel, but sometimes of course it chooses a function which is not what you wanted and in that case it takes only one further tap to select a function from the list of functions along the top of the pop-up that has appeared to go to any other of the functions that were accessible by the old Info wheel (route, Airfield, airspace, NOTAM, weather). So it never takes more taps than in the past and often it takes one tap less.
I hope understanding this logic helps you to Use the new method successfully.
best regards
Stewart B
Team EasyVFR
