Dear Bateleur Pilots,
Whether you’re from the pre-GPS era or fully integrated into electronic flight systems like EFIS (Electronic Flight Information Systems) and glass cockpits, we’ve found the most user-friendly flight support products on the market—and they come from Aviation Direct. Their EasyCockpit and EasyPlan, along with other offerings, stand out for both simplicity and effectiveness.
Why are we making this recommendation? EasyCockpit and EasyPlan
Well, a recent experience opened our eyes. One of our pilots set out on what should have been a routine flight in an aircraft they had extensive experience with. However, the aircraft had recently been upgraded with a brand-new EFIS system, intended primarily for navigation. Let’s just say that between the unfamiliarity of the device, the inevitable tension that comes with using something new, and some unrepeatable expletives, the pilot’s focus was pulled away from the most important task: flying the aircraft safely.
Luckily, they had also brought along a tablet PC equipped with EasyCockpit, mounted on the windshield with a RAM holder and suction cup. The flight plan, created earlier using EasyPlan and emailed to the tablet, was already loaded and ready. It’s hard to overstate how useful and intuitive this app was during the flight. I won’t turn this into a full product review, but if you want to see the full list of features, you can find them here: https://aviationdirect.co.za/easy-cockpit-news-information/
What truly stood out for us during this real-world scenario was the app’s ease of use, familiarity, and portability. Instead of struggling with an unfamiliar EFIS system—whether in your own aircraft or one you’ve rented—you can use EasyCockpit on your tablet, which goes with you from aircraft to aircraft. And the cost of the entire setup (tablet, app, and mounting device) is about half that of the ‘pro’ panel-mount units. Not only do you get the benefit of familiarity, but the app also updates automatically with all the latest flight information you could need. Its intuitive design makes flying easier, even in high-pressure airspaces like those in Gauteng, where we found ourselves navigating busy ATC, multiple zone changes, and minimum VFR conditions.
In short, EasyCockpit saved the day. The pre-loaded flight plan, timely alerts, and frequency change prompts, combined with the easy-to-use moving map, helped us stay on top of everything. The zoom feature, simply controlled by a swipe of the fingers, made navigation even more straightforward—and it was all 100% up-to-date.
I haven’t come across any other navigation system that offers this level of functionality, combined with rich local data. Are we getting paid to say this? No, we’re sharing this experience voluntarily because we believe it contributes to safer and more efficient Bateleurs missions. If you’re in the market for a navigation system or looking to complement your current setup, we highly recommend including Aviation Direct’s products in your research.
And for a bit of fun—you can even take your tablet on a commercial airline flight and track the flight’s progress from the comfort of your passenger seat!
Safe flying!
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