Product Test – Skynav Aviation Computer

The computer can be used for basic navigational functions such as the 1 in 60 rule, to the more sophisticated Area Nav function – that is, obtaining a track and distance to a position

from a position using coordinates and/or radials and DME distances from a stored station. Handy for diversions.

No doubt Skynav will be of immense interest to the private pilot in assisting with all of those perplexing mysteries such as PNRs and density heights. What of the more experienced pilot?

The conversion power of Skynav is very useful, especially when fuel is the medium. Skynav also contains a weight and balance feature which will calculate a stored aircraft’s particulars. This would no doubt be a useful tool in an ad hoc charter situation, where loads significantly varied. The density height function would also be useful in a hot and high environment. And the en route wind calculator would be useful if the autopilot was UIS.

Clearly the most useful role of Skynav to the operating pilot would be that of a self checker. Experienced pilots who tend to fly over a route frequently, quickly develop rule-of-thumb methods for fuel calculations, weight and balance, and determining wind effect (and thus E TAs). They also tend to memorise aerodrome constants and ATC and air frequencies.

Skynav’s innovative sector entry feature is worthy of special comment. This feature will advise on specifics as to a particular aerodrome. What heading to take up over the aid, how long to steer outbound, which way to turn for the inbound intercept – and what the inbound track is – and the missed approach. Of

course it can be taken for granted that the pilot will have sat down at some stage prior to the flight and carefully committed to memory the essentials of the approach plate. Skynav would be useful in this instance to confirm what the pilot already knows.

Similarly, in most of Skynav’s other aviation applications, its chief role would be to confirm the pilot’s rule-of-thumb methods. The workload in single pilot IFR would at times pro hibit momentary interludes into Skynav for a ‘how goes it?’. Also, with comparatively small keys of the hand helds and their LCD formats, they could be difficult to operate in turbulent and low light conditions.

Now for the crunch . . . how much? Skynav will sell you a computer of your choice with the Skynav card already installed, or they will convert your unit to their program. In the case of the Casio FX-795, they will sell you a converted unit for $370, or convert for $155. The converted Sharp models are $565 and $645, depending on their kilobyte capacity.

If you enjoy electronic number crunching and refining your technique, then Skynav will ensure you of a lot of enjoyment. Your proficiency with it will come with frequency of use. However it ought not to preclude the user from carrying charts and a prayer wheel. After all, your redundancy may only be the spare batteries in your nav bag, and try installing those on a wet, rough night.