Why navigate with a PDA?
A PalmOS PDA running FlightMaster makes great sense as an aviation GPS for many reasons.
Independent Backup System
A PalmOS PDA can operate for 2-3 hours or longer from its own internal power source. In the event of your aircraft power systems failing, your PDA & GPS will keep running.
It is also easy to power your PDA and GPS receiver using a standard cigar-socket power adaptor.
FlightMaster's GPS-driven Attitude display gives additional peace of mind to IFR pilots.
Reliability
PalmOS has a reputation for being simple, and some people think that's a bad thing. But if there's one thing that aviators appreciate, it's simplicity - simple systems are less likely to go wrong.
That's exactly what you get with FlightMaster - software that's simple to use built on top of a PDA Operating System that's reliable.
Value for money
A Palm TX, GPS receiver and FlightMaster could be yours for less than $460:
| Palm TX |
$266.99 |
| Bluetooth GPS Receiver |
$69.99 |
| FlightMaster |
$149.00 |
| Total |
$485.98 |
The cheapest Lowrance is $499. The cheapest colour Garmin is $495 but doesn't have terrain (FlightMaster does), and a relatively small display (see right).
Both these systems are fine units, but they can't be used as anything other than navigation tools.
Always to hand
You're unlikely to carry a dedicated GPS unit everywhere with you, but with your PalmOS PDA in your pocket you've always got the ability to plan a flight, wherever you are.
Stop carrying multiple gadgets!
It is inconvenient to carry multiple devices around, and when you've got a PalmOS PDA you don't need to. As well as navigating with FlightMaster you can use your PDA to:
- Navigate by road
- Make phone calls (Treo 650/680) Palm Centro Phone

- Play MP3s
- Watch Movies
- Play games
- Email and Web access
- Organise your life (Calendar, Contacts, Task lists etc)
- Create & edit Word, Excel and Powerpoint documents
- Take pictures (some models)
- ...and much more!
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