PilotGEEK Blog

The other day one of my subscribers, Mike, asked if there were anyway he could get decoded text messages – the only problem his cell provider was NEXTEL now a Sprint service that doesn’t support MMS messaging.  Well working with him and researching the options, I confirmed there is currently no way to deliver an MMS message directly to a Sprint/NEXTEL cell phone.

At that point, Mike asked if I could just send the decoded message to his registered email account, since he got email on his Blackberry.

So I put in a quick hack to force an email response whenever Mike sent a text message request.

It was the same day that I received a bill for my company provided Blackberry.  Being a corporate phone, text and MMS messages were charged for each sent or received.

To say a light went on is an understatement! And now you can take advantage of the solution.

To use the email interface, just send the same text message style request from your registered email address.  The PilotGEEK service will send the response, encoded or decoded based upon your text message configuration setting, back to your email address.  Just like the MMS interface, all of the responses will be included in a single response.

To remind you, to use PilotGEEK’s text message interface, just send a text message or now an email from your registered email address, to txt@pilotgeek.com.  The first line of the message should look like:

AirportID req1 req2

where req1, req2 can be:

A – asos

M – metar

TA -taf

TF – tfr

W – wa

R – radar

L – Loop Radar

You can put as many requests in the first line as you’d like and you can just use the unique part of the request or the complete word, so M, ME, met and metar will all return the metar data.

I hope you find the enhanced feature useful.  Remember many of the new features come from you, the subscribers.

Safe Flying.

Tom Nery

Manager

PilotGEEK, LLC

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Many cell providers limit the number of text messages included in the plan, or charge you per message for text messages.

You can configure PilotGEEK‘s event notification service to limit the number of text messages sent each day. The configuration parameter is located on the My Account page. To get to this page, just log on at www.pilotgeek.com. Once you log on you will be immediately presented with the My Account page. Once there, click on the Event Notification Setup tab.

Now it’s just a matter of setting the Maximum Messages Per Day to the maximum number of messages you’d like sent each day. Remember to save your changes by clicking on the Update Account Changes button.

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Cape Cod Flying Circus FBO (CQX) and the Flying Ace restaurant – an excellent VFR destination!

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So the front has moved through and now it’s beautiful weather and you want to turn event reporting back on?

It’s as simple as turning them off! Just open any of the text messages that pilotgeek sent you (remember that all event text messages are from pilotgeek@pilotgeek.com) and reply to the text message with the work ON. The case doesn’t matter, I just capitalized it for emphasis.

After receiving the ON message, PilotGEEK will resume sending event messages when the weather and TFR changes you’ve requested to be notified of occur.

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When a weather front moves through, you can get inundated with text messages and if you’ve requested all weather changes by checking the VFR, MVFR and IFR notification options at 5 area airports then you can get 5 times the number of text messages . . . all for a day it would be best not to fly.

So how do you stop the text message deluge? Easy, open any of the event notification messages that PilotGEEK sent you (they’re the messages from pilotgeek@pilotgeek.com) and reply to the text message with the word OFF (case doesn’t matter, I just capitalized it for emphasis). That’s it! Text messages will now be off to until then next day’s event monitoring time starts.

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So you just requested a GEEK brief and would like to get information about the destination or origination airports. By highlighting the TRIP link then selecting it, the display will jump to the trip section of the briefing where you can see the great circle trip distance and initial course, in this case ACK is 68 nautical miles from 1B9 at an initial course of 131 degrees.

The next line presents links for the origination airport with links to Info, Fuel, Radar, Notam and Almanac. By highlighting Info and the selecting, PilotGEEK will return the origination airport information, including: contact data, navaids, frequencies, runways, noise abatement procedures, FBO information, repair facilities, restaurants, rental cars, taxis, etc.

If this is the first time you’ve requested data from the AOPA portal, then you will be requested to provide your AOPA username and password. Once you submit the same information that you’d enter if you were at your computer, you’ll be supplied the requested information.

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Airport information is provided by PilotGEEK’s AOPA portal and includes much of the information you’ve come to value from AOPA’s Airport Directory. As part of the AOPA portal, you will need to register your PilotGEEK enabled cell or smart phone with AOPA via the PilotGEEK AOPA portal registration page. The registration page will be displayed automatically the first time you use the airport information feature.

The best way to describe the information displayed by by showing a sample.  The following example is an actual capture of a PilotGEEK Airport Information request for Nashau, New Hampshire’s Boire Field.

__ NASHUA, NH
__ 3.0 mi. NW of city.
__ Publicly Owned, Public Use
__ N42-46.91 W071-30.89
__ Mag Var: 16 deg W
__ Phone: 603-882-0661
__ Fax: 603-881-5415
__ www.nashuaairport.com
__ ashmgr@comcast.net
__

Navaids:
__Type: VOR
____ID: MHT
____Freq: 114.4
____Radial: 246
____Distance: 8.30 mi.
__Type: NDB
____ID: AS
____Freq: 359
____Radial: 139
____Distance: 4.60 mi.

Communications:
__Communication Freqs:
____TWR – 133.2
____GND – 121.8
____CTAF – 133.2
____CLNC DEL – 121.8
____FSS- BANGOR 122.2
__Approach Freqs:
____Boston:124.9
__WX Contact:
____ATIS 125.1
____ASOS 125.1 603-578-0473
__FSS:
____BANGOR 800-992-7433

On the field
__Elevation: 199 MSL
__Hours: 7 am to 5 pm; later summer
__Tower Hours: 7am to 9 pm
__Fees: Parking Fee; Tiedown Fee; Hangar Fee
__Charts:NEW YORK;L33
__Traffic Pattern
____Heavy Aircraft: 1700 MSL;
____Light Aircraft: 1200 MSL;
____Turbine Aircraft: 1700 MSL;
__Runways
____(14-32) 5501X100; asphalt; PCL; tree ea end
__Lights: 133.2   Low – 3 clicks in 5 secs.     Med – 5 clicks in 5 secs.     Hi – 7 clicks in 5 secs.

Notes:
__ Daniel Webster College adj Intensive Flight Training
Obstructions:
__ migratory birds & wildlife in vcnty.
Special Operations:
__ Aerobatics
__Helicopter Ops
__Banner Towing;
Fuel:
__ 100LL; Jet;
Noise Abatement:
__In efct
__all acft
__24 hrs

PilotGEEK – AOPA Portal

Airport Directory and Resources
FBO/Facility/Fuel Information

Boire Field (ASH)
NASHUA, NH
Phone: 603-882-0661
Website: www.nashuaairport.com
E-mail: ashmgr@comcast.net
Operational Data
Return To Airport Directory Search

BUSINESSES/FBOs: to update your business listing for this airport click here.
Fuel prices provided by 100LL.com

Aerial Advantage Aviation, LLC
AOPA Credit Card: Earn Double Points Here
PHONE: 603-235-2207
FAX: 603-598-3182  LOCATION: CTR
Aircraft rental: single-engine, tailwheel. Flight instruction: aerobatic, fixed wing, tailwheel. Credit cards accepted: MasterCard, Visa.
E-Mail: aerialadvantage@earthlink.net

Air Direct Airways
AOPA Credit Card: Earn Double Points Here
Meteorlogix Weather available
PHONE: 877-659-1800  603-882-5606
FAX: 603-882-5665  LOCATION: N
HOURS:
After hrs on request; 9 AM To 5 PM on Sunday
Pilot services: charter, computerized weather and flight planning, internet access hi-speed, refreshments (vending), rest rooms. Aircraft rental: multiengine, single-engine, tailwheel. Repair services: airframe, all small aircraft (less than 12,500 lb), powerplant, propeller, fabric. Flight instruction: ATP, CFI, CFII, commercial, fixed wing, instrument, MEI, multiengine, private, tailwheel. Credit cards accepted: American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa.
Web URL: http://www.airdirectairways.com    E-Mail: ron@airdirectairways.com

Brouillette Aviation Training
PHONE: 603-595-9059
LOCATION: SE
Aircraft rental: single-engine. Flight instruction: fixed wing, instrument, private. Credit cards accepted: MasterCard, Visa.
Web URL: http://www.flythebat.com    E-Mail: brouillette1@msn.com

Daniel Webster College
Flight Training not available to public
Aircraft Rental not available to public
PHONE: 603-577-6000  603-577-6403
LOCATION: CTR
FREQUENCY: 123.3
Aircraft rental: multiengine, single-engine, tailwheel. Flight instruction: aerobatic, CFI, CFII, commercial, fixed wing, instrument, MEI, multiengine, private, tailwheel. Credit cards accepted: Credit Cards Not Accepted.
Web URL: http://www.dwc.edu    E-Mail: admissions@dwc.edu

East Coast Aero Club
AOPA Credit Card: Earn Double Points Here
PHONE: 603-595-1395
FAX: 603-821-4561  LOCATION: W
HOURS:
Closed Holidays; After hrs on request; 8 AM To 5 PM, Monday Thru Sunday
Pilot services: computerized weather and flight planning, internet access hi-speed, internet access wireless, pilot lounge, pilot supplies, refreshments (vending), rest rooms. Aircraft rental: multiengine, single-engine. Flight instruction: ATP, CFI, CFII, commercial, fixed wing, instrument, MEI, multiengine, private, rotary wing. Credit cards accepted: Discover, MasterCard, Visa.
Web URL: http://www.ecacnashua.com    E-Mail: flyecac@gmail.com

Edmonds Aircraft Service
PHONE: 603-598-4740  800-435-4740
FAX: 603-598-4740  LOCATION: N
HOURS:
Closed Holidays; 7:30 AM To 5 PM, Monday Thru Friday
Pilot services: courtesy car/van, internet access dial-up, oxygen, pilot lounge, rest rooms. Repair services: airframe, all small aircraft (less than 12,500 lb), powerplant, fabric. Credit cards accepted: Credit Cards Not Accepted.

GFW Aeroservices, Inc.
AOPA Credit Card: Earn Double Points Here
Meteorlogix Weather available
PHONE: 603-883-6372  603-883-2098  603-883-6372
FAX: 603-886-8171  LOCATION: CTR
HOURS:
After hrs on request; 6:30 AM To 9 PM, Sunday Thru Saturday
FREQUENCY: 122.85

FUEL:
Avfuel – 100LL
Avfuel – Jet

100LL Full Service – $4.88 (12/07/2009)

Jet Full Service – $3.91 (12/07/2009)

FEES:
Overnight Fee
Pilot services: catering, charter, computerized weather and flight planning, courtesy car/van, crew cars, GPU, internet access hi-speed, internet access wireless, oxygen, pilot lounge, pilot supplies, refreshments (non-vending), rental car, rest rooms, showers, snooze room. Aircraft rental: multiengine, single-engine. Repair services: airframe, all small aircraft (less than 12,500 lb), powerplant, rotor blade. Flight instruction: ATP, CFI, CFII, commercial, fixed wing, instrument, MEI, multiengine, private, rotary wing, tailwheel.
Web URL: http://www.flygfw.com    E-Mail: gfwaviation@aol.com

Harvest Aviation Services, LLC
AOPA Credit Card: Earn Double Points Here
PHONE: 603-882-1113
LOCATION: N
HOURS:
After hrs on request; 9 AM To 3 PM on Saturday; 9 AM To 3 PM, Monday Thru Friday
Pilot services: charter, pilot lounge, refreshments (vending), rest rooms. Aircraft rental: single-engine. Flight instruction: ATP, CFI, CFII, commercial, fixed wing, instrument, MEI, multiengine, private. Credit cards accepted: MasterCard, Visa.
Web URL: http://www.harvestaviation.com    E-Mail: info@harvestaviation.com

Infinity Aviation Services
Meteorlogix Weather available
PHONE: 603-598-4526  800-247-0102  603-598-4526
FAX: 603-595-2908  LOCATION: NW
HOURS:
After hrs on request; 6 AM To 9 PM, Monday Thru Sunday
ARINC FREQUENCY: 129.75

FUEL:
Air BP – 100LL
Air BP – Jet

Jet Full Service – $3.88 (12/03/2009)

100LL Full Service – $4.89 (12/03/2009)

FEES:
Overnight Fee
Pilot services: catering, charter, computerized weather and flight planning, courtesy car/van, crew cars, GPU, internet access hi-speed, internet access wireless, oxygen, pilot lounge, refreshments (vending), rental car, rest rooms, showers, snooze room. Repair services: airframe, all large aircraft (greater than 12,500 lb), all small aircraft (less than 12,500 lb), FAA repair station, powerplant, propeller. Credit cards accepted: Air BP, Air BP Sterling, Multi-Service, Universal.
Web URL: http://www.infinityfbo.com    E-Mail: info@infinityfbo.com

Leland Aero Service, LLC
PHONE: 603-882-1185
FAX: 603-882-1186
HOURS:
After hrs on request
Repair services: airframe, all large aircraft (greater than 12,500 lb), all small aircraft (less than 12,500 lb), powerplant. Credit cards accepted: Credit Cards Not Accepted.
E-Mail: lelandaeroservice@comcast.net

Wings Aviation LLC – Wings Pilot Shop
AOPA Credit Card: Earn Double Points Here
PHONE: 603-886-6663
LOCATION: S
HOURS:
Closed Holidays; 9 AM To 2 PM, Saturday Thru Sunday; 9 AM To 4 PM, Monday Thru Friday
Pilot services: pilot supplies. Aircraft rental: single-engine. Flight instruction: fixed wing. Credit cards accepted: MasterCard, Visa.
Web URL: http://www.wingspilotshop.com    E-Mail: info@wingspilotshop.com

GROUND TRANSPORTATION:
shuttle bus
courtesy car
limousine

TAXIS:
Five-Five 603-882-5155
Nashua 603-882-7444
NH Taxi Assoc 603-882-7444

RENTAL CARS:
Avis 603-888-1000

AOPA Discount Code : AWD A451300
Budget 603-883-5650
Enterprise 603-880-1122

AOPA Discount Code : AOPAP9
Thrifty 603-883-1935

RESTAURANTS:
variety fast food 3 mi

RESTAURANTS ON FIELD:
Midfield Cafe 603-594-0930

ATTRACTIONS:
America’s Stonehenge 15 mi
Anheser Busch Brewery 5 mi
Federal Fish Hatchery 2 mi
Rockingham Park/horse racing 15 mi

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One of our favorite features of the PilotGEEK cell phone briefer is the ability to find the best fuel prices along your route.  Recreational and private pilots know that a fifty-cent difference in fuel price at a fill-up can have a big impact on the cost of your trip.

If  a nearby airport has better fuel prices, you can save hundreds on fuel costs on a long cross-country trip if you know the alternatives!

Here’s how to do it:

Once you have requested a route briefing, you can get the fuel prices by selecting the FUEL link. Fuel links can be found in the Trip data for origination and destination airports or along the route at each METAR weather reporting station.

Clicking on a FUEL link will display a page with all of the fuel prices 25 or 50 nautical miles around the requested airport. The distance is determined by the route width that was specified in the Configure Cell Phone Options link.

If it is the first time you’ve utilized PilotGEEK’s AOPA portal, you will be requested to provide your AOPA username and password. Once you’ve supplied them, PilotGEEK will remember them for future use.

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For PilotGEEKs participating in this year’s festivities:

Note - be sure to check weather and TFRs in the area before you go, and to get alerts. Things change quickly up North!

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Great Barrington (KGBR) is a pictureque VFR destination with a friendly, helpful FBO staff.

Naji’s is a unique Lebanese restaurant about 2 miles away.

Great Barrington is also home to the Guthrie Center, known by the locals as the “Hippie Church” made famous in Arlo Guthrie’s Thanksgiving story, “Alice’s Restaurant.”

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