SafeSky is a mobile application that allows you to visualize the users of the sky around you and therefore aims to be an anti-collision.
After two flights with SafeSky, here are my first impressions:
First of all, in terms of strengths:
- The application is very intuitive, simple to use and requires very little configuration.
- Reading the information on the radar screen is very clear.
- The application is free for the most important features including collision avoidance.
A few points of attention however:
- During these two tests, only a small percentage of traffic was detected. The success of the application is critical for its effectiveness: the more aircraft are equipped, the better it works.
- The system is totally dependent on the data link of the smartphone which only works at relatively low altitude and varies according to the regions crossed. We lost the connection for 15 minutes during the flight over southern Belgian Luxembourg.
Other remarks:
- There is no integration with my navigation software, in this case Skydemon. This means one more screen in the cockpit.
Admittedly, the "split view" mode on iOS makes it possible to overcome this problem, but it only works in "landscape" orientation. My iPad is attached by a strap on my thigh and therefore in “portrait” mode.
- The designers provide an API (Application Programming Interface) which allows access to SafeSky data. It is freely accessible, just ask for a key.
This happy initiative should facilitate integration into other software.
- The application consumes battery since it makes intensive use of the smartphone's GPS chip … but no more than any navigation software.
- This is a great Franco-Belgian initiative :-)
So I can only encourage the use of SafeSky… the more users there are, the more efficient and reliable the app will become.
C'est cela ... oui, Cessna oui !
0:00 The SafeSky app
0:22 Using the interface
0:46 Way of working
1:37 Efficiency of SafeSky
2:08 Reliability of data reception
3:09 Pro/cons SafeSky
3:57 Conclusions