Pilot Altimeter & VSI
Free App
Advertisements
About Pilot Altimeter & VSI
NOTE: YOU NEED A PRESSURE SENSOR TO USE THIS APP. It does not work with GPS. If you install it on a device that does not have a pressure sensor, it will only show "No Data".
This is completely free; there are not even ads!
The app is an electronic version of an altimeter and vertical speed indicator (VSI) designed for pilots to use easily. It does not replace the need for an approved altimeter in your aircraft, but that does not mean it doesn't work. I envisage its main uses are as an emergency altimeter if the one on the aircraft fails, and as a tool to allow trainee pilots to learn the basics of altimetry.
It displays feet above the datum which can be expressed in either hectopascals (equivalent to millibars) or inches of mercury. There are buttons to decrease and increase the pressure datum by 10 units and 1 unit, and there is a special button to use to select pressure altitude which instantly sets 1013.25 hPa (29.92 inHg). In this mode, it shows your flight level as well as the pressure altitude.
I have also added the capability to display a rolling 30s history of indicated altitude and vertical speed. How accurate is your straight and level flying? What about your level turns, rate 1, medium rate or steep? You can't focus on the altimeter or VSI while you are turning! With this, you can look at how well you did after the fact.
Perhaps you use an autopilot and you want to know how well it holds your level? This is probably the exact tool you need!
I have now tested it while flying and it was reading about 60 feet high on the Cardiff QFE during the test which was conducted in a Cessna 172. That seemed to be consistent through the circuit when comparing its reading to that of the altimeter within the aircraft.
If you intend to make use of it while flying, please read the more extensive notes here beforehand:
http://phabvionics.co.uk/android-pilot-altimeter/
In particular, I do not recommend that you use this as your primary reference to altitude.
You can also leave comments on that page. You can access that page through the "About" entry of the menu.
KNOWN PROBLEMS:
A screen rotation causes loss of historic filter data at present. All that means is that you have to wait a few seconds (depending on the filter strength) to regain accurate indications and for the rolling history graph to catch up. Fixed in v1.8, now being rolled out.
This is completely free; there are not even ads!
The app is an electronic version of an altimeter and vertical speed indicator (VSI) designed for pilots to use easily. It does not replace the need for an approved altimeter in your aircraft, but that does not mean it doesn't work. I envisage its main uses are as an emergency altimeter if the one on the aircraft fails, and as a tool to allow trainee pilots to learn the basics of altimetry.
It displays feet above the datum which can be expressed in either hectopascals (equivalent to millibars) or inches of mercury. There are buttons to decrease and increase the pressure datum by 10 units and 1 unit, and there is a special button to use to select pressure altitude which instantly sets 1013.25 hPa (29.92 inHg). In this mode, it shows your flight level as well as the pressure altitude.
I have also added the capability to display a rolling 30s history of indicated altitude and vertical speed. How accurate is your straight and level flying? What about your level turns, rate 1, medium rate or steep? You can't focus on the altimeter or VSI while you are turning! With this, you can look at how well you did after the fact.
Perhaps you use an autopilot and you want to know how well it holds your level? This is probably the exact tool you need!
I have now tested it while flying and it was reading about 60 feet high on the Cardiff QFE during the test which was conducted in a Cessna 172. That seemed to be consistent through the circuit when comparing its reading to that of the altimeter within the aircraft.
If you intend to make use of it while flying, please read the more extensive notes here beforehand:
http://phabvionics.co.uk/android-pilot-altimeter/
In particular, I do not recommend that you use this as your primary reference to altitude.
You can also leave comments on that page. You can access that page through the "About" entry of the menu.
KNOWN PROBLEMS:
A screen rotation causes loss of historic filter data at present. All that means is that you have to wait a few seconds (depending on the filter strength) to regain accurate indications and for the rolling history graph to catch up. Fixed in v1.8, now being rolled out.
All Application Badges
Free
downl.
downl.
Android
2.3.3+
2.3.3+
Bug
buster
buster
Android app
App History & Updates
What's Changed
V1.9:
Added variable history. You can now specify off, 30s, 60s, 120s or 300s for
history length independently for both altimeter and VSI instruments.
V1.8:
Fixed STOPPED being displayed on some devices even though data was clearly being received by the altimeter and VSI.
Fixed loss of graph contents when rotating the device.
V1.9:
Added variable history. You can now specify off, 30s, 60s, 120s or 300s for
history length independently for both altimeter and VSI instruments.
V1.8:
Fixed STOPPED being displayed on some devices even though data was clearly being received by the altimeter and VSI.
Fixed loss of graph contents when rotating the device.
Version update Pilot Altimeter & VSI was updated to version 1.9
More downloads Pilot Altimeter & VSI reached 10 000 - 50 000 downloads
Version update Pilot Altimeter & VSI was updated to version 1.7
More downloads Pilot Altimeter & VSI reached 5 000 - 10 000 downloads
What are users saying about Pilot Altimeter & VSI
T
by T####:
by T####:
Took it flying and it works. Matched the the aircraft instruments. Recommended.
U
by U####:
by U####:
I am willing to pay more for additional features if you can include them in an update. I need the app to speak the altitude every 100 or 50 feet. And a warning for sink rate
Z
by Z####:
by Z####:
on my Samsung Note 2
Z
by Z####:
by Z####:
Great app for testing your accuracy while flying. A feature that might make it better is an alarm that you can set to hold an altitude and goes off when you go 100 feet or so above or below it. That way you get notified during the turns. All in all a great app. Thanks developers.
Z
by Z####:
by Z####:
This was more precise than actual instruments
Z
by Z####:
by Z####:
It only displays "no data". How impressive. Turned everything on and then off, no change.
Z
by Z####:
by Z####:
Seems like good
S
by S####:
by S####:
Good. Audio output for climb/descent rate would be nice
T
by T####:
by T####:
This little app is very lightweight yet performs flawlessly on my Nexus 4. It is accurate compared to heights given on a UK ordnance survey map, and very sensitive.
T
by T####:
by T####:
It really works.. I just think a better design should be made for this app, but everything else is fine!
T
by T####:
by T####:
Please add possibility to set height in meters Thank you very much! Russian planes operates in meters
T
by T####:
by T####:
Took it flying and it works. Matched the the aircraft instruments. Recommended.
S
by S####:
by S####:
This little app is very lightweight yet performs flawlessly on my Nexus 4. It is accurate compared to heights given on a UK ordnance survey map, and very sensitive.
S
by S####:
by S####:
It really works.. I just think a better design should be made for this app, but everything else is fine!
P
by P####:
by P####:
Please add possibility to set height in meters Thank you very much! Russian planes operates in meters
S
by S####:
by S####:
Took it flying and it works. Matched the the aircraft instruments. Recommended.
by T####:
I am willing to pay for additional features if you can include them in an update. I need the app to call out the altitude every 100 or 50 feet. And a warning for sink rate. And possibly notifying upon reaching a certain height.