Flight Log Stats Use Cases

Here are some of the use cases for Flight Log Stats that motivated me to write the app.

Effortless SD Card Import and Management

The primary goal of the Flight Log Stats app is to streamline the process of importing and managing data from flight logs recorded on SD cards by perspective/perspective+/garmin 1000 devices in aircraft.

Previously, importing data from the SD card required multiple steps: bringing the SD card home, accessing it via an iPad, opening the Files app, importing files, navigating and searching for the desired file, and then uploading it to the various services or apps used for log sharing. As a personal user of FlySto, Savvy, Foreflight track, and logbook, I wanted to make this process more efficient and synchronization more seamless.

The Flight Log Stats app has transformed my workflow as follows: After a flight, I connect an SD Card dongle to my iPad, insert the SD card into the dongle, and launch the Flight Log Stats app. By pressing the ‘+’ icon and selecting the SD card on the screen, the app automatically searches for new files on the SD card and imports them. This process is fast and efficient; once the flight appears in the app’s list, the SD card can be safely removed and reinserted into the MFD.

Upon pressing the upload button, the data is sent to FlySto or Savvy and is also made available on your iCloud Drive across all your devices, making it easily accessible from devices like your MacBook. This streamlined approach to flight log management enhances productivity and simplifies the process for pilots everywhere.

Select the SD Card after pressing + then press open. You don’t need to locate files, the app will automatically find the new ones

Access Key Flight Data Anytime, Anywhere

The Flight Log Stats app also provides users with immediate access to essential information following a flight. Designed for easy offline access, the app allows pilots to quickly retrieve crucial data even without an internet connection or MacBook at hand. While noting details in a notepad is an option, accessing the plane’s recorded data directly saves time and effort.

Firstly, the app offers a summary of flight times, including the duration from start to finish, block off (first movement of the plane) to block on (last movement of the plane), and overall flight time.

Key information about times and fuel extracted from the log immediately available, even offline, as soon as you imported the log files.

Secondly, it provides offline access to key fuel information, such as the sensor readings at the beginning and end of the flight, and the totalizer’s calculated fuel usage during the flight. This feature is particularly useful when needing to refuel less than the maximum capacity due to weight constraints, as it allows pilots to quickly estimate how much fuel to add to each tank. Previously, this required taking notes before turning off the avionics—a process that was easy to forget and necessitated temporarily turning the system back on. Additionally, having a summary of sensor and totalizer data enables pilots to make informed decisions about refueling.

Flight Log Stats also includes a convenient analysis screen that, when provided with the desired fuel total, calculates how much fuel to add to each tank based on sensor values. As an added bonus for European users, the app automatically converts gallons to liters, taking the hassle out of fuel calculations. While sensor values may not always be entirely accurate, the app provides a quick and easy way to estimate fuel requirements

Enter your target fuel and get what the target required in each tank to match. If you enter the quantities actually added, you also get some estimations about your fuel state.

Enhance Your Post-Flight Analysis Experience

While I primarily rely on FlySto and Savvy for in-depth flight data analysis, there were specific analyses I wanted to access offline or during subsequent flights. The Flight Log Stats app caters to these unique requirements, providing valuable insights without the need for an internet connection.

Firstly, the app offers a convenient way to obtain overall statistics for multi-day trips, such as total distance, fuel, time, and more, until returning to the home base. This information can be accessed from the app’s statistics page.

Summary statistics grouped by trips.

Secondly, the app allows users to review the changes in ATC-assigned frequencies and visualize their locations on a map. This feature enables pilots to better anticipate frequency changes and know what to expect during their next flight.

Review post flight the frequencies change and identify where ATC changed. This is available offline in the plane in the air as well, so it can be used to anticipate frequency change based on previous flights.

Although these tasks can be completed with pen and paper, the Flight Log Stats app simplifies the process by leveraging the available data to provide meaningful insights. The app serves as a valuable tool for pilots seeking to optimize their post-flight analysis experience.

The Philosophy Behind the Flight Log Stats App

In conclusion, I’d like to share the guiding philosophy behind the Flight Log Stats app. This app is not designed to replace or compete with professional flight data services. Instead, it serves as an amateur solution to fill gaps in existing offerings, catering to my personal needs and, hopefully, benefiting others as well.

The Flight Log Stats app is free and open-source, which means that expectations can be managed accordingly. Additionally, being open-source allows other users to contribute to the project if they find niche requirements or analyses that are currently missing from mainstream services. This collaborative approach ensures that the app remains a valuable supplementary tool for pilots seeking to enhance their flight data management experience.