Company Also Unveils New Mobile Product

We've barely scratched the surface of news from NBAA 2008... but already, it appears easier access to weather information will be one of the dominant topics of the show.

WSI Corporation announced Sunday it has partnered with Avidyne to deliver global datalink weather capabilities, for pilots inflight. For those who haven't stepped into the cockpit as yet, the company also announced a new weather product for mobile phones.

Through its partnership with Avidyne, WSI will provide global weather content for the Avidyne MLX770 service, which utilizes the Iridium satellite network. Global METARs, TAFs, Lightning, Winds and Temperatures aloft data will be accessible, in addition to enhanced weather radar coverage, which now includes Europe and Australia. The Avidyne MLX770 service is compatible with both Avidyne multi-function displays (MFDs) and the WSI InFlight Display Client for electronic flight bags (EFBs.)

"Through this partnership with Avidyne, international aircraft operators can now enjoy the safety and operational benefits of WSI aviation weather that was previously available only in North America," said Mark D. Miller, Vice President and General Manager of WSI’s Aviation Business. "WSI and Avidyne first partnered in 2007 to develop the AV-300 and AV-350 which are our SIRIUS Satellite-based InFlight datalink receivers. Because of our many years experience providing weather decision-making products to the commercial airlines, WSI is ideally positioned to provide global weather to Avidyne customers via the MLX770."

WSI is developing version 5.1 of its InFlight display software which will integrate the Avidyne MLX770 service. World-wide geography, product selection and communications channel management will be incorporated in this software release. The new InFlight client will be able to manage and depict weather information from both the WSI AV-300/AV-350 broadcast receivers and Avidyne’s MLX770 Iridium-based receiver.

PilotBrief Mobile

WSI also announced Sunday the release of Pilotbrief Mobile, which provides WSI’s aviation weather and hazard products in an optimized format for mobile devices.

Available for $9.95 per month, Pilotbrief Mobile does not require installation of an application and is compatible with the internet browsers found on most mobile phones including Blackberry, Treo, and iPhone.

"With Pilotbrief Mobile we have extended the convenience and capabilities of Pilotbrief Online beyond the briefing room to the flight line. Pilots who have used Pilotbrief Pro or Pilotbrief Online to plan their flight can quickly check their route for changing weather conditions on their mobile phone while waiting for passengers to arrive," said Hathaway. "Pilotbrief Mobile means that wherever you are, you can get the aviation-quality weather you rely on."

Pilotbrief Mobile features a rich graphical UI, access to the majority of graphical and textual products found on Pilotbrief Online, plus a "snapshot" home page screen that displays the decoded METAR and local NOWrad for a pilot defined area.

WSI will be demonstrating both the Pilotbrief Mobile service, as well as the new MLX770 inflight service, at Booth 4476 at the NBAA convention in Orlando, FL from October 6-8.

FMI: www.wsi.com, www.avidyne.com