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.
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