Read below to learn more about the SkyDemon and NATS AIS workflow, some common pitfalls, and how pilots can leverage technology to boost their aviation journey.
Technology has made aviation not only safer but also highly efficient. Thanks to the commercialisation of technology and increases in accessibility, pilots can easily use multiple resources to help them plan the perfect flight with failproof routes that account for various factors.
Information is free if you know where to look for it. Flight schools, like Sherburn Aero Club, provide extensive online and offline resources that pilots can use on top of commercial mobile applications to build a better understanding of the variables in aviation. From NOTAMs to using SkyDemon, there are plenty of tools that can supercharge your flight planning experience.
Read below to learn more about the SkyDemon and NATS AIS workflow, some common pitfalls, and how pilots can leverage technology to boost their aviation journey.
WORKFLOW ENHANCEMENT
Pilots depend on various resources to help them make better decisions, whether it is related to weather conditions, route planning, fuel calculations, or more. These resources can help pilots operate effectively and remain safe in the air.
Take the example of NOTAMs, also known as Notices to Airmen. In simple terms, NOTAMs are notices or advisories provided by the NATS AIS (NATS Aeronautical Information Service) that contain information concerning the establishment and conditions or change in any aeronautical facility, service, or procedure.
NOTAM reports inform pilots about temporary or hazardous conditions, such as runway closures or navigational aid changes. It does not contain weather information, which is covered in a separate aviation report like a METAR or TAF. However, when used in combination, these reports help pilots make extremely precise and well-informed decisions.
On the other hand, there are also mobile applications like SkyDemon that further strengthen a pilot's decision-making process.
SkyDemon is a flight management or planning software. Available on desktop and mobile platforms, this software is widely used for flight planning and in-flight navigation, primarily used by VFR (Visual Flight Rules) pilots on mobile devices like Android and iOS.
The idea behind using SkyDemon is that it provides various information in one convenient and beautifully located dashboard. Pilots using this application can get access to aeronautical charts, dynamic weather forecasts, airspace information, and even tools for filing VFR flight plans directly to air traffic control.
These flight planning applications aim to simplify complex tasks like route planning, hazard identification, and weather analysis, allowing pilots to spend more time enjoying their flights safely and confidently.
You may have noticed that both SkyDemon and NOTAMs have a lot in common. NOTAMs are highly specific and used for providing information regarding potential hazards, and SkyDemon does all of that, and more!
NOTAMs the Easy Way: SkyDemon + NATS AIS Workflow
NATS AIS is the authoritative source for NOTAMs for UK airspace. SkyDemon also provides the same information and sources data directly from NAT AIS. However, this application makes it easier to visualise NOTAMs by overlaying information graphically and integrating them into your route planning.
This way, you don’t have to manually jump back and forth from one resource to another while planning. You can simply begin planning, and the application will guide you through the process by providing suggestions based on recent NOTAM reports.
However, this doesn’t make SkyDemon an end-all be-all application for planning. The point here is to ensure that pilots don’t solely rely on just one source. While applications like SkyDemon do provide good data filtering and display logic, pilots must double-check all information via the NAT AIS to catch “outliers” or missing notices.
Here are the sample steps that can help you to integrate multiple sources, including SkyDemon, into your workflow:
Step 1: Start with NOTAMs
The best way to start your flight plan (and your day) as a pilot is to first check the NOTAM report. Log in to the UK AIS website and generate a pre-flight information bulletin or PIB, which is tailored to your route.
This can help you get accurate and relevant information without having to manually search through relevant data in dense reports.
Step 2: Save the PIB on your Phone
The best way to quickly access information on the fly is to save the report to your computer or phone. Typically, you can download or email the PIB, which gives you a textual list of NOTAMs relevant to your specific flight route.
Step 3: Open SkyDemon
Now that you have the most accurate and official information at hand, you can load up the SkyDemon app on your phone or computer.
Plot your intended route in SkyDemon by highlighting waypoints, altitudes, terrain information, and more. SkyDemon will then fetch the relevant NOTAMs and overlay them on a visual map.
Step 4: Compare Data
Cross-check the data displayed on the map to make sure it matches the NOTAM report for the day. SkyDemon makes this easy by graphically overlaying things on the map so you can zoom in and interact with various artefacts. Carefully identify anything present in the NOTAM report that isn’t shown on SkyDemon.
In most cases, you will find nothing different, but on rare occasions, the application may miss out on small but vital information on the map.
Step 5: Filter by Relevance
Ensure that you are looking at highly relevant data for your route. You can use the filters to highlight information that is relevant to your altitude, route, timings, and aircraft type.
Filtering can help you find out some important “gotchas” that can help you plan your trip effectively. You should also keep the PIB or NOTAM report open on the side to compare the data.
Step 6: Update Before Departure and Monitor In-Flight
Before departure, it is a good idea to regenerate or reload the PIB list on your phone. You can also refresh the data on SkyDemon to catch any last-minute but potentially important changes.
Ensure that you have a stable and fast internet connection throughout this process to avoid problems. Compare dynamic NOTAM overlays or updates with what you have planned. If you notice a new NOTAM report that could affect your route, then you may have to consider revisiting the planning process to cover all bases.
This may seem like tedious work, but this level of professionalism is what makes aviation a safe and effective industry across the world.
Common Issues and How to Fix Them
Here are a few common issues (and their fixes) to keep in mind when using this workflow:
SkyDemon Filtering
SkyDemon may hide certain NOTAMs by default. This is especially true for those outside of your selected altitude band or those flagged as non-relevant. A NOTAM might not show in SkyDemon because of a filter threshold or due to connectivity issues as well. This is why it is important to use the NOTAM report as a baseline instead of only relying on the application.
Examining Q-Lines
Coordinates on the textual version may look clear, but SkyDemon’s depiction of complex polygons and radical arcs may be overly simplified or possibly misinterpreted. This is why it is important that you always examine the Q-fields or Q-Lines and coordinate definitions to see the true vertical and lateral extent.
Misalignment
NOTAMS provide vertical limits in FL, MSL, AMSL, or AGL. Conversion errors are rare, but can cause you to think that you’re in the clear in-flight, while you might be in danger. Always refer to the NOTAM for more accurate information, and always keep the application updated so that you get the most accurate information possible.
Furthermore, some NOTAMs may have activation times in UTC or start times in the future. If you generate your route briefing too early, some NOTAMs may not yet appear on the application. This is why it is important that you always re-check before departure.
Connectivity Errors
Errors caused by connectivity issues can result in missing NOTAMs. This can also happen in the case of a system outage or delays.
These delays can happen on either side. Occasionally, AIS systems or data feeds might encounter lag or face downtime. In this case, the data will be delayed on both fronts, causing you to have inaccurate information while planning your route. This is why you have to first check the official NOTAM report and ensure that you have the latest report at the time of planning.
FLIGHT PLANNING TOOLS THAT CAN HELP YOUR WORKFLOW
Now that we have discussed SkyDemon and the workflow protocols for ensuring accuracy and relevance, let’s take a look at how you can use other resources to supercharge your flight planning experience.
Pilots of today are lucky to have all the information they need right at their fingertips. Thanks to modern and powerful software, pilots can get instant assistance with route planning, weather analysis, fuel estimation, navigation, and real-time updates.
Let’s look at some of the most effective aviation tools available today:
METARs and TAF data
As briefly discussed above, a METAR (Meteorological Aerodrome Report) is an incredibly important report that provides information about the current weather.
However, it isn’t as simple as that. This report is designed to provide very fine details that can help pilots make extremely well-informed decisions. These reports help pilots fly safely, and since they are integrated into most modern aviation applications, you get weather information extremely conveniently.
TAF (Terminal Area Forecast) is another similar forecast report. TAFs provide a forecast for a longer period, for example, 8, 24 or 36 hours.
This report is perfect for planning future trips or for assessing a clear-weather day in the future. By using both of these reports, pilots can enhance their planning workflow and increase effectiveness by lowering the chance of errors.
Flight School Resources
One of the coolest perks of joining a flight school is that you also get access to several resources that can help you plan the perfect trip.
From weather reports like METARs or TAF data to digital fuel calculations specifically designed for aircraft in the fleet, many capable aero clubs, like Sherburn Aero Club, provide a range of supporting services to all club members to allow them to plan their trips.
You can use these resources, along with online and mobile tools, to help you plan better and increase your effectiveness as a pilot.
Using Other Applications
Several other mobile applications work similar to SkyDemon. However, more isn’t better. Information overload is a real problem, and you can also get option fatigue by having too many options to choose from. This is why we recommend limiting your usage of planning software to just one or two applications.
This way, you can spend more time enjoying your journey instead of obsessing over details on your mobile screen. The key is to use these applications to enhance your experience, not to take over it!
Use all applications wisely, and also fall back on official reports like NOTAMs for the most accurate and updated information.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT FLIGHT TOOL FOR YOUR NEEDS
In most cases, the best application for you will be the one most often used around you. For example, if your flight school promotes a specific application or if your peers use a specific application, then that is the one that you will get the most benefit from.
Since everyone will be using one application, this will lower the chances of errors and may even help you find some important gotchas by peer-reviewing data.
Additionally, pilots should ensure that the tools and technology they use comply with the region and type of flying. For example, flight tools should accommodate VFR and IFR flights and be highly compatible with your aircraft’s avionics.
You must also consider your budget when picking one or multiple planning software. Flight apps may offer free features, but the most important features are almost always behind a paywall.
In most cases, you will have to subscribe to or buy a licence for the application that you want to use. For example, SkyDemon offers a £118 annual fee for the first year, but you get the benefit of paying £90 next year. Keep in mind that if you subscribe to multiple platforms, then you are bound to accumulate costs!
WHY CHOOSE SHERBURN AERO CLUB?
Sherburn Aero Club, which has been operational since 1964, is the ideal place for most of your training and flying needs. It is one of the largest flying clubs in the North of England and also one of the largest in the country.
With a large fleet of new aircraft and an airfield refurbishment with new runways, hangars, and an extended clubhouse, Sherburn caters to brand-new flyers who have just started their journey to the skies, as well as seasoned flyers who have been operating aircraft for decades.
If you wish to begin your career in aviation or wish to take to the skies as a hobby, Sherburn’s flight training school offers private and commercial licences, along with pilot medicals to ensure a smooth journey going forward.
Sherburn offers a dedicated day-long Flight Radiotelephony Operator’s Licence (FRTOL) course for those wishing to get the certification, running on the first Sunday of every month.
For those who wish to experience the thrill of a flight for fun or to help fuel their aviation dreams, Sherburn offers experience flights for the newbie, as well as the veteran.
The flight experience option is also available for people who wish to take to the skies for special occasions, even if they aren’t into aviation in the long run.
In addition to that, if you are looking for a hangarage for your own aircraft, need servicing or repairs, want to buy a new aircraft or aviation equipment, or are just looking to enjoy and watch the aircraft, Sherburn Aero Club is the place to be.
Call us at 01977 682 674, email us at flightdesk@sherburnaeroclub.com, or message us via our online contact form for more information on the SkyDemon and NATS AIS workflow and how you can use these resources for planning your flight.
Photo by Leonel Fernandez on Unsplash
