Originally Posted By: Russ
about the weather...
Quote:
...The needed weather info is there, but is it available in a format, way and form that a particular pilot can relate to? There is still much work to be done when it comes to this kind of weather service....

A friend of mine flies with a portable Garmin receiver (similar to the GPSMAP 696) that he sets above the panel on whichever aircraft he's flying. Not only does it do all the air navigation you expect in a receiver of this type, but it also receives XM WX™ Satellite Weather broadcast.


All well and good, and I'm sure it's a nifty gadget. But does it include upper wind (actual fligth level wind) in the ground speed/fuel consumption/range calculations? I doubt it - but I would be very happy if you could prove me wrong.