Program History
Nav Canada is continuously updating the Canadian designated airspace and the CFS. It is highly recommended that you get the Canadian database annual subscription.
Notes
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Update 5.11.0:
- Weather information is fully restored. The source for weather in the U.S. and Canadian airspace is taken from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Weather Service and the Aviation Weather Center websites.
Update 5.10.1:
- Both Nav Canada and Aviation Weather Center changed the formats of their weather reports. Those changes interrupted the way CHART & FLY collects weather information. This program update provides a partial fix where METAR and TAF for Canadian and US airports are taken from Aviation Weather Center. US upper wind information feed was restored, however, restoring Canadian upper wind info feed might take longer.
Update 5.10.0:
- A minor fix related to World database.
- A minor modification to the W&B graph.
- Fixed an issue when deleteing a point from a database.
- Aircraft Profile: Changes to the aircraft profile structure to accommodate additional data.
- Extended Cruise Performance and Climb Performance tables to allow non-linear performances.
- Added RVSM checkbox to denote an aircraft approved to operate in reduced vertical separation minimum airspace.
- Added Propulsion type menu list. Allows selecting between Fixed Pitch, Constant Speed, Turbofan and Turboprop.
- Added a new W&B tab for loading range in the main fuel tank.
- No need to reselect an aircraft after updating its profile.
- Upon calling an existing aircraft profile, the Equipment lists will be populated with checkmarks in the right places.
- Removed Vno and Max Useful Alt textboxs. These values no longer required for the calculations.
- Removed Constant Speed checkbox. Replaced by the new Propulsion menu list.
- Added to the Load frame 3 textboxes for Maximum Takeoff Weight, Maximum Landing Weight and Maximum Zero-Fuel Weight.
- Added and updated aircraft profiles to the total of more than 20 preset profiles.
- Settings window:
- Added turbofan and turboprop aircraft power settings.
- Improved power settings input validation.
- Changes to some labels.
- Weather tab:
- Added more upper wind layers to 53,000 feet.
- Allow changing Outside Air Temperature manually.
- Minor changes to altimeter setting range to comply with recent standards.
- Added a footnote regarding altimeter setting.
- Weight & Balance:
- If specified in the aircraft profile, Maximum Takeoff Weight, Maximum Landing Weight and Maximum Zero-Fuel Weight are plotted.
- Added ramp centre of gravity position.
- Improved presentation.
- Flight plan calculations:
- Improved power setting adjustments when loading a saved flight plan while using aircraft of different power capabilities.
- Flight rules were extended to all flight levels and include RVSM.
- The calculations extend beyond the Troposphere layer.
- Added non-linear calculations capability.
- Include dew point when calculating density altitude.
- Some code changes to accommodate turbofan and turboprop aircraft.
- Flight Plan report:
- The Flight Planning Form was replaced by the Flight Plan report. The new composite report includes the previous planning form, elevations profile and a new table listing density and true altitudes.
- Some changes to labels and footnotes. E.g., “OAT” instead of “Temperature”.
- When a leg is dedicated to climb only (does not have a cruising component), the power value will show “FT” (full throttle).
- Amended Alerts.
- Search engine:
- The search engine allows searching for US airports also by their ICAO identifiers.
- A fix to user’s waypoints not being listed.
- Flight Computer Plus:
- Some changes to labels and footnotes.
- Moon’s images are back and will be downloaded automatically.
- Improved date validation.
- Short cut changed to Ctrl + C
- Time Zone:
- Added a checkbox for Daylight Saving Time (DST).
- Use your local current time zone settings (including DST), or let the program calculate the time zone and DST (USA, Canada, European Union and Australia).
- Dashboard: It is now more compact and moveable. Allows for a larger map area.
- Flight Log/Nav: Remove alerts from this report. The Alerts stay as part of the new Flight Plan report.
- Elevations Profile: This report is now part of the new Flight Plan report.
- NOTAMs: Recent changes to websites do not allow tailoring NOTAMs to the flight plan anymore. Links to NOTAM websites were moved to the Help menu.
- Navaid Profile: In the process of mass decommissioning of navaids by Nav Canada, some VOR/DME facilities became solely DMEs. It is possible now that a DME will be a point in an airway and therefore should be visible on the chart. DME facilities are represented by an orange disc.
- Fixed occasional problem getting Canadian METAR and TAFs while hovering over a point.
- Replaced Options > Weather Methods with Options > Set Altitudes for Best Time.
- Updated and improved User Guide.
Update 5.9.5:
- Changes to the Takeoff and Landing Distances frame in the Aircraft Profile form. The calculations are based on the same model as before with minor corrections. Also, the Aircraft Profile comes with a new calculator, employing a learning algorithm, to find the optimal exponents easily. Read the new extended explanation in the User Guide > Aircraft.
- Six new aircraft profiles are included. Other profiles were updated. All of the profiles come with optimal exponents, needed for the Takeoff and Landing Distances model.
- Several fixes.
Update 5.9.3, 5.9.4:
- Several fixes and improvements.
Update 5.9.2:
- Reports > Elevations Profile: A new report allowing the user to get better understanding of the topography along the route, relative to the flight altitude. Important: This report does not relieve the pilot from his/her responsibility to consider the MOCAs, using current official navigation charts.
- Several fixes.
Update 5.9.1:
- Options > Navigation Method: the user can select which navigation method to employ, Great Circle or Rhumb Line. Read topic Navigation Method in the User Guide.
- Tools > Flight Computer + > Radius of Action: improved model.
- Tools > Flight Computer + > Celestial Navigation: improved and corrected.
- Several fixes.
Update 5.9.0:
- A new search engine, sleeker and faster than before.
- Clicking on a point is now the only way to insert it as a waypoint or an alternate in the plan (No more need for the F5 and F9 keys).
- No limit on the number of airports and navaids in the databases. This is especially useful in the new World database (Help > Download Databases > World).
- Improved program behaviour when depicting traffic and position.
- Some style changes.
Update 5.8.3:
- Improved Celestial Navigation calculator, found in Tools > Flight Computer > Celestial Navigation.
- New feature: Astro Compass, found in Tools > Flight Computer > Astro Compass.
- Several fixes.
Update 5.8.2:
- Traffic: Added a bolder warning when another aircraft, transmitting ADS-B Out, gets too close to the aircraft you are flying.
- Flight Computer +:
- New and improved features.
- Improved input validity check.
- The amount of water vapour in the air is now a factor in calculating air density.
- Softer background.
- The image if the current Moon’s phase is temporary unavailable for downloading.
- Several fixes.
- Scanned map: Improved calibration process.
- In Layers, Night Vision was replaced by Dark Mode. Dark Mode works with Blank map only and can be set as the default view.
- New World Magnetic Model - WMM-2020.
- Nav Canada has changed the way it provides NOTAMs. The link was updated. Currently, an automatic retrieval of NOTAMs from Nav Canada is not available.
- Improved importing waypoints from a list.
- Streamlined and improved code structure.
- Some style improvements.
- Several fixes.
Update 5.8.1:
- Traffic: Change to how the program collects ADS-B messages from the RTL-SDR device. In order to avoid the risk of antivirus programs detect and quarantine the NetCat program used to stream messages to C&F, a new approach is employed that does not require the use of NetCat. Other minor improvements.
- Flight Computer +: A new look; added features; updated link to moon’s phase; various fixes.
- Minor improvements to the main screen resizing.
- Minor fixes.
Update 5.8.0: (Apr-2019)
- Change of name. Flight Wizard was introduced in 2000. At the time of introduction, the name Flight Wizard, or as it was originally called The Canadian Flight Wizard, was unique and there was no confusion in relation to other products on the Web.
Over time, the name Flight Wizard started to appear in other web sites, offering related products and services. This reality did not help our brand.
We felt that taking legal actions on different fronts would not be a course we would like to pursue. Instead, we have decided to turn a page and move forward with a new name - CHART & FLY.
We believe that the new name describes the product more accurately and more effectively. In addition to the name change, we have a new website address, chartandfly.com, with an updated look.
Flight Wizard users can use CHART & FLY with the same privileges as before, and the switch is seamless. CHART & FLY does not run over Flight Wizard, i.e. you do not have to uninstall the latter and your saved files are kept intact. However, you can import your files to the new program.
You can be sure that the quality and innovative approach in developing the product stays unchanged. We hope that CHART & FLY will earn your continued support.
Update 5.7.5-6:
- 23-Jan-2019: Flight Computer +: Improvements to the GS + Compass Heading and Unknown Wind features.
- 23-Jan-2019: Positioning and Traffic: Improved squitter analysis; Traffic is now presented by cyan-coloured airplanes, showing heading.
- Includes the latest version of the World Magnetic Model (WMM2015v2) for magnetic variation calculations.
- Control zones are now bordered by dashed lines.
- Fixed some anomalies with the yellow airplane behaviour in GPS mode.
- Minor fixes.
- Minor changes to the User Interface.
Update 5.7.4:
- New feature: Aircraft Checklist. The user can create, edit and view the aircraft checklist linked to the aircraft in use. (see Tools > Aircraft Checklist in the User Guide).
- The Aircraft Profile form was modified to accommodate the Checklist File Path textbox.
- The user can now scroll up and down the reports by using the scroll-bar, mouse-wheel or by dragging the form.
- A detailed explanation in the User Guide on how to use airport diagrams with Flight Wizard.
- The Celestial Navigation calculator now supports reductions for the Sun, Moon, the
brightest planets and 58 stars.
- Minor fixes.
Update 5.7.3:
- Fixed U.S. upper winds and other web sites' links.
- A new feature in Flight Computer +: Time & Distance to Navaid.
- User Guide: Enhanced explanation regarding Celestial Navigation calculator.
Update 5.7.2:
- Improved the downloading and presentation of Cached map.
- Increased the coverage of Sectionals to include the 48 states and Alaska. Sectional can be viewed in zoom level 10. Some areas, usually associated with Terminal Areas, can be viewed in zoom level 11.
- The look of Flight Computer + has been modified to include a new feature - Celestial Navigation. Although still useful for mariners, pilots no longer use celestial bodies for navigation purposes. Therefore, this feature was added merely in the effort to transform the flight computer into a general navigation computer.
- Flight Wizard's website moved to a new server, necessitating some changes in the program.
- Various fixes.
Update 5.7.1:
- Revised Options menu layout.
- A new structure to the Pilot Profile files. The program automatically converts old files to the new structure.
- A new feature: A Pilot Logbook template, in a MS Excel format, was added. For details read Tools > Pilot Logbook topic in the User Guide.
- Minor changes.
- Minor fixes and improvements to Flight Computer +.
Update 5.7.0:
- Minimized clutter and eliminated redundancy from the main user interface.
- The old View menu is now called Options and it includes new items and items that were moved from other menus.
- The Get Weather button was cancelled. Instead, every time one calls the Flight Planning Form or the Flight Log/Nav from the Reports menu the program checks for weather update according to the option selected in the Options menu.
- The old Edit menu is now called Tools and includes Backtrack Route and Flight Computer +, replacing the old buttons.
- The databases were restructured, streamlined and improved. As a result, the program is noticeably faster.
- The flight planning files format has been changed. However, the previous format should work seamlessly.
- The program includes a utility that seamlessly converts the old user's points database into its new structure.
- The Cached Map is capable to show the same weather layers as the Online Map used to. As a result, the Online Map became redundant and therefore no longer available.
- The Notes section in the Flight Log presents the notes included in the Aerodrome and User Points profiles, as well as the Morse code for the Navaids.
- The Aircraft profile was improved. The user can select Com, Nav and SSR equipment from various lists.
- The FAA is moving away from U.S. Flight Plan form to ICAO Flight Plan form. Therefore the U.S. Flight Plan form is no longer available.
- New menu short-cuts.
- Improved ICAO Flight Plan form.
- Improved Touch-screen support.
- Improved Intro screen.
- Improved the way airways are presented.
- Improved Import and Export functions.
- Improved Blank Map.
- The trial period was extended to 30 days.
- The user will be alerted 30 days before the subscription expiers.
- The User Guide was reconstructed and updated.
- Minor fixes.
Update 5.6.2:
- A new enc/dec module supporting one key that replaces the user id and password. As a result the Intro screen has been modifies. This change does not affect user's status or subscription.
- Clicking or navigating with the Tab key highlights the text in the field in focus. This makes it easier to change the content of that field.
- The trial period was set to 14 days.
Update 5.6.1:
- Fixed. In some cases the yellow airplane did not show when a GPS receiver was connected or while in Replay Flight.
- Various fixes.
Update 5.6.0:
- This version marks a change in the business model. Until further notice, new users can use the program as subscribers only, while registered users, those who used the program so far, can continue using it as always, indefinitely. To download databases and maps, registered users need to subscribe, as before.
- The Calculators feature has been replaced by Flight Computer +. With the new feature one can do all the calculations performed with Computer and Wind sides of an E6B, and much more.
- A new internal ICAO Standard Atmosphere module was developed to improve calculations efficiency.
- The Online map mode is now called Cached map and it became the default map mode. The program restores the last map mode used and position.
- Change to how Endurance and Cruising Speed are calculated in the different reports. See Reports > ICAO Flight Plan in the User Guide.
- Changes to the user interface, some menus, and point selection.
- Changes to the code allow faster performance.
- The trial period is now 10 days. Those who tried the program in the past can have another go.
- Minor bug fixes.
Update 5.5.4:
- Installing and connecting the RTL-SDR receiver has been simplified greatly.
- Flight recording files are now smaller and contain only the relevant records.
- A ribbon at the top of the map replaces the yellow label that used to follow the aircraft with the GPS info. The info now includes date and time and appears constantly.
- Allowing the airplane covering more distance before refreshing the map.
- The user can incrementally change the speed of the flight replay.
- The user can select the type of Online maps to delete.
Update 5.5.1-3:
- New instractions regarding installing RTL-SDR receiver.
- Updated broken links.
- The word AUTO was added to the ATIS list of weather systems, in the Aerodrome Profile.
- The yellow airplane (when a GPS is connected) is depicted without the white background.
- A confirmation was added after clearing the Online map.
- A fix: in some cases connecting a GPS receiver triggered an error.
- A fix: in some cases updating the databases triggered an error.
Update 5.5.0:
- New mapping capabilities:
- The original Online Map mode is now called Online (Browser) mode since it behaves like a web application.
- The new Online mode is an adaptation of the Online (Browser) to make it behave like Blank and Scanned modes. Available to subscribers only, in this mode the program downloads FAA VFR Sectional charts that cover the Canadian airspace or, alternatively, OpenStreetMap. Downloading these maps makes them available for offline use and as Moving Maps.
- The FAA distributes free geo-referenced VFR Sectionals and other digital charts. The program calibrates these maps automatically.
- The old CanMatrix feature was removed since better options are available now.
Read more in the newly revised Maps section in the User's Guide.
- Numerous minor improvements.
Update 5.4.2:
- Unique signs replace the colour coding for Action types.
- Updated links.
- Some cosmetic changes.
- Minor fixes.
Update 5.4.1:
- Accepting more database items.
Update 5.4.0:
- Traffic is a new feature that decodes and graphically presents ADS-B and TIS-B messages from ADS-B Out equipped aircraft and ground stations. With a correct receiver, this experimental feature allows monitoring properly equipped aircraft traffic. The Traffic feature works with the GPS feature and both may provide warning about potential conflicts with your aircraft. For more about these two features read the Traffic and Positioning topic in the Guide.
- The GPS feature was redesigned and rewritten.
- Received Traffic and GPS messages are recorded automatically for replaying later.
- A fix: the program maintains the correct map when switching between Online base maps.
- Logging into Nav Canada Flight Plan Filing site is no longer available.
Update 5.3.1-3:
- Added GPS Baud Rate levels.
- Minor modifications.
- Minor fixes.
Update 5.3.0:
- A new Map mode added - Online Map, available for databases subscribers only.
- Interface changes: a Map submenu replaces the Map button; the NOTAM link moved to the Reports submenu; the translucency feature has been removed.
- Clicking on the map allows for a quick insertion of the next user-defined waypoint.
- Changes to the User's Guide.
Update 5.2.4:
- As stated in Aeronautical Information Circular (AIC) 12/12, Nav Canada is changing the way it maintains magnetic variation data. Flight Wizard no longer recalls magnetic variation values stored in the databases, instead, the program calculates the current magnetic variation for every point.
- In the near future the databases may include U.S. Special Use Airspace. This necessitated changes to the program.
- A notification message added, that running the latest program update is a prerequisite to updating the databases.
- Adjustment to cruise performance when temperature is below or above standard.
- Adjustment to climb performance when temperature is above standard.
- Adjustment for headwind during climbing.
- A warning message appears before loading a saved flight plan, while using a different aircraft.
- A fix: in some cases the routines interpolating/extrapolating wind direction had weaknesses.
- A fix: the altitude in Circling Climb did not register in all cases.
- A fix: changes to taxi and run-up time in the aircraft profile did not reflect when loading a saved flight plan.
- A fix: did not save flight plans properly when Fight Rules off.
- A fix: the info label, chasing the pointer, did not show the correct magnetic track.
Update 5.2.3:
- Nav Canada has made substantial changes to low level airways and you must update the program in order to run the new databases.
- If the current METAR report does not include temperature or altimeter setting, the program uses the last reported value.
- A new structure to some databases.
- The Help menu lists a link to demo video clips.
Update 5.2.2:
- Basic Empty weight is a required field.
- Eliminating a possible error when switching between aircraft with a different number of stations.
Update 5.2.1:
- Analyzing FD reports has been corrected, eliminating the possibility of considering an earlier "For Use" forecast.
- A fix: in rare cases the program-updating feature caused an error.
- The "What's New" menu option links to this page.
Update 5.2.0:
- Fixed error "Path not Found" when creating a Pilot's Profile. Affected only few cases.
- A new point search engine was added, allowing to search the databases by using letter combination in the name or indicator.
- Right-clicking a user point allows to edit/delete the point.
- The new examples in User's Guide are reflecting the above changes.
- A new warning message and behaviour in some cases when calculating the wind at cruising altitude involves extrapolating.
- Some minor aesthetic changes.
- Some minor fixes.
Update 5.1.8:
- Corrected manifold pressure decimal increments in the Settings window.
- Some changes to the Aircraft Profile creator in order to lessen confusion over Min/Max labels.
- Improved detection of missing files in case of incomplete installation.
- Some minor fixes.
- Better adaptation of Flight Wizard Online to small screens as in tablets and smartphones.
Update 5.1.6-7:
- The program setup file does not include the databases as before. Upon first-time installation the program downloads the most recent databases.
- The much improved online version of Flight Wizard - FWO was reintroduced. FW5 registered users are invited to submit their aircraft profiles for enhanced work experience.
- Improved importation of GPX files.
- Some minor fixes.
Update 5.1.5:
- Updated link to U.S. airports diagrams.
- Modified GPX files to improve uploading routes directly to GPS receivers.
- Improved depiction of Canadian designated airspace and relocated the info box to provide an unobstructed view.
- Added a Cancel button where a user's confirmation is needed.
- Corrected the scrollbar function of the auxiliary tank fuel quantity.
Update 5.1.4:
- The way the power setting is handled has been changed:
- The Altitude and Power values (MP or RPM) are saved and, unless changed in the Settings window, they can always be retrieved.
- There are four options in the Weather menu, under Get WX:
- Cruising Altitude & Power as Set - the altitude and the power are as you have set
them in the Settings window.
- Cruising Altitude as Set, Auto Power - the altitude is as you have set it in the
Settings window and power is calculated for economy cruise.
- Cruising Altitude for Best Time, Power as Set - the altitude is calculated for best
time according to the upper winds and the power as was set in the Settings window.
- Cruising Altitude for Best Time, Auto Power - the altitude is calculated for best
time according to the upper winds, while the power is calculated for economy cruise.
- The Get WX button (W) behaves as option (i).
- A new Max Speed field was added to the aircraft profile. When the calculated CAS value is grater than the Max Speed an alert will be produced in the reports. Make sure to include the Max Speed value in your aircraft profile.
- An info box shows the distance and magnetic track from the last waypoint to the pointer location.
- A leg info box is showing when the pointer is on a leg line.
- Other minor fixes and changes.
- Thanks to Todd Mitton for his suggestions.
Update 5.1.3:
- Weight and Balance in now part of the Settings window, skipping an extra step in the starting point and a stopover. Unlike before, you can cancel changes to the fuel quantity and load distribution.
- The legend of the W&B graph describes more accurately the phase in flight.
- A track saved in a GPX file can be imported and automatically saved and loaded as a flight plan.
- Waypoints imported in a GPX file, unlike those in a text file, are not stored and expire when clearing the flight plan. Developed with help from CASARA members.
- A faster import waypoints process.
- Improved popup menu when clicking on the Waypoints List.
- When creating an aircraft profile the program alerts about illegal characters before saving.
- Some minor changes.
Update 5.1.2:
- The Flight Plan list is now called Waypoints List.
- A pop-up menu was added to the Waypoints List to make editing more intuitive.
- Allows point elevation higher than 9999'. Read Point Profile in User's Guide.
- Some minor menu and other changes.
Update 5.1.1:
- Pilots of fixed pitch propeller aircraft can change power (RPM) setting in every en-route leg as pilots of variable pitch constant speed prop aircraft could change the MP all along. If declined, the program does it automatically with relation to the pressure altitude. You will be prompted to modify your aircraft profile (read Aircraft Profile topic in Help).
- When selecting Weather > Get Wx > Cruising Alt for Best Time, the program adjusts the power setting to accommodate the new altitudes.
- Flight Rules are extended to altitudes between 18,000' and below FL 290.
- Fixed some minor bugs.
- The User's Guide has been updated to reflect the latest modifications and improve explanations.
Update 5.1.0:
- Alternates - a new feature. With a Corporate Licence the user can select an alternate for every en-route destination in the plan, while with a Single User Licence the user is limited to one alternate per plan.
- The Start, Next and Previous buttons were removed. Instead, click the Flight Plan list on the waypoint that you wish to edit or delete.
- The default cruising altitude for an en-route leg is based on the altitude in the previous leg.
- Night Vision (Blank Map mode) - a new feature.
- The user can set the distance from the track for listing navaids in the Flight Log.
- The allowed number of waypoints in a flight plan was increased to 30.
- Some menu titles have been change in order to enhance the distinction between a waypoint in the plan and a point in the database.
- Some restrictions regarding point's locations and track calculation were removed.
- Performances of some features have been improved.
- Improved METAR decoding.
- Fixed some minor bugs.
- Streamlined the code to improve integrity.
- The program gives a second opportunity for those who have tried it in the past.
Update 5.0.3:
- The link to US METARs has been updated.
- The link to FAA NOTAMs has been updated.
- A new way to add waypoints to the plan. Type the waypoint id in the Point field, press the down arrow key once and then press the F5 key. This works also when adding a waypoint between two other waypoints.
- Fixed: Next page printing.
- Improved "no Internet connection" notification.
- Improved METAR decoding.
Update 5.0.2:
- Fixed: Hovering over a track line may confuse the Settings window.
- Fixed: While using rubber band, adding a waypoint beyond the maximum 18 may create a run-time error.
- A description of the different points was added in the Help guide.
Update 5.0.1:
- Accumulated fixes and improvements since introduction.
Version 5.0.0:
- A new, slicker and less cluttered user interface.
- The processes of selecting and editing points, aircraft and pilots have been simplified.
- The way of editing a flight plan has been changed and includes the use of a "rubber band".
- The way to create a flight plan has been modified.
- Canadian airspace presentation has been improved.
- Added LF/MF airways.
- The different Canadian airspace areas are depicted on scanned maps.
- Max altitude for Best Time can be controlled from the Aircraft Profile.
- W&B can be viewed at any waypoint.
- Right-clicking on the map showing reference to a free CanMatrix map and loads it if it was calibrated. (6/10/2009)
- Pointing at any point or airspace special area indicator will bring up the information concerning that point or area and will highlight the borders in case of an airspace special area.
- Airports that a METAR is provided for them are uniquely marked. If connected to the Internet, pointing at such airport will bring up the METAR and TAF.
- Navigating the map is done by "grab and drag" instead of using scrollbars.
- The maximum cruising altitude has been increased from 18000' to 39000'.
- The Flight Log includes a list of the navaids in the vicinity of the track
- The improved Help includes a step-by-step illustrated tutorial.
- The application allows you to change the translucency level of some windows.
- The colour of the track line has been changed to red and is thicker when depicted on a scanned map.
- The program offers a default file name when saving a flight plan.
- When loading a saved flight plan the last waypoint will be centered.
- Some changes to menus, labels and behavior.
- Fully compatible with Vista and Windows 7.
- Improved importing and exporting waypoints and tracks.
- Features that are no longer included: downloading and calibration of Toporama maps, Draw Mode, built-in web browser, Online Map.
Update 4.5.10-12:
- The link to US METARs has been updated. (05/03/2010)
- The link to FAA NOTAMs has been updated. (05/03/2010)
- A change to the METAR analyzing function. (05/03/2010)
- A fix to the "Find cruising alt for best time" feature.
- Modifying the program updating utility.
- ESRI no longer makes its maps available for free. Therefore, until a new provider can be found, the Online Map feature is disabled.
Update 4.5.8-9:
- A fix to the databases update module.
- A fix to the Canadian airspace module.
- Other minor changes.
Update 4.5.7:
- The structure of the Canadian airspace databases has been change. This update supports the new and old structures.
- The program/databases functions have been improved.
- Improved METAR analyzing.
- In April 2009, Toporama topographic map files where removed from Natural Resources Canada web site. As a consiquence the program no longer automatically downloads Toporama map files.
- Fixed some minor bugs.
- Flight Wizard Online has been improved. When clicking on "Show Info" or on the point (in Map), you can get the point's info and weather reports, if available.
When calling any of the reports, the weather is included in the calculations without the need to select the option first.
Update 4.5.6:
- Changes have been made to the program and databases updating functions.
- The beta version of Flight Wizard Online is now available. You are invited to try it and provide a feedback.
Update 4.5.5:
- Adopted the recent changes introduced to the Canadian METAR reports (the position of the latest observation).
- Improved in cases when loading a saved flight plan while not using the original aircraft.
Update 4.5.4:
- Improved the way the program accepts load stations when creating an aircraft profile.
- Fixed a few minor bugs.
- Coming soon, the beta version of Flight Wizard Online. This web application has been designed to stretch the capabilities of Flight Wizard 4 and enables creating and updating flight plans online, on any computer, while away from home.
Update 4.5.3:
- Code integrity has been improved.
Update 4.5.2:
- Canadian databases annual subscriptions are now available and can be ordered. Updating is done automatically by selecting the proper option from the Help menu.
- Some changes to the Aerodrome Information window, among them the Comments field has been changed to User's Comments. When updating the databases, the User's Comments will be transferred, unchanged, into the new database.
- The program has been updated to work on Windows Vista machines by automatically elevating the privilege level to Administrator.
- Network enabled with Corporate Licence (Feb 26, 2008).
Update 4.5.1:
- A fix in presenting designated altitude and time of Danger/Restricted/Advisory Areas.
- The IAS label in the Flight Planning Form has been changed to CAS.
- A fix to printing the Aircraft profile.
Update 4.5.0:
- The Weight and Balance feature has been redesigned in order to accommodate more complex envelops and lateral centre of gravity limits. As a result, the Aircraft Profile window has been change extensively and with it the structure of each aircraft file. The update utility will convert all aircraft files into the new format.
Update 4.4.1:
- The model to estimate the takeoff/landing distances (TLD) has been replaced. Many thanks to Chris Basham for his help in developing the new model.
Important! If the TLD fields of an aircraft profile contain previous values, erase them and put the new requested values.
- A fix to calculating easterly magnetic variation of intersection/fix points.
- The error message: "Print Command error: Permission denied" while attempting to print from the built-in browser, has been resolved.
- Allowing a circling descent.
- Some minor fixes.
Update 4.4.0:
- A new feature: let the program find the optimal cruising altitudes for best time.
- Most databases and files have been restructured. This change was necessary for the development of a new product.
- Each Aircraft profile comes in a separate file for easy sharing.
- The information to calculate Takeoff/Landing distances has been moved to the Aircraft Profile window.
- Corporate License enables multiple pilot profiles.
- The user can pre-select his/hers default aircraft.
- The structure of the flight plan file has been changed. Older flight plans will no longer be supported. The updating utility will convert your old flight plan files into the new structure.
The location of U.S. Airports and Navaids in the databases has been changed. Therefore, saved flight planes that include U.S. airports and navaids may be affected. The same may apply to European and Australian User waypoints databases.
The updating utility moves the new aircraft profiles, databases, map files, newly formatted flight plans, your pilot profile and GPS flight recordings into the Aircraft, Data, Maps, Pilots, Files and GPS subfolders respectively. The old databases and the old format flight plans will be saved in the Old Files subfolder.
- The saved flight plan also saves the flight rules.
- A faster search engine.
- Waypoint search and manual adding of a waypoint into a flight plan has been relocated to the main window.
- Search for Intxn/Fix points.
- The names of the Victor airways are more readable and so are the locations of the intxn/fix points.
- There are more zoom levels and zooming in/out in Blank Map mode has been improved.
- When in Draw mode, any new line on the Blank Map is saved in a special file and not in the supplied chart.
- The French aerodromes near Canada are supported.
- Analyzes LWIS weather reports (Limited Weather Information System).
- Most of the alert messages during flight planning have been replaced by silent alert notifications in the Flight Planning Form and in the Flight/Nav Log.
- New Canadian databases (effective 10 May 2007).
- When downloading a Toporama map for a specific location, the program will scroll the map to that location.
- Some fixes.
Update 4.3.2:
- An updated link to the Canadian NOTAMs.
Update 4.3.1:
- A Fix to the U.S. FD report analyzing routine.
- Minor adjustments.
Update 4.3.0:
- All the reports under the Reports menu have been redesigned, resulting in better formats and improved printing quality. Also, the program will recall changes you have made in fields that do not take their information from the Waypoint, Aircraft and the Pilot databases.
- Redesigning the reports to fit all screen resolutions made the need for creating a bitmap image unnecessary; therefore, this feature has been removed.
- The mouse pointer will be changed from an arrow into a pointing hand, when detecting a point on the map. The same applies when detecting the red dot beside a restricted area indicator. In these cases, information regarding the point will be posted above the map.
- A fix to the Updating Wx Manually routine.
- Other minor changes.
Update 4.2.1:
- A Fix to the FD analyzing routine.
Update 4.2.0:
- Flight Wizard has become a VFR and IFR (Canada low-level airspace) flight-planning tool.
- View Low Level Airways and Intersection Points (Canada only). To view airways, select the proper option from the View menu or switch to IFR mode.
- Import User waypoints from a list (see Import in Help for details).
- Search speed has been increased.
- A few minor improvements and changes.
Update 4.1.0:
- View Danger, Restricted and Advisory Areas (Canada only).
- View Terminal Control Areas and Control Zones (Canada only). Right-clicking on the little red square beside the name of a danger/restricted/advisory area, will bring up the information concerning this area.
- Menu Changes.
- View waypoint name when right-clicking on it.
- The Blank Map has a Mercator projection and comes with a scale on the printout.
- The Great Lakes got back their natural colour.
Update 4.0.3:
- Prints a kneeboard size copy of the entire route.
- Toporama maps can be downloaded upon request for your flight area (Canada only).
- Links to Canadian and U.S. airport diagrams.
- Flight Rules will apply to cruising altitudes of 3000' AGL and above.
- Cosmetic and clarifying changes.
Update 4.0.2:
- The way the program analyzes the Upper Wind reports (FD/FB) has been modified for some situations. Read the Upper Level Wind topic in Help for details.
- A new link to the Online Map feature has been established.
Update 4.0.1:
- When using a blank map the green lines that connect the waypoints are not straight, but curved, depicting an accurate route. This may help in finding waypoints along a great circle when preparing a trip between two distant points.
- A new link to the Online Map feature has been established.
Version 4.0.0:
- A new interface - create a flight plan directly on your scanned map.
- Accepts large image files.
- Accepts the FAA distributed, digital Sectional Aeronautical Charts (VFR Navigation Charts).
- Simplified menus.
- Various improvements to older features and various fixes.
- More image file formats are supported.
- All aerodrome and navaid databases have been updated (effective 27 Oct, 2005).
- LT version is no longer available.
- View 10 NM marks on the presented route (21 Oct, 2005).
Update 3.5.2:
- A fix to NOTAM requests from Nav Canada.
Update 3.5.1:
- A fix to working with aircraft speed scales other than knots.
- A fix to automatic program updating.
Update 3.5.0:
- Canadian users can enjoy now from the Toporama digital topographic maps, available for downloading for free (no calibration needed).
- Added instructions in Help regarding viewing USGS Digital Raster Graphic maps.
- Some fixes and improvements were made the Moving Map feature and to route presentation.
- Fixed some other discrepancies.
Update 3.4.0:
- The European and Australian + New Zealand airports and navaids databases (effective 12 May 2005), are available in Standard configuration only.
- The Canadian airport and navaid databases have been updated (effective 12 May 2005) and available for downloading.
- Bug fixed: under certain circumstances the ETA in the Flight Log exceeded 24:00.
- The link to Online Map has been mended.
- The code has been changed to accept databases of different world regions.
- Accuracy of coordinates when exporting waypoints to third party applications has been increased.
- A fix to loading images in map calibration.
- The program can analyze METAR reports from North American and European stations, where North American stations report the Altimeter Setting in inches of mercury ("Hg) and European station report in millibars (Mb).
- At the bottom of the Pilot window you can enter a link to any web site. To access this link, select the name of the link from the Weather menu.
- A new file format has been added to Save As - GPX, a GPS exchange format that is supported by many GPS applications.
- The utility for updating the U.S. airport and navaid databases has been removed, since the updating process for these databases became more complex and relies on more than one source.
- The internal locations of Heliport CCB3 (Amherst) and VOR VIE (Coehill) within their respective databases, have been changed. To correct a saved flight plan that includes any of these points, delete the point from the plan and enter it again at the proper place.
Update 3.3.1:
- Backtrack Flight Plan is a new single-click feature to make a U-turn and follow the flight plan inbound.
- When loading a saved flight plan file, the starting point will be centered on the chart while zooming-in.
- Automatic program update: Flight Wizard checks, automatically, for a program update. When selected, the program updates its files.
- The flight plan files are associated with the program, i.e., clicking on a flight plan file will start the program.
- The setup program is now a self- extract file.
- The message regarding a missing altimeter setting for a specific waypoint will appear only once.
- U.S. airport and navaid databases have been updated (effective 17 Mar 2005).
Update 3.3.0:
- Fixes to some issues including wind direction and heading, printing reports, search engine and moving map.
- The source for U.S. weather data has been changed from DTC DUAT to Aviation Weather Center, at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. No need to register or to have a U.S. pilot licence.
- Calibrating maps can be done in two methods, with or without geo-reference data. The program supports a number of projections and datum. The algorithm for calibrating scanned maps without geo-reference data has been improved.
- Faster loading of scanned maps.
- The program will accept geo-reference files in JPR format (Fugawi format).
- The program will accept map images in a PNG format, a popular format for map images.
- The program can import and export track points from and to Memory Map, a mapping program.
- Searching for a specific point will bring that point to the centre of the screen while zooming-in.
- NOTAM reports have been separated from the weather menu.
- U.S. airport and navaid databases have been updated (effective 25 Nov 2004). Also updated are the U.S. METAR and FB (upper level wind) reporting stations.
- U.S. airports identifiers are as they appear in the National Airspace System Resource Aeronautical Data CD-ROM, i.e., FAA identifiers. This will clear the confusion that might arise, especially in Alaska.
- Your GPS port and baud rate will be saved.
- Data streaming from the GPS will be saved automatically in a file.
- A preset zoom-in option has been added to the user defined zoom-in.
- A new logo.
- The world magnetic model has been updated to WMM-2005 (1 Jan 2005)
Update 3.2.1:
- A bolder route line (the green line).
- The Online Map will show the Aircraft direction when a GPS is connected.
- A fix to the search engine.
- Improved scrolling in Moving Maps.
- The Manual WX window has been rearranged.
- A Temperature column was added in the Flight Planning Form
- Analyzing the METAR has been improved.
Update 3.2.0:
- Changes to the Aircraft Info window: select Speed Unit (moved from the Flight Log), Fuel Unit and Fuel Type. Specify time for taxi and run-up. Specify time for circuit and taxi to apron after landing.
- Changes to the W&B window: specify Fuel Weight in extreme temperatures.
- Changes to the Flight Planning Form: specify Reserve time and % Contingency. An Extra Fuel field has been added. The speed and fuel results can be presented in different units as pre-selected in the Aircraft Info window.
- Some Data files have a new structure to allow future expansions.
- Control U.S. airports and navaids view.
- Select or deselect scanned map pane.
- The Waypoint Information window has been modified.
- Some fixes to the Search engine, Moving Maps and to the Online Map.
- New U.S. databases, effective Jun 10, 2004.
- Introducing the LT version.
Update 3.1.2:
- Improved Help file.
- The program will enable you to login Nav Canada to file an online flight plan.
Update 3.1.1:
- The search engine has been improved.
- New Canadian databases, effective Apr 15, 2004.
Update 3.1.0:
- Print the flight plan in a U.S. Flight Plan format.
Version 3.0.0:
- The program can use your scanned VFR Navigation Chart (VNC) and VFR Terminal Area Chart (VTA) to depict the route, so you get a real sense about your plan (the charts are not supplied).
- Use the scanned charts as moving maps (a GPS is required).
- A Sunrise/Sunset, First/Last light calculator was added to the Calculators window, as well as a link for downloading an image of the current Moon's phase.
- Circling Climb - when you need to achieve a certain altitude before continuing to the next leg.
- The restriction of one action only (e.g., stopover, holding etc.) that you can take at a waypoint has been removed.
- New databases, effective Feb 19, 2004.
- The speed scale in the Flight Planning Form and in the Flight Log can be presented in Knots, MPH or Km/H.
- One configuration only (North America).
- No need to switch the Regional Settings to English in case of different default settings.
- Changes to the menu were made.
- The presentation of data coming from the GPS has been improved.
- In the Flight Log report, a space for comments has been added.
- Exiting the program, when the plan has not been saved, made clearer.
- An Intro window has been added.
- Issues regarding compatibility with some Windows XP machines have been resolved.
Update 2.2.5:
- A fix for the updating U.S. databases utility.
Update 2.2.4:
- A fix for printing the ICAO and Flight Log reports while using a monitor with low resolution.
Update 2.2.3:
- A change has been made to the way the program connects to DTC DUAT due to a change in the web site. This update is necessary in order to continue to receive the weather data from the web site.
Update 2.2.2:
- The utility for updating the U.S. databases has been improved and the updating process time is now considerably shorter.
- The U.S. databases and the weather stations list have been updated.
Update 2.2.1:
- Canadian NOTAMs include three reports: Aerodrome NOTAM File, Head Office NOTAMs and Flight Information Region (FIR) NOTAMs.
- The chart has been redrawn between Kingston and Cornwall, Ontario.
- Flight Log creation time has been added to the report.
Update 2.2.0:
- The program analyzes surface wind and temperature, taken from the METAR and interpolates them with the upper level data relevant to the cruising altitude.
- Improved handling of FD reports generated by stations located at high altitudes.
- The program provides NOTAMs from Nav Canada.
- Editing stopover, holding and circuit instances. A change can be made between these instances as well as a change to the load and fuel quantity in stopovers.
- The U.S. METAR and FD stations database has gone through a structural change with added stations.
- A small change to the W&B inputs in the Aircraft Information window.
Update 2.1.0:
- No more limited to Stopovers only, you can select Holding or Touch and Go circuits at any waypoint. The different reports will present the type of your selection in a different colour for easy reading.
- The location for setting up the Altimeter Setting manually has been moved to its natural place together with the Upper Level Winds. Unlike before, there is a single window for entering manually the weather information for each waypoint.
- The code has been overhauled extensively to improve integrity.
- When retrieving a saved flight plan, refueling quantity will be retrieved as well.
- The Weight and Balance window and code have been improved. Now you can manipulate the load at any time.
- Some restrictions were lifted.
Version 2.0.0:
- Two configurations were created: Canada and North America.
- The databases include all U.S. public-use airports and navaids (North America only).
- A connection to DTC DUAT for weather reports was created (North America only).
- A utility for updating U.S. databases has been added (North America only).
- A new feature: Online Interactive Map.
- The databases publishing dates presentation.
- A link to Windows calculator.
- Zooming out in steps.
- Clicking on a waypoint does not require zooming in as much as before.
- When printing the Flight Log, a copy will be save as a bitmap file for future reference.
- A stopover is allowed in a User's defined waypoint.
- The Help file is better organized and contains clearer explanations.
- The operations of many existing features were improved.
Update 1.6.1:
- The way the program analyzes the FD report has been improved.
- The Aircraft database will accept BHP data and the various manifold pressure of more advanced airplanes equipped with a controllable propeller pitch.
- Standard fuel quantity can be selected.
- Aircraft Type accepts designators with up to ten characters.
- Weight and Balance station names can be edited.
- Aircraft Weight & Balance info has been modified to make it easier for Piper drivers.
- The crosswind calculator has been extended to include takeoff and landing distances calculator, measurements calculator and pressure altitude and density altitude calculator.
- The program presents the correct magnetic variation for any point on the globe.
- The program will export and import track files and waypoint files to and from selected software (see "Save Plan" and "Load Plan" in Help).
- You can start a flight plan, also, from a user's waypoint.
Update 1.6.0:
- "Find Waypoint" has been upgraded to become more like a search engine. See "Find Waypoint" in the help file.
- The limitations on having two or more waypoints of the same type with the same identifier, and on the ability to change a waypoint identifier have been removed.
- The legs list on the main window has been changed to waypoints list.
- The way you load a saved plan has been changed. See "Load Plan" in the help file.
- The program supports User's waypoints identifiers with up to 7 characters.
- The coordinates, on the lower left side of the main window and when a GPS is connected, are presented in degrees, minutes and seconds.
- When establishing a connection to a GPS, the number of satellites tracked will be presented.
- A new quick way to add a new User's waypoint to the database. Bring the mouse pointer to the desired location on the map, right-click and select "Add A New User's Waypoint". The waypoint's coordinates will be entered automatically.
- When editing En-route Settings for a leg you can select which variable you want to change.
- The next start position of the main window will be determined when exiting the program.
- The message to save before exiting will appear only if you have made changes to the plan.
- If you edit an aircraft or a waypoint record and attempt to exit without saving the changes, you will be prompted to do so.
Update 1.5.1:
- "Auto" and "Manual" modes were combined into a single mode - "Plan". Now, you can get the weather from Nav Canada and alter the upper level winds or the altimeter setting, for any point, at any time without changing mode.
- In the Flight Rules frame a new radio button was added - "Off". Selecting this button will enable you to override the mandatory cruising altitude restriction.
- The "Weather" chapter in the help file has been revised.
Update 1.5.0:
- The left side of the main window has been redesigned. Now, the Date/Time clock is under the Start-up time.
- The direction and velocity of upper winds and temperatures between two points will be
averaged. Before, the upper wind data for a leg was taken from the departing point.
- The "Manual" mode has been completely revised.
- In "Manual" mode you can, also, change the altimeter settings.
- A couple of minor fixes.
Update 1.4.1:
- Important: locate aerodrome CYQL (Lethbridge) and change the elevation to 3047 feet.
- The compass deviation information has been moved from the Flight Log to the Aircraft Information screen, and therefore, into the aircraft database.
- Editing the flight plan has become more flexible. Now, you can change the cruising altitude and the MOCA for previous legs.
- The Flight Log report has been simplified. Also, the distance en-route the required fuel and the fuel remaining were added to the report.
- When changing the magnetic variation of a waypoint, a blinking background will alert you to check the East/West sign.
- The map can be scrolled to any direction.
- The program will recall your last map positioning and zoom factor.
- Print Weight and Balance, Aircraft and Waypoint windows.
- After adding or deleting a waypoint from the plan, all visible reports will be closed to eliminate confusion with the new information.
- A few minor fixes.
- In the Help file, there is a clearer explanation how to get started.
- The "First Time User" zip file contains a "broken" setup file to enable you to backup the complete program on two diskettes. See "Backup the program" in the help file.
Update 1.4.0:
- Improved Weight and Balance presentation:
Switch between two views of the Center of Gravity - C.G. Moment Envelope and C.G Limits.
Checking and unchecking the "Full Tank" box will alternate between full tank capacity and the previous fuel quantity.
- In GPS mode the yellow airplane indicates the position and the true track of the aircraft.
- Improved crosswind calculator presentation.
- The code has been streamlined for better maintenance of the program.
- The different waypoint screens are all in one window, but only the relevant information will be shown.
- In "Find Waypoint" you can, now, select between different types of waypoints with the same identifier.
- By checking, or unchecking, the proper options in the "Waypoints" menu, you can select the types of waypoints to view.
- As soon as the weather updating is finished, an updated "Flight Planning Form" report will show-up instead of the "Finished" message.
- The IAS results in the "Flight Planning Form" report are accurate, also, for TAS greater than 200 Knots.
- In every report you will find a "Print" button. The common "Print" button has been canceled.
- A printer spooling problem, that occurred in some computers, has been fixed.
- There are many small changes that you will discover during your work. These changes will not affect the way you work, however, they will enhance your working experience.
Update 1.3.0:
- Introducing connectivity to GPS.