Swiss software developers MaxPower have updated their very helpful Robinson preflight app for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad, now at version 2.0.  The app previously covered R22 Beta II and R44 Raven II and has now been expanded to cover the earlier R22 Beta model and the R44 Raven I.

The app has also been updated to allow users to view data in a graph in addition to the tabular and avionics visuals as before.  Developer MR Apps has also said that they have been made aware by a Robinson Training Instructor that there are great differences between Table and Graph calculations – and have repeated that warning in red text in the app itself – along with “This originates from differences in the manufacturer documentation”.

As before, we recommend this app to all Robinson Pilots – and yes, we bought the app and did not have a “review copy”.  We have tested it on both iPhone and iPad and while the concept is simple, the implementation and the output from the app make this a clear requirement for pilots.  Time is money, particularly for those successful people who can afford to fly a helicopter – and the time such people normally take to do these calculations more than justifies buying this app for a single use.

The “paperwork” also includes this warning: This Application reflects general recommendations only and aircraft manufacturers’ documentation must always be followed. This application can never replace the responsibility of the aeroplane operator’s / pilots judgement. The responsibility for the correct operation of the helicopter always stays with the operator / pilot of the helicopter. Although great care has been taken by the developer, errors or misprints can occur for which the developer can not be held liable. The developer does not accept liability for any damage, personal injury, death or any other negative effect that may result from the use of the information contained in this application as a whole or parts thereof.

To download the app, which is priced in the UK at just £1.49 go to the Apple App Store and search on R22 or R44.  In Switzerland, the app is priced at 2.00 Swiss Francs. The app is called “max power R22 | r44″

See also http://www.mr-apps.ch and further screen shots in our previous article on this app.

Jeremy Parkin – HeliHub.com