For those interested in NATS and Oceanic traffic worldwide a reminder that PlanePlotter now has
full oceanic coverage using satcom downlinks provided by a dozen or so satellite systems worldwide plus sitreps.
The latest version is now available...here's a note from Bev at COAA.
Hi,
PlanePlotter version 6.4.4.7 is now available for download by following the link on the PlanePlotter web site. "http://www.planeplotter.com/#download"
---Usual boilerplate---
Updates are free to registered users.
You may need to exercise your browser Refresh function to force it to show you the new version of the PlanePlotter web page. If you post a message complaining that the web site is still pointing to an earlier version, you pay a forfeit!
You can install the new version over the old one but you *must* close/exit PlanePlotter before installing the new one. Your settings will be preserved. Nic's installer will warn you if PlanePlotter is still running when you try to install the new version.
If you have a version-specific firewall (eg Zone Alarm), you may have to reassure it that the new version is permitted to access the Internet. Be aware that an increasing number of security systems treat any new file as a threat without any justification except that it is new. Please don't write to me about it; write to your security system provider and ask them to make their program smarter.
If you have an installation of PlanePlotter running under Linux/Wine, this installer may not run. In that case (only), please download :
www.coaa.co.uk/planeplotter6_4_4_7.zip and unzip the files into the existing PlanePlotter application directory. Note that this will only work if PlanePlotter is already installed under Wine as it only contains the new executable and not all the other files that are required to run the program.
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New in version 6.4.4.7
QNH correction
The new version includes an updated list of METAR reporting stations for use with the QNH option. The old list included some obsolete stations.
This version also includes the ability to update the QNH periodically. Options..QNH setup (at the bottom of the pull-down) allows you to select automatic QNH refresh when changing the chart view or at regular intervals.
QNH is the pressure setting that shows the correct Altitude of the aircraft above sea level. If you specify a transition level in Options..Chart..Options, the PlanePlotter altitude/FL display will use the QNH below that level instead of the Flight Level which uses the QNE of 1013.2hP. Aircraft on the ground will then show the correct Altitude of the runway rather than the Flight Level, which might be quite different if the local sea-level pressure is different from 1013.2hP.
Data sorting
The 'a' window now sorts correctly, when required.
Circles method
The Circles method now retrieves the sharerlocations.txt file from the specified Chart directory where Options..Script..Download sharer location, places the file. This avoids the need to copy the file to the application directory. This change is to simplify operation if you have installed the program in the C:\Program files\ path, to which PlanePlotter cannot write.
*** The assumption is that the designated Chart directory is outside of that path. Note that if you use the Circles method, you will need to move your current sharerlocations.txt file from the application directory to the chart directory in order for this new version to work correctly.
PC clock correction
This release will enable me to apply a correction to the PC clock for those handful of users who are either reluctant or unable to meet the clock accuracy requirements for successful sharing. I had hoped that the use of NTP would become universal so that PC clocks were always accurate. It seems that was a forlorn hope in a few cases, so this version will deal with the problem in a different way.
Evaluation time extension
If you have exhausted the 21-day time limit for the free evaluation of PlanePlotter, this release will give you the chance to have another 21 days of evaluation time.
Enjoy!
Bev
COAA