How to use the Plain Language Router

A new feature has been added to Golden Eagle FlightPrep software! The Plain Language Router (PLR) makes it easy to directly enter your desired routings. If you know exactly what path you want to file, just select Plain Language Router from the Route menu option in Golden Eagle, Golden Eagle Plus and ChartCase Professional. Simply open the PLR, enter your route with spaces between each waypoint, and you are done! Are you short on oxygen or not equipped? Simply enter "KUAO *V-9000 KSAC" and the system will build a valid airways route from Aurora to Sacramento Executive with a maximum MEA of 9000'. The router also routes using Jet airways (KUAO *J-35000 KBED) and GPS Direct (adds a GPS waypoint every 100-200 miles).

Here is an example, feel free to follow along with your software: You are planning a flight from Hillsboro, OR (KHIO) to Red Bluff, CA (KRBL) From KHIO, fly over the NOONS intersection, and follow low airways to KRBL. Open up the PLR from the menu bar option [Route] and select Plain Language Router Enter: khio noons *v krbl. Each entry is separated by a space. The *v has the PLR (Plain Language Router) plan the flight using Victor Airways. Note: The PLR is not case sensitive. Notice that our altitude (set in the Route Planner – Properties) clears terrain but is not above the MEAs (Minimum Enroute Altitudes). To adjust your actual flight altitude please set it in the Flight Properties Window (right next to Plan It on the Chart Tab).

The PLR can also plan the flight using the MEAs for the route. After the *v, enter a dash (-) followed by your desired altitude in feet… e.g.: KHIO NOONS *V-7000 KRBL The -7000 tells the PLR to plan the flight so that all MEAs are at, or below 7,000’ The flight path DOES clear all MEAs along the route but the route is much longer than the more direct route. You can go back the PLR and make changes in the previous routing. To fly the shortest route using Victor Airways would require an altitude of 11,000’ e.g.: KHIO NOONS *V-11000 KRBL.

For more information on the PLR, graphical examples, and other ways to use the Golden Eagle software please see page 76 of the FlightPrep User Manual. The manual is always accessible in the software by selecting Help from the menu bar and selecting Help Manual. If you have additional questions please email support@flightprep.com

Happy Holidays From FlightPrep

Wishing you and your family a very happy holidays from all of us at FlightPrep.

Golden Eagle and ChartCase 6.2 Now Available

Version 6.2 of Golden Eagle and ChartCase is now available for download. Here is a list of what changed:

• Fixed plain language router to use nearest waypoint to the previously found waypoint.
• Change button text to "Goto/Enter" from "Go To" (ChartCase Professional only).
• Removed the NavInfo references in the program. Replaced them with FlightPrep.com links.
• Made application switch to interactive mode during a cancel flight plan.
• Changed the scale for each zoom level. Each zoom level is now twice as zoomed in as the previous level.
• Modified the button display class for InFlight buttons to use the OpenGL engine. This will allow for faster drawing as this functionality is completed.
• Made Alaskan raster charts display correctly for those that cross into the east hemisphere.
• Added select a SID or STAR to put into the route from the main Route menu in the planner screens (ChartCase Professional only).
• Improved button loading for the InFlight screens.

To update your software:

While connected to the Internet, launch the application and follow the on-screen prompts to download the latest update. The software will prompt you to re-launch the application and install the software update.

-OR-

Download the latest version from our website directly: Golden Eagle or ChartCase. Save the download to your hard drive, then run the installer to update your software.

Have a safe flight!

Myth vs. Fact regarding the FlightPrep patent issue

The aviation community is currently following a patent issue between FlightPrep and RunwayFinder. This has created a fair amount of chatter on the various forums. Unfortunately, a lot of well-meaning people have formed conclusions based on a number of misconceptions. In the best interests of the aviation community, we would like to dispel some of these myths.

The facts presented below are based on official public records and excerpts from online resources. Some of these resources contain highly technical and/or detailed information. We urge those wanting to form an informed opinion to seek the advice of a qualified professional prior to making final judgement.


Myth: FlightPrep sued a company and did not attempt to contact them first.

Fact: Well before any lawsuit was filed, FlightPrep invited RunwayFinder to confidential discussions regarding the patent, including at least two certified letters - all of which went unanswered [see Notification Letter for one example].


Myth: FlightPrep shut down RunwayFinder.

Fact: FlightPrep actively encouraged RunwayFinder remain up and running and to that end offered a free license during negotiations. This offer was put in writing in a letter to RunwayFinder from our attorneys, as well as stated publicly on our blog [see http://blog.flightprep.com/2010/12/flightprep-grants-runwayfinder.html].


Myth: FlightPrep shut down FlyAGoGo, NACOmatic, or other websites.

Fact: FlightPrep has not asked anyone to cease operation. NACOmatic cited decreased donations and uncertainty regarding the patent litigation between FlightPrep and RunwayFinder [see http://www.nacomatic.com/]. FlyAGoGo offered no reason for the termination of their site [see http://www.flyagogo.net/].


Myth: FlightPrep is demanding 3.2 million dollars in the lawsuit against RunwayFinder.

Fact: FlightPrep has not asked for any specified money amounts [see Complaint]. An amount of 3.2 million has not been demanded. Any other information is hypothetical in nature and a breach of Rule 408 of the Federal Rules of Evidence [see http://www.uscourts.gov/uscourts/RulesAndPolicies/rules/EV2009.pdf].


Myth: RunwayFinder was free for users and shouldn’t have to get a license.

Fact: Regardless of RunwayFinder’s revenue model, an owner of a patent has the right to exclude others from making, using, selling, offering for sale, or importing the patented invention for the term of the patent [see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patent]. For a popular example, review the A&M Records, Inc. v. Napster, Inc issue [see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A%26M_Records,_Inc._v._Napster,_Inc.].


Myth: RunwayFinder is a non-profit company.

Fact: RunwayFinder is a for profit company [see http://www.sos.wa.gov/corps/search_detail.aspx?ubi=602969158 or http://blog.runwayfinder.com/2010/12/09/runwayfinder-going-offline/].


Myth: FlightPrep is a big corporation.

Fact: FlightPrep employs just a handful of employees (4 employees to be exact) and is considered a small business by the US Small Business Administration [see http://www.sba.gov/contractingopportunities/officials/size/table/index.html].


Myth: FlightPrep and Aviation Supplies & Academics, Inc. (ASA) are the same company.

Fact: FlightPrep and ASA are separately owned and operated companies [see http://www.asa2fly.com/ or http://www.flightprep.com/]. FlightPrep co-founder Roger Stenbock authors aviation training videos that are sold by ASA.


Myth: Patents should not be granted for software and web based applications, and if granted, should not be entitled royalties.

Fact: “Royalties are typically agreed upon as a percentage of gross or net revenues derived from the use of an asset or a fixed price per unit sold of an item of such” [see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royalties].

Many professionals agree receiving royalties is fair. A good summary of this argument was made in the article “The Debate Over the FlightPrep Patent Fight and Patents in the Digital World” from 2Fly [see http://2fly.com/?p=223].

“Many commentators have argued that extending patents to code and software is beyond the scope of the intent of the patent clause. We can agree that the Wright Brothers deserved a patent for inventing the airplane and Nicholas Tesla deserved a patent for inventing AC current… but can an online calculator be so protected? Is code an invention?

“Why not? How is constructing code different than constructing a new feature on an airplane?

“While it’s unfortunate that many good website tools may face license fees over this patent issue, the inventors of FlightPrep - assuming the patent is valid - deserve to be compensated for their work. And, with the filing of the patent, all the other companies had knowledge that they may run afoul against a future patent.”

Myth: Obtaining and protecting one’s patent is bullying, immoral, evil, unfair, or shameful.

Fact: Article I, Section 8, Clause 8, of the Constitution states that the Executive branch shall ‘promote the progress of science and the useful arts by securing for limited times to inventors the exclusive right to their respective discoveries.’ The USPTO states, “under this system of protection, American industry has flourished. New products have been invented, new uses for old ones discovered, and employment opportunities created for millions of Americans. The strength and vitality of the U.S. economy depends directly on effective mechanisms that protect new ideas and investments in innovation and creativity. The continued demand for patents and trademarks underscores the ingenuity of American inventors and entrepreneurs. The USPTO is at the cutting edge of the Nation's technological progress and achievement” [see http://www.uspto.gov/about/index.jsp or http://www.uspto.gov/faq/patents.jsp].


Myth: FlightPrep’s patent was filed in 2005, not 2001.

Fact: Item 22 on the cover page of US Patent 7,640,098 [see US7640098] shows a filing date of Sept 28, 2005. Item 62, on the same cover page, shows a division of application with an original filing date of July 31, 2001. The earlier of the two dates applies [see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patent_application#Divisional_applications].


Myth: There is a lot of “prior art” that makes the patent worthless.

Fact: Item 56 on the cover page of US Patent 7,640,098 [see US7640098] shows a list of 40 references cited by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) during the eight years of its examination. The patent was examined under all the relevant statutes codified in Title 35 United States Code [see http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep/consolidated_laws.pdf] and all the relevant rules under Title 37 Codified Federal Regulations [see http://www.copyright.gov/title37/]. A patent is presumed valid. Only a Federal Judge, through a contested dispute, may adjudicate invalidity. And only a competent patent attorney can make a legal opinion as to whether a product does or does not infringe on a particular patent [see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patent_infringement].


UPDATE: AVweb has conducted an interview with patent attorney and pilot Lionel Lavenue of Finnegan. In the interview, Mr. Lavenue talks about patents and the legal process surrounding them [read the AVweb story or listen to the podcast].


We'll continue to update this list as needed. If you have questions or concerns about our online flight planning patent, please email license@flightprep.com.

General Aviation News and AVweb publish stories

We've done a couple interviews with General Aviation News and AVweb regarding the RunwayFinder dispute. We encourage everyone to read the stories or listen to the podcast. This is a complicated issue and we ask you to keep an open mind and research both sides before making any conclusions.

FlightPrep defends patent; RunwayFinder.com shuts down
via General Aviation News

RunwayFinder Shuts Down Over Patent
via AVweb

Internet Flight Planning Patent Fallout Begins [podcast]
via AVweb

The Debate Over the FlightPrep Patent Fight and Patents in the Digital World
via 2Fly.com

Again, if you have questions or concerns about our online flight planning patent, please email license@flightprep.com.

Regarding RunwayFinder shutting down

We are writing this release to dispel some significant misconceptions regarding our dealings with Mr. David Parsons of RunwayFinder, LLC.

Mr. Parsons, on his own accord and in an apparent ploy to gain sympathy from the pilot community, shut down the RunwayFinder website on December 13, 2010 at 11:25pm PST, in the face of our good faith offer to provide RunwayFinder a free license during negotiation for a constructive resolution to our dispute and absent any demands by FlightPrep. FlightPrep attempted to contact Mr. Parsons numerous times prior to his decision to shut down RunwayFinder, including a call on December 13, 2010 at 1:00pm. However, Mr. Parsons did not return any of our calls.

Some in the pilot community are of the opinion that patents are unfair and should not be granted for software. We doubt we can change their minds with this news release. However, the fact is many patents are issued for software inventions every year. Without them inventors would have little incentive to advance state of the art technologies. Applying for patents and seeking royalties are normal and sound business practices and are done by virtually all successful technology businesses, large or small.

As part of this process, FlightPrep attempted to contact Mr. Parsons of RunwayFinder, LLC by phone and registered letters on numerous occasions over a protracted period of time. All of these attempts were ignored and rejected. Absent allowing RunwayFinder unfettered and uncompensated use of our intellectual property, a lawsuit was our only remaining next step.

Mr. Parsons response was to elect to try this case in the court of public opinion instead of employing professional and good faith business practices. Since this technique is counterproductive, we did not care to participate. Yet, we find we must respond to news reports and RunwayFinder’s blog posts containing several distortions and outright false statements about FlightPrep, its employees, representatives, technology, and motives. This latest move of RunwayFinder, electing to shut down its website, is another example of an attempt to inflame the pilot community.

In spite of the foregoing, FlightPrep stands by its offer to grant a free-license to RunwayFinder to operate its website during this negotiation phase of our legal dispute. We are not asking RunwayFinder to shut down and in-fact are offering them a temporary free-pass at our technology in hopes that this gesture of goodwill will better enable both RunwayFinder and FlightPrep to constructively work toward a mutually beneficial long-term solution.

If you would like to learn more about our online flight planning patent, please visit http://www.flightprep.com/license or email license@flightprep.com.

FlightPrep grants RunwayFinder temporary license

Although we believe RunwayFinder infringes on our patent, we also believe it is in the best interests of pilots to have RunwayFinder as an operational website. Accordingly, we have offered to grant a free-license to RunwayFinder to operate its website during this negotiation phase our legal dispute. We are not asking RunwayFinder to shut down and in-fact are offering them a temporary free-pass at our technology in hopes that this gesture of goodwill will better enable both RunwayFinder and FlightPrep to constructively work toward a mutually beneficial long-term solution.

An Open Letter regarding our Online Flight Planning Patent

UPDATE: FlightPrep grants RunwayFinder temporary license.

---

To the Aviation Community,

Lately FlightPrep has been in the news, some of it incorrect, with regard to our Online Flight Planning Patent. To this end we want to take this opportunity to clarify some of this misinformation and provide some general information and background about the company and what we do at FlightPrep.

Stenbock and Everson, Inc., or FlightPrep as people know it today, is a small company, founded by pilots and software engineers Roger Stenbock and Kyle Everson in 1997 to develop aircraft cabin solutions for the aviation industry. In 2001, we re-focused on developing technology to help pilots access the information they need to safely fly their aircraft. Over the last 13 years, FlightPrep has continually worked earnestly to serve the aviation industry by bringing the latest technology to pilots, developing flight planning and electronic flight bag applications.

We are humbled to have enjoyed a modest history of success, working with some of the major players in the industry.

• Partnering with CSC DUATS to develop the Golden Eagle flight planner. A free flight planning utility used by over 30,000 pilots.
• Working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to develop Flight Assist, an internal flight planning tool used inside the FAA.
• Developing the Flight Guide Viewer for Airguide Publications, Inc., a Windows-based application to view the popular Flight Guide publication.
• And a myriad of other partnerships, including WxWorx, Zaon Flight Systems, and more!

In addition, we also developed our own applications for pilots, including ChartCase Professional, ChartBook EFBs, iChart for the Apple iPad, and our Online Flight Planner. The Online Flight Planner was one of the first products we introduced to the aviation community on August 1, 2001, and today we offer both a premium paid version and a free version to all pilots.

When we launched the Online Flight Planner, there was nothing like it in the aviation industry. We were very proud to develop this technology and make it available to the aviation community. At the time we realized that it is impossible for us, and for that matter, any business, to develop the proprietary technology to provide useful products and services, while at the same time giving it away and remain a viable business. Thus, we filled for a patent in 2001 with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). As any inventor who has ever gone through this process knows, this is a very difficult and lengthy process without any guarantee of success. Fortunately, after a rigorous examination and considerable effort and expense, the USPTO issued a patent in 2009 for the process of generating travel plans on the Internet, what we all call online flight planning.

In addition to providing online flight planning, our goal in obtaining a patent for our Online Flight Planner was to promote the technology and make it available to others though mutually beneficial transactions. It is not our intent to create a monopoly, put others out of business, or prevent others from participating in the aviation community. Since the patent was issued, we have been working diligently to offer the online flight planning technology to as many vendors who want to use it as possible. A careful review of all available information, including legal documents, press releases, patent applications, published editorial, and customer comments, should lead any reasonable person to conclude we have done this fairly and in good faith.

We look forward to continuing to develop the latest technology for the aviation industry and working with all of our partners in making the aviation community better for all pilots.

If you would like to learn more about our online flight planning patent, please visit http://www.flightprep.com/license or email license@flightprep.com.

Safe Flying!

Roger Stenbock, JD, CFII
FlightPrep Co-Founder

Kyle Everson
FlightPrep Co-Founder

Add FlightPrep to your Google search results

If you use Google to search the Internet, you can now add information from FlightPrep to your search results using Google Subscribed Links. It's easy and only takes a moment to setup; just go to FlightPrep's profile on Google Subscribed Links and click Subscribe. That's it! Next time you search for an airport, city or route, relevant information from FligthPrep will automatically be added to your standard search results.

Here are a few examples to help get you started.

Airport Information: When you search for an airport identifier or city name, a link to the FlightPrep airport information page will be added to your regular Google search results. For example: PDX or Portland, OR.

Quick Route Plan: When you enter a search with two city names and the word 'to' between them, a link to a quick route plan will be added to your search results. For example: Portland, OR to Oshkosh, WI.

This service is completely free from both FlightPrep and Google. We hope you find it useful and convenient.