Bicester Aviation Services

Glide Navigator II

Glide Navigator II has been developed from the original Cambridge Pocket Nav software. The author, Chip Garner, has developed and expanded the program to take advantage of the new IPAQ range of PDAs, although other versions of the program are available in the download that will run in earlier versions of the Compaq Aero 1500 series.  The latest program, v3.0 has excellent support for Assigned Area Tasks and a good overview of its contents is available on the Cumulus Soaring website at www.cumulus-soaring.com/gn.htm.  

A key benefit of Glide Navigator II is in cockpit visibility.  Many competitive products offer impressive topographical maps, but the use of multiple colours on the screen reduces contrast and therefore visibility.  Glide Navigator II's simple display with waypoints and airspace data provides a black on white high contrast display that is more visible in bright sunlight (our natural environment).   That is very important because existing Pocket PC screen technology is not as bright as you would hope in sunlight.

Click here to download the programs, UK airspace and turnpoints, and the manual.  The programs are zipped and should be downloaded to a temporary file from where they will be unzipped into a directory called 'GNII' on the path you specify.   There are three programs; 'GNII1520.exe' for use with Compaq Aero 1520 or 1530, 'GNII1550.exe' for use with Compaq Aero 1550, and 'GNIIIPAQ.exe' for use with the Ipaq.   Using ActiveSync, the appropriate program should be transferred into the My Device/Windows/Start Menu, while the BGA turn points and airspace files MUST be transferred to the My Device/My Documents directory of your PDA.   Once this has been done, disconnect ActiveSync, select the Start menu on the PDA and GNII should be shown as a program.

Touch the screen to start it running and after it has initialised, select 'No' to run the simulator.  Touch the 'Distance' box at the top right of the screen and then 'Next' at the bottom to select the second menu page.  Now select 'SUA,WP Files' and in the lower pane you will see a list of the airspace and TP files.  Touch each one in turn and then the 'Add' button to transfer them to the top pane. When all have been transferred, touch 'Done' and away you go.

All functions will work in simulator mode but to work with a GPS input, you will need to buy an activation code which is now tied to your name.   An activation code is available from me or you can order from Cumulus Soaring.   If you order from Cumulus, please quote me as the agent.  A comprehensive manual can also be found on the download in .PDF format.  Although it is somewhat dated as many of the later functions have not yet been documented, it will provide a good insight into the capabilities of the program.

Glide Navigator II from Cumulus Website $95.00

(If you buy direct from Cumulus Soaring, grateful if you could mention my name)

Glide Navigator from BAS £49.00 No VAT