PilotAssist – App Guidance

Overview

PilotAssist is designed to give student pilots and general aviation pilots quick, reliable tools for everyday flying.

The app focuses on simple, practical calculations and references that help answer common questions in the cockpit and during flight planning.

1. Fuel Conversion

Purpose:
Convert between fuel volume (gallons) and weight (pounds) for AvGas.

How to Use:

• Enter fuel in gallons to see the equivalent weight in pounds

• Switch to Pounds to convert weight back to gallons

Notes:

• Based on AvGas at 6 lbs per gallon

• Includes helpful reference information for fuel planning

2. Temperature Conversion

Purpose:
Convert temperatures between Celsius and Fahrenheit.

How to Use:

• Enter a temperature value

• The app instantly displays both °C and °F

Notes:

• Useful for interpreting weather reports and aircraft performance data

3. Time Conversion

Purpose:
Convert between Local Time and Zulu (UTC) time.

How to Use:

• Use the picker to select a local time

• View the corresponding Zulu time instantly

Display Includes:

• Current Local Time

• Current Zulu Time

Notes:

• Designed for quick reference during flight planning and communication

4. Runway Reciprocal

Purpose:
Quickly determine the reciprocal (opposite) runway heading.

How to Use:

• Enter a runway number or heading

• The app displays the reciprocal runway

Notes:

• Helpful for understanding runway alignment and wind considerations

5. Landing Crosswind

Purpose:
Calculate headwind, crosswind, and tailwind components for landing.

How to Use:

• Select the runway

• Enter wind direction and wind speed

• View calculated wind components instantly

Display Includes:

• Headwind component

• Crosswind component

• Tailwind component

• Visual wind direction indicator

Notes:

• Helps evaluate runway selection and landing conditions

6. Descent Planner

Purpose:
Estimate when to begin descent to reach a target altitude.

How to Use:

• Enter:

  • Current Altitude

  • Target Altitude

  • Rate of Descent (FPM)

  • Groundspeed

• Select Kts or MPH

Results:

• Altitude to lose

• Time required to descend

• Distance needed

• Clear guidance on when to start descent

Notes:

• Based on simple planning calculations

• Ideal for student pilots learning descent planning

7. Airport Weather

Purpose:
Retrieve the latest METAR (raw observation) for an airport.

How to Use:

• Enter an ICAO identifier (ex: KMAF)

• The app will return the latest METAR

Features:

• Automatically formats identifiers (e.g., MAF → KMAF)

• Displays full raw observation

• Includes a breakdown explaining each part of the METAR

Notes:

• Use for quick situational awareness

• Always verify with official sources

8. Flight Briefing

Purpose:
Provide quick access to official weather briefing resources.

How to Use:

• View contact information for 1800WXBrief

• Review what information a briefer will request

Notes:

• Helps pilots prepare for an efficient and complete briefing

Final Thoughts

PilotAssist is built to support learning and real-world flying by keeping tools simple, fast, and reliable.

Important:
This app is intended as a reference tool only. Always verify calculations, weather data, and flight planning information using official FAA resources, aircraft documentation, and proper training.