Flight planning for VFR pilots with vector charts and Virtual Radar
Plan VFR flights using vector charts, Virtual Radar profiles, and integrated NOTAM and weather briefings on a Windows desktop. SkyDemon Plan, from Divelements Limited, links the desktop planner with mobile apps so pilots keep routes, aircraft profiles, and briefings in sync. Key capabilities include dynamic airspace clipping, automated PLOG calculations, and georeferenced airfield plates. The target audience is GA pilots and flight instructors across Europe who need precise pre-flight preparation and regulatory briefing support.
What does SkyDemon Plan do for VFR pre-flight planning?
SkyDemon consolidates aeronautical data into a graphical planning environment: vector charts with customizable layers, NOTAM briefings with area filters, and real-time weather inputs such as TAF and METAR. The planner produces automated Pilot Log (PLOG) outputs that compute headings, groundspeeds, and fuel burn from forecast winds, and it provides weight and balance calculations tied to user aircraft performance profiles.
Does it affect system use and offline workflows during planning?
The desktop app requires an internet connection to download the latest charts, NOTAMs, and weather data, but once those items are stored locally you can continue planning offline. Cloud synchronization moves routes and aircraft profiles across Windows, iOS, and Android devices, so the desktop remains the hub for building and exporting flight plans before departure.
Is SkyDemon safe to use and suitable for regulatory briefings?
SkyDemon produces a graphical NOTAM briefing and allows filing VFR flight plans directly to air traffic services in supported regions, which supports regulatory compliance. The planner interprets NOTAMs graphically and offers area-specific filtering, and the Virtual Radar displays a side view of terrain and vertical airspace boundaries to help assess vertical clearance along a route.
Do pilots need technical knowledge to operate the planner effectively?
The interface reflects a user-centric design philosophy focused on planning speed, combining guided elements like automated PLOGs with advanced tools such as customizable aircraft profiles and georeferenced airfield plates. Casual users can perform basic route plotting after a short familiarization, while touring aviators and instructors can configure performance and weight-and-balance settings for precise calculations.
SkyDemon Plan suits European VFR pilots who need precise desktop planning
SkyDemon delivers focused desktop planning that links to mobile devices and produces regulator-ready briefings, making it suitable for private pilots, instructors, and touring aviators operating in Europe. The main trade-off is its reliance on online updates for charts and briefings, which means pre-flight data synchronization is essential before going offline.
