uAvionix and Jeppesen ForeFlight Launch SkyPlay Integration for Seamless Cockpit Flight Planning
SkyPlay embeds ForeFlight's flight planning tools into panel avionics, enabling synchronized route management between tablets and cockpit displays.
The gist
SkyPlay lets pilots sync ForeFlight flight plans directly with panel avionics for streamlined route management without toggling devices.
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A new integration named SkyPlay was unveiled by uAvionix and Jeppesen ForeFlight, aiming to revolutionize how pilots interact with electronic flight planning tools by embedding ForeFlight’s popular flight planning platform directly into aircraft panel-mounted avionics. This innovation targets the common challenge pilots face when managing flight plans, checklists, and charts between their electronic flight bags (EFBs) and onboard instrument panels. By integrating these functions, SkyPlay aims to create a seamless workflow inside the cockpit and reduce the need for constantly switching between devices while flying.
The public debut of SkyPlay is set to occur during EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, from July 20 to 26. Attendees will have the opportunity to use interactive live flight simulators demonstrating the integration at both uAvionix and Jeppesen ForeFlight exhibits. While the partners have announced the integration, details on pricing and availability will be shared at a later date, indicating that the product is still in its nascent stages.
The core functionality of SkyPlay allows pilots to plan flights remotely using an iPad or another suitable tablet device, then synchronize the flight plan and route data directly with the digital screens integrated into the cockpit. This dual-interface capability permits pilots to monitor and manage their routes seamlessly, whether using the familiar tablet interface before takeoff or the panel avionics during flight. This eliminates the redundant task of translating flight data between devices and streamlines cockpit operations, enhancing situational awareness and ease of use.
A major advantage of the SkyPlay system is its intuitive user interface that mirrors the workflows pilots already know from ForeFlight, minimizing the learning curve often encountered with new avionics suites. Pilots often have to adjust to differing interfaces between their electronic flight bags and the aircraft’s glass cockpit, a challenge SkyPlay intends to overcome by linking these systems directly.
In addition to the software integration, SkyPlay pairs the digital interface with physical multifunction control knobs designed for reliable operation even under heavy turbulence. These knobs are also compatible with pilots wearing flight gloves, ensuring that manual input remains practical and safe in diverse flight conditions. Importantly, the integration is planned to be compatible with both certified and experimental aircraft without necessitating a panel redesign, facilitating easier adoption across a wide range of general aviation aircraft.
Looking beyond the initial integration, uAvionix and Jeppesen ForeFlight plan to expand SkyPlay by introducing a suite of panel applications fully anchored in the ForeFlight environment. This roadmap suggests a future where more cockpit functions operate cohesively within a familiar digital ecosystem, potentially transforming the cockpit experience and further reducing the dependency on multiple disparate systems.
This initiative builds on recent moves by Jeppesen ForeFlight, which earlier in the year introduced an Emergency Glide Mode feature and formed partnerships with aircraft manufacturers like Tecnam. For example, Tecnam P2012 and P-Mentor owners benefit from integrated ForeFlight data within their Garmin avionics, along with subscriptions to Jeppesen NavData, Charts, and ForeFlight’s premium services. These developments collectively demonstrate the company’s commitment to advancing pilot tools via integrated digital solutions.
Furthermore, Jeppesen ForeFlight continues to innovate with applications such as ClearNOTAMs, an AI-powered app that simplifies complex NOTAM information by translating them into plain language with clear operational implications. This ongoing evolution underscores the company's focus on leveraging technology to make critical flight information more accessible, complementing the user-friendly approach embodied by SkyPlay.
By embedding flight planning directly into panel avionics, SkyPlay represents a significant step towards harmonizing ground-based flight preparation and airborne navigation. This integration promises to enhance pilot efficiency and safety by providing consistent situational awareness across multiple platforms, marking a meaningful advancement in cockpit interoperability.
Frequently asked questions
- What is SkyPlay and how does it integrate with ForeFlight?
- SkyPlay is a new integration that embeds ForeFlight’s flight planning tools directly into panel-mounted avionics, letting pilots sync flight plans between ForeFlight on tablets and cockpit digital screens.
- Will installing SkyPlay require changes to aircraft panels?
- No panel redesign is needed; SkyPlay is compatible with both certified and experimental aircraft, installing without significant modification to existing avionics.
- Where and when can pilots first experience SkyPlay?
- SkyPlay will debut publicly at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, from July 20 to 26, where visitors can try it via interactive live flight simulators at uAvionix and Jeppesen ForeFlight exhibits.
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Tecnam Builds Modern General Aviation Fleet Focused on Training, Commuter, and Private Markets
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"In Europe, academies like Canavia in Spain are flying their Tecnam fleets for over 1,000 hours per aircraft annually due to our dispatch reliability." The P-Mentor, Tecnam’s newest dedicated trainer, has drawn particular attention from flight schools due to its total cost of ownership. Pascale called it a "revolution in flight training," given that it bridges a gap between basic VFR trainers and expensive complex aircraft by packing a variable pitch propeller, simulated retractable gear, a ballistic parachute, and a full Garmin G3X Touch flight deck into a single certified airframe. Student Inside a Tecnam P-Mentor [Credit: Tecnam Aircraft] But the headline number is fuel burn. "The P-Mentor burns an incredible 14 liters per hour [3.7 gph]," he said. "When you compare that to traditional legacy IFR trainers, which typically burn anywhere from 8 to 10 gallons per hour of expensive avgas, the P-Mentor slashes fuel costs and carbon emissions by more than half." 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Tecnam P2012 VIP Interior [Credit: Tecnam Aircraft] The P2012 line has also expanded into STOL and VIP configurations, broadening its reach into short-field island operations and premium charter. Underpinning all of it is Tecnam's vertically integrated manufacturing operation in Capua, which Pascale called an "absolute superpower." Where competitors have struggled with post-pandemic supply chain disruptions, Tecnam's in-house control of fuselage, wing, and component production has allowed it to maintain delivery timelines. "By controlling the manufacturing process at our Capua aerospace hub, we insulate our customers from the severe supply chain shocks that have plagued the rest of the industry," Pascale said. The company recently spun out Altair Solutions, an independent aftermarket support entity located adjacent to the factory, to handle Part 145 maintenance and FBO services. This move was designed to let the manufacturing side stay focused on production while operators get dedicated support infrastructure. Tecnam also occupies a distinctive position in the sustainability conversation. The company's H3PS program (a parallel hybrid-electric powertrain developed with Rolls-Royce and BRP-Rotax under EU Horizon 2020 funding) flew a modified P2010 in December 2021, making it the first general aviation aircraft with a parallel hybrid configuration to take flight. The demonstrator was primarily a research platform rather than a production precursor, but it proved that hybrid technology could deliver significant fuel savings and emission reductions in general aviation. "Currently, our R&D teams are evaluating how to best integrate the massive amount of data we collected into future scalable designs," Pascale said. 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The FAA's Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC) rule is set to reshape the light sport aircraft landscape, with its LSA certification changes taking effect on July 24. MOSAIC replaces the legacy 1,320-pound weight limit with performance-based criteria, most notably a 59-knot clean stall speed threshold. This opens the door for four-seat aircraft, retractable landing gear, constant-speed propellers, and even twin-engine configurations within the light sport category. Tecnam P92 Echo MKII [Credit: Tecnam Aircraft] Tecnam has responded by launching its MOSAIK59 product family, a lineup of existing models engineered to meet the n
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