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Roost Air Lounge => The Classroom => Topic started by: TheSoccerMom on April 11, 2008, 02:13:31 AM

Title: Anyone Use "Pilot My-Cast" for Weather on their Cell Phone?
Post by: TheSoccerMom on April 11, 2008, 02:13:31 AM
Does anybody here use Pilot My-Cast by Garmin to receive Wx info, etc., over the phone?

If so, any dislikes, or problems you see with it??  Have you encountered any hidden usage costs?? 

Thanks!

 ::thinking::


 8)   
Title: Re: Anyone Use "Pilot My-Cast" for Weather on their Cell Phone?
Post by: airtac on April 11, 2008, 02:19:10 AM
Does anybody here use Pilot My-Cast by Garmin to receive Wx info, etc., over the phone?

If so, any dislikes, or problems you see with it??  Have you encountered any hidden usage costs?? 

Thanks!

 ::thinking::


 8)   
HUH?  what's that?   Lucy, you got some splainin' to do next time we talk :P
Title: Re: Anyone Use "Pilot My-Cast" for Weather on their Cell Phone?
Post by: TheSoccerMom on April 11, 2008, 02:34:02 AM
Hey Ricky,

I never even heard of it until I just saw an ad in my AOPA magazine...  a Garmin subscription for $9.95 a month (the advertised rate, anyway)...  will give you current aviation Wx of ALL sorts...  I called Verizon to see what hidden fees may lurk in there and couldn't find one person who had heard of it, then a supervisor said they have nothing to do with it, even though it's billed on your phone account, since it's a "third-party provider" (I thought that was what G-Man did on his days off), anyway, I have asked a few folks and so far know of one tanker pilot who swears by it.....

The website is www.digitalcyclone.com/products/pilot-my-cast (http://www.digitalcyclone.com/products/pilot-my-cast) and so far it sounds like it just uses your airtime like any other usage.  I'm going to look into it more tomorrow...  my phone is too old now so it may be time for an upgrade! 

How's that for 'splainin'? 

Lucy**

 ;D
Title: Re: Anyone Use "Pilot My-Cast" for Weather on their Cell Phone?
Post by: G-man on April 11, 2008, 02:54:20 AM
Does anybody here use Pilot My-Cast by Garmin to receive Wx info, etc., over the phone?

If so, any dislikes, or problems you see with it??  Have you encountered any hidden usage costs?? 

Thanks!

 ::thinking::


 8)   

Nope--I just look out the window at the swinging rock on the peice of string..
Title: Re: Anyone Use "Pilot My-Cast" for Weather on their Cell Phone?
Post by: airtac on April 11, 2008, 02:24:28 PM
I can just see every swinging "richard" checking that swinging rock ;)
Title: Re: Anyone Use "Pilot My-Cast" for Weather on their Cell Phone?
Post by: TheSoccerMom on April 12, 2008, 05:43:33 AM
I thought about that swinging rock today....    ::banghead::

after about the 10th go-round on the CIRCULAR and IRRITATING voicemail at the so-called "Customer Service"..  I was trying to find a HUMAN being to answer a few questions.....   what a JOKE!   ::complaining:

I tried each department and finally got some poor woman in "Sales".....  of course, it was MORE voicemail....  she got a HAPPY HAPPY message....    ::banghead::

We'll see if anyone ever returns my call....  All I can say is, good thing Garmin puts more effort into their avionics than they do their phone department....

 ::complaining:

 ::loony::
Title: Re: Anyone Use "Pilot My-Cast" for Weather on their Cell Phone?
Post by: airtac on April 12, 2008, 01:11:56 PM
I read in a Miss Manners column last week that the use of  "F*** You" during a phone call  (BTW, she doesn't condone it) will get a live person on the line sooner than polite responses.
Said that some computer voiceware was able to identify those words and ascertain the distress level involved thereby prompting a live agent to take the call..............
FACT OR FICTION???   Any of you want to try it and report the results?----think I'll pass--just sounds rude ::)
Title: Re: Anyone Use "Pilot My-Cast" for Weather on their Cell Phone?
Post by: PiperGirl on April 13, 2008, 02:06:39 PM
I think one of the guys at my airport has it and really likes it. But I have no idea about hidden charges.

All I can say is, good thing Garmin puts more effort into their avionics than they do their phone department....

 ::complaining:

 ::loony::
Mr. Piper does avionics work/installs and says that Garmin service is about the best in the industry as far as for their avionics stuff. Guess their phone service must not be quite up to speed yet.
Title: Re: Anyone Use "Pilot My-Cast" for Weather on their Cell Phone?
Post by: G-man on April 13, 2008, 02:32:47 PM
Nope--I just look out the window at the swinging rock on the peice of string..

(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/153/420972328_f148789bae.jpg)
Title: Re: Anyone Use "Pilot My-Cast" for Weather on their Cell Phone?
Post by: TheSoccerMom on April 14, 2008, 03:42:14 AM
Hey I have been in a few places where that string would have been out at an angle.....  SCARY!!!    ::eek::

Well I'll let you know what that weather stuff does...  I couldn't stand it, and so signed up for it today....  I have NO idea how to use it yet, but DID manage (on the virgin run) to get it to download the radar image (moving, even!) for Idaho, while standing there in the phone store.  And WOW, is it ever embarrassing for normal humans to see just what a total nerd I am.     ::loony::

You'da thought I was Larry Flynt discovering how to download porn or something.    :D

The (completely unbalanced) ole weather nerd, S'Mom**     ;)
Title: Re: Anyone Use "Pilot My-Cast" for Weather on their Cell Phone?
Post by: G-man on April 14, 2008, 03:54:58 AM
Hey I have been in a few places where that string would have been out at an angle.....  SCARY!!!    ::eek::

You'da thought I was Larry Flynt discovering how to download porn or something.    :D

The (completely unbalanced) ole weather nerd, S'Mom**     ;)

Horizontal strings---been there done that..and why do they always want you to fly in that??

As for technology, I try to stay away from it..although I did just sign the company up for "downloadable charts". So far it seems to work OK, but still playing with it.

http://www.vfrcopilot.com/1_esectionalsOVERVIEW.htm
Title: Re: Anyone Use "Pilot My-Cast" for Weather on their Cell Phone?
Post by: TheSoccerMom on April 15, 2008, 04:37:57 PM
Okay, a "product update"...  this is WAY COOL stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I haven't flown any further than the kitchen table yet, but this is an awesome little program.  You can load in your route, and get ALL the real-time weather charts, reports, graphics, text, etc., etc.

I had a few questions about using it, so called that stupid phone number again this morning, and yes, got in the same insane voicemail loop that went on for TEN MINUTES!!!!!!   ::banghead::

 ::complaining:                           

[Note to Airtac:  Cussing in a loud, irritable voice does NO good in reaching a human.]

I finally figured out a potential trick, so called again, and tried 1-digit extensions, 2-digit extensions, and BINGO! a 3-digit extension WORKED.  I got a recording for a REAL PERSON.  (The poor soul.)

He even called me back -- and all within 10 minutes!  I was amazed, really, especially since I told his recorder that if I had to listen to that woman's voice reading the same loop one more time, I was going to go next door and choke the neighbors.  I also said if they WERE taping these phone calls for a Saturday Night Live skit, I wanted my share of the royalities once it aired.     ::whistle::

The NICEST guy called me back....  so I've quit throwing things now.  He said the amount of airport info you can store depends on your cell phone's memory, but he figured several THOUSAND airports and flight routes should fit, no problem. 

The part I am really looking forward to is the TFR mapping.  He says it uses Jeppesen's data, and the minute any TFR (any type!) is filed, it is available and will pop up on the map. 

It shows real-time pireps, even.  This is a cool deal.....  so far I've looked up one route for a buddy who was trying to get across the mountains...  the neat part is that it plots your route right on every map you bring up.  You can also zoom in on any chart.  It is NOT, however, approved by the FAA as a weather briefing, though I'll honestly say there is better data right there in front of you than I've received in many a phone briefing, where you're trying to visualize exactly where the lines of icing and weather are, etc. 

Okay, enough for now.

 ::wave:: 
Title: Re: Anyone Use "Pilot My-Cast" for Weather on their Cell Phone?
Post by: airtac on April 15, 2008, 05:25:17 PM
If I fly up to your place, will you give me some dual on the phone thingy.  My buddy wants to fly somewhere soon.
What's your runway dimensions, he's a little shy about putting his 185 in small places as yet---afraid of dinging his wheel pants....he's got small tires on it too :-\
Title: Re: Anyone Use "Pilot My-Cast" for Weather on their Cell Phone?
Post by: TheSoccerMom on April 15, 2008, 06:03:54 PM
It shows as 100' feet wide but I'd call it a tad narrower, good level surface but gets muddy if it has been raining...  1800' usable, even though it shows 2500' on the charts.....

Maybe I'll actually know how to use this weather stuff by the time I next see you!  It is pretty neat...  so far, anyway!   :D

 8)

Title: Re: Anyone Use "Pilot My-Cast" for Weather on their Cell Phone?
Post by: TheSoccerMom on April 16, 2008, 12:47:50 AM
I am really scaring myself now.

This is from my new cell phone....Eeek!

You young whippersnappers are thinking, "So what?", but this is big deal for an old frog.  HAAA!

My head hurts now...  Gotta go.

;-)
 
Title: Re: Anyone Use "Pilot My-Cast" for Weather on their Cell Phone?
Post by: Oddball on April 16, 2008, 12:38:00 PM
 ::unbelieveable:: ::eek:: how did you do that even i cant do that?!?!
Title: Re: Anyone Use "Pilot My-Cast" for Weather on their Cell Phone?
Post by: TheSoccerMom on April 18, 2008, 06:44:55 PM
I don't know Ian!!!!!       ::silly::

There was a boom of thunder as lightning stuck the phone, that's all I remember.....    :o

 :D

Title: Re: Anyone Use "Pilot My-Cast" for Weather on their Cell Phone?
Post by: Oddball on April 19, 2008, 07:09:46 AM
 ::thinking:: did you go back....to the future?
Title: Re: Anyone Use "Pilot My-Cast" for Weather on their Cell Phone?
Post by: Frank N. O. on April 19, 2008, 09:21:43 AM
::thinking:: did you go back....to the future?
Mary I told you time and time again never to use a cellphone when you're joyriding in my De Lorean! You know the type 304 stainless steel bodypanels form an isolinear cage that transforms the high-frequency cellphone waves and creates a shockwave of neutrino-radiation that rips the very fabric of space and time thus transporting you to a different time period! Remember what happend the first time you did that? Oh man, when I think of all that work to dethaw the car and dry off the upholstry, next time you wanna go mamuth-spotting during the ice-age then please use a Twin Otter instead.

Doc Frank
Title: Re: Anyone Use "Pilot My-Cast" for Weather on their Cell Phone?
Post by: airtac on April 19, 2008, 02:01:28 PM
 ::eek::  ::eek::  Look out---it's Frank "OH NO" on the horizon --Quit it, you're scaring me now!!!  ::rofl::
Title: Re: Anyone Use "Pilot My-Cast" for Weather on their Cell Phone?
Post by: TheSoccerMom on April 20, 2008, 05:14:00 AM
 ::banghead::

 ::banghead::

 ::banghead::

 ::banghead::
Title: Re: Anyone Use "Pilot My-Cast" for Weather on their Cell Phone?
Post by: Oddball on April 20, 2008, 10:47:02 AM
its spooky since back to the future was on telly here last night lol im sure i saw S'mom in the minvan chasing micheal j. fox lol
Title: Re: Anyone Use "Pilot My-Cast" for Weather on their Cell Phone?
Post by: Frank N. O. on April 22, 2008, 01:00:49 AM
Ok sorry Mary I guess it wasn't funny after all, it was just a spur of the moment joke (and an excuse for me to post a picture of the to-date most special vehicle I've had a ride in (I never got a picture of me and the Cardinal :( )).

Frank
Title: Re: Anyone Use "Pilot My-Cast" for Weather on their Cell Phone?
Post by: TheSoccerMom on April 22, 2008, 03:12:18 AM
WOT??

I missed something...  I was making a joke, too, Frank!!!!!!!!!    ::whistle::    :D

I thought your post was hilarious!

 ;D

Title: Re: Anyone Use "Pilot My-Cast" for Weather on their Cell Phone?
Post by: Frank N. O. on April 22, 2008, 03:25:04 AM
WOT??

I missed something...  I was making a joke, too, Frank!!!!!!!!!    ::whistle::    :D

I thought your post was hilarious!

 ;D


Oh sorry, I thought the headbanging smiley was saying something: Frank come on that was too corny, or something like that, ok then it's all good :)

Frank
Title: Re: Anyone Use "Pilot My-Cast" for Weather on their Cell Phone?
Post by: TheSoccerMom on April 22, 2008, 04:21:02 AM
Of course, of course, no worries!!!!!!!!!!!!    ::rofl::

And hey, the My-Cast Weather has only had limited use so far...  but..  I LOVE IT!!!! 

It's so fast, easy, and convenient...  so far, so good!   ::bow::

We're all back in ground school again, so the guys were all using it today, and several remarked it looks almost identical to the weather displays they get on their GPS units with weather capability.  We'll keep playing with it and let you know..  but, to me, so far it's absolutely worth way more than the $9.99 / month!!    :)

 8)

Title: Re: Anyone Use "Pilot My-Cast" for Weather on their Cell Phone?
Post by: TheSoccerMom on May 21, 2008, 05:46:39 PM
Just want to report, so far I LOVE the Pilot My-Cast service from Garmin.  It's pretty amazing, how handy it is.

I'm looking forward to really using it a lot once we get busy.  Watching the severe weather roll through here yesterday was good practice... 

and besides, it gives the airport guys here one more reason to make fun of me.

 :D
Title: Re: Anyone Use "Pilot My-Cast" for Weather on their Cell Phone?
Post by: airtac on May 22, 2008, 01:54:14 AM
Just want to report, so far I LOVE the Pilot My-Cast service from Garmin.  It's pretty amazing, how handy it is.

I'm looking forward to really using it a lot once we get busy.  Watching the severe weather roll through here yesterday was good practice... 

and besides, it gives the airport guys here one more reason to make fun of me.

 :D
IT'S THE STUFF I WROTE ON THE BATHROOM WALLS THAT GIVE THE AIRPORT GUYS REASON TO MAKE FUN OF YOU >:D ::rofl:: ::silly::
Title: Re: Anyone Use "Pilot My-Cast" for Weather on their Cell Phone?
Post by: TheSoccerMom on May 22, 2008, 02:56:12 AM
YOU DEVIL!!!!!    >:D    ::eek::

I thought you promised you'd never tell............     :o

 ::complaining:


 ;D
Title: Re: Anyone Use "Pilot My-Cast" for Weather on their Cell Phone?
Post by: Rooster Cruiser on May 22, 2008, 06:26:36 AM
Quote
We'll keep playing with it and let you know..  but, to me, so far it's absolutely worth way more than the $9.99 / month!!   

10 bucks a month?!?!?!?!?  YGSM!!!   :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o

I'll continue to call Flight Service and get a Wx briefing by phone...  the OLD SCHOOL WAY!!!  After all, I am paying their salaries through my tax dollars.  Once I find someone willing to pay for this service I may subscribe.   ::thinking::
Title: Re: Anyone Use "Pilot My-Cast" for Weather on their Cell Phone?
Post by: TheSoccerMom on May 22, 2008, 03:28:22 PM
I still do the old way....  always have!  But to have instant, accurate weather in the palm of my hand??  When I'm about to load up the boys to go fly through it all, at low-level, day after day??!?  Hell I'd pay WAY more than $10 for that..........   that's DIRT cheap compared to the rounds of drinks at the bar afterward................    ::drinking::

 ::drinking::

 ::whistle::

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