EchoMap 3.0 User’s Guide 1919 14th St. Suite 601 Boulder, Co. 80302 Customer Support 1-888-739-7161 Support@EchoFlight.com www.EchoFlight.
EchoMap v3.0 This Manual is for users of EchoMap, on an Echo Flight Flight Cheetah MultiFunction-Display or a Windows® laptop. An electronic version of this manual will be installed to /Echomap/Docs/EchoMapGuide.pdf 1/22/2002 Version 3.
EchoMap v3.0 Please read the following information • Echo Flight provides weather and messaging only in the Continental U.S. and surrounding offshore areas • Echo Flight continues to develop new technologies to provide pilots with new and exciting ways to gather information in the cockpit. For a full understanding of how the system should be used, please refer to the Echo Flight, Inc. Services and Systems Agreement.
EchoMap v3.0 Table of Contents 1. 1.1 1.2 Introduction ...............................................................................7 System Requirements ..........................................................7 Data-Link and GPS...............................................................7 2. Flight Display Indicators ..........................................................8 2.1 Heading Indicator..................................................................9 2.2 Obstacle Alert Indicator ...
EchoMap v3.0 4.1.1 Airport Facility Page........................................................ 24 4.1.2 Airport Frequency Page.................................................. 25 4.1.3 Airport Map Page............................................................ 25 4.1.4 Airport Metar Weather Page........................................... 26 4.1.5 Airport Plates Page......................................................... 26 4.2 VOR Info Page .............................................................
EchoMap v3.0 7.4.6 How to read Graphical Wind Speed and Direction .........48 7.4.7 How to read Graphical Temperature Dew-point Spreads49 7.4.8 How to View Weather Overlays ......................................49 7.5 Text Metar Reports .............................................................50 8. In Flight Email..........................................................................51 8.1 How to Send Email .............................................................51 8.2 Receiving Email .........
EchoMap v3.0 1. INTRODUCTION This Manual is for users of the EchoMap software running on a either an Echo Flight Flight Cheetah Multi-Function-Display or a Windows laptop/tablet computer. Reading this manual will introduce you to the powerful features and functions of EchoMap. You should install software on your home computer to practice in demo mode. See section 4.2.1. 1.
EchoMap v3.0 2. FLIGHT DISPLAY INDICATORS EchoMap has been optimized for maximum flexibility, capability and ease of use in flight. Please take a few moments to review its functions to get the most of its capabilities. The flight display screen consists of six separate sections: 1. Heading information, upper left panel. 2. Obstacle Alert, second down on left. 3. Direct to location, third down on left. 4. Position information, lower center left panel. 5. GPS and ORBCOMM Satellite Status, lower left panel.
EchoMap v3.0 2.1 Heading Indicator The first section of the flight display is the heading indicator in the upper left corner of the screen. The top yellow number is the magnetic heading to your waypoint. The lower white number is your actual current track. The visual aircraft indicator shows the number of degrees off course, in this case 6 degrees to the left of the correct heading represented by the yellow triangle below the magnetic heading.
EchoMap v3.0 2.4 Position Indicators Directly below the direct to indicator is the navigation box. This box displays current navigational information during flight. The first two lines are Distance to the Waypoint and Ground Speed. The third line displays the Estimated Time Enroute (ETE) to the target waypoint. ETE is computed on your actual track and closure rate, (not just distance divided by ground speed), to give you an extremely accurate time.
EchoMap v3.0 2.5.1 Satellite Indicator Colors The ORBCOMM status indicator shows whether you have established a link with the satellites and whether you are transmitting or receiving. Color Red Yellow Green White arrow ORBCOMM Satellite Indications (upper left) No signal is being received on the serial port or the satellite transceiver has failed its initial check and verification.
EchoMap v3.0 Green Send queue empty and waiting. 2.5.2 Satellite Indicator Examples You have no connection with the Satellite transceiver. All indicators are red. You have a connection with the satellite transceiver, but no lock with either GPS or ORBCOMM satellites. You have made one WX request, which is waiting for a connection to send. If this persists, check your antenna or verify antennas have a clear sky view. Poor lock on with ORBCOMM Sat A3, all noise (red bar).
EchoMap v3.0 2.6 Moving Map Panel The sixth and largest section of the EchoMap display is the moving map that shows your aircraft’s current position in relation to airports, airspaces, Navaids, weather and a wide range of other data. To maximize situational awareness of presented data, colors are chosen for optimum legibility and menus are logically grouped for ease of use. The map range is displayed in the upper-right corner of the moving map.
EchoMap v3.0 3. GPS MOVING MAP Echomap has an extremely flexible GPS moving map. It has been optimized for maximum capability in flight with minimum heads down time. Please take a few moments to review its functions to get the most of its capabilities. Most features in EchoMap are accessed through five top level menus that correspond to the NAV, INFO, MSG, WX and D-> keys on a Flight Cheetah MFD, or the F1-F5 keys on a regular keyboard.
EchoMap v3.0 Map - The map menu lets you customize the display options for the moving map, including which layers of navaid data are displayed on the map as well as filtering options. Routes - The routes menu lets you create user defined routes and waypoints. GPS Settings - The mode menu lets you select whether the display is in demo mode, GPS mode or playback. The default normally selects GPS mode.
EchoMap v3.0 3.4 Navaid Overlays The Up arrow and Down arrow allows you to scroll through different customized layers of navigational data such as airspace, highways and airways. To read more on how to customize your own layers please refer to 3.10 3.5 Terrain Contour The terrain contour background map displays terrain in solid shades of color. The color mapping is based on the elevation coloring of standard sectional charts, but slightly adjusted for improved onscreen visibility.
EchoMap v3.0 positioned below the heading indicator. If there is no GPS altitude available, this area will display as a red and white slashed bar that says NO ALT or NO GPS. Terrain and tower alert conditions are always calculated, even when terrain and towers are not being displayed on the map. 3.6.1 Terrain Alert Indicator Echomap will display a terrain alert icon if there is terrain within 8 minutes ( based on your current GPS ground speed ) and 500 ft of your current altitude.
EchoMap v3.0 The terrain alert overlay shows only terrain that is within 1500 feet of your current GPS altitude. The terrain alert overlay is color- coded so that areas within 500 feet of your altitude display red, 500-1000 feet are in yellow and 1000 feet-1500 feet green. Anything in excess of 1500 feet clearance is not displayed. 3.7 Display The Terrain Alert Overlay Press the Nav button, select Terrain. In the Terrain menu select Map: ON and Mode: Alert. Next press Enter to remove the menu.
EchoMap v3.0 Press the Nav button, select Terrain. In the Terrain menu select Map: ON and Mode: Both. Next press Enter to remove the menu. You can toggle this function on and off your moving map display by pressing Nav Enter Enter. The image below shows both the terrain contour map and alert overlay at the same time. If NexRAD radar and terrain overlay are both set on, the map will alternate between the dotted radar images and the solid colors of the terrain alert.
EchoMap v3.0 compass and aircraft position on the screen. In addition you have the option to display your course line for your route of flight as well as runway extensions and 45 degree lines of entry. To open the Map Display Settings menu, press the Nav button, select Map, then select Display Settings and press Enter. 3.9.1 Change Your Map Compass Display The Pos setting lets you use the Left and Right arrow keys to cycle through the moving map display modes of Top, North, Center and Bottom.
EchoMap v3.0 situations. Color displays the roads using coloring similar to a standard road map. The Range Ring setting lets you display a thin white ring a particular range around your aircraft. This can be using in addition to the standard green compass ring to help you determine your distance to objects on the map, including weather. You can set the range ring size from 5 to 100 nautical miles. 3.
EchoMap v3.0 Delete a Layer While viewing an unwanted preset map page, select Delete in the Layers menu to delete that preset page (or press Delete on keyboard). 3.10.2 Keyboard Shortcuts for Layers You can insert or delete layers directly from a keyboard… 3.
EchoMap v3.0 important information with minimum heads down time. The Filters menu allows you to change the cut off range distance, and the Layers menu allows you to set up multiple pages of navigational information to overlay on the moving map. 3.11.1 Change Filter Settings Press the Nav button, select Map. In the Map menu select Filter. In the filter menu you can scroll to the desired navaid with the Up and Down arrows and change the settings with the Left and Right arrows.
EchoMap v3.0 4. DATABASE INFORMATION The Information menu (F2) allows you to access information about various map features. Select the type of object you want information for: Airports, VORs or NDBs. Then either enter an identifier or select one from the list to see information about an object. Objects are listed in order from closest to furthest from your current location. Only loaded objects are listed.
EchoMap v3.0 4.1.2 Airport Frequency Page The frequency page lists the communications frequencies used at the airport, including Tower, Approach, Departure, ATIS, GND, Unicom and others. 4.1.3 Airport Map Page The map page displays a map of the airport and landmarks around the facility. The map shows terrain, runways, markers, airspaces, navaids, and surrounding highways. Use Up and Down arrow keys to zoom in and out of the map.
EchoMap v3.0 4.1.4 Airport Metar Weather Page The Metar page will show whether the selected airport is a Metar site. If a textual Metar is available for this airport, it will display both in raw and decoded format. If a graphical Metar is available for this airport, a textual interpretation will be displayed. See the Metar Weather section for more information. 4.1.5 Airport Plates Page The plates page lists and displays any installed approach plate images that are available for the airport.
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EchoMap v3.0 4.2 VOR Info Page VOR information pages display the Name, Frequency, and Elevation of each VOR. Arrow down to highlight the VOR. 4.3 NDB Info Page NDB information pages display the Name, Frequency, and Elevation of each NDB. Arrow down to highlight the NDB or enter an identifier.
EchoMap v3.0 5. ROUTES & APPROACH OVERLAY 5.1 Create a New Route From the Nav menu, select Route and then use the Down arrow to select Create and press Enter. In the Create box, enter a name for your route and then press Enter. After a route name is created, you will need to add waypoints. Select the type of waypoint you want to add with the Down arrow and then press Enter.
EchoMap v3.0 the route will automatically be stored for later use from the Direct To menu. 5.2 Select an Existing Route Existing routes can be accessed through the Routes menu under Select Existing. Select the route and press Enter. Or, to delete a stored Route, select the route and press the Direct To button or Delete key on keyboard. 5.3 Add User Waypoint You can add arbitrary user defined waypoints, which can be added to a user route. Select the User Waypoints option to bring up the Menu.
EchoMap v3.0 5.5 Direct To Menu To go directly to any waypoint, airport or user route, press the Direct To button (F5), and then select the desired type of destination with the Enter button. Once the waypoint type is selected, a box will appear on the left hand side of the screen displaying waypoints closest to furthest. Simply scroll with the Up and Down arrows to the desired identifier and press Enter. Users without a keyboard can still input identifiers.
EchoMap v3.0 5.5.3 Approach Overlay EchoMap has a growing database of airport approach routes, based on our NOS Approach Plate scans. The approach route data includes the path(s) of the approach, the missed approach and any holding patterns associated with the approach. The approach routes can overlay as vector data on the GPS moving map, allowing pilots to see the paths of the approaches in relation to their aircraft. 5.5.
EchoMap v3.0 target indicator and the point is highlighted in yellow on the map. You can manually select the next waypoint in the approach, or change the selected runway or approach from the Direct To menu. 5.5.5 Viewing the Approach (requires Plates subscription) When in approach mode, pressing the Info (F2) button will directly display the associated approach plate scan instead of the normal Info Menu.
EchoMap v3.0 6. SYSTEM MENU The System menu is used for shutting down the computer, accessing system settings and diagnostics, updating database or software, minimizing the window display and providing some diagnostic information. To access the system menu, press Nav (F1), scroll down to System and then press Enter. 6.1.1 Shut Down the Computer To shutdown your computer, open the System menu, select Shutdown and then press Enter.
EchoMap v3.0 Note - You can also download the latest database update on the internet using your customer support login to the www.echoflight.com website. The database update file is called updatedb.exe and is 15-20 megabytes. 6.1.4 System Settings Menu Synchronize the Computer’s Clock EchoMap records, logs and time stamps many events during flight, this can be helpful if trouble shooting becomes necessary. By synchronizing your computer’s clock with satellite time this information becomes more accurate.
EchoMap v3.0 You can also toggle between windowed and full screen modes by pressing F10 on a keyboard.
EchoMap v3.0 7. DATA-LINK WEATHER One of the most powerful features of EchoMap is Data Link Weather using the ORBCOMM satellite constellation. The network operates similar to a paging system in that it transmits and receives relatively small compressed data packets in quick bursts. How to use Data Link Weather • Data Link Weather provides supplemental information only. It shows you the big weather picture for your route of flight.
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EchoMap v3.0 7.1 Data Link Weather vs. Onboard Radar Data Link Weather is different from onboard weather radar in several important ways. Onboard Radar Has the advantage of providing instantaneous information on echo returns in front of the aircraft, making it ideal for tactical decision making while in close vicinity of thunderstorms. Has the disadvantage of not being able to detect storms at a distance.
EchoMap v3.0 NexRAD radar composites incorporate extensive processing on the ground. Updates arrive at the Echo Flight Network Center every five minutes. The age of the weather update returned to you greatly depends on when your request arrives at the Echo Flight Network Center. For instance, your request might arrive 4 minutes after the update was posted. It takes roughly two minutes to send the update through the ORBCOMM system.
EchoMap v3.0 7.2.1 Requesting a NexRad Image To request a NexRAD weather picture, press the WX key and select NexRad in the menu. If the current request settings are correct, simply press the Enter key. If you are connected to the satellite transceiver, the request will be sent to an ORBCOMM satellite and relayed to Echo Flight where a compressed data packet of weather will be sent back to you via satellite. The satellite status indicator shows the current state of this process. (See section 2.5).
EchoMap v3.0 7.2.4 Automatic NexRad Requests The interval menu lets you program the system to automatically send weather requests on a regular time interval. The interval can be set from 0 to 60 minutes in 15-minute increments. Interval preset is 0 (off). To activate this function select Interval in the menu and use the Left and Right arrow keys to pick your setting. 7.2.
EchoMap v3.0 7.3 Interpreting NexRAD Radar Pictures The figure above shows a NexRAD image with green, yellow and red cells being displayed, the Wx07 indicator shows that the image is 7 minutes old. This will automatically count upwards as time increases so you always know the age of the data. You can spot significant storm activity between a 110 and 120 heading at slightly more than 100 and 200 nautical miles away. The closer you are to the precipitation, the more detail the cell patterns will provide.
EchoMap v3.0 7.3.1 Storm Cells Storm activity is displayed on the moving map with cells measuring from 2km to 12km in size. The detail levels vary depending on many factors, including size of requested area, amount of weather, and distance from center of picture. Although a higher level of detail can be displayed, due to the 5 to 10 minute age of the weather and storm movement it does not provide additional useful navigational information. Cells are displayed with three levels of intensity.
EchoMap v3.0 7.4 Metar Reports Metar weather data is collected by the Echo Flight Weather Server from individual airports as they report. While NexRAD shows precipitation over a large area, Metar displays many types of data supplied from the requested airports in a given range. Metar reports can be requested and displayed textually for individual airports or graphically for groups of airports.
EchoMap v3.0 7.4.2 Interpreting Graphical Ceiling / Visibility Reports A graphical Metar report has three pages of information. The first page of information shows Ceiling, Visibility and Precipitation for each reporting airport. A vertical bar displays ceiling status and a horizontal bar visibility status, forming an L-shape. The color of the bar indicates the status.
EchoMap v3.0 7.4.5 Metar Ceiling/Visibility Example MCN has a low IFR ceiling and VFR visibility, with the age of the report less than 30 minutes. ABY has an IFR ceiling and VFR visibility with moderate rain reported, with the age of the report 30-60 minutes. AMG has a low IFR ceiling and low IFR visibility and heavy snow reported, with the age of the report 30-60 minutes. VLD has a marginal VFR ceiling and VFR visibility with light rain reported, with the age of the report 30-60 minutes.
EchoMap v3.0 7.4.6 How to read Graphical Wind Speed and Direction When you request an area Metar the second page of data you receive is the Wind Speeds and Directions. Use the Enter key to change which Metar page is displayed. The Wind layer shows the wind speed and direction on the ground at the airport. The speed is shown as a range, with a possible gusting value. Wind direction is drawn using a T shaped bar.
EchoMap v3.0 7.4.7 How to read Graphical Temperature Dew-point Spreads When you request an area Metar the third page layer you receive is the temperature/ dew point spread. This is particularly useful to find areas where fog is likely to exist. The bars are color coded to show the likelihood of fog. Green = 11 or more degree spread Yellow = between 7-10 degrees Red = 6 degrees or less 7.4.
EchoMap v3.0 7.5 Text Metar Reports The Text Request option in the Metar menu lets you request a complete textual Metar report for a specific airport. To select the desired airport, enter the identifier or select from the list. Once you select an airport, press Enter to send the request. When the report is received a bar will appear above the moving map telling you a Metar report was received. Press the INF (F2) button to automatically display the text report on the Airport’s Metar Information Page.
EchoMap v3.0 8. IN FLIGHT EMAIL Press the MSG button (F3) to activate the message menu where you can send and receive Email, or send position reports. Any messages you send through the Echo Flight Network will automatically log you in, allowing you to receive any Email sent to you. 8.1 How to Send Email From the message menu select Send Mail to bring up the form with To, Subject, and Message fields.
EchoMap v3.0 8.2 Receiving Email When Email is received, a bar at the top of the map will tell you that Email has been received. To view newly received messages, press the MSG button (F3). You can view old messages with the Received Mail option in the message menu. All Email that has been received is listed. You can delete messages from the archive by pressing the Direct To button (or Delete on a keyboard). Use the Reply option to reply to the selected Email.
EchoMap v3.0 8.2.1 Email Login You must be logged on to the Echo Flight Network to receive Email. Any message sent through the system (mail, position reports, or weather requests) will automatically log you on. To manually login, select Email Login and press Enter. You will be logged off two hours after the last message or login. Any Email sent while you are not logged on will bounce or forward to an alternate address. You can use your customer service login at www.echoflight.
EchoMap v3.0 9. THE ORBCOMM DATA LINK NETWORK The ORBCOMM system operates using a new generation of satellite technology called Low-Earth Orbit satellites ("LEOs"). The ORBCOMM constellation is the world's first commercial LEO data and messaging system, consisting of 35 satellites which send and receive data packets in quick bursts. The ORBCOMM constellation is a redundant and relatively simple relaying system.
EchoMap v3.0 9.2 Network Operation The three main components of the network are: The Space Segment - the constellation of ORBCOMM satellites. The Ground Segment - network gateways located around the world. This includes the Gateway Control Centers (GCCs), Gateway Earth Stations (GESs), the Network Control Center (NCC) and the Echo Flight Network (EFN). Aircraft System – the on-aircraft items required to communicate with the ORBCOMM system.
EchoMap v3.0 Washington State. The fifth GES is located in Curacao, French Antilles in Central America. Gateway Earth Station (GES) ORBCOMM's GESs link the ground segment with the space segment from multiple locations worldwide.
EchoMap v3.0 Gateway Control Center (GCC) The Gateway Control Centers are located in South America, Europe, Asia and provides switching capabilities to link mobile transceivers with terrestrial-based customer systems via standard communication modes including X.400, X.25, leased line, dial-up modem, public or private data networks, and Email networks including the Internet. 9.2.
EchoMap v3.0 placed upon the glareshield of the aircraft, and a special VHF antenna mounted on the top of the fuselage for two-way communications with the ORBCOMM satellites. The VHF antenna is the only permanent installation required. Refer to the Antenna Installation Manual.
EchoMap v3.0 10. TECHNICAL SUPPORT If you have questions call 1 -888-739-7161 from 10am to 7pm EST Mon. through Fri. or Email Support@EchoFlight.com. 10.1 Log Files There are several log files generated to help us track down any unforeseen issues you may have with EchoMap. \echomap\echomap.log contains information about the operation of EchoMap, mostly the same information that appears in the output window on the lower left of your screen. You can graphically view this log using the logtool.
EchoMap v3.0 APPENDIX A: KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS There are many keyboard shortcuts that can be used to access EchoMap functionality without using the menus. Key Action What it does F1 Nav Menu Navigation Menu. F2 Info Menu Information Menu. F3 Msg Menu Messaging Menu. F4 WX Menu Weather Menu. D? Menu F5 Direct To Menu. F8 Compass F10 Windowed F12 Esc Ctrl-C Ctrl-D Exit Escape Exit Demo Ctrl-G GPS Ctrl-K Keyboard Mode Clear queues Ctrl-Q Ctrl-U Ctrl-T Ctrl-V Ctrl-X Ctrl <> <, >.
Key J N O P R S T V W Y ? or ? ? or ? ? ? Action Jet Airways NDBs Obstacles PJAs Arrivals Special Use Trip Path VORs Victor Airways Hydro Zoom In Zoom Out Scroll ? Enter Insert Add layer Delete Delete layer EchoMap v3.0 What it does Toggle jet airway display. Toggle NDB display. Toggle obstacle / tower display. Toggle parachute jump area display. Toggle arrival path display. Toggle special use airspace display. Toggle user flight path line display. Toggle VOR display. Toggle victor airway display.
EchoMap v3.0 APPENDIX B: GLOSSARY ALT (GPS Altitude): Altitude, calculated by the GPS receiver. A substantial difference between this altitude value and altitude referenced above sea level may exist due to accuracy degradation by the military; altitude information should not be used for vertical navigation. Azimuth: Bearing, as measured clockwise from true or magnetic north. Brg (Bearing): The direction to any point, usually measured in 360 degrees relative to true or magnetic north.
EchoMap v3.0 Magnetic North: The region, some distance from the geographic North Pole where the earth’s magnetic lines concentrate. The angle between where the magnetic compass points to, magnetic north, and true north is the magnetic variation. Magnetic variation is measured in east or west. To get true course from magnetic course eastern variations are deducted and western variations are added. In EchoMap, magnetic deviation is calculated based on the nearest airport or Navaid.