3 ms·
This was just a publicity measure for the guy's constituency. No pilot flying in VFR conditions is going to need to rely on a consumer map application running
by _djo_ 14y ago
This was just a publicity measure for the guy's constituency.
No pilot flying in VFR conditions is going to need to rely on a consumer map application running on a smartphone or tablet in the event of an emergency, because they're trained to know their alternate airports and to look out at the ground to identify suitable emergency landing areas.
Similarly IFR pilots are required to file flight plans which often require explicit identification of alternate airports in the case of an emergency and they carry so much redundant equipment that a need to fall back on Apple Maps isn't a realistic scenario.
If you want to highlight the real dangers of people relying on maps with faulty data there are far better examples. For instance in the city in which I live Google Maps for years showed a high-end hotel as being in a really, really bad part of town. Unsuspecting tourists could get themselves into a bad spot just following what their maps app was telling them.
With people relying on the built-in maps apps on their phones to an ever-growing extent, Apple needs to put in a lot of effort to fix Apple Maps and they need to do it fast.
- blaines 14y agoIt sounds like you're a US pilot, are the regulations similar internationally? Though I have heard of some pretty ridiculous landing decisions [1], I doubt this map error will increase Airfield's chances of someone landing there. So I totally agree, the situation described is rather preposterous. [1] http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/region_northern_az/other/dps-plane-makes-emergency-landing-on-arizona-highway http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/region_northern_az/other/dps-p...
- _djo_ 14y agoI have experience with the regulations in South Africa, but they are similar internationally as a result of co-operation through the ICAO and other agencies. Most of the world also follows the lead of the US FAA and European JAA in terms of civil aviation regulations. And yes, pilots have had to make some bizarre emergency landings over the years, but if you're in a situation where the engine quits and you have to get on the ground safely quick the last thing you'll be doing is looking down at your phone or tablet. So yep, preposterous.