NOTE This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital service pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates and may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Weather Services International Corporation (WSI) has developed this manual for its licensees and customers. The information contained herein is the property of WSI and may not be copied, used, or disclosed to others without prior written approval from WSI. Users are cautioned that material contained herein is subject to change by WSI at any time and without prior notice. WSI shall not be responsible for any damages, including consequential damages, caused by reliance on material presented, including but not limited to typographical, electronic, arithmetic, or listing errors. HurricaneTracker, InFlight, MapMaker, Pilotbrief Pro, PowerBridge, PowerStream, Precip, Show Director, SkyAlert/TruVu Alert, SkyTracker, True 3D, TruVu (formerly known as TrueView), TruVu Traffic, VORTEX, WeatherNOW, and Weather for Windows are trademarks of WSI. AVcharts, Datasuite, Energycast, InFlight, Intellicast, Mediacast, NOWrad, Pilotbrief, Showfx, Skycast, Stormcast, TruVu MAX, WeatherProducer, WeatherWorkstation, and WSI are registered trademarks of WSI. WeatherPRO, and WSI. Weather When It Really Matters. are service marks of WSI. The Weather Channel is a registered trademark and The Weather Channel Marine is a trademark of The Weather Channel. Internet Explorer and Windows are registered trademarks of MicroSoft Corporation. Mozilla is a registered trademark of Netscape. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. Red Hat and Red Hat Linux are registered trademarks of Red Hat, Inc. All other Linux-related content is the copyright of Donavan Nelson, Lance Davis, 4wx Networks, CentOS Ltd, or each individual contributor (forums, comments, wiki...) unless otherwise assigned. All other brand names and product names used in this book are trademarks, registered trademarks, trade names, or service marks of their respective holders.
Table of Contents List of Figures... iv Preface... 1 The corporation...1 Product offerings...1 Sources of data...2 Comments...2 WSI Customer Support Services...3 Call-in support... 3 About this guide...4 Chapter 1: Welcome...5 What is WSI InFlight?...5 Where the data comes from...6 WSI InFlight service plans and warranty...6 Chapter 2: Installation & Configuration...7 Installing the hardware...7 Installing or updating the WSI InFlight software...8 Configuring the client...9 Configuring the display... 10 Configuring the weather display format... 11 Configuring the weather port settings... 13 Configuring GPS... 15 Using the port search feature... 18 Time setting option... 19 Activating your subscription...20 Verifying your subscription...21 Chapter 3: Using WSI InFlight...23 Demonstration/training mode...23 Licensing...24 Starting up...25 Starting up with active/passive EFB configuration... 26 WSI InFlight overview...27 The WSI InFlight display...29 Mode control... 30 Time Controls... 30
iii Tools... 31 Zoom display buttons... 32 Undo button... 33 Altitude Slider... 33 Using the map overlays...35 Data freshness... 35 Overlay panel... 36 Legend button... 36 Storm button... 37 METAR button... 41 Sat button... 47 PIREP button... 48 Wind/T button... 49 Fcst button... 51 TFR button... 52 NAV button... 53 Using the GPS Position buttons... 56 Find button... 58 System button... 59 Chapter 4: Troubleshooting...67 System only displays start-up screen...67 System is unable to load...68 Display is blank...69 Data is not updating...70 Erratic cursor movement...73 All my graphical METARs turn black periodically...73 Some weather products are not displayed...74...74 Appendix A: METAR/TAF Reference...75 METAR Reference Key...75 TAF Reference Key...79 Appendix B: Keyboard Shortcuts...81 Index... i Table of Contents
List of Figures Figure 1: Display tab... 11 Figure 2: Wx Format tab... 12 Figure 3: Wx Port tab... 14 Figure 4: GPS tab... 16 Figure 5: Port Search tab... 18 Figure 6: Time tab... 19 Figure 7: WSI InFlight start-up screen... 24 Figure 8: Usage Agreement window... 26 Figure 9: EFB status page... 27 Figure 10: WSI InFlight display window... 29 Figure 11: Mode submenu... 30 Figure 12: Time Controls... 31 Figure 13: Tools submenu... 31 Figure 14: Zoom display buttons... 32 Figure 15: Map scale indicator... 33 Figure 16: Altitude slider... 34 Figure 17: Overlay panel... 36 Figure 18: Storm overlay buttons... 37 Figure 19: Weather radar example... 38 Figure 20: Radar palette legend... 39 Figure 21: Echo top example... 40 Figure 22: Lightning example... 41 Figure 23: METAR overlay buttons... 42 Figure 24: Graphical METAR/TAF icons... 43 Figure 25: Text METAR example... 44 Figure 26: Weather condition diamond icon... 46 Figure 27: Wind barb... 47 Figure 28: Sat overlay buttons... 47 Figure 29: PIREP overlay buttons... 48 Figure 30: PIREPs legend... 49 Figure 31: Wind/T overlay buttons... 49 Figure 32: Winds aloft example...50 Figure 33: Temperatures aloft example... 50 Figure 34: Fcst overlay buttons...51 Figure 35: SIGMET and AIRMET color codes... 52 Figure 36: TFR Legend... 52 Figure 37: NAV overlay buttons... 53
v Figure 38: Navaid example... 54 Figure 39: Navaid popup text display... 54 Figure 40: Navaid example with labels... 55 Figure 41: Edit Route Submenu... 55 Figure 42: GPS position and track history example... 56 Figure 43: Edit Specified Route window... 57 Figure 44: Status overview selector... 59 Figure 45: EFB/MFD Status window... 60 Figure 46: Sample Receiver Status window... 61 Figure 47: WX Data window... 63 Figure 48: Sample GPS Status window... 64 Figure 49: AUTHORIZED PRODUCT IDs window... 66 List of Figures
Preface The corporation WSI Corporation is the recognized leader in aviation weather. Serving airlines, airports, and pilots for more than 25 years, WSI provides weather and critical data delivery via satellite online, on the ground, and in the air, from pre-flight planning through touchdown. WSI has received Professional Pilot magazine's Best Weather Service Award every year since 1998. In addition to its aviation weather leadership, the corporation is also the world's most trusted provider of weather driven solutions for broadcast and cable television, energy trading and utility operations management, government, emergency management agencies, educational institutions, consumer markets, and marine applications. Product offerings WSI product lines include: WSI InFlight satellite-based cockpit aviation weather WSI Pilotbrief weather briefing system WSI Pilotbrief Online Internet-based aviation weather WSI Pilotbrief Pro weather briefing and flight decision support system WSI Fusion weather-enhanced proactive operations management suite with aircraft situational display. Clients can select from a suite of raw, unaltered data as well as WSI s exclusive enhanced data and imagery products designed for easy interpretation and analysis. Offerings include NOWrad mosaic radar imagery, worldwide satellite imagery, lightning graphics, DIFAX weather charts, NEXRAD images, gridded computer model data, and alphanumeric text data.
2 Sources of data WSI collects real-time weather data from an extensive network of sources around the world including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Weather Service (NWS), the National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Department of Defense (DOD), and Environment Canada. Comments Questions and comments concerning this document can be forwarded to WSI Technical Documentation via: Mail: Attn: Technical Documentation WSI Corporation 400 Minuteman Road Andover, MA 01810 E-mail: techdoc@wsi.com Phone: 978.983.6300 Preface
WSI InFlight User Guide 3 WSI Customer Support Services In addition to this guide, support for the WSI InFlight system includes call-in and web-based support. Call-in support WSI Customer Support Services personnel are available 9 AM to 5 PM ET, Monday through Friday at 1.800.USA.2.FLY (1.800.872.2359) and 1.978.983.6325. All other hours, WSI Met Ops personnel are available to address data product questions and record trouble calls. Please call 1.800.USA.2.FLY (1.800.872.2359) or 1.978.983.6325 for recorded instructions. If you are experiencing system disruption, see Chapter 4, Troubleshooting on page 67.
4 About this guide This guide explains how to install, update, configure, and use the WSI InFlight software on Electronic Flight Bags and other Windows-based computers such as personal computers, laptops, and tablets. This guide can be a useful learning tool for all WSI InFlight users. Even if your cockpit system runs on an MFD, you can load the WSI InFlight software and sample weather data on a personal computer and explore the data products at leisure in your home or office. Install and configure the system on your personal computer using the instructions in Chapter 2 (be sure to select Use Sample Data on the Configuration utility s Wx Format tab). Then, explore the data product types by stepping through the descriptions in Chapter 3. Preface
Chapter 1 Welcome This chapter introduces the WSI InFlight system. It includes a discussion of device display options, how WSI InFlight receives data, and a description of available service plans. What is WSI InFlight? With appropriate software, WSI InFlight can be used on any display that processes and stores Ethernet or RS-232 serial data, including panel-mounted multi-function displays (MFDs), Windows XP, and various electronic flight bags (EFBs). Different display types require different versions of the WSI InFlight software. For a complete list of supported display types, or to download free-of-charge the most recent software release for Windows platforms, go to: http://www.wsi.com/myaccount/. MFD manufacturers develop their own software to support data services such as WSI InFlight. While new services are constantly being added, not all MFD manufacturers may support WSI InFlight data services. Please visit http://www.wsi.com for the most recent listing of MFDs supporting the WSI InFlight data services. User instructions for each MFD are available through their respective manufacturer. The WSI InFlight client functions as a weather browser providing basic functionality for viewing the data products provided by WSI InFlight data services. This manual addresses the general use of WSI InFlight data in the context of the WSI InFlight client.
6 Where the data comes from The WSI InFlight system receives its data on a continuous basis from the SIRIUS satellite network, using an omni directional antenna. The data passes to a MFD, EFB, or laptop computer for processing and display. When new data is received, the system updates all products and displays automatically to ensure that the latest information is always available. Updates are broadcast by satellite every 5 minutes WSI InFlight service plans and warranty WSI offers unlimited weather usage with flat-fee subscription plans. Contact information for Customer Service is shown on page 3. Visit http://www.wsi.com for information about the latest available service plan offerings. WSI InFlight hardware is delivered with a comprehensive 1-year warranty. More information on this warranty is available by calling WSI WSI Customer Support Services at 1-800-2FLY. Welcome
Chapter 2 Installation & Configuration This chapter describes the steps required to make your WSI InFlight system operational. 1. Installing the hardware. 2. Installing or updating the WSI InFlight software on an EFB (electronic flight bag) or other Windows-based system, or updating the software on an MFD (multi-function display). 3. Configuring the client. 4. Verifying your subscription Each of these steps are described below. For an explanation of how to use the WSI InFlight system once it is installed and configured, see Using WSI InFlight on page 23. Installing the hardware A certified avionics technician must install the antenna and your WSI InFlight system even if the system is not certified 1. Installation information is delivered to dealers when they receive the system. Be sure you receive your receiver target ID (ESN) number from the dealer because you will need the ESN number to register and activate your subscription. 1. Unless you have an experimental category aircraft.
8 Installing or updating the WSI InFlight software MFDs. If your system is connected to a panel mounted multi-function display (MFD), your certified avionics technician will install the software and make the system operational. Information on using the MFD display comes from the MFD manufacturer. You may still refer to this manual for information on the various types of data displayed and how to interpret the information shown. EFB or other Windows-based system. If you are using an electronic flight bag (EFB) or other Windows-based system, it may come with the WSI InFlight system preloaded, or you can download the most recent client software by visiting http://www.wsi.com/myaccount/. If InFlight is not pre-oaded, run the installer on your EFB or other target device. During the installation you will be asked which elements you wish to install: the weather viewing application, sample data or (terrain) basemaps. Installation & Configuration
WSI InFlight User Guide 9 The weather viewing application option is the WSI InFlight display client and should be checked. Sample data contains pre-recorded weather data which is used in demonstration mode for training purposes. Basemap files are the set of terrain images used in the application. These are optional, used only when you have the terrain basemap feature on. If you prefer a simple background map you do not need to select this option. Installing the terrain basemaps requires an additional 1.5 GB of memory. After loading the client, you must configure the software for use in your particular installation. Configuring the client The WSI InFlight software on your display device consists of two components: the client application ( InFlight Weather ) which displays the weather data, and the configuration utility ( InFlight Configuration ) which enables you to choose settings for the system according to your particular setup and personal preferences. You must configure the system settings when your first install or upgrade the WSI InFlight software. You can also modify the settings at any time; for example, you might wish to change the US radar color palette or choose to use the demonstration data. To open the Configuration display: 1. Select the WSI InFlight Configuration utility. The exact steps you take to open the Configuration utility vary depending on whether the software is installed on an EFB or other Windows-based system, or on a MFD. For example, if using a Windows-based system, select Start>Programs>WSI InFlight 4.3>InFlight Configuration. 2. There are six tabs in the Configuration display. Adjust the parameters and settings as necessary for your system.
10 Configuring the display Use the Display tab shown in Figure 1 to customize the appearance of the WSI InFlight display. Proceed as follows: 1. Screen resolution: Specify the height and width of the WSI InFlight window display size. You can choose portrait orientation (tall display) or landscape orientation (wide display) in the following sizes: Tall display Wide display Width Height Width Height 600 800 800 600 768 1024 1024 768 768 1280 1280 768 2. United States NOWrad colors: Choose between two color palettes for displaying NOWrad radar imagery over the continental US: DO-267, 7 level: The FAA color palette (the default) uses fewer colors than the alternative and is more conservative in areas of medium intensity. This palette attempts to approximate on-board radar displays. WSI NOWrad, 13 level: The color scheme employed by WSI s preflight planning and briefing systems. This expanded palette provides finer distinction between intensity levels and is less conservative than the alternative. This palette provides a better depiction of the precipitation gradient which in turn enables a pilot to better anticipate areas of convective turbulence. 3. Basemaps: Select Use Terrain Basemaps to display a realistic terrain map. This option requires the use of significant additional display memory. 4. Text characteristics: Set the size and style of the text displayed in the METAR, TAF and TFR informational boxes. Use the Font Size pull down to change the size of the text and the Character Style pull down to select regular or bold text. 5. If you change any of the display options, you must click OK and restart the InFlight Weather application to put the changes into effect. Any changes to the radar palette selection are not visible until the next radar product is received. Installation & Configuration
WSI InFlight User Guide 11 Figure 1: Display tab Configuring the weather display format Use the Wx Format tab shown in Figure 2 to adjust the weather display on your system. Proceed as follows: 1. Set the Link Type to InFlight Receiver. 2. The Enable HDLC Quality Logging check box is for troubleshooting purposes and should left unchecked. It should be checked only when you are advised to do so by WSI Customer Service.
12 3. The Live Data Path box indicates where live data is to be stored. Do not change this setting unless you are advised to do so by WSI Customer Service. 4. The Sample Data Path box indicates where sample data is to be stored. Do not change this setting unless you are advised to do so by WSI Customer Service. 5. Check the Use Sample Data check box if you want WSI InFlight to run in demonstration mode, substituting sample data for live data. 6. Press the Clear Live Data button only if you want to erase stored live data in the Live Data Path directory. 7. The Wx Data Ingestion Log Level is for troubleshooting purposes and should be set to 0 unless advised otherwise by WSI Customer Service. If you have configured your WSI InFlight system to run in demonstration mode, remember to uncheck the Use Sample Data box when you are ready to use live data on your system. Figure 2: Wx Format tab Installation & Configuration
WSI InFlight User Guide 13 Configuring the weather port settings Use the Wx Port tab (shown in Figure 3) to configure the settings of the port that receives the weather data. If you are using a serial connection to your receiver, select the Serial radio button. Serial connections should be made as follows: 1. Select a COM Port # appropriate for the serial port on your computer. If you do not know which port, use the Port Search tab described on page 18. 2. Set Bits Per Second to 38400, unless advised otherwise by WSI Customer Service. 3. Set Input Buffer Size and Output Buffer Size to 8192. 4. Do not check the RTS CTS Flow Control box unless you are advised to do so by WSI Customer Service. If you are using an Ethernet connection to your receiver, select the TCP/IP radio button. TCP/IP connections should be made as follows: 1. Enter 10.0.0.2 in the IP Addr box. 2. Enter 9000 in the Port box
14 Figure 3: Wx Port tab Installation & Configuration
WSI InFlight User Guide 15 Configuring GPS Use the GPS tab shown in Figure 4 to configure settings for a GPS system.proceed as follows: GPS location input is not an integral part of the WSI InFlight system. Full continental US weather data is available and usable without GPS input. The WSI InFlight client can, however, take GPS input to add some functionality to the display. At no point should moving map or position information provided through the WSI InFlight client be used for navigational purposes. 1. Select the Data Type as follows: If you are not using a GPS system, set it to None. If you are using a standard portable GPS system, set it to NMEA-0183. If you are using a standard aviation panel-mounted GPS system, set it to AV Type 1. 2. Set the COM Port # as appropriate for your computer-based system. If you do not know which port, use the Port Search tab described on page 18. The GPS port cannot be the same as the InFlight receiver port. 3. Set Bits Per Second as appropriate for your GPS receiver. The default values are determined based on the Data Type selection and should be accepted in most situations. 4. Set the Input Buffer Size and Output Buffer Size to 8192. 5. RTS CTS Flow Control should be unchecked. 6. The default setting for Ownship Display is Ownship. The corresponding map symbol is an arrowhead that shows the current course direction. When the GPS cannot determine course data, such as when you are not moving, the symbol changes to a square. If you choose Zone of Probability, the corresponding map symbol is a circle that represents the diameter of the zone you specify. There is no course direction indication when you use this setting.
16 Figure 4: GPS tab Using the NMEA-0183 data type. The WSI InFlight software for EFBs and Windows-based systems supports NMEA-0183 GPS input over RS-232. The GLL,VTG, HDG, and HDT sentence types are supported (shown in Table 1). A GPS which outputs NMEA-0183 VTG sentences allows WSI InFlight to show track direction. A GPS which outputs HDG or HDT (but not NMEA-0183 VTG) allows WSI InFlight to show heading direction instead of track direction. Table 1: NMEA-0183 Supported Sentence Types Sentence Type GLL VTG HDG HDT Description Geographic position, latitude / longitude Track made good and ground speed Heading Heading, true Installation & Configuration
WSI InFlight User Guide 17 Using the AV Type 1 data type. The AV Type 1 data type will read many popular aviation GPS outputs (shown in Table 2). Refer to the product information supplied with your specific GPS unit to complete an installation using GPS. The GPS unit must output RS-232 serial data in a format recognized by the WSI InFlight Weather client. Depending on the GPS manufacture, the data item format may be referred to as R0, K0, ARNAV 1, Aviation Type I, or Bendix King/Garmin. Table 2: AV Type 1 Data Type Data Item A B C Q Description Latitude Longitude Track Magnetic variation The WSI InFlight Weather client has been designed to work with the output specified by the majority of aviation GPS manufacturers. There have been reported discrepancies between the specification and actual output. WSI is compiling a list of units confirmed to work with the WSI InFlight Weather client. Please refer to http://www.wsi.com for the most current list.
18 Using the port search feature Use the Port Search tab (shown in Figure 5) to identify which COM ports are being used by serial devices attached to the display computer, such as the weather data receiver and GPS. This tool helps you make correct entries in the WX Port and GPS tabs. To use the port search feature, proceed as follows: 1. Connect the WSI InFlight receiver and optional GPS feed to the display computer and power them on. 2. Optional. Check the Analyze Protocols check box to identify the types of devices connected; e.g., GPS. This may take several minutes. Otherwise, the available ports are identified but the Type is listed as Unknown. 3. Click the Begin Search button. The window lists each COM port recognized by the display computer. You can use this information to complete the COM Port # field on the WX Port (page 13) and GPS (page 15) tabs. Figure 5: Port Search tab Installation & Configuration
WSI InFlight User Guide 19 Time setting option WSI InFlight allows you to set the program time to use the local EFB clock or the time derived from the received data stream. If the time data derived from the data feed is unavailable, the program reverts to the local EFB clock. Use the Time tab (Figure 6) to select the option setting. Figure 6: Time tab If you elect to use the local clock as a time reference, your computer s clock must be within five minutes of the correct time for WSI InFlight to function properly.
20 Activating your subscription Once the hardware and software have been installed, you must activate your subscription. Because the activation process can take up to two business days to complete, WSI recommends that you submit your activation request immediately. WSI cannot activate your system without an ESN. The ESN label is on the outside of the receiver and is also included with information you receive from the dealer when you purchase the WSI InFlight system. If you do not have an ESN number, contact the dealer from whom you purchased the system before continuing below. You must also have your credit card number and expiration date on hand. To activate your WSI subscription, proceed as follows: 1. Record your WSI receiver s ESN 1 and ESN 2 numbers located on the face of each receiver. 2. Call WSI at 1-800-USA-2-FLY (1-800-872-2359). Press 1 for Sales. 3. Provide WSI with your ESN 1 number (12 digits), desired subscription plan and credit card information. 4. WSI will e-mail you a Terms and Conditions sheet for your signature. 5. Sign and fax the Terms and Conditions sheet back to WSI at the provided number. 6. Your service activation is available one business day after the completion of Step 5. 7. When you are ready to activate the receiver, move the aircraft to a place free of overhead or nearby obstructions. 8. Power on the receiver. 9. Call WSI at 1-800-USA-2-FLY (1-800-872-2359). Press 3 for WSI Flight Support. 10. Ask for your service activation and provide the representative with your ESN 1 number. 11. WSI will activate the receiver. Leave the avionics running for an additional 15 minutes. Installation & Configuration
WSI InFlight User Guide 21 12. Power cycle the receiver. You should begin to see weather data flow within 4 minutes. ATTENTION WSI InFlight AV-350 customers If you purchased an audio-capable receiver and wish to activate the entertainment radio, please contact SIRIUS directly and provide them with your ESN 2 number. You can reach SIRIUS online ar www.sirius.com or by phone at 1-888-539-SIRIUS (1-888-539-7474). Verifying your subscription After data services have been activated, proceed as follows: 1. If necessary, locate the aircraft in a place free of overhead or nearby obstructions. 2. Apply power to your WSI InFlight system. 3. Verify that the display computer s clock is set to within five minutes of the correct time and date for the time zone selected in your computer. On a Windows-based system, you can verify these settings using the Windows Control Panel. (The exact steps for setting the clock depend upon your computer s operating system.) 4. Open the WSI InFlight display by selecting the WSI InFlight Weather application (typically, Start>Programs>WSI InFlight 4.0> InFlight Weather). 5. Click AGREE in the USAGE AGREEMENT screen to open WSI InFlight s main window. 6. Click the System button to open the Status Overview window. 7. Click the Receiver button to open the Receiver Status window. Verify that the receiver has a signal lock; the message Locked: BER nominal should appear in the RECEIVER STATUS SUMMARY panel. (The receiver collects the activation information from the satellite.)
22 8. Open the AUTHORIZED PRODUCTS IDs window by clicking the PIDs button in the Receiver Status window. Verify that the list of products displayed matches the products you ordered when activating your WSI subscription. 9. Return to the map window. If the map is displayed and weather data is shown, the full activation process is complete. Windows users experiencing erratic cursor behavior. A bug in Windows can cause the operating system to interpret the serial input from the satellite receiver as mouse commands. In that case, the cursor moves wildly about the display device screen. For a temporary workaround, you can start the display device and Windows before powering on the WSI InFlight receiver. For a permanent fix, consult the Technical Notes section of the WSI Customer Account Center at http://www.wsi.com/myaccount/. Installation & Configuration
Chapter 3 Using WSI InFlight This chapter describes how to use the WSI InFlight system. It covers: "Demonstration/training mode" on page 23 "Licensing" on page 24 "Starting up" on page 25 "WSI InFlight overview" on page 27 "Data freshness" on page 35 Refer to Appendix B for a list of useful keyboard shortcuts. Demonstration/training mode You should be comfortable with WSI InFlight operation before attempting to use the system during flight. You can explore WSI InFlight without a connection to the weather data receiver and away from the airplane by running the software in demonstration mode. Open the Configuration utility (typically, Start -> Programs -> WSI InFlight 4.0 -> InFlight Configuration) and select Use Sample Data on the Wx Format tab. Remember to uncheck the Use Sample Data box (See Figure 2 on page 12) when you are ready to use your system with live data.
24 Licensing To use WSI InFlight with live data you must have an active license for your receiver. If you do not, the start-up screen below will constantly be displayed until closed. Figure 7: WSI InFlight start-up screen To purchase a license, contact WSI sales at 800-USA-2-FLY (800-872-2359) and choose option 1. Once you have purchased and activated the license, any EFB with version 4.x is operable. The activation procedure is similar to the service provisioning process, and can be done at the same time. Using WSI InFlight
WSI InFlight User Guide 25 Starting up The WSI InFlight data receiver must be powered up for about 3 minutes before you start the WSI InFlight. This is necessary because the receiver needs the time to boot up and lock on to the satellite signal to receive a valid data stream. Open the WSI InFlight display by selecting the WSI InFlight Weather application. The exact steps you take to open WSI InFlight vary with the display device. For example, on a Windows-based EFB, select Start>Programs>WSI InFlight 4.0>InFlight Weather. When you start the WSI InFlight system, the start-up screen (see Figure 7) displays for approximately 20-30 seconds during intialization. In certain dual EFB installations you need to start the WSI InFlight application seqentially on the EFBs. See "Starting up with active/passive EFB configuration" on page 26. The first window to appear after the initialization sequence is the Usage Agreement (see Figure 8), which describes the limits WSI has established for system use. It is important to understand that WSI weather data is advisory only. It is not a substitute for a legal FAA briefing. These terms must be agreed to upon each startup.
26 Figure 8: Usage Agreement window Wait for the system to load and all connections to be properly established. The WSI InFlight display window then appears. Starting up with active/passive EFB configuration Clients that had dual EFBs installed with the legacy AV100/AV200 WSI InFlight receiver may now have a wiring connection to the AV300/AV350 that establishes an active and a passive EFB. This is because the legacy receiver hardware only supported a single serial port. Thus the active EFB can make requests and receive information from the receiver while the passive EFB can only receive information. Installs that first used the AV300/AV350 should not be affected since the new receiver supports dual serial and ethernet connections. Start-up of the software on the passive EFBs is dependant on actions taken on the active side. Start the applications on both EFBs. The active EFB will display the usage agreement window (see Figure 8). Click to proceed. The passive EFB will continue to display the start-up screen (see Figure 7). On the active EFB click the System button at the top right of the application (see Figure 10). The EFB status page (see Figure 9) is displayed. Using WSI InFlight
WSI InFlight User Guide 27 Figure 9: EFB status page Select the Request PIDs button (lower right of the screen). After the active EFB completes the request (takes approximately one minute), the passive EFB will display the usage agreement window (see Figure 8) within 3 seconds. Click accept to proceed on the passive EFB and select the System button on the active EFB to return to the map. WSI InFlight overview The main window is the primary display for WSI InFlight weather products. It consists of a base map on which you can overlay US and Canadian weather radar, graphical METARs, SIGMETs, AIRMETs, TFRs; and navigation aids (VORs and NDBs). The set of weather products available on your system is determined by your WSI subscription.
28 Your WSI InFlight system continuously receives data from a satellite. As long as the receiver and display device remain on and the WSI InFlight software is running, 1 your WSI InFlight system continues to receive weather updates. Your system can not receive new information if the system is off or if the antenna does not have a clear view of the sky. 1. WSI InFlight can run in the background while other programs are running. Using WSI InFlight
WSI InFlight User Guide 29 The WSI InFlight display The WSI InFlight initialization sequence automatically displays the WSI InFlight display window shown in the figure below, once the system is loaded and communication with the receiver is established. Figure 10: WSI InFlight display window Mode Control Time Controls Status Button and System Health Indicator Tools Palette Button Zoom Display Buttons Undo Button Altitude Slider Overlay Panel Find Button
30 On initial startup, the window displays a map and a panel of buttons that you click to overlay weather products, control the display attributes, and access WSI InFlight features such as comprehensive weather data, TFRs, SIGMETS, AIRMETS, PIREPS, and navaids. The functions of each of these buttons and their associated overlays or actions is further described in this section. If you saved the program settings at shutdown, subsequent startups display all your parameters such as weather products, map position and zoom level selections that were in effect at the previous shutdown. Mode control WSI InFlight remembers two complete sets of display settings. Using the Mode control, (see figure below) you can rapidly switch settings between views of your destination and your route of flight. By setting up each view, you can monitor the overall route conditions while you are enroute, then switch to a zoomed-in view for the local destination conditions for your arrival. Figure 11: Mode submenu Uses the current Enroute display settings. Changes made during use are automatically saved when Arrival mode is selected. Uses the current Arrival display settings. Changes made during use are automatically saved when Enroute mode is selected. Time Controls The Time Controls consist of a Time Slider control and a Loop button, as shown below in Figure 12. Using WSI InFlight
WSI InFlight User Guide 31 Figure 12: Time Controls Using this control, you can view historical data up to 1 hour old or forecast data up to 2 hours in the future. You can change the setting either by clicking the arrow keys at either end or by dragging the slider with your mouse. As you move the time slider, certain data may not be available, and in that case the applicable overlay control buttons are disabled (gray). The time scale always shows the current ZULU (UTC) time plus and minus approximately 1 hour. The illustration shows the time slider s normal indication. When the time slider is moved off the NOW button, the background changes to black to indicate that the current conditions are not being displayed. Clicking NOW returns to the current conditions. The Loop button causes the time slider to step through the past hour of data to animate the display. It moves in 10-minute increments every half second. As the display changes, the slider shows the corresponding time for the displayed data. At the end of a cycle, it pauses for 2 seconds before repeating the cycle. The Loop function is deactivated by clicking the Loop button. Tools When you click the Tools palette button, it opens the Tools submenu as shown in Figure 13 below. Using this submenu, you can select one of four tools to navigate the WSI InFlight window. When you select a button, the submenu closes and its icon is displayed in the Tools button. Figure 13: Tools submenu Distance and bearing tool Pan tool Area zoom tool Text select tool
32 When the Text select tool is selected, the text attributes of any object on the map are displayed in a popup box when you click it. When the Area zoom tool is selected, you can define a rectangular area on the map by dragging your mouse. The map zooms and is centered in the defined area when you release the mouse button. When the Pan tool is selected, you can move the map within the window. Click the map and drag it in the desired direction. When the Distance and bearing tool is selected, you can obtain great circle distance and true bearing between any two points on the map. Click on a starting point and move the mouse to the desired destination. When you release the mouse button, an arrow is displayed with the distance and true bearing between the two points. At any time, you can return the tool to the Text select mode temporarily by double clicking anywhere on the map. Zoom display buttons In addition to the Area zoom tool described previously, there are two zoom display buttons. When you click one of these buttons on the, the display zooms in (+) or out (-). The scale is adjustable from 2 to 200 nautical miles. Unlike the area zoom tool, it is not necessary to select anything on the map to use them. Figure 14: Zoom display buttons As you zoom into the map, additional graphical METAR icons, if enabled, representing regional airports appear. As you zoom out on the map, the map display is uncluttered and only major airport icons are displayed. If the NAV overlay is enabled, display of VORs begins at the 25 nautical mile zoom level and NDBs begins at the 10 nautical mile zoom level. Using WSI InFlight
WSI InFlight User Guide 33 Understanding scale. The map scale indicator (Figure 15) located in the lower right corner of the map shows the horizontal and vertical scale for the current zoom level in nautical miles. The displayed scale is accurate only in the center of the map due to the distortion caused be a flat earth map. Figure 15: Map scale indicator Undo button When you click the Undo button, you undo your last change to the map view. The ten most recent views are stored, so you can step backwards through them to revert to a previous map view. Altitude Slider Satellite images, PIREPs, wind, temperature, SIGMET, AIRMET and TFR weather products provided by the WSI InFlight system contain altitude dimensions. The altitude slider shown in Figure 16 below is used with these products to select the display data for the desired altitude.
34 Figure 16: Altitude slider With this tool, you can select data for any altitude between 1,000 and 51,000 feet for altitude-specific products. To use the tool, click the up or down arrow buttons to change the altitude in 1000-foot increments. In the example shown in Figure 16, the selected altitude is 6000 feet MSL. The All Altitudes button provides an overview for some products by merging the altitude overlays to display all available data for those products. It has no effect on the display of satellite imagery, wind or temperature products. The Altitude slider is not active for other weather products, and is disabled (gray) when no relevant product is selected. Using WSI InFlight
WSI InFlight User Guide 35 Using the map overlays WSI InFlight s weather products are displayed as map overlays. This subsection provides information to access and interpret them. Data freshness The data freshness indicators on each button use color codes to show the currency of the last-received weather products. ZULU (UTC) is the current time according to your computer s clock. The product times show when each weather product was assembled and time-stamped on the ground. WSI InFlight indicates the age by changing the appearance of the corresponding product s button. Table 3: Data freshness indications Appearance Meaning Data is current; within one broadcast cycle. Data is between 1 and 2 broadcast cycles old. A white border is shown around the time stamp Data is more than 2 broadcast cycles old. The background of the time stamp changes to orange and a caution icon is displayed on the button If multiple map overlays are selected, the data freshness indicator corresponds to the worst case age for all the map overlay options selected. The worst case is defined, in decreasing order, as (1) not available, (2) not current, and (3) current. The button is updated as current products age or are replaced with new transmissions.
36 WSI InFlight uses the current time from the display computer as a quality check on incoming data. For WSI InFlight to function properly, your computer s clock must be set to within five minutes of the correct time and date for the time zone selected on your computer. If you chose the setup option to use the time data from the receiver data stream (page 19), your computer s time is always kept current. The radar time is for either the US or Canadian radar weather product, depending upon which is selected. If neither product is selected, the radar time defaults to US radar. Overlay panel The buttons at the bottom of the window shown in Figure 17 below, overlay selected weather products, toggle the display of navigation aids and enable the Legend display. The normal color of the buttons is black. When an overlay or function is active, it changes to blue. If a button is gray, the corresponding product or feature is not available. Products may be unavailable during the first few minutes after startup while the first set of data is being received, or if a product is not included in your subscription package. Figure 17: Overlay panel Buttons with an arrowhead at the top toggle an associated submenu when you click them. The submenus contain additional selections and are described in the following paragraphs. Legend button When you click this button, you activate the Legend tool. With this tool activated, clicking any overlay button opens a popup window that displays the legend for the information associated with that overlay. Using WSI InFlight
WSI InFlight User Guide 37 Close the legend popup by clicking the X in the upper right hand corner of the popup box. If necessary, click the Legend button to turn off the Legend tool when you have finished using it. Storm button Use the Storm button to see U.S. and Canadian weather radar, cloud tops and lightning activity. When you click it, it displays the submenu shown in Figure 18 below. You can select any combination of the products on this submenu. Figure 18: Storm overlay buttons Toggles the display of the US weather radar overlay Toggles the display of the Canadian radar overlay Toggles the display of the radar summary overlay Toggles the display of the lightning overlay All - Turns on all the overlays on this submenu None - Turns off all the overlays on this submenu Using the US NOWrad and the CND Radar overlays. The US NOWrad button and the CND Radar button control the display of the US and Canadian weather radar products, respectively. You can choose between two color palettes for US radar: the FAA standard DO-267 color scheme (the default), which uses seven colors for easy recognition; or the WSI NOWrad palette which uses more colors for finer detail resolution (the same palette used by WSI s pre-flight planning and briefing systems).
38 To switch palettes, you must use the Display tab in the WSI InFlight Configuration program (refer to page 10) and restart WSI InFlight. Figure 19: Weather radar example WSI s NOWrad technology merges conventional radar imagery and NEXRAD s reflectivity into a single radar mosaic for the continental US. The data displays at a high 2 km, or slightly more than 1 NM, resolution and updates every 5 minutes. Black indicates areas of radar coverage; gray areas are not covered below 10,000 feet MSL by the NEXRAD network. Precipitation may exist in gray areas, even though they are not shown. Using WSI InFlight
WSI InFlight User Guide 39 Figure 20: Radar palette legend Precipitation radar colors The legend displayed automatically corresponds to the radar type and palette in effect US Radar - DO-267 palette Canadian Radar US Radar - WSI NOWrad palette
40 Using the Echo Top overlay. The Echo Top overlay shows the heights of cloud tops, their direction and speed of motion, and when available, severe weather conditions within storm cells. An example and brief description are shown in Figure 21 below. Figure 21: Echo top example Using the Lightning overlay. The Lightning overlay shows any incidences of lightning activity within the preceding 15 minutes. An example is shown in Figure 22 below. Using WSI InFlight
WSI InFlight User Guide 41 Figure 22: Lightning example METAR button Use the METAR button to see U.S. and NON-US METARs and TAFs. When you click it, it displays the submenu shown in Figure 23 below. METARs and TAFs are used to summarize weather information for each reporting airport in the continental US and Canada.
42 Using the METAR and TAF overlays. METARs and TAFs can not be viewed concurrently. You can select US METAR and Non-US METAR only when the time slider control (Figure 12) is set to display current or previous data. You can select US TAF and Non-US TAF only when the time slider is set in the FUTURE area, or forecast data. A letter F is added on the Flight Rules and Weather Phenomena icons to indicate that the TAF (forecast) is being displayed. For surface winds, observations are differentiated from forecasts through the use of the color white, which indicates a forecast. Figure 23: METAR overlay buttons Toggles METAR overlay for US airports Toggles METAR overlay for non-us airports Toggles TAF overlay for US airports Toggles TAF overlay for non-us airports All - Turns on all the overlays on this submenu None - Turns off all the overlays on this submenu The MODE button is used to select one of the three display modes for METARs and TAFs There are three display modes for METARs and TAFs. You select the desired mode by clicking the MODE button, which expands as shown in the figure above. When you click one of the three buttons, the submenu closes and the selected mode is displayed on the MODE button. Flight Rules is the default mode. When you select a METAR or TAF, the window display consists of one of three types of graphical icons. The type that is displayed depends on the Mode selection and is shown in Figure 24 below. Using WSI InFlight
WSI InFlight User Guide 43 Figure 24: Graphical METAR/TAF icons Flight Rules Icons Weather Phenomena Icons Wind direction and speed (wind barbs) METARs are issued by reporting airports each hour, usually 55 minutes past the hour. A Special METAR (SPECI) is issued anytime there is a major change in weather conditions. You can see this information online by clicking the Legend button, then clicking a METAR or TAF button. Double click any graphical METAR/TAF icon. Depending on which product is selected, a text version of the METAR or TAF is displayed in a popup box. An example is shown in Figure 25 below.
44 Figure 25: Text METAR example For a more detailed description of meaning of these displays, refer to Table 4, Flight rule color codes, on page 44 or Table 5, Weather condition color codes, on page 45. Flight rule icons. The colored circle icons represent FAA flight rule classifications currently in effect at each reporting airport based on weather observation (METAR), or in the case of TAFs, the anticipated classification. Table 4 lists the flight rules and their associated color codes. Table 4: Flight rule color codes Color Category Ceiling (in feet) Black Not Enough Data Cyan VFR > 3000 > 5 (sky blue) Green MVFR 1000-3000 3-5 Yellow IFR 500-1000 1-3 Red LIFR 200-500 1/2-1 Magenta < Cat I type approaches < 200 0-1/2 Visibility (in nautical miles) Using WSI InFlight
WSI InFlight User Guide 45 Weather condition icons. The colored diamond icons represent the weather conditions at each reporting airport. The left side of the diamond shows the worst observed weather and the right side alerts pilots as to whether potentially dangerous visibility conditions currently exist. If the right half of the diamond is the same color as the left, there are no obstructions to pilot visibility. If the right half of the diamond is yellow, visibility obstructions exist at the airport represented by the diamond. If windy conditions (sustained winds or gusts) > = 20 knots exist at an airport, a small black diamond is drawn in the center of the icon. Both sides of each diamond icon are drawn in black if there is not enough data. Table 5 explains the weather conditions and their associated color codes. See Figure 26 for an illustration of the split diamond icon. Table 5: Weather condition color codes Color Weather Phenomena Class Phenomena Black (both sides) Not enough data or data has aged out White No significant weather Green Liquid precipitation Drizzle (DZ) Rain (RA) Showers in vicinity (VCSH) Unknown precipitation (UP) Blue Solid precipitation Snow (SN) Snow grains (SG) Ice crystals (IC) Ice pellets (PE) Hail (GR) Small hail (GS) Volcanic ash (VA) Sand (SA) Sand/dust whirls (PO) Sand storm (SS) Dust storm (DS) Red Hazardous phenomena (thunderstorms, etc.) Thunderstorm (TS) Funnel cloud, tornado, waterspout (FC) Squall (SQ)
46 Table 5: Weather condition color codes Color Weather Phenomena Class Phenomena Yellow Obstruction to visibility Fog (FG) Haze (HZ) Smoke (FU) Spray (PY) Mist (BR) Sand (SA) Dust (DU) Volcanic ash (VA) Black diamond in center of icon Winds >= 20 knots Taken from either steady state or gust value Figure 26: Weather condition diamond icon Visibility obstruction if yellow. Worst observed weather. Small black diamond icon. Showing winds in excess of 20 knots. Wind direction icons (barbs). Wind barbs represent surface observations of wind speed and direction at each reporting airport. The direction is true, not magnetic. Wind is blowing from the direction in which the barb points. Speed is indicated by the total of the feathers on the barb. There are three types of feathers: a short feather indicates 5 knots; a long feather 10 knots; a filled triangular pennant 50 knots. A barb with one short and two long feathers, for example, indicates 25 knots. A circle with no barb indicates calm winds. A hollow circle means no data. Using WSI InFlight
WSI InFlight User Guide 47 Figure 27: Wind barb 5 knots 10 knots 50 knots 65 knots calm winds missing winds (no data) wind direction (blowing from southwest) Sat button Use the Sat button to display the Sat overlay. Using the Sat overlay. The Sat overlay displays satellite infrared cloud cover imagery. The buttons are shown in Figure 28 below. Use this product with the Altitude Slider (Figure 16 on page 34) to select data for a particular altitude. Use the Legend tool to show the legend for this overlay. Figure 28: Sat overlay buttons Toggles the satellite overlay Turns off the satellite overlay
48 PIREP button Use the PIREP button to display PIREPs. When you click it, it displays the PIREP overlay, shown in Figure 29 below. Four categories of PIREPs are available and can be selected in any combination on this submenu. Figure 29: PIREP overlay buttons Toggles the PIREP turbulence overlay Toggles the PIREP icing overlay Toggles the PIREP sky condition overlay Toggles the PIREP urgent reports overlay All - Turns on all the overlays on this submenu None - Turns off all the overlays on this submenu Using the PIREP overlay. Use the PIREP overlay with the Altitude Slider (Figure 16 on page 34) to select data for a particular altitude, or click the All Altitudes button to see an overview of all PIREPs. Refer to Figure 30 below for an explanation of the map symbols used in the PIREP overlays. You can also see this information online by clicking the Legend button. Using WSI InFlight
WSI InFlight User Guide 49 Figure 30: PIREPs legend Wind/T button Use the Wind/T button to see winds and temperatures aloft. When you click it, it displays the submenu shown in Figure 31 below. You can select only one product at a time, i.e. Wind or Temperature on this submenu Figure 31: Wind/T overlay buttons Toggles the winds aloft overlay Toggles the temperature overlay Turns off all the overlays on this submenu Using the Wind/T overlay. The Wind and Temp buttons toggle the display of their respective products. Use them with the Altitude Slider (Figure 16 on page 34) to select data for a particular altitude.
50 Figure 32: Winds aloft example You can also see this information online by clicking the Legend button. Figure 33: Temperatures aloft example Using WSI InFlight
WSI InFlight User Guide 51 Fcst button Use the Fcst button to see forecasts of weather fronts, icing conditions, SIGMETs, turbulence AIRMETs and visibility AIRMETs. When you click it, it displays the submenu shown in Figure 34 below. You can select any combination of products on this submenu. Figure 34: Fcst overlay buttons Toggles the front overlay Toggles the current icing overlay Toggles the SIGMET overlay Toggles the turbulence AIRMET overlay Toggles the icing AIRMET overlay Toggles the visibility AIRMET overlay All - Turns on all the overlays on this submenu None - Turns off all the overlays on this submenu Using the Fcst overlay. SIGMET and AIRMET data products display regions, outlined by bounding boxes, where pilots may encounter weather warning conditions such as convective storms, turbulence, icing, or obstructions to visibility. Use the text tool and click on a displayed SIGMET or AIRMET of interest to display its details in a popup box. Use the Icing Nowcast product with the Altitude Slider (Figure 16 on page 34) to select data for a particular altitude, or click the All Altitudes button to see an overview of all Icing Nowcast reports.
52 Refer to Figure 35 below for an explanation of the map symbols used in the Fcst products. You can also see this information online by clicking the Legend button. Figure 35: SIGMET and AIRMET color codes TFR button The TFR button displays current temporary flight restrictions. Use the altitude slider to display those in effect at your altitude. Click on the TFRs shown using the text select tool for information about them. For TFRs with multiple regions, a Next button appears, allowing you to sequentially display the text for each region. Refer to Figure 36 below for an explanation of the map symbols used in the TFR product. You can also see this information online by clicking the Legend button. Figure 36: TFR Legend Using WSI InFlight
WSI InFlight User Guide 53 NAV button Use the NAV button to control the display and management of route information on the map display. When you click it, it opens the NAV overlay shown in Figure 37 below. It provides access to Route planning and display capabilities, display of Navaids, and displays of optional GPS data. WARNING NAV functions are provided in WSI InFlight solely to allow you to improve your situational awareness by displaying weather information relative to your approximate position and should never be used for navigation under any circumstances. Figure 37: NAV overlay buttons Toggles the display of your route information Toggles the Navaid overlay to display VORs, VORTACs and NDBs Toggles the Labels overlay to show labels on all airports and navaids All - Turns on all the overlays on this submenu None - Turns off all the overlays on this submenu Using the Route button. Click the Route button to toggle the display of all route information. This includes routes that you have defined as well as optional GPS data. Using the Navaid button. Click the Navaid button to toggle the display of VORs, VORTACs and NDBs. In order to display Navaids, the display must be zoomed in to a scale of 25 nautical miles or less to show VORs and VORTACs, and to 10 nautical miles of less to show NDBs. An example of a navaid display is shown in Figure 38 below.
54 Figure 38: Navaid example Double clicking a navaid symbol displays information about that navaid in a popup text as shown in Figure 39 below Figure 39: Navaid popup text display Using the Labels button. The Labels button toggles the display of navaid identification labels. If selected, the labels are displayed only when the Navaid overlay is visible. Using WSI InFlight
WSI InFlight User Guide 55 Figure 40: Navaid example with labels Edit Route button. When you click the Edit Route button it opens an additional submenu, shown in Figure 41 below. Figure 41: Edit Route Submenu Toggles the display of optional GPS data and history Toggles the display of optional GPS data Toggles the display of a specified route Toggles the EDIT SPECIFIED ROUTE window to allow route parameters to be edited.
56 Using the GPS Position buttons The GPS Position & Track History and the GPS Position buttons have similar functions. If you have a GPS system connected and configured to your WSI InFlight system, both of these buttons center the display to the aircraft position. If the Ownship option was selected in the GPS setup on page 16, the aircraft is indicated an arrowhead symbol that shows position and course. If Zone of Probability was chosen, the symbol is a circle that shows only position information. This feature allows you to view weather patterns in context with your flight s progress If GPS Position & Track History is selected, the information previously described is displayed, and in addition, a line indicating your previous flight path is also displayed. Up to two hours of data can be displayed depending upon the capacity of the display computer. An example of a GPS Position & Track History is shown in Figure 42 below. Figure 42: GPS position and track history example Using WSI InFlight
WSI InFlight User Guide 57 Using the Edit Specified Route button. When you click the Edit Specified Route button, the Edit Specified Route window opens. Using this window you can enter your route of flight and then display it on the map. Figure 43: Edit Specified Route window You enter data through either the on-screen keyboard with your mouse, or through your computer s keyboard. There are three boxes in this window; the ROUTE box, the IDENTIFIER box, and the NAME box. You specify the route by typing the ICAO identifier for the airport or navaid. As you type, the letters
58 appear in the IDENTIFIER box until a match is found in the database. When this occurs, the airport or navaid information appears in the NAME box. You then click the Add to Route button to add it to your route, and the entry moves into the ROUTE window. Refer to Table 6 below for an explanation of all the controls in this window. Table 6: Controls and Indicators Control or Indicator View Route INFO Locate on Map DEL CLR Up and down arrows Left and right arrows Add to Route RESET NUM Description Displays your specified route on the map Displays TAF for the selected airport Displays the selected airport on the map Deletes the selected entry from the ROUTE box Deletes all user-entered data Scrolls the list entries in the ROUTE box when scrolling is needed Causes the data entry to self-complete after enough characters are entered to make an unique determination Adds the entry in the NAME box to the list in the ROUTE box Clears any data entered in the IDENTIFIER box Shifts the on-screen keyboard to number entry mode. Find button The Find button is a shortcut that lets you quickly locate an airport or facility on the map. When you click it, the EDIT SPECIFIED ROUTE window (Figure 43) opens. Type in the identifier for the facility, and when its information appears in the NAME box, click the Locate on Map button. The window closes and the map display shows the facility. Using WSI InFlight
WSI InFlight User Guide 59 System button The System button gives an overview of WSI InFlight s overall health. When the system is operating normally, the button s hurricane icon rotates. When it indicates a problem, you can view first echelon troubleshooting data on the screen by clicking the System button to switch to the Status overview. Status overview. The Status overview controls are shown in Figure 44 below. Each button toggles the display of status information for its associated system component. Figure 44: Status overview selector For each display, status information is color coded as follows: Green nominal (the system is functioning as expected) Yellow warning or approaching a limit Red error or, for memory and disk, at the limit Viewing EFB/MFD information. Click the EFB button to display additional information about your electronic flight bag (EFB) or multi-function display (MFD) device. The information displayed on the EFB/MFD Status window (shown in Figure 45) includes: Amount of free memory Total amount of memory Memory load Amount of free memory available in file storage A Request PIDs button is provided so users with dual EFBs in an active/passive configuration can manually request license and product permissions from the receiver.
60 Figure 45: EFB/MFD Status window Using WSI InFlight
WSI InFlight User Guide 61 Viewing Receiver information. Click the Receiver button on the Status Overview window to monitor receiver and signal status. Figure 46: Sample Receiver Status window BER MONITOR. The BER MONITOR field provides a real-time monitor on the bit error rate. If BER spikes, data frames are being lost. During normal operation, BER should remain low. As a general guide, normal operation is below the yellow line. Operation above the yellow line may result in lost data. Operation above the red line may lose signal lock and initiate the reaquisition procedure.
62 FRAME MONITOR. The FRAME MONITOR field provides a real-time monitor on data frame activity. In this case spikes indicate that data frames are being collected by the WSI InFlight software. Corrupted data frames are indicated by red spikes instead of green spikes. RECEIVER ID. The RECEIVER ID field lists the receiver address, also known as the ESN. SELECTED BEAM. This value indicates the relative strength of the Sirius orbiting and terrestrial broadcasts as follows, Beam 0: Satellite > Ground 1: Ground > Satellite 2: Data channel tune error 3: Channel update in progress BIT ERROR RATE. Provides summary statistics for the bit error rate readings over the previous five minutes. Normal system operation occurs for BER levels below 5. BER levels at or above 10 generate a warning. BER levels at or about 20 generate a BER error. In the event of weak signal system performance, these numbers should be recorded for reporting to WSI Customer Support Services. RECEIVER STATUS SUMMARY. Provides a summary of the status of the satellite receiver, the connection between the receiver and the display computer, the receiver s lock on the satellite signal, and the quality of the signal. The message, LOCKED:BER NOMINAL, indicates that the system is functioning properly. ASE STATUS SUMMARY. Provides information about the status of the Application Service Element software which formats the data for presentation. RECEIVER DATE & TIME. Time stamp showing the time of the last update to this screen. PIDs. Click PIDs to display the list of weather products your system has been authorized to receive according to your subscription plan. Using WSI InFlight
WSI InFlight User Guide 63 Viewing Wx Data information. Click the Wx Data button on the EFB/ MFD Status window to display the WX Data window (Figure 47). This window lists all the weather products that your system receives. As each product is received and saved by the display, the products are recorded. This record can be useful for troubleshooting purposes. Figure 47: WX Data window
64 Viewing GPS information. If you are using GPS, you can click the GPS button in the EFB/MFD Status window to monitor the status of the data connection between WSI InFlight and the GPS device. Figure 48: Sample GPS Status window GPS SOURCE DATA. Displays raw GPS messages as they arrive at the display computer from the GPS device; can be useful for identifying the GPS message format. LATEST POSITION and LATEST TRACK. Latest aircraft position and heading that WSI InFlight has decoded from the GPS data stream. Using WSI InFlight
WSI InFlight User Guide 65 GPS PORT CONFIGURATION. Summary of the serial connection settings specified on the GPS tab in the WSI InFlight Configuration application (see page 15). The bottom-most pane summarizes the current connection status. For more information, see Using the GPS Position buttons on page 56. Viewing Authorized Product IDs (PIDs). Click the PIDs button in the Receiver Status window to display the Authorized Product IDs window (Figure 49). This window lists the weather products that your InFlight receiver has been authorized to receive according to the terms of your WSI subscription. The authorization information is broadcast from the satellite when you activate your subscription and is stored in the receiver. Each product is identified by a product identification number (PID) and/or name. A Refresh button is provided in order to manually request product authorization from the receiver.
66 Figure 49: AUTHORIZED PRODUCT IDs window Using WSI InFlight