- Introduction
- Software Origin and Philosophy
- System Requirements
- Installation
- Comprehensive Feature Set
- User Interface
- Aviation Calculation Modules
- Conversion Tools
- Database Management
- Detailed Module Examples
- Keyboard Shortcuts
- Preferences and Customization
- Licensing and Support
- Disclaimer
- Copyright and Acknowledgments
FlyTools is a comprehensive aviation software designed primarily for light aircraft homebuilder pilots. Developed by Saint-Moulin Benoît, this versatile application provides an extensive range of tools to assist pilots with navigation, calculations, and flight planning.
Created in the early 2000s, FlyTools embodies a simple yet powerful approach to aviation software development. The application was designed with several core principles:
- Lightweight and resource-efficient design
- No complex external dependencies
- Easy updates and maintenance
- User-friendly interface
- Comprehensive aviation support tools
- Windows 95
- Windows 98
- Windows NT 4
- Windows 2000
- Windows XP
- Minimal 1 MB of hard disk space
- Screen resolution of 800x600, 256 colors
- Mouse device (optional, as all functions can be performed via keyboard)
- Optional deskjet printer
- Download the installation package from the official website
- Run the executable installer
- Follow on-screen instructions
- No additional software or complex setup required
FlyTools offers an impressive array of functionalities designed to support pilots in various aspects of flight preparation and navigation:
- Flight Leg Computing
- Weight & Balance Calculations
- True Heading Computation
- Magnetic Heading Determination
- Ground Speed Analysis
- Wind Direction Calculation
- Freezing Level Prediction
Powerful conversion tools for multiple units:
- Angle
- Base numbers
- Currency
- Fuel
- Length
- Mass
- Pressure
- Power
- Speed
- Temperature
- Custom ICAO Database Management
- Flight Logbook Functionality
- Configurable Preferences System
- Online Aviation Resources Access
- Intuitive, clean design
- Tabbed interface for easy navigation
- Consistent icon-based controls
- Responsive to keyboard and mouse input
- Exit: Close current window or application
- Evaluate: Compute or solve calculations
- Calculator: Launch integrated calculator
- Help: Display help documentation
- Delete: Clear input data
- Print: Generate printable output
- OK: Confirm current action
- Add: Add new record to database
- Search: Open database search interface
- Remove: Delete selected record
- Open: Open existing file
- Save: Save current data
A critical module for precise route navigation and planning.
Calculation Parameters:
- Estimated Time of Departure (E.T.D.)
- Magnetic Variation
- Distance
- Fuel Burn
- Wind Velocity and Direction
- True Course
- True Airspeed
Example Calculation:
- Input:
- E.T.D.: 12:50
- Magnetic Variation: -12° (East)
- Distance: 80 nautical miles
- Wind Direction: 200° (True)
- Wind Velocity: 28 knots
- True Airspeed: 115 knots
- True Course: 245°
Calculated Outputs:
- True Heading: 224.79°
- Magnetic Heading: 232.79°
- Ground Speed: 97.79 knots
- Estimated Fuel Consumption: 11.45 units
- Estimated Time En Route: 0.81 hours
- Estimated Time of Arrival: 13:31
Ensures safe aircraft loading and weight distribution.
Example Scenario (Zenair CH 601 HD):
- Nose Wheel Weight: 101.20 kg
- Right Wheel Weight: 96.20 kg
- Left Wheel Weight: 97.20 kg
- Pilot Weight: 79 kg
- Passenger Weight: 58 kg
- Baggage Compartment: 14 kg
- Wing Locker Baggage: 30 kg
- Fuel Load: 96 Liters
Calculation Results:
- Empty Aircraft Weight: 294.6 kg
- Empty Weight Center of Gravity: 217.78 kg
- Total Aircraft Weight: 544.72 kg
- Center of Gravity: 385.81 mm
- Safety Check: All limits verified
- Converts magnetic course to true heading
- Accounts for magnetic declination
- Example: Magnetic Course 250° with 15° West Variation = True Heading 265°
- Adjusts true course for local magnetic variations
- Example: True Course 245° with 12° East Variation = Magnetic Heading 233°
Ground Speed Analysis is a critical calculation that helps pilots determine their actual speed over the ground by accounting for various wind conditions.
Example Calculation Scenario:
- True Airspeed: 120 knots
- Wind Direction: 045° (from the northeast)
- Wind Speed: 20 knots
- Aircraft Heading: 225° (southwest)
Calculation Methodology: The module performs complex vectorial calculations to decompose wind effects, considering:
- Wind vector relative to aircraft heading
- Impact of wind speed and direction
- Precise trigonometric analysis of trajectory modifications
Practical Applications:
- Accurate distance estimation
- Fuel consumption prediction
- Estimated time of arrival calculations
- Navigation precision improvement
Wind Direction Calculation provides pilots with a comprehensive analysis of wind's complex effects on aircraft performance.
Detailed Scenario Analysis:
- Magnetic Heading: 300°
- Wind Direction: 110° (True)
- Wind Velocity: 35 knots
- Magnetic Variation: 15° East
Wind Component Breakdown:
- Tailwind Component: 31.72 knots (positive indicates wind from behind)
- Crosswind Component: -14.79 knots (negative indicates wind from right)
A critical safety tool for assessing potential icing conditions.
Example Scenario:
- Altitude: 6,500 feet
- Ambient Temperature: -7°C
Prediction Results:
- Dry Freezing Level (Clear Weather): 3,000 feet
- Wet Freezing Level (Cloudy Conditions): 1,833.33 feet
- Angle
- Base Numbers
- Currency
- Fuel
- Length
- Mass
- Pressure
- Power
- Speed
- Temperature
Supports conversion between:
- German Mark
- Euro
- Belgian Franc
- French Franc
- Italian Lira
- British Pound
- US Dollar
- Canadian Dollar
- Czech Koruna
FlyTools comes with a pre-installed ICAO database located in the "Database" directory. This comprehensive database provides instant access to crucial airport information without additional setup.
Comprehensive airport information management:
- Airport Name
- ICAO Code
- Country
- Radio Frequencies
- Altitude
- Geographical Coordinates
- Extensive pre-loaded airport information
- Easy access to global airport details
- Offline availability of critical navigation data
- Add New Records
- Delete Existing Records
- Advanced Searching
- Exact Name Search
- Airfield Search
- Code Search
- Country Search
- Directly accessible from the main interface
- Quick search functionality
- Ability to customize and expand existing database
Detailed flight history tracking:
- Date Recording
- Pilot Information
- Aircraft Details
- Takeoff and Landing Information
- Add Flight Entries
- Delete Entries
- Advanced Search Capabilities
- Date-based Search
- Pilot Name Search
- Aircraft Search
- Takeoff/Landing Search
| Key | Function |
|---|---|
| F1 | Help |
| F2 | Calculator |
| F3 | Preferences |
| F4 | Airfields Database |
| F5 | Logbook |
| F6 | Flight Leg Calculations |
| F7 | Weight & Balance |
| Esc | Close Window |
| Shortcut | Function |
|---|---|
| CTRL + A | Angle Conversion |
| CTRL + B | Base Number Conversion |
| CTRL + C | Currency Conversion |
| CTRL + F | Fuel Conversion |
| CTRL + L | Length Conversion |
| CTRL + M | Mass Conversion |
| CTRL + P | Pressure Conversion |
| CTRL + S | Speed Conversion |
| CTRL + T | Temperature Conversion |
| CTRL + O | Open File |
| CTRL + Q | Quit FlyTools |
- Currency Preferences
- Help Bubble Display
- Decimal Rounding Precision
- Aero-Club Name
- Default Unit Preferences
- Accessible via F3 Shortcut
- Easy Configuration
- Save and Reset Options
- Type: Open Source
- Cost: Free to use and share
- Donation: Suggested (€15)
- Donation Email: helloworld@tdt3d.com
- Official Website: http://www.lightplane.org
CRITICAL WARNING
- No explicit warranty is provided
- Use the software entirely at your own risk
- Always cross-verify critical calculations
- This tool is intended to assist, not replace, professional aviation judgment
© Benoît Saint-Moulin
Special Thanks:
- William Yu (RapidQ Development)
- Bruno Poupier
- Franz De Muynck
- All Beta Testers
Included Technologies:
- RapidQ © William Yu
- Inno Setup © Jordan Russell
- Zenair © Zenaith Aircraft Ltd.
Version: 1.6.1 Release Date: April 6, 2006 Last Compatibility Test: January 8, 2025 (Windows 10 x64)
Note: This is a 25th Anniversary re-issue release for educational and learning purposes, representing software development practices of the early 2000s.