Why Are Pilots Still Using 5 Different Apps to Prepare for One Flight?

Before a flight, there are usually a few things to check.

You look up the weather, check the NOTAMs, calculate the weight and balance, make sure your documents are up to date and, afterwards, record the flight in your logbook.

None of these tasks is particularly complicated on its own. The frustrating part is that they often involve opening a different app or website every time.

One app for your logbook. Another for weather. A separate website for NOTAMs. A calculator for flight planning. Somewhere else to keep track of your certificates.

It all works, but it can quickly become a bit of a mess.

The problem isn't the number of tasks. It's the lack of connection.

Pilots are used to working with different tools. That's part of aviation, and some tasks will always require dedicated systems and official sources.

But everyday pilot administration doesn't necessarily need to be spread across so many places.

Think about a typical flight. You check the weather, look at the NOTAMs, calculate your aircraft's weight and balance, and prepare the documents you need. After landing, you update your logbook and keep track of your flight hours.

These tasks are all related to the same flight, yet the information is often scattered across different platforms.

Switching between them takes time. It also means keeping track of where information is stored and remembering to update things in more than one place.

One flight, several different tools

Let's take a look at what a typical workflow can involve.

Before departure:

• Check METARs and TAFs to understand the weather.
• Review relevant NOTAMs.
• Calculate weight and balance.
• Check flight time limitations or calculate night time.
• Make sure your certificates and documents are valid.

After landing:

• Enter the flight in your logbook.
• Check your updated flight hours and statistics.
• Keep your flight records organised.
• Make sure your documents and certificates remain up to date.

Most pilots have their own way of doing this. Some use spreadsheets, others rely on several apps, and many have developed a routine over the years.

The question is whether all these separate tools really need to stay separate.

What changes when your tools work together?

This is the idea behind Pilotflows: bringing the tools pilots regularly use into one platform.

Rather than having a different place for every task, you can access several everyday aviation tools from the same account.

Your flights and your logbook

Your digital logbook lets you record flights, keep track of your hours and review your flying history. You can also import flight records from supported sources, reducing the amount of manual data entry.

Weather information

You can access METARs and TAFs directly in Pilotflows. Pro+ users also have access to weather charts, giving them additional ways to review weather conditions.

NOTAMs

Active NOTAM information is available within the platform for Pro+ users. You can also set up alerts for selected airports, making it easier to keep an eye on relevant changes.

Pilot tools

Some calculations are part of almost every pilot's routine. Pilotflows includes tools for mass and balance, cloud base, night time and flight time limitations. These are also available as standalone calculators, with the same tools integrated into the Pro+ pilot experience.

Certificates and documents

Instead of searching through folders or email attachments, you can organise your certificates and documents in one place. You can add expiry dates and reminders to help you keep track of documents that need renewing.

The benefit is in having everything in one place

Having all these features under one roof doesn't mean that every task becomes automatic. You still need to review the information, make your own decisions and follow the procedures that apply to your flight.

The difference is that you don't have to manage quite so many separate tools along the way.

Your logbook, weather information, NOTAMs, calculators and certificates are accessible through the same platform, whether you're using the web application or your phone.

It also makes it easier to return to information later, without having to remember which app or website you used.

Built around the way pilots actually fly

Pilotflows brings together several tools that are useful throughout a pilot's routine:

• Digital pilot logbook – Record flights and keep track of your flying hours.
• Weather information – Access METARs, TAFs and, with Pro+, weather charts.
• NOTAMs – Review active NOTAMs and configure airport alerts with Pro+.
• Pilot calculators – Calculate mass and balance, cloud base, night time and flight time limitations.
• Certificates and documents – Organise important documents and keep track of expiry dates.
• Flight imports – Import flight records from supported sources.
• Access across devices – Use Pilotflows on the web, iOS and Android.

Not every feature is available on every plan, but the aim is the same: make the tools pilots use regularly easier to access and manage.

A more connected way to manage your flying

Flying already involves enough preparation, checks and paperwork. The tools you use should make that work easier, not add another layer of organisation.

Having your logbook, weather information, NOTAMs, pilot calculators and certificates in one place means fewer separate apps to manage and less time spent looking for information.

It won't replace proper flight planning or official sources, but it can make the everyday tasks around flying a little simpler.

And that is really the idea behind Pilotflows: bringing the tools pilots use regularly closer together, so they can spend less time managing them and more time doing what they enjoy — flying.