I’m currently looking to develop an open source app that can help somebody. I’m currently out of ideas, so I’d like to heard if from you guys.
Sorry if it seems to lazy to ask for ideas like that, I just thought that I could do it since the result will be a free app.
There is an IOS app for hot air balloon pilots called “Hot Air”. There is a similar app for Android that… Leaves much to be desired.
There’s several functions that are needed. First, we need a map. We need to be able to enter waypoints and/or polygons charting landing zones, prohibited zones, targets, etc. we need an easy way to select targets, and our bearing and distance to those targets.
For planning purposes, we need a bearing line that we can place and move on that map. We need to be able to easily drag and drop each end of the line, and get the bearing and distance between the endpoints.
Next, we need track recording. It should record a ground track during flight, preferably with altitude information, and notes about the flight.
Next, a wind map. The wind speed and direction varies considerably by altitude. It needs to record direction and speed as we climb and descend, telling us what altitude has winds favorable for our current target.
Bonus points if we can prepopulate that wind map with data from a “pibal” (pilot balloon; a simple latex party balloon released and tracked with compass and stopwatch before a flight)
Next, coordination with other pilots and ground crews. 3D location sharing between participants; wind map data shared between pilots.
I support this just because it’s something so niche that I believe you balloon people deserve it. I feel like we all with our own requests for media players and readers and launchers and messengers have at least a couple usable options and tons of options that may require getting used to or some compromise, but are there. But an app for balloon pilots? There’s something that probably is in dire need of something else.