FLYANGEL

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PRICE £650

FIRST IMPRESSIONS
"Very, very dinky!" is everyone's first thought about the FlyAngel. Although the unit is only 3in x 3.5in, virtually all of that is the touchscreen. You operate it by using a stylus (provided) although a fingertip can be used for the bigger buttons.

When you see the size of some of the other units with comparable screens, it really is incredible how FlyMap have managed to cram so much into such a slim package. It's a good quality screen too, high resolution and quite bright on the ground.

One of the FlyAngel's key points is that it uses the CAA 1:500,000 chart.

PLANNING THE FLIGHT
We found it very hard to input the flightplan. This wasn't helped by the manual which should have had a step-by-step guide with illustrations because it is not an intuitive process at all.

It took a while to realise there's a 'dead' spot along the base of the screen. We found this out while trying to input the user waypoint. The only way appears to be to find the place on the map so you have to scroll the map to the right place. It's easier to input a waypoint in the aeronautical database though - just choose from a list.

One good point is the on-screen keypad which speeds up data entry.

Just as we thought we'd cracked it, the unit locked up. We had to switch off, switch on again and pick up where we'd left off. At the end, we weren't sure the flightplan had been saved.

IN THE AIR
As soon as we took off, we realised there was an error in the plan. Somehow the track belted off to the west before coming back to our desired track.

The map was clear but badly affected by direct sunlight. You couldn't see it at all when wearing sunglasses.

The CAA chart has its good and bad points. It has all the aeronautical data you want but it can't be decluttered. The symbols and text are upside down if you fly track up and head south. The terrain awareness worked well, turning to red when down at 300ft.

CONCLUSION
FlyAngel is a curious product, probably of most appeal to microlight pilots who need a light, small unit. It's the best unit here as a car satnav!

WHAT'S IN THE BOX
» FlyAngel unit
» Power cord
» Suction cup mount
» USB cable
» Manual

SPEC
» Size 76x90mm
» Screen size 90mm
» Weight na
» Battery Rechargeable internal
» External power? Yes

SCREENS
» Moving Map
» Terrain awareness
» Nearest airfield
» Airfield info
» Automatic flight logging

AT A GLANCE
SCREEN ***
Big screen for such a small unit. Bright in the shade but suffers in direct sunlight.

DESIGN ****
So much packed into a small unit. Touch screen OK on the ground, less so in the air.

MAP ***
CAA half-mil chart seems very cluttered on screen, but it's all there.

PROGRAMMING **
Not it's strong point. However, FlyMap has some PC-based programming software available.

EASE OF USE ****
Excellent suction cup mount. Unit can be released from this easily.

FEATURES ****
Again, so much in such a tiny package. Terrain awareness, flight info, automatic logbook.

VALUE FOR MONEY ***
Lot on offer, best car satnav here, but compromised for flying.