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Long-awaited news! As of now, with no extra effort or cost — the entire SafeSky community can see XCTrack pilots. And soon XCTrack pilots will also be able to receive alerts about nearby traffic. This integration adds to our long list of unique air traffic information that no other systems can provide. Safety matters. XCTrack, developed by the XContest team, is well-known for its use in competitions, and stands as the most popular flight computer App for paraglider and paramotor pilots on Android, with well over 100,000 downloads. Recent events in Europe have highlighted a concerning rise in airmisses between paragliders and General Aviation, especially during critical phases of takeoff and landing. In addition, crowded paragliding spots are unfortunately turning into potential hotspots for incidents. ➡️ A recent example in South-Africa showed how life-saving fire-fighting helicopter operations had to be suspended due to crowded skies involving paragliding activity. Bilateral Partnership. In this partnership, traffic exchange between SafeSky and XCTrack goes both ways, fostering greater flight planning and a more connected sky for everyone. Jakub HAVEL from XContest team: “For paragliders and hang gliders, freedom in the air is one of the most important things. To maintain this freedom, safe coexistence with everyone else in the air is necessary today. In our opinion, SafeSky is a great solution to prevent potentially dangerous situations and make that freedom of movement in the air as safe as possible for everyone.” SafeSky CEO, Tristan FILY: "Creating harmony in the congested sky is our daily mission at SafeSky. Today's integration with XCTrack perfectly demonstrates that ambition: effortless communication between our systems and pilots. It's like exchanging a simple digital 'Hi' in the sky!" 🤔 What will be our next integration... ? Stay tuned. Download now: ·       XCTrack ·       SafeSky

Testimonial from a French pilot - January 2024. "During a recent flight through the Massif Central, I encountered a compelling example that highlighted the effectiveness of SafeSky. Opting for the Massif Central due to its lower traffic, I noticed reported traffic on my trajectory, seemingly stationary. Despite visual checks, I couldn't spot it until an evasive maneuver revealed a spiraling paramotor, explaining the icon's behavior on the screen. This real-life scenario demonstrated SafeSky's ability to 'see the invisible' and proactively avoid potential hazards. Another incident involved spotting unreported traffic approaching my trajectory, 500 ft above, possibly explaining ATC's instruction to stay below a certain altitude. These experiences strengthen my confidence in SafeSky and its role in enhancing air safety."

Every year, the editorial team from “Aviation et Pilote”, the well-respected French aviation magazine, carefully selects products that made an impact during the year in the aeronautical area. We are immensely proud that this year SafeSky has been distinguished. The panel cited: "What sets SafeSky apart is the quality of its execution, providing a user-friendly experience that allows pilots to keep their eyes on the sky while receiving timely alerts about imminent dangers. We also appreciate the increasing number of application developers integrating SafeSky directly into their platforms. Plus, it's available for free!" “Aviation et Pilote” has shown unwavering support since the creation of SafeSky in 2021. They've been with us every step of the way, exploring every new release and putting it through rigorous testing. Their motivation stems from their genuine concern for the shortcomings of the "See and Avoid" rule, a deficiency they experienced first-hand and shared in one of their recent publications. The editorial team also mentioned that: "SafeSky is ready to expand its data access on other channels as soon as Europe makes a definitive choice on how to convey this information." It's an ambition that we are pleased to confirm and hopefully be able to share its realisation quickly with you! Thanks to all pilots, supporters, partners, and especially to “Aviation et Pilote” for your continuous support!

The weather finally improved, allowing us to continue the tests we mentioned back in December 2022. Objective of the test: Install a 4G router with an external antenna to conduct internet reception tests during flight. Read on to find out more, and rest assured, we'll keep it simple! The idea The idea behind this was simple. SafeSky's forum fosters exchanges, ideas, and trials among its members. One of our pilot-users proposed testing the installation of a 4G router with an antenna to verify mobile internet reception improvements during flight. We were encouraged by his positive feedback and decided to try it out ourselves and share our findings with the community. Material and installation We only needed two pieces of equipment: a 4G router with antenna output(s) and an antenna. Personally, I had a NetGear Nighthawk M2 router, and Amazon took care of the selection of a compatible 4G antenna with an SMA connector. Admittedly, the price of the NetGear router is excessive considering its intended purpose, but if you already own one that you use on vacation, for example, don't hesitate to use it. As for the antennas, I chose to test a simple, flat, and aerodynamic model (+/- €12) and another model with two connection cables (+/- €17). The antennas were affixed to a vinyl wrap adhesive to avoid attaching them directly to the aircraft's paint. The cables travel from the landing gear to the cabin, passing through the seats. It was easy and temporary, just what I needed. Time to test it out on a flight from EBBY to LFAY! The weather is good, so we should take advantage of it! We're taking two planes to run SafeSky under different configurations, including on a phone, a tablet, and of course, the famous router + antenna. My fellow pilots Claude and Jean-Pierre are preparing their MCR01 while I install the last connections and settings onboard my VL3. My setup is straightforward. I regularly use my 11" iPad Pro on a dedicated mount on the right-hand side. Typically, it's equipped with a SIM card but today I transfer it to the router for testing purposes. SafeSky will be displayed on the iPad in Splitview 1/3 - 2/3 with my navigation software. I love this configuration because it leaves enough space for my navigation while offering an ideal area for SafeSky's radar. By sharing traffic with the navigation software, I can also visualise it perfectly in my environment thanks to the aeronautical maps. For me, it's the epitome of efficiency and, above all, safety. Testing protocol The distance between Baisy-Thy airport (EBBY) and Amiens airport (LFAY) is 96 NM, and the flight should take approximately 50 minutes. The areas we'll be passing through are known for signal losses due to the presence of white zones (areas without coverage), as well as roaming between Belgium and France when crossing the border. Therefore, I decide to connect my tablet to my phone's wifi during the outbound flight, taking advantage of the shared connection since my SIM card is in the router. On the return flight, I will connect the tablet to the 4G router's wifi network, making use of the external antenna. I have also installed two cameras, which allows me to create a short video to illustrate the flight: Everything is in place, runway 05 in use, wind from 070 at 15 knots, CAVOK. The sky is all ours. FJVZJ is lining up on runway 05 for immediate takeoff and I will follow shortly with FJFVB. The return flight Let's talk about the flight. As a reminder, the outbound leg to Amiens will be conducted using only the phone, without any external antenna. For the return, we will take exactly the same route and altitude (2000' QNH) to see if there are any differences. During the outbound flight, we experienced some internet connectivity issues in well-known zones near Charleroi and Mons. These are the so-called "white zones" that we have identified since the beginning of our testing with our application over two years ago. This makes it the perfect location to check for any potential differences. The map below outlines the flight path and the internet connectivity evolution. Several elements to note and explain about this flight: Zone A: Known dead spots between Mons and Charleroi. As expected, the phone loses its signal but quickly regains it. Zone B: Near Valenciennes, the Belgium-France roaming takes place. The loss of signal is normal as it switches to the French network. Additionally, we had already noted dead spots near the Valenciennes aerodrome, so this situation is expected. Zone C: A brief loss (37 seconds) occurred above the A2-A26 highway interchange. Apart from the roaming issue (zone B), which is a technical reality between countries, we can consider this to be a very steady flight path. It's worth noting that during this flight, air traffic control reported another aircraft (between A and B). It was a helicopter flying 100 feet lower, and although it wasn't equipped with SafeSky, it did have an ADS-B out transponder, which I was therefore able to see on my SafeSky screen and then locate outside quickly. This highlights the importance of having a software that can represent the majority of location systems (ADS-B, Flarm, and many others). SafeSky is doing that, acting like a translator that enables everyone to see each other even if they don't speak the same language. Let's now take a look at the return flight path with the tablet connected to the router's hotspot, equipped with the external antenna: Visually, the difference is striking. The trace is continuous, a clear proof of near-perfect internet reception. But what happened near the EBBY airfield during our arrival? We think that the antenna worked so well that roaming did not occur shortly after crossing the border, but instead occurred near EBBY well inland. This is surprising but not illogical. We could not resist digging deeper into the numbers, and here is what we found: We considered only the data when the plane was AIRBORNE. We went from 83% internet connection with the phone to 88% with the router and antenna. This difference of 5% is not huge and does not seem to reflect the experience we had during the tests and the trace on the maps. Therefore, we decided to conduct a new assessment without the impact of roaming and border crossing to be closer to reality. Here are the data from the same flight, but reduced between the border crossing to the west of Valenciennes and the Feluy refinery in Belgium. This area is interesting because it includes the aforementioned white zones. These are more representative figures of our coverage perception during the flight. Please note that the difference in transmitted positions corresponds to the number of seconds without connection, as we transmit one position per second. With the router and antenna, we lost connection for 25 seconds of flight, which gives a coverage ratio of 97% at 2000', which is close to excellence. The phone in the cockpit lost its connection for 22% of the flight, but when passing through known white zones. Not so bad, you will admit. Conclusion As a reminder, our tests are intentionally simplified, and are far from being scientific. We wanted to have a first perception of the advantage brought by the placement of an external antenna. The result, even though it was expected, confirms all the good that can be thought of such an installation. To our knowledge, it is not currently possible to connect an external antenna directly to a phone or tablet. The option of a router with the possibility of connecting an antenna is the only viable solution. Can a router without an antenna improve reception? I don't think so, but it can make your connectivity on board easier. Soon, we plan to conduct additional tests following the protocol outlined below: We will use a phone with SafeSky and a connected tablet on a router, both on the same plane, in order to compare identical data under perfectly similar flight conditions. We will fly on a predetermined route at different altitudes (1500', 2500', 3500', 5000') to evaluate the signal's reliability at various heights. The NetGear M2 router used for this test is quite expensive (approximately €420), but it offers the advantage of two connections for an external antenna. If you already use this router for your family's camper van for instance, then the investment is worthwhile; otherwise, the cost may be unreasonable. However, there are other products available (such as Huawei) at lower costs that will work just as well, provided that you ensure the possibility of connecting an external antenna. For tech-savvy and computer enthusiasts, there are many other solutions available, but they require knowledge of electronics, telecommunications, and computing. Please do not hesitate to share your ideas with us at info@safesky.app. We need your help! Do you want to help us evaluate similar solutions? Maybe you have already conducted yourself such tests or are inspired to do so after reading this article? Please get in touch with us at info@safesky.app . Safe flights. Christophe ERKENS Co-Founder SafeSky

In an increasingly crowded sky (ULM, drones, general aviation, etc.), seeing and being seen (eConspicuity) has become essential. New tools have emerged, allowing pilots to ensure their safety in flight more effectively. But what is your perception of these technologies? Many fragmented surveys have been conducted on this subject. Our goal with this survey is to give one single voice to all pilots, regardless of the system they use. By responding to this questionnaire, you make your voice heard throughout Europe on one of the hottest topics in aviation today, and it only takes 5 minutes. Your responses will be collected anonymously and will allow us to create a European overview of what is really living within the pilot community in terms of traffic visibility, which will be used to actively seek solutions. Let's get started!

The future is now. You just read a "fictional" pilot's tale that we could publish in one of our upcoming newsletters in 2025. Today, it's 'only' October 2023, and yet, things are moving fast, very fast. This story is not pure fantasy. On the contrary, it offers a tangible glimpse of what tomorrow could bring: a future where internet connectivity transcends boundaries, and planes fly safely thanks to intelligent systems. These systems could be mixed (radio + internet) to ensure redundancy, a synonym for safety in aviation. This future isn't as distant as one might think. Today, we already live in a world where the mobile internet is pretty ubiquitous, with an average coverage of 80% in Europe at 5,000 feet and often above. In the intricate realm of aviation, these 80% already make all the difference. A successful bet? SafeSky made the bold move in 2021 to develop an application based on internet usage to enhance aviation safety for all pilots. This innovative initiative paved the way for the emerging reality described above. So, was SafeSky's bet the right one? Certainly, judging by Elon Musk's recent announcements about Starlink. Other promising developments are heading in the same direction. For instance, the provision of dedicated SIM cards for drones, and probably soon for general aviation, will eliminate the complexity of roaming between European countries while optimising in-flight internet connectivity! The be(s)t is yet to come and is on the verge of being won. We are all moving in the right direction and will continue to adhere to the 'See and Avoid' rule - today strengthened by SafeSky’s extra pairs of eyes, tomorrow without a blink of an eye. How about that? Happy flights! Check also: Starlink direct to cell

In Réunion Island, the Indian Ocean Civil Aviation Safety Directorate (DSAC OI) has launched a project to assess the SafeSky application, aiming to improve airspace safety. Unique Challenges in Réunion Island's Air Safety. Pilots in Réunion Island face a range of safety challenges due to diverse activities such as tourism, aerial work, and recreation. Multiple aircraft of different classes coexist in the airspace. Additionally, the shared use of air routes, especially along the coastline and over the cirques and volcanoes, adds complexity to aircraft movement. Moreover, traffic information sources are limited, relying primarily on radio communications which become challenging as pilots move away from the coast due to geographical factors, thereby compromising safety. Experimental Project with SafeSky. SafeSky is not new to Réunion Island. Available since 2021 and a sponsor of the 2022 "Tour de l'Île en ULM," SafeSky has successfully demonstrated its system's functionality, even in remote areas. Building on this positive experience, the sponsorship has been renewed for the 2023 edition. In collaboration with DSAC OI, an experimental project has been initiated to encourage all pilots, clubs, and aviation associations to use the SafeSky application. This project aims to evaluate the app's capabilities in relation to Réunion Island's complexity. The experiment, which began on October 14 and spans three months, provides pilots with the opportunity to share their experiences via a dedicated forum, ensuring continuous feedback and user experience optimisation. SafeSky will map the effectiveness of its usage in different geographic areas of the island, ensuring user anonymity. To support pilots in this adoption, SafeSky offers comprehensive assistance, including video tutorials, detailed manuals, and interactive webinars to help them become familiar with the application. Just the Beginning. At the end of this experimental period, DSAC OI will analyse the gathered data and draw conclusions. If the results are positive, DSAC OI will schedule a meeting with all users to discuss the application's added value. During this user meeting, discussions will also focus on the implementation of ground stations capable of capturing radio signal-emitting traffic (ADS-B, FLARM, OGN, etc.). This will ensure complete coverage and enhanced safety for all flights. Tristan FILY, CEO of SafeSky: "We firmly believe that this initiative marks the beginning of a safer era for aviation in Réunion and will be a motivating project that will have a snowball effect in mainland France and Europe." Arroquidasse ZEMBOULINGAME, Head of ANA Division, DSAC: "I am eagerly anticipating the analysis of the experimental data, and I am convinced that SafeSky will bring us some surprises." Heatmap of SafeSky Traffic in Réunion Island on October 19th 2023 (the darker, the more traffic), showing the air traffic concentration along the coast line. Source: SafeSky.

You've been waiting for it for a long time: Garmin has finally released a stable GDL90 version of its excellent navigation application for pilots, GARMIN Pilot. How do you get started? Nothing could be simpler, just follow the procedure below. In the SafeSky application: Update by downloading the latest version of SafeSky from the Apple store (iOS) or the Play Store (Android). Make sure you have a SafeSky PREMIUM subscription. Go to > Settings > Traffic Sharing and activate traffic sharing. Choose your navigation software, GARMIN Pilot in this case. Don't forget to press the Take Off button. In the GARMIN Pilot application: Make sure you activate the traffic layer in GARMIN Pilot's settings, as shown below. You now see the traffic on the map.

We update SafeSky as frequently as possible to continuously enhance its efficiency and reliability. Here are couple of the enhancements you’ll find in the latest update: Added support for Air Navigation Pro in native mode Added ability for EasyVFR and Air Navigation Pro to run in Split View in native mode Fixed orientation issue on IOS > 16.4 when grounded We hope that these enhancements will make your experience with SafeSky even more enjoyable. Your satisfaction is our priority, which is why we encourage you to continue sharing with us your feedback and suggestions. Thank you for your trust and ongoing support!

🗳️ Vote here We are extremely honored to have been nominated for the "2023 fliegermagazin awards" in the category "Innovation of the Year" by the renowned aviation magazine fliegermagazin. According to fliegermagazin's standards, these awards recognise "only the best in the industry" and the readers decide who wins! It's already the twelfth time the fliegermagazin Awards will be presented. The winners will be announced at the AERO 2023 event in Friedrichshafen where SafeSky will of course be present (booth A6-404, more on that later). Our app is recognised for "using all available sources to bring traffic data into the cockpit via the mobile network and warn of an impending collision". If you believe SafeSky deserves to win this prize, votes are open NOW! 🙏🏻 Thanks for your support 🙏🏻 🗳️ Vote here How to vote? Click on the link above Click on "Hier abstimmen" Fill in your e-mail address and the security code displayed You will receive an email with a link Open this link and vote for SafeSky in category 3 "Innovation des Jahres" Done! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Want to read again Thomas Borchert's - Editor in Chief fliegermagazin - review of SafeSky? Read it here.

Join us at AERO 23, from April 19-22, the leading show for general aviation, where SafeSky will showcase exciting new developments at booth A6-404. Our knowledgeable team will be on hand to answer all your questions and offer expert advice to fellow aviation enthusiasts. Don't miss out on the opportunity to discover and discuss SafeSky's uniqueness firsthand at #aerofriedrichshafen. We look forward to seeing you there!

Story of a Flight from Spa to Malmédy That Could Have Ended Differently... "As I was following visual flight rules (VFR) and monitoring the Spa aerodrome frequency, I had SafeSky running on my phone mounted on the dashboard and was using my tablet for navigation. Suddenly, an alert popped up on my screen indicating a converging traffic that initially seemed far away (around 20km), but was steadily getting closer and flying at a lower altitude right in front of me. The other plane was on a heading of around 270 degrees and despite scanning the horizon multiple times, I couldn't spot it. The sun was not in my eyes. When the SafeSky alert changed color, I knew I had to act fast. I made a quick right turn and climbed, and finally spotted the other plane at 10 o'clock, still on its original course. I signaled with my wings, but the other plane didn't respond, probably because it still hadn't seen me. I wasn't sure if BXL Info had issued an alert or not, but the lack of response from the other plane suggested they hadn't. It was a small touring plane, similar to a Cirrus, and possibly coming from Germany based on its heading. If it weren't for SafeSky, I might have continued on my original course, and the two aircraft would have come dangerously close. This experience reinforced my belief in the importance of using SafeSky on every flight, and I will definitely be using it systematically moving forward." Georges PIERRARD - Belgian pilot

March, 3-5, 2023, Airweek, Middelburg FAMB, South Africa. Once again, Middelburg Aeroclub was the place to be for a vibrant community of enthusiastic aviators. Over 100 aircraft of all types participated in this event, including balloons, gliders, model planes, and gyrocopters. Gaggle and SafeSky cooperation. The event was also an ideal occasion to present the latest developments of the Gaggle app and its brand new collaboration with SafeSky. Hennie Brink (Founder & CEO of Gaggle) gave a presentation entitled "ADS-B on your phone!", showcasing an affordable solution for all pilots to BE SEEN and to SEE other aircraft in the air. This marks the start of a campaign to encourage pilots to use Gaggle and/or SafeSky to become visible in South Africa. SafeSky, previously only available in Europe, was launched in South Africa at the end of February 2023 to support the collaboration between Gaggle and SafeSky. Through this collaboration, all pilots using either app, or both, will be visible to other pilots and able to see other traffic. This community has been created through a network of over 60 pilots, flying all types of aircraft, who are willing to work together to enhance safety in South African airspace. The campaign to promote the use of Gaggle and SafeSky will also examine the installation of ground stations to collect all available air traffic data. In the coming weeks, we hope to see more air traffic in the South African airspace thanks to this collaboration. More info here: Middelburg AeroClub The Aero Club of South Africa Passionate pilot testimonial: Glenn Pretorius. "With SafeSky, my situational awareness is drastically improved." One of the passionate pilots and SafeSky beta testers in South-Africa is Glenn Pretorius. He has the opportunity to test SafeSky in the most challenging - but also beautiful - places. Like he did a couple of weeks ago. Read his story below. Glenn PRETORIUS, passionate pilote and SafeSky beta tester As I climbed into my Sling 2 aircraft for a quick 30-minute flight, I knew that the Cape Town TMA area was going to be busy. With many training flights scheduled for the day, it was important that I had all the necessary tools to ensure a safe and successful journey. Equipped with my trusty Nav equipment including the Garmin G3X touch, ADSB out, and Mode S transponder, I had my Samsung smartphone mounted neatly on the left side of the instrument panel, running both SafeSky and SkyDemon. Taking off from FASH, I routed via FAWN to Morningstar, all while maintaining my altitude between 1500-2000 ft AMSL. The flight was going smoothly and with the help of SafeSky's real-time exchange of in-flight traffic information, I was fully aware of any nearby traffic. The AUDIO feedback in my Bluetooth headset of proximate traffic was clear and accurate, and on the smartphone display, I used both the SkyDemon navigation mode and the SafeSky app - both of which worked flawlessly. As I landed at Morningstar, I knew that my flight back would be just as busy, but with SafeSky, my situational awareness was drastically improved. The combination of SafeSky and SkyDemon worked perfectly, and it was a matter of personal preference which display I used and when. All three airfields were bustling with activity, but with SafeSky's advanced technology, I felt confident and in control. As I touched down at FASH a few hours later, I couldn't help but think that integration with other avionics products such as SkyDemon, Foreflight, or even Garmin avionics like the G3X touch would be amazing. "SafeSky is truly a great product that enhances flight safety, and I am grateful for the peace of mind it provides me in the skies."

Despite the gloomy weather in Europe, the year 2023 is off to a flying start: Better Safe(Sky) than Sorry! "If only s/he had turned on SafeSky". We sincerely hope we won’t to have to hear that statement again in 2023 from the air incident authorities when they desperately come to us. U-space: Reserved airspace for Drones in Europe. Countdown has started. On 26 January 2023, a comprehensive collection of extremely detailed regulations - the most recent of which was released on December 20 - that make up the European rule for U-space go into effect. Use of mobile technology in the air no longer forbidden! Europe abolishes the airplane mode obligation. The European Commission will designate specific frequencies of the new 5G network that will allow cell phones to remain connected while flying. Going flying without SafeSky is like leaving home without a wallet. For Dave - a British pilot - SafeSky has become an integral part of his life. Tip of the month: Use of SafeSky outside EU. Despite the fact that SafeSky is currently only available in European app stores, this does not preclude you from using it outside of Europe. Happy New Year & Reading !

On that day, a comprehensive collection of extremely detailed regulations - the most recent of which was released on December 20, 2022 - that make up the European rule for U-space go into effect. Determined by national governments, governed by European laws These "U-spaces" are determined by the national governments, but once they are established, they are governed by EU drone laws and monitored by private U-Space Service Providers who also adhere to EU laws (and thus no longer provided by in-country ANSP, the Air Navigation Service Providers). This is a component of a larger EU Drone Strategy 2.0 published on November 29, 2022 that paves the way and promotes the efficient, secure, and safe growth of drone activities. U-space: a no-fly zone for manned aircraft? According to SERA 6005 c (European Flight Rules): "Manned aircraft operating in airspace designated by the competent authority as a U-space airspace, and not provided with an air traffic control service by the ANSP, shall continuously make themselves electronically conspicuous to the U-space service providers” (applicable as of 26 January 2023). In other words, only manned aircraft that are "eConspicuous," that is visible to U-space users, will be permitted to enter non-controlled airspace. This airspace is determined by national authorities as from 26.1.2023 and to be expected soon. It will most likely be limited to 500ft in the first phase. How can one be "eConspicuous"? There are now two ways to be noticeable to the drone community, according to EASA: Transmitting using an ADS-B-out or FLARM device: EASA has already released the specifications. Making use of mobile telephony: SafeSky is closely collaborating with EASA and other parties to develop technical specifications that will enable you to be eConspicous by using apps such as SafeSky. Both manned and unmanned aircraft will be powered by mobile technologies (5G and via satellite links) in the future. The conclusion of this in the upcoming months is something we really wish for! So there as well, additional details will be forthcoming.

One of the first messages you receive when boarding a commercial flight is to turn off your cell phones or put them in “airplane mode". This will quickly pass into oblivion! Europe recognises 5G You might remember that there were some trepidations last year regarding the use of 5G within aircraft, particularly in the US, due to potential interferences with the aircraft's instrumentation. This is however not the case in Europe, as 5G uses different frequencies than in the US. On the other hand, using the internet has evolved into a standard practice on long-distance flights (even though it is somewhat expensive...). This is accomplished using specialised, high-end equipment that uses a satellite connection to establish WIFI hotspots within the aircraft. But the game has suddenly altered as a result of the enormous influx of investments in the drone industry. The best path forward for the drone industry's future developments appears to be via satellite and 5G connections. A decision on "Harmonised technical criteria for the usage of aerial User Equipment" was agreed by the ECC (the Electronic Communications Committee of the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations) on November 18, 2022, in response to this. What’s in it for you? This ruling establishes the legality of aerial mobile phone use in Europe and ensures its standardised use. In other words, legally, both manned and unmanned aircraft in Europe are now permitted to use a phone or tablet while in the air! For all GA pilots who use applications while flying, this is fantastic news! Indeed, EASA is making great efforts to assure that using mobile technology will be one of the methods to be "eConspicuous" in the upcoming U-Spaces, collaborating with partners such as SafeSky. That would imply that you would fulfil SERA 6005-c's requirements solely by using a situational awareness app on your mobile phone or tablet, without any extra hardware. That sounds like music to the ears of our many SafeSky users, doesn't it? Ready for take-off? Not yet, this decision still needs to be implemented by the national telecom authorities. All nations were urged by the ECC to put this into action by May 23, 2023.

Who said November is a quiet month in general aviation in Europe? Check out our most recent newsletter, which reports on the following topics: GA situational awareness solutions: a simple overview of all situational awareness technologies that are available and what they offer Our users in the picture: Martin Mareček relates his adventurous flight from his home country Check Republic to France, to attend the Blois aero event Belgian Paramotor Federation and SafeSky join forces for safer air traffic: a unique partnership that demonstrates that "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." Looking for the perfect X-Mas gift?: A little help from our SafeSky Santa Claus in your search for a present for a loved one who flies General Aviation For the technical geeks: Stratux integration: How does it work and how to configure? It's dogged that does it: Flying Neurons finally visible in SafeSky! Enjoy reading!

In order to promote aviation safety among its members, the Belgian Paramotor Federation (BPMF/FBPM) has decided to join forces with SafeSky. To do so, the BPMF/FBPM will include the Premium edition* of the SafeSky application in their 2023 membership services and benefits. The community of paramotor members can rely on training and informational sessions organised by BPMF/FBPM in collaboration with SafeSky, to emphasise the role and responsibility of all in enhancing air safety and to guarantee the proper and consistent usage of SafeSky. Why? The challenges. There is a lot to do around flight safety. Especially for general aviation (GA), where aircraft are not necessarily equipped with high-tech detection gear (in/out) due to the high cost. Considerable initiatives are being made by the public, private, and associative sectors to make the skies safer for these aircraft. Unfortunately, we are reminded several times a year that things could and should be better. Recent mid-air collisions in Europe are evidence of this. Belgium is sadly not exempt from these tragic events. Paramotors are among the most vulnerable general aviation users. They have little physical protection, and their aircraft are usually not visible to other air users. Because of this, the Belgian Paramotor Federation (BPFM/FBPM) prioritises safety through training and info sessions. Additionally, each discipline in general aviation (ultralights, helicopters, paragliders, …) has its own “flying language” (ADS-B, FLARM, Fanet, etc.) which is rarely mutually shared or technologically understood by the other systems. The opportunities. But there is help from the private sector. Recently, the SafeSky app came into the market as a straightforward and affordable solution to address these visibility and communication gaps. All pilots at low- and medium-altitude airspace can communicate their location by simply using their mobile device. What is more, the app is free of charge to ensure a “zero cost = zero barrier” solution. In addition to registering and anonymously transmitting the whereabouts of SafeSky users, the app also incorporates air traffic from over 15 other protocols as such significantly fixing the communication issues between the different general aviation categories. The SafeSky app was rewarded internationally with GA excellence awards and enjoys the support of both national and European authorities. In the past, SafeSky has formed numerous partnerships true to its conviction that, "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." (Hellen Keller). This collaboration with the BPMF/FBPM is however the first one with a national Belgian GA Federation. Patrick Aussems, President BPMF, said: "The key elements to avoid mid-air collisions are to see and be seen. Paramotors are small aircraft that are slow and not easy to spot, that's why the use of SafeSky is a huge step forward to increased security by making other pilots aware of the presence of such an aircraft in their vicinity. The Premium version which adds the possibility to run SafeSky in the background and get the surrounding traffic displayed in compatible navigation programs is a huge bonus for paramotor pilots because we often fly with a single device. With this partnership, we hope to increase the use of SafeSky in the paramotor community and make the skies a safer place for every pilot." Paul Windey, Co-Founder SafeSky said: “Each aviation discipline has its own particularities. Paramotors fly freely, head into the wind, and it's an incredible pleasure and sensation. With SafeSky as a companion, freedom and safety go hand in hand, allowing other faster aircraft (planes, ulms, ...) to see this slow traffic and avoid it. The sky belongs to all of us and we share it, let's do it in a mature way by thinking of the other pilots as well, because a collision is always a two-way process. This partnership is a major contribution to safety for all.” We strongly hope that this collaboration will serve as inspiration and invitation to other GA Federations. Only together we can make the pleasure of flying prevail over its dangers. For more information: SafeSky Paul WINDEY Co-Founder Public Relations +32 497 41 10 65 www.safesky.app * The PREMIUM plan offers a number of additional comfort and compatibility features on top of the free plan which mainly focuses on safety.

We had another busy but exciting month! Want to know more about it? Check out our most recent newsletter, which in particular reports on the following activities: 2022 General Aviation Day: a particularly instructive day with many of Europe's key public and private players in the general aviation industry Our Roadshow to Spain: a tribute to our Spanish users and partners Meet & Greet Alex Bagouet: an inspiring interview with our Spanish representative and your opportunity to share your feedback on SafeSky Flying puts a smile on a child's face: a wonderful co-initiative from SafeSky allowing impaired children to experience the joy of flight Even more support for you: our FAQ extended to answer all your questions Premium Discount: your last chance to take advantage of our "after summer" promotion Enjoy reading!

The SafeSky development team has not been idle since the recent Mondial de l'ULM. Like previous year, we carefully considered your feedback and gleaned knowledge from it. You will undoubtedly like the new version that has been produced as a result, which includes some fixes, improvements, and new features. In addition to being SafeSky users, we also consider you as partners in the creation and growth of SafeSky so that together we continuously increase everyone's safety. Please do not hesitate to send us your feedback and program enhancement ideas (forum or info@safesky.app). A big thanks in advance. Version 2.07 - new or improved features FREE & PREMIUM version Option to activate/deactivate display of your flying fellow pilots avatars on the map Automatic proposal of your hexadecimal transponder code when encoding call sign New, streamlined "Settings" page PREMIUM version SkyTraxx users can see the entire SafeSky traffic Optimised wind display (zoom/size) Improved weather information display