The problem is that the FAA, ATP and other "me to" data providers
have ‘brain washed' everyone into believing that ADs are issued
every two weeks by the FAA, called a Bi-Weekly, and that you must
subscribe to a distribution service AND pay an annual subscription
fee to keep your data current. Such a current library of ADs, TCs and
FARs, etc. is required by law for IAs to legally do aircraft
inspections, however, it does NOT have to be distributed data. By the
way, the FAA does not issue ADs every two weeks: The Department of
Transportation issues ADs and Notices of Proposed Rulemaking, and
they do it EVERY business day.
A1: NO! CD-ROMs and other distributed data, such as
microfiche, diskettes and paper, are mailed to you ever 2 weeks. That
makes the data 4 to 6 weeks old when you receive it and adds the cost
of that distribution to your annual subscription fee. We are almost
into the 21st Century! 4 to 6 week old data just MAKES NO
SENSE!
A2: CD-ROMs are great for static data (i.e. the dictionary,
a cook book, software distribution, etc.) They are not very good for
dynamic data (i.e. the weather; changes every moment, ADs; that are
issued every business day by the DOT).
A3: You don't receive any up-dates. The central data base
is maintained in Denver and we up-date it daily.
You always have access to data that is current as of "last
night".
A4: THERE IS NO ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION FEE!! At first, you are
NOT buying data; you are buying software. The software provides you
access to the data. Then, with the software, you are buying data at
50 cents per minute.
A5: YES, it is "On-Line" is the sense that your computer
makes a phone call to our computer; modem-to-modem.
NO; it is NOT a Bulletin Board! Bulletin Boards are even more
antiquated than CD-ROMs. Bulletins Boards allow you to use generic
communications software (ProComm, etc.). In return for that
convenience, you are required to log-on first and remain interactive
throughout the entire session: That method is very expensive and
consumes resources. With our System you buy unique communications
software that allows you to do most of the work "Off-Line". You
connect only when you actually need to get data. It is very fast
and it saves a lot of money.
A6: Not very fast. However, it depends on how many
different airplanes you work on. Using a simple
example: You see a Baron for the first time. It will cost about $5 to
$6 to get the AD and TC data that you need. If you see a similar
Baron next month: It will cost 50 cents to get a current AD summary,
or listing of ADs . If there are no new ADs, you're done -- 50 cents
-- that's it! If the first Baron returns next year for its Annual:
You spent the 50 cents for a current AD summary and say you find one
new AD, so another 50 cents for the new AD; now you've spent a whole
dollar! During the first year you should plan on $5 to $6 for each
unique aircraft that you see. Then, in the second and subsequent
years, your average will be about $1 to $2 per aircraft activity. If
you do 20 different (make/model) airplanes per year,
the first year will cost about $100 and the second year will cost
about $30 for data that is current as of ‘last night'.
A7: You will need a 386 or better IBM compatible computer
with at least a 14,400 bps modem (we currently support up to 33,600
bps) and VGA or better monitor. It requites DOS 3.0 or later, and
will operate with Windows 3.x or Windows 95. An Internet Service
Provider is not required; communications is direct
modem-to-modem.