AirVenture Schedule of Events

[troy_m]

Is there an option in the AirVenture schedule of events to filter by date? I thought I remembered that option from last year, but don't see it as an option on this year's schedule. I think it might be helpful for those that won't be there the whole week to only see events for the days that they will be there.

[CHICAGORANDY]

Did you mean beyond the current ability to sort by date/time, location, category and topics?

https://www.eaa.org/en/airventure/eaa-airventure-schedule-of-events

[troy_m]

Did you mean beyond the current ability to sort by date/time, location, category and topics?

https://www.eaa.org/en/airventure/eaa-airventure-schedule-of-events

Yes. There used to be a filter on the left side of the screen for the date, but didn't see it on this year's schedule. I'm attaching a screen shot from last year's schedule which had it.

[CHICAGORANDY]

I understand - thanks for the info assist.

It looks like now all the events when sorted by date are listed in chronological order, applying the available filters for areas of interest. A person would then have to scroll over to the dates they want?

[troy_m]

Just looked today and I see the filters for date are there now. Exactly what I was looking for! Thanks!

[keen9]

Now if we could just get a mobile format, or an app that pulls data from the website . . .

[Jeff Point]

Now if we could just get a mobile format, or an app that pulls data from the website . . .
+1. Been asking for this for years.

[Hal Bryan]

Now if we could just get a mobile format, or an app that pulls data from the website . . .


+1. Been asking for this for years.

Hmm...we've had an app that does just that for at least five years, and, as I understand it, the 2017 version will launch as early as next week. And I just pulled up the site on my iPhone and iPad, and the AirVenture events are formatted properly and can be filtered, etc.

What am I missing?

[keen9]

The app does not use the same database as the website.

[Hal Bryan]

The app does not use the same database as the website.

Yes, it sure does.

If you saw differences in the data during convention last year, that would be attributable to the fact that we had to manually push updates which we did twice per day unless the change was significant. I'm told that this year's app won't require that, and will pull the latest data silently as needed vs. the cumbersome update process you saw in the past.

[keen9]

So I'll be able to fine "My Itinerary" from the website on the app? With all of the items that I added on the website?

I just reloaded the 2016 app to see. There is not even an option to logon, so I don't see how the above is possible. The SAME database, not a duplicate of the web database.

[Hal Bryan]

Okay, now I understand your question. The events database and your account on the website are two very different things. Unfortunately, the folks working on the app tell me that you won't be able to sync your specific itinerary between the web and the app, as there won't be any provision to login to the app.

Sorry for the confusion.

[DaleB]

I know building the app is an iterative process. The first year I tried it ('14, I think) it was utterly useless on my Android phone, supposedly because the phone was more than a year old. Last year it wasn't bad, although still disappointing that the itinerary that I worked so diligently to build on the web site was unavailable in the app. If that's going to remain the same, it might be nice to warn people about that up front.

The app has been getting better, though. The biggest thing I could ask for would be a way to pull up a map of where you are, and where everything is, on your phone or tablet. Google maps overlay or something.

[CarlOrton]

I understand development, Hal, but I'll chime in with another request to synch the website "my itinerary" with the app. Just about every other company has synched apps (and, yes, probably several dozen or more developers). Most of us like building our schedules on our main computers. To have to use a paper copy, or reload every single desired event a second time just garners frustration. Come up with a synched app, and I'll bet the usage soars. Those of us who attend every year really don't need the other information on the app like how to get there, where stuff is, etc. but a way to help plan my day once on-field would be fantastic.

[Hal Bryan]

I'll pass your feedback along. Thanks Dale.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Jeff Point]

Hal,

Others beat me to it, but the inability to sync the app to the web (or even the web between devices for that matter) renders it nearly useless to any but the most neophyte users.

Come on Hal- we've been having this same conversation this time every year for many years now. The app and website are not up to EAA's standard of quality.

[Kyle Boatright]

Is there an online resource describing the current version of the app? I'd like to see what functionality it has today vs when I tried it. Does it include the NOTAM?

I downloaded it a few years ago and thought it was a disaster. The lack of a GPS referenced map was disappointing, and the app seemed to perpetually be in an update mode, with the little "downloading symbol" just going to town most of the time due to inadequate bandwidth on site. Beyond that, when I did have connectivity, it pushed a ridiculous amount of stuff to my phone. After a day or so, I removed the app from my phone.

[keen9]

In the early years, I understood the fact that that app was essentially a copy of the web data on your phone as connectivity on the site was iffy. Today, that is not the case. The app should simply be a mobile friendly interface to the actual website. I don't need to upload many MBs of data that then gets updated several times during the week. That is just an annoyance.

For now, I'll continue to just use the website. At least phones have gotten bigger!

After looking through the schedule this year, I've got one more suggestion. . . what is the deal with forums that lack a description? Anyone have a clue what "Boundary Layer-Ingesting Fan Test" is? I am a propulsion system engineer, and I don't! Or how about "T-40 Hours to Oshkosh"; on Saturday, when most of us are wrapping up the week. What does that mean? Are the forum presenters not required to provide a description? I mean a few simple sentences? They should all have a brief bio too, at least if they expect anyone to show up, and their name is not already well known. This didn't used to be a problem.

[Hal Bryan]

As far as I know, it will be handed off to Apple and Google for approval by the first of next week. In my experience, Google usually approves apps within a few hours, while Apple usually needs about a week.

As far as feedback and feature requests, etc., I'd encourage everyone to send those to feedback@eaa.org.

[troy_m]

After looking through the schedule this year, I've got one more suggestion. . . what is the deal with forums that lack a description? Anyone have a clue what "Boundary Layer-Ingesting Fan Test" is? I am a propulsion system engineer, and I don't! Or how about "T-40 Hours to Oshkosh"; on Saturday, when most of us are wrapping up the week. What does that mean? Are the forum presenters not required to provide a description? I mean a few simple sentences? They should all have a brief bio too, at least if they expect anyone to show up, and their name is not already well known. This didn't used to be a problem.

I have to agree with you on this. I've attended a few forums based solely on the title, and it wound up being something totally different than what I thought it would be. A description & bio would be nice.

[LooneyBird]

As a presenter this year, we did supply a small bio and a description for the presentation. The deadline for submission was June 1. I think they filled in titles, presenter names and assigned locations. They picked what presentations they wanted and got them lined up for locations in a week. I would say that is a pretty good job. I am betting over the last week and this next week they are reviewing the descriptions and will publish them soon. Remember the drip drip of information gets us all fired up for the anticipation of the actual event. We have 30+ days to go.

I look forward to seeing you all there.

[Bill Berson]

It looks like the forum schedule is about 85% filled now.