Introducing Stratus: Portable In-Flight Weather for the iPad

LAKELAND, Fla., March 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Sporty's Pilot Shop has introduced the first completely wire-free weather receiver for the iPad -- and it requires no monthly subscription. Stratus combines an ADS-B and GPS receiver into a single unit that wirelessly streams NEXRAD radar, text weather, TFRs and aircraft position to the popular ForeFlight Mobile app for iOS devices.

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(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120328/CL75007-b)  

"Stratus delivers exactly what pilots have been asking for -- a simple, smart and subscription-free way to view in-flight weather on their iPad," says Sporty's Vice President John Zimmerman. "It's incredibly easy to use, with just one button and virtually no setup."

The totally portable design includes an internal eight-hour battery, a high-gain internal antenna, and a WiFi connection to the iPad, so Stratus can be placed on the glare shield and out of the way. It is easy to move from airplane to airplane, making it ideal for renters, flying clubs and corporate flight departments.

Stratus is a collaboration between Sporty's, ForeFlight and Appareo Systems.

"ForeFlight, Appareo, and Sporty's worked closely to ensure that the experience provided by Stratus would be best in class among portable ADS-B weather receivers and iPad applications," says ForeFlight Co-Founder Tyson Weihs. "Pilots flying with Stratus and ForeFlight Mobile will see ADS-B information integrated throughout the app. Nice touches -- like the ability to remotely control LED brightness and real-time ADS-B station information -- will make flying with Stratus a joy."

Stratus wirelessly streams the full suite of available weather products: NEXRAD, METARs, TAFs, SIGMETs, AIRMETs, PIREPs, TFRs, and winds aloft. Stratus also includes a built-in WAAS GPS receiver that provides high-quality position information to ForeFlight Mobile's moving map, which includes VFR sectional and IFR enroute charts.

"Stratus is a high-performance product that leverages Appareo's years of ADS-B expertise," says Jeff Johnson, Vice President of Business Development at Appareo. "Designed and manufactured at Appareo's facilities in Fargo, North Dakota, Stratus is built and tested to withstand a wide range of operating conditions. Pilots have looked forward to a high-quality, wire-free, battery powered device that is tightly integrated with ForeFlight. Stratus meets these needs and more."

The WiFi connection allows multiple iPads to connect to Stratus, making it possible for two-pilot crews to view weather on separate iPads. Stratus weighs less than 12 oz, and measures 4.25"w x 5.75"d x 1"h.

Stratus [7281A] is available for $799 and comes with a wall plug and charging cable. Stratus may be ordered at sportys.com/stratus or by calling 1-800-SPORTYS.

About Sporty's

Now in its 51st year, Sporty's has grown from a one-man operation launched by Hal Shevers to the world's largest pilot shop and an iconic general aviation brand. Sporty's operations extend to airport management, avionics installation and repair, aircraft maintenance, a residential airport community, new aircraft sales and flight training, including for the University of Cincinnati's professional pilot program. Located at Clermont County/Sporty's Airport (I69), Sporty's is philanthropically dedicated to expanding the general aviation community with both pilots and skilled technicians.

Learn more about Sporty's Pilot Shop on the web at http://www.sportys.com

About ForeFlight

ForeFlight builds Intelligent Apps for Pilots. ForeFlight's critically acclaimed, highly-rated, and best-selling apps are used by pilots and corporate flight departments worldwide to efficiently gather preflight weather information, plan flights, conduct preflight research, file flight plans, keep charts and terminal procedures up to date, and manage iPad deployments.

ForeFlight's flagship product, ForeFlight Mobile, was named "Best App" of 2011 by Aviation Consumer and recently received Flying Magazine's 2011 Editor's Choice award. ForeFlight Mobile is consistently ranked the top selling iPad aviation application in App Store. Dozens of operators using ForeFlight Mobile have received OpSpec A061 approvals for use of ForeFlight in all phases of flight.

Learn more about ForeFlight on the web at http://www.foreflight.com

About Appareo

Appareo is a recognized leader in the custom development and manufacture of low-cost innovative avionic solutions for original equipment manufacturers. Through the creative application of cutting-edge technologies, Appareo creates complex end-to-end solutions that include both airborne and ground station components. Appareo offers turn-key services from product conceptualization through attainment of supplemental type certificate. In addition, the company is an accredited FAA Parts Manufacturing facility. Appareo is based in Fargo, N.D.

Learn more about Appareo on the web at http://www.appareo.com

SOURCE Sporty's Pilot Shop