Hi everyone. Just trying to get to the bottom of what exactly is going on with GPS reception, where it’s coming from and how it’s being transferred between Apps etc. Specifically SafeSky and SkyDemon.
I go flying in SkyDemon using the GDL90 protocol. I see no GPS data and my aircraft isn’t shown on the moving SD map. SD says “waiting for device”. I have no external devices connected to my iPad.
I start SafeSky with traffic sharing disabled and “fly” in SafeSky. Still no GPS reception on Sky demon it still says “waiting for device”.
As soon as I share traffic data on SafeSky with Sky Demon i see a GPS reception on SD. This means SS must be passing GPS data to SD through the GDL90 protocol, correct?
I can only assume that GPS data is coming from the internal GPS receivers on my iPad (because no other way of getting that GPS data)? And if so, does this mean that if i connect a bluetooth GPS receiver the data from that external receiver is transmitted to SD instead of the devices internal reception data? Maybe the techs at SafeSky can answer that so we have a clear answer?
Given that GPS data is being passed between the apps what is the function of the “Force to use SafeSky as a GPS source” Button in this context? Again maybe a tech from SafeSky can answer?
If i connect my SkyEcho2 unit to SafeSky and use it for extra traffic data. Does the SafeSky app then use the GPS data from the SkyEcho2 unit or does it still use the internal devices reception (or perhaps a bluetooth connected GPS device reception) ? What’s the pecking order in this scenario?
Just trying to work out exactly what is going on. Clear answer from the developers would be great.
Hi Andy, this rings a bell somewhere. Are you sure that Safesky continues to run in the background when SD is in the foreground ? I don’t know iPads as I only use Android, but there may be some setting to allow background apps to continue to operate. If that is not enabled, then as soon as you switch focus to SD then maybe SS stops sending GDL90 data ??
Thanks xtof for your reply but the manual doesn’t answer the specific questions in my post! Could I ask you to read the post above and answer the questions it poses. Kind regards, Andy
Just to put my hat in the ring here - I too am interested in the answer to this question. The manual doesn’t answer it. I have also found that if my phone, while running SS and feeding into SD, drops out, SD on my tablet then stops tracking (although there is an option I have seen which tells the built-in tablet GPS to pick things up). I think what we are interested in/want here is to know if we can send just traffic data to SD and have SD use it’s own GPS.
Thanks
I’ve posted a similar question on the Sky Demon forum. Tim has stated it isn’t possible to add the safe Sky traffic to SD whilst using your Bluetooth GPS for GPS position in SD. You have to use GDL90 which gives SD traffic AND GPS.
What I want to know is where does Safe Sky get the GPS location it’s sending SD? Is it only ever from the internal iPad receiver? Does it get it from Sky Echo 2 if connected? Is it Bluetooth GPS if connected? Does it use the mobile network for GPS positioning?
All other known EFB only requires the “Traffic Report” message. They then use their own GPS position as normal if no other messages are provided.
The first two messages are used to carry GPS and altitude information.
We made some efforts to simplify the complexity for pilots so that you don’t have to ‘understand’ how this is working. As a pilot, when I set SafeSky with a configuration, everything automagically adapts. Still, here are some explanations:
When you are configuring “SkyDemon” as a EFB in SafeSky, we are providing all the messages to SD so that it just works. The iPad is the source for the GPS information.
If you are also combining a SkyEcho2 in your setup, and have it configured from SafeSky, we are only providing the “Traffic Report” message. SkyEcho2 become the source for the GPS information for both SafeSky and SkyDemon.
In you want to fine tune for other EFBs which all only requires “Traffic report” message, the option to “Force to use SafeSky as a GPS source” can be chosen to use your iPad GPS position - this can be useful when using an iPad with no GPS connected to an iPhone with “Internet sharing”
If you are using an external bluetooth GPS in IOS, the Location Service from IOS will provide it’s position globally to all apps running in a seamless manner to SafeSky.
That’s really helpful Tristan. I can understand why you would want to simplify these things. But also helpful to understand exactly what’s going on.
Based on your answer I have one last question ……
If I’m running safe Sky with SkyEcho2 connected with “Force to use SafeSky as GPS source” SWITCHED ON. And I’m also running Sky Demon in GDL90 mode so I can see traffic on SD. Will the GPS reception being sent to SD be internal iOS and not from SkyEcho2? And hence if I’ve also got a Bluetooth GPS connected to my iPad, SD in GDL90 mode via SafeSky with be getting GPS from the Bluetooth receiver?
I am also wondering about this. I am not as technical so excuse me if this was already answered:
I am using SkyDemon (SD) on my iPhone 15 with SafeSky (SS) running in the background. I believe everything is working as it should, at least I am seeing other traffic in SD. The question is, when I hook up my external GPS (Garmin GLO 2) to the iPhone, where does SS and SD get its GPS data from?
As mentioned earlier in this thread I understand that the GPS data in SD is coming from the SS when using the GDL90 protocol (even though it does not have to be like this (??)), but where is SS getting its GPS info from when I am paired to the GLO 2 GPS? Thank you!
I think this is a question you need to ask Skydemon. They also have a forum.
They can explain which GPS source they use under the circumstances you describe.
Also, Hannah, on their tech support desk is usually very quick to respond.
It would be much better (cleaner) if the GPS source (in this case Sky Echo) communicated directly with SD and the traffic info from SS was added to the SD screen. As opposed to SS having to pass the GPS info to SD together with traffic. Looking at the Tech support answer in this thread this would appear to be a SD anomaly?
I have tended to Bluetooth a Garmin Glow to my iPad such that if there is an issue with SE / SS i can just go over to internal GPS.
My personal view is that Sky Echo is a poor traffic device but on the glairshield with a clear view of the sky looking upwards primarily as a GPS receiver and as an occasional receiver of traffic, it’s very accurate. SIL 1 GPS accuracy as opposed to SIL 0 (Pilot aware / Garmin Glo etc). So in that regard it’s great. Wi-Fi is not good in a cockpit but I’ve had no issues in my aircraft with the WiFi power on 11 in Sky Echo settings. I get pretty good mobile reception below 3k (where there’s most traffic) so feel the SE/SS/SD setup works well especially if you have a Bluetooth GPS running in the background as backup.
I my 3 years of SE2 ownership I have never had any issues, apart from one unexplained WIFI connection dropout for about 10 seconds. I have my SE2 mounted in a good location and get very good reception of ADS-B and FLARM. I only use it as a receiver as I have ADS-B OUT.
My issue is SS integration on an Android smartphone. It doesn’t work when my SE2 is connected. It inhibits a mobile data connection.
I’ve already asked SkyDemon, they say they get both traffic and gps data from SafeSky when using the GLD90 protocol, and told me to ask you guys, where SS is getting its GPS data from which is sent to SD…
So I guess I need to ask where SS is getting its positioning data from when I’ve paired an external gps device (GLO2) with the iOS/iPhone?
If it is easier to answer: If I don’t use SD, only SS, and I’ve paired the external gps receiver to the iOS, where does SS get positioning data from? Internal of external gps? I guess this is the same positioning data SS is sending to SD when SD is in use?
Thank you! And sorry for my lack of technical skills, I might have easily misunderstood something… Merry Xmas!
I now understand that SS is always the GPS source for SD althogh that option is switched off in SS.
But my main worry is not answered in this thread yet:
What will happen with the GPS data source from SS when SS looses the internet connection and can not provide traffic data via the GDL90 interface, would Skydemon then also loose its GPS source?
I’ve started using Pilot Aware Fx. It’s iGrid network is as good if not better than Safe Sky alone. You also get ADSB in, Pilot Aware Atom Station In/Out as well as line of sight connectivity between similarly capable aircraft. And GPS reception directly from WAAS, GLONASS and Galileo. It’s a bit of a no brainer! Best piece of consipcuity i’ve ever tried.
