PilotAware
SkyGRID

SkyGRID is now live and is available for all PilotAware devices.

PilotAware SkyGRID is a world first innovation for low cost Electronic Conspicuity. It promises to revolutionise the way we provide situational awareness, both for flying machines and ground based systems, by receiving increased levels of time stamped data from multiple sources.
SkyGRID gives PilotAware the ability to relay real-time data between aircraft as well as transmitting from the ground to the air. This increases the range of the whole PilotAware GRID network and detects low flying machines previously obscured by terrain or airframe blockages.
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Put simply, you will detect even more aircraft than before from all types of Electronic Conspicuity devices.
Interoperabe EC.

A network in the sky

SkyGRID will dramatically enhance the PilotAware ATOM GRID ground station network by providing an airborne relay function to all flying PilotAware devices. It will also contribute to and relay all known traffic information detected from multiple sources. This includes the UK’s 230+ ATOM stations, the 1300+ 360 RADAR ground stations and other time-stamped sources.

SkyGRID software enables the transmission and reception of real-time data from aircraft high in the sky, offering both exception range, and the ability to detect low flying machines previously obscured by topographical and airframe blocking. The system will also relay all known traffic either from the ATOM stations below or the SkyGRID above. If you are not in range of an ATOM station SKY-GRID will take over.
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All of the 230+ ATOM stations in the UK have been upgraded and the Software Defined GRID Network has been expanded to provide the best airborne situational awareness available to PilotAware units updated to the new software release 20220101.

A seamless integration

The system architecture behind SkyGRID will ship as standard will all PilotAware devices purchased after January 1st 2022. However, integrating SkyGRID into an operating PilotAware is as simple as performing a software update.

Recommended

iOS App Update

Install the PilotAware Firmware Updater App from the iOS App Store.
On an iPhone or iPad with Cellular data, connect the device directly to PilotAware.

On a WiFi only iPad, connect the device to your internet router.
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Open the App, making sure to accept any Local Network Connection requests.

Navigate to ‘Update', and tap Step 1 - Download Latest Firmware.
A confirmation message will confirm a successful download.
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Ensure your iOS device is now connected to PilotAware WiFi. This will be confirmed by the Green Antenna logo within the App.

Tap Step 2 - Upload new software to PilotAware.

A confirmation message will confirm a successful upload.
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Finally, Tap Step 3- Restart PilotAware.

This will install the update and restart the PilotAware. This process usually takes 90 seconds.

Please note; After the PilotAware Reboots, your iOS WiFi may change. Please make sure it's re-connected to PilotAware WiFi to continue use.
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⚠️ Troubleshooting ⚠️
A small number of iOS users may experience issues with the app's ability to connect with PilotAware, even though the iPad is connected. This is due to a privacy setting introduced in iOS 14/iPadOS 14, that restricted applications' use of local network devices...i.e. PilotAware.

To resolve this setting in iOS 15 please see the following instructions.

iOS Settings -> Privacy - >Local Networks -> Enable PAW Firmware Update.

Once enabled, ensure the iPad Wi-Fi is connected to PilotAware and return to the app.

The app should now see the connected PilotAware.

You can read more about this setting here.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211870

Recommended

Android App Update

Install the PilotAware Firmware Updater App from the Google Play Store.
Connect your smartphone or tablet to your internet router.
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Open the App and Navigate to ‘Update', and tap 'Step 1 - Download Latest Firmware'.
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A confirmation message will confirm a successful download.
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Ensure your smart device is now connected to PilotAware WiFi. This will be confirmed by the Green light symbol on the apps 'Config' page

Tap Step 2 - Upload to PilotAware.

A confirmation message will confirm a successful upload.
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Finally, Tap Step 3- Install & Restart PilotAware.

This will install the update and restart the PilotAware. This process usually takes 90 seconds.

Please note; After the PilotAware Reboots, your smart device WiFi may change. Please make sure it's re-connected to PilotAware WiFi to continue use.

Updating from software older than 2018.

Manual Software Update

The manual software update method works for all PilotAware devices. It replaces the old software stored on the devices SD card with the latest version.

Pre-Loaded SD Cards with the latest version are available from our store.

Instructions for performing the manual software update can be found here. Learn More>