Avare Progress

When I started developing Avare, I was not sure where it will take me.

But after about two months on Google Play store, it has added about seven hundred users a month, and the trend is up. Aviation is a small market with a lot of established companies so I do not expect a viral uptrend.

There were some frustrating moments when a bug slipped in, but users were extremely helpful in diagnosis.

Mostly it has been a better than expected experience with new and more interesting things happening every day.

I am learning more about business than I would learn  in  a classroom.

The emails, and positive reviews of appreciation I get is the most important thing in these last couple of months.

I have made dozens of pilot friends around the world. One of them a flight instructor, offering to give me free instruction if I could visit his setup in Georgia (State).

More importantly, I know my friend John more now. John has helped in testing, documentation and general road map.

Avare will never make money (we will keep it free). But you got to look beyond nickels and dimes.

Avare has 4.6/5 rating on play store. The app appears third in search "aviation gps".  Moved up from fiftieth place. The nearest competitor has 3.0/5 rating.

http://play.google.com/store/search?q=aviation+gps


Here are the most recent reviews.

Instrument/Commercial rating

Today I passed the FAA written test for airplane instrument rating. I am extremely excited to start training for instrument and commercial rating.

Some time ago, I wrote five rules for myself, and I plan to stick to them (http://zk4u.blogspot.com/2012/02/flying-safely.html). The only reason I am training is to become a better pilot, and be able to get out of bad weather in case it creeps up on me.

I have no interest in flying for hire.

For the next few months, I will be busy on weekends, flying by sole reference to aircraft instruments, instrument landing, and learning more about weather.

I am also excited to hear that the NSAC club is close to buying a Cessna 182, that can carry four adults to as far west as Chicago, and as far south as Florida without stopping.

Life is so much more fun if there is something to look up to.