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Introduction

We believe that there is no default setup that fits all flying missions and that each use case requires a unique set of instruments. The Instrument Ribbon allows you to easily add or remove any of the 29 available instruments. In portrait mode, the ribbon is fixed at the top; in landscape mode, it moves to the left side. Every instrument has a default color and unit, but many can be customized.

 

Show or Hide the Instrument Ribbon

By default, the Instrument Ribbon is visible at the top of the screen in portrait mode and on the left in landscape mode, during both planning and flying modes.

To show or hide the Instrument Ribbon:

  • Select the Display button (located at the top right, overlaying the map).
  • Tap Instruments.
  • Enable or disable the switch.

You can also control the visibility of the Instrument Ribbon in the EasyVFR 4 menu:

  • Select the EasyVFR 4 menu (logo button) → Preferences, then scroll down to Instrument Ribbon.
  • Choose one of the following options:
    • Off: Always hides the Instrument Ribbon.
    • Auto: Shows the Instrument Ribbon only when flying.
    • On: Always shows the Instrument Ribbon (default setting).

 

Customize an Instrument

You can customize the instruments displayed in the ribbon, including their order, size, and, for some instruments, their color and units.

To customize an instrument:

  • Tap on the instrument you want to customize. This opens the Instruments menu with the tapped instrument highlighted.

Within the Instruments menu, you can:

  • Insert a new instrument: Tap the green "+insert" link (located at the top right, directly above the instrument options). This adds a new instrument immediately after the currently selected instrument.
  • Delete the selected instrument: Tap the red "Remove [Instrument Type Name]" link (located at the top left, directly above the instrument options).
  • Change the size of all instruments: Use the "+" and "-" buttons at the bottom of the Instruments menu.
  • Customize individual instruments: Many instruments have customizable colors and units. These options will be presented when the instrument is selected.

When you have finished customizing the Instrument Ribbon, tap the closing "X" button at the top left of the Instrument menu.

 

Instrument Types

EasyVFR 4 offers a wide range of instruments, categorized as follows:

  • Current: Information about your current state.
    • Ground Speed
    • Altitude based on GPS
    • Altitude AGL
    • Track flying
    • Current time
    • Vertical Speed
    • Heading
    • Flight time
    • Distance Flown
  • To Next Waypoint: Information related to the next waypoint in the active route.
    • Next Waypoint ID
    • Distance to Next Waypoint
    • Track to Next Waypoint
    • Heading to Next Waypoint
    • Bearing to Next Waypoint
    • Time to Next Waypoint
    • Estimated Time over FP WPT
    • Distance Off Track FP
    • Track Course Error FP
    • Planned Altitude
    • HSI, EET, DIST to Next
    • Bearing, EET, DIST to Next
  • To Destination: Information related to the final destination of the active route.
    • Destination ID
    • Distance to Destination
    • Bearing to Destination
    • Estimated Time of Arrival
    • Time to Destination
  • Radio Communication:
    • ATC Current Frequency
    • ATC Next Frequency
  • Device Status:
    • GPS Quality
    • Traffic Status
    • Ambient Pressure
    • Ambient Pressure Altitude
    • G-Force
    • Warnings status (ON/OFF)

 

Explanation of Certain Instruments:

Bearing to Next: An arrow pointing towards the next waypoint, displaying time (EET) and distance.

HSI: A clean HSI design that guides you back to your planned route, including time (EET) and distance.

ATC now and ATC Next: Combines the ATC name with the frequency. ATC Next shows the next ATC facility ahead on your track.

Traffic Status: Displays the current number of received traffic targets from optionally connected SafeSky or physical traffic receivers. Useful to indicate if these systems are working.

Ambient Pressure: Displays the current ambient pressure from the device EasyVFR is installed on.

G-Force: Displays the current G-force experienced by the smartphone or tablet EasyVFR runs on.