The coolest brother in the world!

You know, what they say... it is good to have friends in high places. It is actually even better to have them in geeky places.

If you remember, I asked my brother for a feature to be added to Google's SMS toolkit - a METAR keyword. This would allow anybody with a SMS capable phone to check weather before a flight... basically something every pilot does. Now it happens either via radio in the cockpit right before a flight... but it is nice to know before you have the engine running. You may not be able to fly.

Currently, many of the HIO pilots use some PCs in the dispatch room to do this check. It is kind of a pain... this would make things much faster and more efficient. Google's primary reason for existing.

Well, he did it... it's live!

Thanks Charlie!

How cool is that?



Being a geek... Charlie had to hide a few easter eggs in this.
Every time it references an airport in an example or as as the usage statement in an error response, it will use my local airport, KHIO or EHAM. I understand KHIO... but EHAM? That is Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam. It is often wise to not question the mind of a geek... but hey, brotherly privilege. So, at 11:59pm I speak to Charlie and ask:

Chris: "Hey Char, what's with EHAM? I get KHIO, thanks... but EHAM."
Charlie: "Yea, I picked that."
Chris: "Why EHAM, have you ever been to Amsterdam?"
Charlie: "No, I like bacon. So, ham... EHAM."

At 12:01 AM it went live to the world... adding an amazingly valuable feature to Google SMS and proclaiming by brother's love for Ham.

Spread it around. People need to know about this... it is awesome.

Thanks bro!

KHIO 151722Z 00000KT 1 1/2SM -RA BR BKN003 BKN030 OVC075 11/11 A2978 RMK AO2 P0002

The VFR (Visual Flight Rules) require that we have 3SM (Statute Mile) visibility and a 1000ft cloud level before we can fly. And, well... we didn't get that this morning. If you look at the Title above, you can see a METAR for KHIO you will see:

1 1/2SM : 1.5 Statute Mile Visibility
RA BR BKN003: Rain, Mist, Broken Cloud Layer @ 300ft

Basically... no fly.

We did, however, get in 2.0 hrs of ground instruction in. While not as thrilling as flying, I need this time. Apparently it can be really ugly if all the flight training is done up front. Not only will you have to catch up with 35 hrs of ground time in a row, but you will most likely have to put in extra flight time at then end to brush up before your FAA test. So, every rainy, grey Oregon cloud has a silver lining.

In the interim, I asked my bro, Charlie to add something for me to Google's SMS toolset. You may already know that you can send SMS messages to GOOGLE (466453) with a bunch of keywords... and it will SMS you back the answer.

Since all pilots have to check the weather, how cool would it be to SMS Google with a metar khio and have it send you an SMS:
KHIO 151722Z 00000KT 1 1/2SM -RA BR BKN003 BKN030 OVC075 11/11 A2978 RMK AO2 P0002

Every pilot would use it!

Please Charlie! You OWE me.