AFMatic and the competition

AFMatic and the competition

What do you think about your product versus the competition?

For almost anything that you can do, there are at least two ways of doing it, and it's no different with Gulfstream performance calculation. We have competitors, and that's the way it should be. We think you will be happier with our product than with theirs, and not surprisingly, they think the same thing about their product. We welcome comparison between AFMatic and any competing product. We recommend that you get your hands on a trial version of each product, and test it in your operations to see if it will do what you need it to do. Then, ask lots of questions. Feel free to ask for features that you don't see in the product. Then, decide which product is best for you. Here are a few questions that we think you should have answers to, along with our answers.

What is your company's relationship with Gulfstream?

Tybee Jet has a contractual arrangement with Gulfstream under which our two companies work together to develop, market, and support AFMatic. We have worked closely together since Tybee Jet was founded in 1998, and expect to continue this relationship well into the future. Our performance product, AFMatic, is sold through Gulfstream's Technical Publications Department, the same way you buy your manuals.
And our competitors?

Why should I believe that you guys know what you are doing?

Good question! The author of AFMatic, Van Swofford, graduated in Aerospace Engineering from Auburn University in 1978, and has been an aerodynamic performance engineer since then, doing performance analysis and testing with everything from a single engine turboprop up to the Boeing 747. He spent 12+ years of his 30+ year career working for Gulfstream, with much of that time spent creating flight manuals for the G-III, G-IIB, and G-IV. The knowledge and experience gained from these years of flight manual development ensure the accuracy of the computations. In addition to the years of building flight manuals, he has worked on a variety of projects, including development of Quiet Flying for the G-II and G-III, proposals to the USAF for the Next Generation Trainer and C-20, and GIV-SP and G-V flight test. Software development experience at Gulfstream encompasses a range of technical areas, such as performance analysis, flight manual graphics, real-time graphics for the flight test data acquisition system, and range map generation for the sales and marketing organizations. And because of our close working relationship with Gulfstream, Van spends whatever amount of time is necessary discussing performance issues with Gulfstream pilots and engineers, to be sure the programming is correct.
And our competitors?

Flight manuals change from time to time. Will my software be kept up to date?

YES! Part of our agreement with Gulfstream is that we will be provided with all published performance data in a timely manner, so when you get a flight manual revision, we have it too. AFMatic is sold as an annual subscription, with updates shipped every 28 days. In most cases, we will have updated performance in the program in the next update after the AFM (Airplane Flight Manual) revision is sent out.
The updates are shipped on CD-ROM every 28 days (also available for internet download), and contain all revisions to the manuals, the updated worldwide airport database, and any changes and additions to the software.
And our competitors?

Finding airport and runway information can be a difficult task for a lot of airports. What data are provided with your program, and how are they kept up to date?

We have provided worldwide airport data with AFMatic since the very first copy was sold in 1998. We use the National Flight Data Center's airport database provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for U.S. domestic airports, which contains information for about 4,000 airports, having nearly 11,000 hard-surfaced runways with lengths of 3,000 feet or more. International airports are provided by the Jeppesen NavData database, for hard surfaced runways longer than 4,000 feet. This database is updated every 28 days, and our software updates coincide with the airport data schedule.
And our competitors?

SID (Departure Procedure) required climb gradients are a tough problem, especially at airports like Aspen where the SID altitude is so much higher than the airport. How does your product handle SIDs?

There are a number of opinions on how SIDs should be handled, and just extrapolating the second segment climb data is not one of them. AFMatic provides four methods of solving the SID required climb gradient problem. We offer both single and twin engine SID climb procedures that are provided by Gulfstream in Operational Information Supplements, as well as using net takeoff flight path obstacle clearance. Finally, for airplanes that don't have obstacle clearance data higher than 1,500 feet above field elevation (G-III and G-IIB), we have a simple gradient method to fall back on. In addition to the SID climb procedures, you can compute clearance over as many as 25 physical obstacles, all in one calculation! And it is easy to store the SID and obstacle data in the database, so that it will be available for all future calculations.
And our competitors?

How does your product save me money?

Our newest feature, which we call JetMiser^TM, is designed to save you money on fuel. Based on the concept of fuel tankering, JetMiser determines the optimum amount of fuel to purchase at each stop of a multi-stop trip, in order to minimize the total fuel cost for the entire trip. With just a few minutes of your time, it is possible to save enough on one trip to pay for AFMatic for a year!
And our competitors?

What other features does the program have?

Quite a few! One Click Weather allows you to download and view over 2,200 current weather maps, as well as METAR/TAF reports from over 6,300 airports around the world, with just one click. Sunrise and sunset times may be computed for any location. Time zone conversion may be done between any two airports. Great circle distance calculations may be done between any two airports. Brake cooling calculations are easy to do and interpret, and pavement strength (PCN) determination is also available.
And our competitors?

Do I need training to use your product effectively?

We think AFMatic is so easy to use that you can learn most of what you need to know with our documentation and by exploring the program. But, you know, this is a complex subject, particularly when it comes to obstacle clearance takeoff performance. We are always available and happy to answer any questions you may have, either about AFMatic or Gulfstream performance in general. We are also available to conduct training classes at your facility, which we have done for several of our customers. In addition, we regularly provide assistance for those who prefer to develop their own in-house training materials. Please contact us for details.
AFMatic is also available for your use while training at all three FlightSafety Gulfstream Learning Centers, and many of the instructors are "up to speed" with it.
And our competitors?

Back to the Tybee Jet Home Page.
For more information, send mail to: info @ tybeejet.com
Updated 16 March 2011.

	What do you think about your product versus the competition?	For almost anything that you can do, there are at least two ways of doing it, and it's no different with Gulfstream performance calculation. We have competitors, and that's the way it should be. We think you will be happier with our product than with theirs, and not surprisingly, they think the same thing about their product. We welcome comparison between AFMatic and any competing product. We recommend that you get your hands on a trial version of each product, and test it in your operations to see if it will do what you need it to do. Then, ask lots of questions. Feel free to ask for features that you don't see in the product. Then, decide which product is best for you. Here are a few questions that we think you should have answers to, along with our answers.
	What is your company's relationship with Gulfstream?	Tybee Jet has a contractual arrangement with Gulfstream under which our two companies work together to develop, market, and support AFMatic. We have worked closely together since Tybee Jet was founded in 1998, and expect to continue this relationship well into the future. Our performance product, AFMatic, is sold through Gulfstream's Technical Publications Department, the same way you buy your manuals. And our competitors?
	Why should I believe that you guys know what you are doing?	Good question! The author of AFMatic, Van Swofford, graduated in Aerospace Engineering from Auburn University in 1978, and has been an aerodynamic performance engineer since then, doing performance analysis and testing with everything from a single engine turboprop up to the Boeing 747. He spent 12+ years of his 30+ year career working for Gulfstream, with much of that time spent creating flight manuals for the G-III, G-IIB, and G-IV. The knowledge and experience gained from these years of flight manual development ensure the accuracy of the computations. In addition to the years of building flight manuals, he has worked on a variety of projects, including development of Quiet Flying for the G-II and G-III, proposals to the USAF for the Next Generation Trainer and C-20, and GIV-SP and G-V flight test. Software development experience at Gulfstream encompasses a range of technical areas, such as performance analysis, flight manual graphics, real-time graphics for the flight test data acquisition system, and range map generation for the sales and marketing organizations. And because of our close working relationship with Gulfstream, Van spends whatever amount of time is necessary discussing performance issues with Gulfstream pilots and engineers, to be sure the programming is correct. And our competitors?
	Flight manuals change from time to time. Will my software be kept up to date?	YES! Part of our agreement with Gulfstream is that we will be provided with all published performance data in a timely manner, so when you get a flight manual revision, we have it too. AFMatic is sold as an annual subscription, with updates shipped every 28 days. In most cases, we will have updated performance in the program in the next update after the AFM (Airplane Flight Manual) revision is sent out. The updates are shipped on CD-ROM every 28 days (also available for internet download), and contain all revisions to the manuals, the updated worldwide airport database, and any changes and additions to the software. And our competitors?
	Finding airport and runway information can be a difficult task for a lot of airports. What data are provided with your program, and how are they kept up to date?	We have provided worldwide airport data with AFMatic since the very first copy was sold in 1998. We use the National Flight Data Center's airport database provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for U.S. domestic airports, which contains information for about 4,000 airports, having nearly 11,000 hard-surfaced runways with lengths of 3,000 feet or more. International airports are provided by the Jeppesen NavData database, for hard surfaced runways longer than 4,000 feet. This database is updated every 28 days, and our software updates coincide with the airport data schedule. And our competitors?
	SID (Departure Procedure) required climb gradients are a tough problem, especially at airports like Aspen where the SID altitude is so much higher than the airport. How does your product handle SIDs?	There are a number of opinions on how SIDs should be handled, and just extrapolating the second segment climb data is not one of them. AFMatic provides four methods of solving the SID required climb gradient problem. We offer both single and twin engine SID climb procedures that are provided by Gulfstream in Operational Information Supplements, as well as using net takeoff flight path obstacle clearance. Finally, for airplanes that don't have obstacle clearance data higher than 1,500 feet above field elevation (G-III and G-IIB), we have a simple gradient method to fall back on. In addition to the SID climb procedures, you can compute clearance over as many as 25 physical obstacles, all in one calculation! And it is easy to store the SID and obstacle data in the database, so that it will be available for all future calculations. And our competitors?
	How does your product save me money?	Our newest feature, which we call JetMiser^TM, is designed to save you money on fuel. Based on the concept of fuel tankering, JetMiser determines the optimum amount of fuel to purchase at each stop of a multi-stop trip, in order to minimize the total fuel cost for the entire trip. With just a few minutes of your time, it is possible to save enough on one trip to pay for AFMatic for a year! And our competitors?
	What other features does the program have?	Quite a few! One Click Weather allows you to download and view over 2,200 current weather maps, as well as METAR/TAF reports from over 6,300 airports around the world, with just one click. Sunrise and sunset times may be computed for any location. Time zone conversion may be done between any two airports. Great circle distance calculations may be done between any two airports. Brake cooling calculations are easy to do *and* interpret, and pavement strength (PCN) determination is also available. And our competitors?
	Do I need training to use your product effectively?	We think AFMatic is so easy to use that you can learn most of what you need to know with our documentation and by exploring the program. But, you know, this is a complex subject, particularly when it comes to obstacle clearance takeoff performance. We are always available and happy to answer any questions you may have, either about AFMatic or Gulfstream performance in general. We are also available to conduct training classes at your facility, which we have done for several of our customers. In addition, we regularly provide assistance for those who prefer to develop their own in-house training materials. Please contact us for details. AFMatic is also available for your use while training at all three FlightSafety Gulfstream Learning Centers, and many of the instructors are "up to speed" with it. And our competitors?