Abstract: A method for obtaining flight plan clearance allows a general aviation pilot to negotiate flight plan clearance directly with an air navigation service provider (ANSP), exchanging digital data messages, with the pilot using a wireless communication device, such as a smartphone or a tablet computer. After an initial flight plan has been submitted, the pilot receives a message regarding clearance of the initial flight plan. Proposed changes to the flight plan may be received using the wireless communication device, which may be used to conduct further flight plan change negotiations via digital data messages. The messages may be sent from the wireless communication device may use a format that is suitable for use by the ANSP. There may be security features provided to ensure that flight plan changes are negotiated only by an authorized user, such as the pilot who submitted the original flight plan.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enabling an air traffic control system to set a beacon code on a transponder of an aircraft without voice communication with the flight crew. In one embodiment, an air traffic control system receives a flight plan from an aircraft, relays clearance of the flight plan to the aircraft, sets a beacon code on a transponder on the aircraft without voice communication, receives an acknowledgement of the beacon code setting from the aircraft, sends an acknowledgement to the aircraft, sets a new beacon code on the transponder without voice communication and receives a new acknowledgement of the new beacon code from the aircraft.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enabling an air traffic control system to set a beacon code on a transponder of an aircraft without voice communication with the flight crew. In one embodiment, an air traffic control system receives a flight plan from an aircraft, relays clearance of the flight plan to the aircraft, sets a beacon code on a transponder on the aircraft without voice communication, receives an acknowledgement of the beacon code setting from the aircraft, sends an acknowledgement to the aircraft, sets a new beacon code on the transponder without voice communication and receives a new acknowledgement of the new beacon code from the aircraft.

Abstract: A method is provided, for displaying dynamically updated weather information for a vehicle using a computer system comprising a processor and a memory. A table is stored in the memory, the table defining, for a predetermined plurality of different weather conditions, a corresponding predetermined plurality of sets of visually distinguishable icon settings, wherein each weather condition corresponds to a corresponding respective set of icon settings, the respective set of icon settings defining the appearance of a first weather icon configured to appear on a display in operable communication with the processor, wherein the appearance of the weather icon, by itself, is sufficient to convey at least one weather condition. The appearance of the first icon is dynamically updated, during at least a portion of the travel by the vehicle along its travel path, to correspond to changes in the first set of weather data.