PilotDuty iOS App

PilotDuty Manager

Getting Started With PilotDuty iOS APP

Welcome to PilotDuty — your smart, automatic flight logbook designed specifically for pilots.

📘 Onboarding Overview – Introduction

Welcome to PilotDuty — your smart, automatic flight logbook designed specifically for pilots.

This onboarding process will walk you through a few quick steps to configure your account, aircraft, and preferences. With just a few taps, you’ll enable powerful features like automatic flight tracking using iBeacon technology, SMS alerts, and precise duty/rest monitoring.

Whether you’re a student pilot, flight instructor, or commercial aviator, PilotDuty adapts to your operational needs from day one.

Let’s get started!

Sign-Up Options:

Users have three choices to create their account:

Sign Up with Email
- Requires entering a valid email address and creating a password.
Sign in with Apple
- Quick and secure sign-up using Apple ID.
Sign in with Google
- Sign-up using a Google account.

👉 Note: If the user chooses Apple or Google, there’s no need to manually enter an email or password.

Before continuing, the user must check the box to accept the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. This step is mandatory for all sign-up methods.

Once the terms are accepted, the preferred sign-up option can be selected to proceed to the next onboarding step.

Step 2 – Enable Location Access

To ensure automatic flight tracking works seamlessly, the next onboarding screen prompts the user to enable location access.

Why Location is Required:

PilotDuty uses your location for multiple essential features that automate your flight logbook:

To find nearby aircraft
Using a dedicated iBeacon device installed in the aircraft, the app detects proximity to begin tracking.
To determine the location of your takeoff and landing
Location data helps log precise airports or coordinates automatically.
To determine flight times based on your speed
The app calculates different phases of flight (e.g., taxi, airborne, landing) by analyzing GPS speed changes.
To determine if your flight is day or night
This information is crucial for certain regulatory requirements and logging accuracy.

At the bottom of the screen, the user must tap “Allow” to grant location permissions. This is a required step for the core features of PilotDuty to function properly.

Step 3 – Enable Notifications

In this step, PilotDuty asks for permission to send notifications, which play a key role in keeping you informed and ensuring your flights are properly tracked — even when the app isn’t actively open.

Why Notifications Are Important:

If iOS detects your aircraft and the app is not running in the background
With the help of the iBeacon device installed in your aircraft, PilotDuty can notify you to reopen the app and resume tracking automatically.
When you land, to confirm sending a message to your flight follower
For subscribed users, PilotDuty can notify you upon landing to confirm whether you want to send an arrival message to your designated flight follower (e.g., a dispatcher or safety contact).

To proceed, simply tap “Allow” to grant notification permissions. This ensures you never miss important updates about your flight activity or safety confirmations.

Step 4 – Aircraft Configuration

In this step, the app asks whether you already have an iBeacon device, which is essential for enabling automatic flight detection.

Prompt: “Do you have an iBeacon?”

The user can select one of the following options:

Yes
You already have an iBeacon installed in your aircraft and are ready to pair it with the app.
Ordered, but not yet received
You’ve ordered your iBeacon but are still waiting for delivery. The app will guide you later once the device is ready.
No, I need one
You don’t have an iBeacon yet but are interested in acquiring one to activate automatic flight logging.
No need, I will start flight event manually
You prefer not to use an iBeacon and will manually start and stop your flight events within the app.
Skip aircraft configuration
You can choose to skip this step for now and configure your aircraft later from the app settings.

Once you’ve made your selection, tap “Next” to proceed.

Step 5 – Adopt and Link iBeacon to Aircraft

After detecting a nearby iBeacon, the app prompts the user to pair it with a specific aircraft.

Aircraft Setup:

Before linking the iBeacon, the user must fill in:

CallSign – the aircraft registration (e.g., C-FFFF)
Aircraft Type – the model or type of aircraft (e.g., C172)

Once the details are entered and the iBeacon is detected as “Near”, the user can press:

“Adopt Nearest iBeacon” – This securely links the detected iBeacon to the aircraft just configured.

A helper message at the top reinforces this action:

“Press the ‘Adopt Nearest iBeacon’ button to pair it with the desired aircraft”

Navigation options:

Back – Return to the previous step if needed.
Next – Continue the onboarding after successfully adopting the iBeacon.

Purpose:

This step ensures that each iBeacon is uniquely assigned to a specific aircraft, enabling reliable automatic detection during future operations.

Step 6 – Aircraft Technical Configuration

After pairing the iBeacon and assigning basic aircraft details, the user is guided to define the technical characteristics of the aircraft.

Aircraft Type Section:

Aircraft Type Category – Select the landing gear configuration (e.g., Tricycle Train).
Engine Type – Choose the engine configuration (e.g., Mono Piston).
Propeller Type – Indicate whether the aircraft has a Fixed pitch, Variable pitch, or other propeller configuration.

An illustration helps visually confirm the type of aircraft configuration selected.

Common Use Section:

IFR Certified – Toggle ON if the aircraft is certified for Instrument Flight Rules.
Single Pilot – Toggle ON if the aircraft is typically operated by a single pilot.

These options allow the app to adapt features like logging requirements, operational limitations, and automation logic based on the aircraft’s actual characteristics.

When all selections are made, the user can tap Next to continue or Back to revise previous steps.

Step 7 – Subscription Options

In this step, users choose how they would like to access PilotDuty’s features, based on their flying habits and needs.

Information Box:

At the top, users are informed:

PilotDuty is free to use, but limited to 3 flights per month and access to basic features only.
With a first annual subscription, users will receive a free iBeacon and unlock full access to automatic flight tracking and additional premium features.

Subscription Options:

I have a promo code
Enter a promotional code to unlock access or discounts.
Annual subscription with free iBeacon
Best option for frequent flyers. Includes full feature access and a free iBeacon device.
Monthly subscription
Flexible plan for those who prefer paying month-to-month while enjoying all premium features.
I want to use PilotDuty for free
Limited to 5 flights per month and basic functionalities. Ideal for testing the app or casual flying.

After making a selection, users can tap Next to complete the onboarding or Back to return to the previous configuration step.

Step 8 – Choose Your Annual Subscription

In this onboarding step, users are invited to choose between two powerful subscription plans that unlock PilotDuty’s full potential.

🔹 PilotDuty+ – $59.99/year

Includes:

Unlimited flight logging
Automatic SMS notifications for flight tracking
Export logs in PDF or CSV formats
Access to the PilotDuty Manager platform

🔸 PilotDuty Pro – $99.99/year

Everything in PilotDuty+, plus:

Duty, Flight, and Rest time monitoring
Tracking of medical certificates, licenses, and proficiency validity

🆓 Bonus:
With your first annual subscription, you will receive a free iBeacon to enable fully automated flight detection.

Additional Options:

Subscribe – Confirms and activates your selected plan
Redeem Code – Enter a promo or discount code
Restore Subscription – Restore a previously purchased subscription from the App Store

Navigation:

Back – Return to the previous screen
Next – Proceed after completing subscription setup

👉 Note: Your plan will auto-renew annually unless canceled via your Apple ID settings.

Step 9 – Shipping Address

As part of your first annual subscription, you’re entitled to receive a free iBeacon device.

To complete your onboarding, you need to provide your shipping address so we can send the device to you.

Form Fields:

Address (Line 1) – Required
Address (Line 2, optional) – For apartment/suite/unit numbers
City – Required
Postal Code – Required
Country – Required

Once all required fields are completed, the “Next” button becomes active, allowing the user to proceed.

This step ensures delivery of the iBeacon, enabling you to take full advantage of automatic flight detection and enjoy the complete PilotDuty experience.

Step 10 – Pilot Information

The final onboarding screen allows you to personalize your pilot profile with key details related to your license, ratings, and preferences.

Required Field:

Full Name – Enter your name as you’d like it to appear in the app and reports.

Optional Flight Profile Settings:

Total Flight Time – Enter your current cumulative flight hours.
Professional License – Toggle ON if you hold a commercial or airline transport license.
IFR Rated – Toggle ON if you’re instrument-rated.
Multi Engine Rated – Toggle ON if you’re qualified to fly multi-engine aircraft.
Float Rated – Toggle ON if you hold a seaplane rating.
Instructor Rated – Toggle ON if you are certified to provide flight instruction.
Use Local Time – Choose whether you want your logs and events to default to local time instead of UTC.

🔧 A message below the form reminds you that:

You will be able to access the Settings tab for a more detailed configuration.

Once complete, tap “Go to the app” to finish onboarding and enter the main PilotDuty interface.

✅ Onboarding Complete – Conclusion

You’re all set!

With your account configured, aircraft paired (if using an iBeacon), and pilot profile completed, you’re ready to enjoy the full power of PilotDuty. From automatic OUT/OFF/ON/IN detection to exportable logs and compliance tracking, your digital co-pilot is now fully operational.

🚨 Important:
Before you take off, make sure to review your location and notification permissions in the app’s
Settings > General section.
PilotDuty requires Location access set to “Always” and Notifications enabled in order to work reliably in the background — especially when detecting flights automatically using your iBeacon.

You can always fine-tune additional preferences and features via the Settings tab in the app.

🎉 You’re now ready to use PilotDuty!