Current Version: v1.0, released 1/22/08 (Download Now )

Download on SIPRNET at http://gis.geoint.nga.smil.mil/GoogleEarth/googleearthpilot

Download on JWICS at http://gis.geoint.nga.ic.gov/GoogleEarth/googleearthpilot

Latest News:

Warfighter's Edge at the US Air Force Academy is now the official custodian of PFPS Google Earth Tool.  They have a team of programmers researching and developing new mission planning and briefing technologies, and are already advancing my research in ways I could never do alone.  Visit them at the USAFA Website or at Mission Planning Central.  You can e-mail them at help@WEdge.hpc.mil.

   

What Is em>PFPS Google Earth Tool?

PFPS Google Earth Tool is a free conversion utility that interfaces between US military Portable Flight Planning Software(which includes CFPS and FalconView), and Google Earth.  With this utility, users can convert the following types of data into Google Earth with just a few clicks:

  • FalconView Drawing (.drw) Files
  • FalconView Local Point (.lpt) Files
  • FalconView Threat (.thr) Files
  • CFPS Route (.rte or .crd) Files

Users can also use the utility to create and edit waypoints, threats, and five different kinds of airspace.  These objects are organized in a file folder and saved as a Google Earth Tool project file.  With a single click, the entire project is converted into a .KML that can be loaded in Google Earth.  An example output is shown at the right.

This tool allows pilots to quickly and easily visualize their flight-plan routes in Google Earth.  It can also be used for airspace management, threat plotting and avoidance, and target/drop zone visualization.

 

Version 1.0 Features (* indicates a new feature from v0.5):

  • Import PFPS .rte files directly -- conversion to .CRD files no longer necessary*

  • Create/edit 5 kinds of airspace: circular, elliptical, rectangular, wedge-shaped (radial/DME-defined), and polygonal

  • New support for airspace floors*

  • Define polygonal airspace regions using PFPS route files

  • FalconView Drawing Importer--a few clicks will generate a 3D visualization of your draw file*

  • FalconView Threat Importer*

    • Probability Ellipses

    • Detection/Engagement Rings

    • Uses FalconView Icons

  • FalconView Local Point Importer using FalconView Icons*

  • Organize your projects in a file folder hierarchy*

  • Cut/copy/paste and drag-drop support*

  • Icon Libraries support FalconView, Google Earth, and NGA Tower/Vertical Obstruction icons*

  • User-selectable icons as part of customizable styles*

  • Timespan support for animating your .KMLs*

  • Launch your .KMLs directly into Google Earth from within the program*

  • Tested for SIPRNET compatibility*

 

 

   

 

AAbout the Author:

PFPS Google Earth Tool was privately developed by a C-17 pilot with the 10th Airlift Squadron at McChord AFB.  I was inspired to write the software while on an OEF deployment, when our squadron used Google Earth for visualization of airdrop run-ins in Afghanistan.  I've since met many other pilots who use Google Earth to supplement their flight planning.  I decided the demand was certainly there for a quality software product that would integrate well with PFPS and would streamline the flight planning process in Google Earth.  I am no longer actively maintaining the project, as I have other career responsibilities that have taken me out of the cockpit for several years.  The program is now maintained by the Warfighter's Edge (WEdge) team at the US Air Force Academy's Institute for Information Technology Applications (IITA).

 

Thank you to:

 Baseops.net for listing this website as a resource!

Jim Bellenger at the NGA for hosting this website on SIPRNET/JWICS

 

 

Please send feedback, suggestions and bug reports to:

help@WEdge.hpc.mil

 

You can reach the program's creator, at:

info@googleearthpilot.com