Flight information synchronization using ad hoc networking

A system that forms a pilot device, comprising:

• a processor;
• a memory coupled to the processor;
• the memory comprising a pilot application that executes on the processor, uses the memory, and is configured for:
• enabling a broadcast of an update to a passenger device from the pilot device;
• determining an update frequency for the broadcast of the update from one or more network thresholds;
• determining to broadcast the update when the broadcast is enabled and one or more broadcast thresholds are satisfied;
• generating the update, wherein the update includes an estimated time of arrival (ETA);
• and
• broadcasting the update by switching between an infrastructure mode and an ad hoc mode and transmitting the update via the ad hoc mode, wherein the update is received by and displayed on the passenger device;
• enabling a broadcast of a subsequent update to a subsequent passenger device from the passenger device, wherein the subsequent update includes information from the update;
• determining an update frequency for the broadcast of the subsequent update from one or more network thresholds;
• determining to broadcast the subsequent update when the broadcast is enabled and one or more broadcast thresholds are satisfied;
• and
• broadcasting the subsequent update by transmitting the subsequent update using the ad hoc mode, wherein the subsequent update is received by and displayed on the subsequent passenger device.

A method comprising:

• switching, by a passenger application on a passenger device, to an ad hoc mode to receive, over a network, an update from a pilot device for the passenger application;
• receiving an ad hoc broadcast;
• recognizing the ad hoc broadcast as the update from the pilot device without configuring the passenger application with information identifying the pilot device;
• generating, by the passenger application, display information that includes route information generated from the update;
• refreshing, by the passenger application, a user interface on the passenger device with the display information, wherein in the user interface displays a map, a route with one or more segments, and an estimated time of arrival (ETA);
• enabling a broadcast of a subsequent update to a subsequent passenger device from the passenger device, wherein the subsequent update includes information from the update;
• determining an update frequency for the broadcast of the subsequent update from one or more network thresholds;
• determining to broadcast the subsequent update when the broadcast is enabled and one or more broadcast thresholds are satisfied;
• and
• broadcasting the subsequent update by transmitting the subsequent update using the ad hoc mode, wherein the subsequent update is received by and displayed on the subsequent passenger device.