Flight information synchronization using ad hoc networking

A method comprising:

• switching, by a passenger application on a passenger device, to an ad hoc mode to receive an update from a pilot device for the passenger application, wherein:
• the ad hoc mode enables the pilot device to interface with the passenger device directly;
• the passenger device and the pilot device are located on an aircraft;
• and
• the update is received by the pilot device operating in an infrastructure mode from an avionics device on the aircraft using a wireless access point of the avionics device, and wherein the avionics device comprises an automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) receiver for receiving air traffic and weather information;
• 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;
• and
• refreshing, by the passenger application, a user interface on the passenger device with the display information, wherein the user interface displays a map, a route with one or more segments, and an estimated time of arrival (ETA).

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, wherein the passenger device and the pilot device are located on an aircraft;
• 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), wherein the update is received by the pilot device operating in an infrastructure mode from an avionics device on the aircraft using a wireless access point of the avionics device, and wherein the avionics device comprises an automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) receiver for receiving air traffic and weather information;
• and
• broadcasting the update by switching between the infrastructure mode and an ad hoc mode and transmitting the update via the ad hoc mode, wherein the ad hoc mode enables the pilot device to interface with the passenger device directly, and wherein the update is received by and displayed on the passenger device.