Coming in 1.5.0: SEPA direct debit, Training and more

apron:pilot 1.5.0 is almost ready. It brings a new add-on, direct debit for invoicing and a long list of everyday improvements. Here is an overview. The full release notes follow on release day.

Training: flight training in apron:pilot

1.5.0 brings the training module. Flight schools, DTOs and flying clubs that train their own pilots run syllabi, student files and courses right where bookings and the logbook already live. Training is an add-on you subscribe to separately, just like Invoicing. See everything it does on the Training page.

SEPA direct debit straight from the payment run

With Invoicing Business, you can collect invoices by SEPA direct debit. In the details of a payment run, apron:pilot creates the XML file for your bank. Download it and approve it in your online banking.

• Each member’s mandate (IBAN, BIC, mandate reference, date signed) is stored encrypted in the user details and can also be brought in with the user import.
• Invoices collected by direct debit are marked as such and come without a QR payment code. New placeholders add the mandate reference, creditor ID and collection date to the invoice text.
• A tab of its own in the settings holds your group’s bank details and creditor ID and shows whether everything is ready for collection.

Also new in Invoicing Business: a credit can be deducted from the net instead of the gross amount, and PDF invoices can use a smaller font and a compact table to fit on less space.

Less manual work managing members

With Premium, the user import now updates existing users too, for example new addresses or phone numbers from your member list. Empty cells leave a field as it is. And if only your administrators should change personal data, you can switch off editing it in the user profile.

For everyone: everyday improvements

• “Skill Test” type of flight for the examination flight, in bookings and the logbook.
• Second pilot without an account: add an external instructor or the examiner to a booking by name.
• Links in NOTAMs, in the app and in the email. Line breaks now stay intact in the email.
• Faster booking: if a pilot has only one aircraft, it is already selected.
• Shorter menu: Training, Invoicing and Administration open and close.
• Street and house number are now separate fields, as banks and invoicing standards expect. Existing addresses are carried over automatically.

Add to that a number of fixes, among them in the logbook. Once 1.5.0 is out, you’ll find every change in the Release Notes.