PA-28 Cherokee/Archer/Dakota/Pillan/Warrior
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 22; Flight Crew Total 883; Flight Crew Type 115
Confusion
Deviation - Speed All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Equipment / Tooling; Procedure
I filed and flew two VFR out and back legs. I planned the flight on my iPad using Garmin Pro Pilot; but filed using [a flight planning website]. I had just landed at my home airport and was putting the aircraft in the hangar when a car drove up and the driver asked if I had a VFR flight plan. I replied in the affirmative; and stated that I had just landed and was about to close it. The driver said that the FSS had called the airport and was looking for me. I immediately closed the flight plan; but I was puzzled as to why this had occurred. Upon arrival back home; I looked at the filing. The online software automatically populates the speeds for aircraft type; while the pilot enters the other data. The software [I] had used the correct airspeed for the first leg; but then used an airspeed 25 KTS faster for the second leg. Because I was using the iPad enroute; I didn't catch the discrepancy. I am going to be much more cautious about automatic online filing; and review each item more closely. It is my fault that this occurred. The FSS was right to check on me; and I'm grateful they did.
The reporter stated that he flies at about 95 KTS to conserve fuel but the standard PA28 Garmin default speed is over 110 KTS. He has used this iPad APP many times previously and his preprogrammed 95 KTS has been retained. He does not know of a reset function which would permit the APP to transition from his manually entered speed to the default speed.
A VFR PA-28 pilot was advised after a cross country that Flight Service was looking for him because he was overdue. Upon investigating; the pilot determined that the return leg speed the iPad software calculated; and he then filed for; was higher than normal speed for his aircraft type.