In addition to producing its familiar oversized yellow publication Trade-A-Plane people are enthusiastic about something totally new these days–access to the company’s WeatherTAP online weather service through a Pocket PC.

“Many of our subscribers, especially pilots, are using their PDAs [personal digital assistants] to access the Internet,” said Rob Parsons, WeatherTAP program manager. “With this new feature, they can check WeatherTAP anywhere they have online access without having to carry a cumbersome laptop.”

The WeatherTAP service is slightly modified for Pocket PC users, including text, menus and windows designed with scrolling capability to fit the smaller handheld screen. Users can access 173 radar products, four satellite products, seven lightning products and 24 aviation graphics covering the entire continental U.S. through the Pocket PC.

The PDA version is available at no extra charge to WeatherTAP subscribers who pay $5.95 per month or $63 per year. WeatherTAP was designated “Best of the Web” by Forbes magazine in 2000 and is a joint venture of TAP Publishing Co., Harris Corp., Unisys and Lightningstorm.com.

Trade-A-Plane also introduced  a newly revamped Web site, www.trade-a-plane.com. In addition to a new design and “fresh look,” the site has two new features: e-mail notification of new “planes for sale” ads and photo classifieds on the home page.

“This fresh design and these new features were created to meet the expressed needs of our customers,” said Trade-A-Plane publisher Carolyn Flick. “With the new site, buyers get quicker, more direct access to ads, and sellers get more exposure. The site is also more attractive and easier to use.”

Another change to the Web site is that all users can now view the online classified ads for free. Before the makeover, only paid subscribers could view the ads.