tablet pc PFD&ND
Thread Starter

Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 487
Likes: 1
From: over there
tablet pc PFD&ND
hi all,
i am looking for guidance on some software that will replicate the PFD and ND on a tablet PC. I've seen pics but can't remember where of a Samsung Q1 on a baron showing the PFD (AH with compass, ALT and ASI tapes) and the ND (HSI) on the bottem half.
Can't be more specific than that, hence why i've turned to pprune for help
i am looking for guidance on some software that will replicate the PFD and ND on a tablet PC. I've seen pics but can't remember where of a Samsung Q1 on a baron showing the PFD (AH with compass, ALT and ASI tapes) and the ND (HSI) on the bottem half.
Can't be more specific than that, hence why i've turned to pprune for help

Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 13,787
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From: EuroGA.org
I know of no tablet, with any operating system, which has a sunlight readable LCD and which costs much below £2k. There may be some coming soon; I think Motion have some new model out.
As regards building an "EFIS" product using a tablet, this has been done, using one of the off the shelf AHRS products, and "a bit of software"
I saw that at various aviation shows. Pop over to Friedrichshafen (EDNY) in April and look in the homebuilts section.
Remember there are various issues with AHRS running alone. Unlike a self erecting mechanical gyro, it cannot tell up or down so if you interrupt power during flight, you lose it "for ever". The commercial AHRS products seem to fix this erection issue by introducing external info which suggests the plane is actually upright and level e.g. IAS constant and heading constant and altitude constant (fine so long as you are not flying upside down
), or using GPS data (GS constant, track constant, altitude constant). I believe Aspen use the former method (and your pitot/static system must be working) and Garmin use the latter method.
As regards building an "EFIS" product using a tablet, this has been done, using one of the off the shelf AHRS products, and "a bit of software"
I saw that at various aviation shows. Pop over to Friedrichshafen (EDNY) in April and look in the homebuilts section.Remember there are various issues with AHRS running alone. Unlike a self erecting mechanical gyro, it cannot tell up or down so if you interrupt power during flight, you lose it "for ever". The commercial AHRS products seem to fix this erection issue by introducing external info which suggests the plane is actually upright and level e.g. IAS constant and heading constant and altitude constant (fine so long as you are not flying upside down
), or using GPS data (GS constant, track constant, altitude constant). I believe Aspen use the former method (and your pitot/static system must be working) and Garmin use the latter method.
Thread Starter

Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 487
Likes: 1
From: over there
IO540, i've currently got a Fujitsu ST4121 which does have a sunlight readable LCD. its not as crisp in doors as a standard LCD but is a great all rounder. I've since upgraded to a Samsung Q1 which is excellent and i've not had any issues in direct sunlight with it.
I've started using APIC Pro from Approach Systems. does everything I want it to, so thanks to all.
I've started using APIC Pro from Approach Systems. does everything I want it to, so thanks to all.




