Best App for GA Pilots
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Best App for GA Pilots
Hi guys, could you suggest me some good pilot apps I could use for the iPad? I will be flying single engine Cessnas during summer (hour building), and I would like to use the iPad as a knee-board.
Whats the app that gets you all the instruments (like ADF etc)? As you can probably tell I've never used an iPad before.
Apologies if this is the wrong section.
Thanks
Whats the app that gets you all the instruments (like ADF etc)? As you can probably tell I've never used an iPad before.
Apologies if this is the wrong section.
Thanks
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Hi bearcat,
I have air nav pro which is cheaper sat nav which works perfectly. Also gives you vor adf etc etc but to be honest i have not tried it. Update now gives notams on it too although not tried it im guessing you will need an internet connection up there ie 3g version ipad
I have the ipad kneeboard which has a half screen size "note pad" bit so you can make notes of squawks etc it just folds over the bottom half of screen on a sort of hinge.
I also have pilot wizz pro which give notams can do w & b and all calculations (have that on phone and ipad 2.
Hope this all helps.
Lots of people recommend sky demon but for me to keep costs down im happy using air nav pro
I have air nav pro which is cheaper sat nav which works perfectly. Also gives you vor adf etc etc but to be honest i have not tried it. Update now gives notams on it too although not tried it im guessing you will need an internet connection up there ie 3g version ipad
I have the ipad kneeboard which has a half screen size "note pad" bit so you can make notes of squawks etc it just folds over the bottom half of screen on a sort of hinge.
I also have pilot wizz pro which give notams can do w & b and all calculations (have that on phone and ipad 2.
Hope this all helps.
Lots of people recommend sky demon but for me to keep costs down im happy using air nav pro
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Hi bearcat,
I have air nav pro which is cheaper sat nav which works perfectly. Also gives you vor adf etc etc but to be honest i have not tried it. Update now gives notams on it too although not tried it im guessing you will need an internet connection up there ie 3g version ipad
I have the ipad kneeboard which has a half screen size "note pad" bit so you can make notes of squawks etc it just folds over the bottom half of screen on a sort of hinge.
I also have pilot wizz pro which give notams can do w & b and all calculations (have that on phone and ipad 2.
Hope this all helps.
Lots of people recommend sky demon but for me to keep costs down im happy using air nav pro
I have air nav pro which is cheaper sat nav which works perfectly. Also gives you vor adf etc etc but to be honest i have not tried it. Update now gives notams on it too although not tried it im guessing you will need an internet connection up there ie 3g version ipad
I have the ipad kneeboard which has a half screen size "note pad" bit so you can make notes of squawks etc it just folds over the bottom half of screen on a sort of hinge.
I also have pilot wizz pro which give notams can do w & b and all calculations (have that on phone and ipad 2.
Hope this all helps.
Lots of people recommend sky demon but for me to keep costs down im happy using air nav pro
Bearcat
Why not try and build your flying skills by operating the aircraft rather than messing about with Apps?
Go get a map and stopwatch and start looking out the window!
Why not try and build your flying skills by operating the aircraft rather than messing about with Apps?
Go get a map and stopwatch and start looking out the window!
And even if I am not using instruments, the iPad can provide me with NOTAMs/ weather/ logbook/ sectional charts/ checklists/ airport diagrams etc etc. Which as far as I can figure out does not discourage anyone from using a stopwatch and a map to navigate.
Last edited by Bearcat F8F; 10th Jun 2012 at 09:23.
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Try Pilot Wizz Pro and flightplan and also flight instruments.
Be sure not to substitute these for the old school navigation which will further your flying career if indeed thats the reason for your hour building.
Remember the whizz wheel reigns supreme in these parts of the world.
Electronic flight computers make flying so much easier but unfortunately
our syllabus hasnt caught up yet with modern technology.
Be sure not to substitute these for the old school navigation which will further your flying career if indeed thats the reason for your hour building.
Remember the whizz wheel reigns supreme in these parts of the world.
Electronic flight computers make flying so much easier but unfortunately
our syllabus hasnt caught up yet with modern technology.
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Bearcat
How did we manage before the IPad?
Is it any wonder that basic flying ability and skills of many new pilots are such a worry to us old hands?
What you going to do with the IPad on a dark and dirty night, limiting x-wind, non-precision approach onto a poorly lit r/w?
How did we manage before the IPad?
Is it any wonder that basic flying ability and skills of many new pilots are such a worry to us old hands?
What you going to do with the IPad on a dark and dirty night, limiting x-wind, non-precision approach onto a poorly lit r/w?
However, if used appropriately, the iPad is a very useful tool for any pilot. It can make things more convinient and actually help you to concentrate on the important things - like navigating by stop watch and a map. It does this in a few ways - for example, improving ergonomics. The less time you spend taking out/ putting away checklists/ flipping pages over/ taking notes etc etc, the more time you have to concentrate on the actual flying. Equally, it's easy to use a sectional chart on an iPad - no need to spend lots of time folding/ unfolding charts - I guess this is an aspect you might not have thought of?
Another thing about it is - to use hour building time wisely, it would be silly to JUST concentrate on VFR nav. You could easily work in some instrument tuition in there. And The C152 I will be flying doesn't have an ADF for example - this is where the iPad comes into its own - lets you get instrument experience from a plane that wouldn't otherwise allow it.
Have you ever tried using an iPad? I have never met any pilots who try to discourage the use of an iPad altogether in a cockpit.
Going by your own mentaility - "how did we do it in the old days" - you could equally say that - well, the Wright Brothers flew without an Altimeter or an Airspeed Indicator, so why should we. In 50 years from now, they will have even better technology and we can look back and say - well, how did we do it back then with an iPad...
Try Pilot Wizz Pro and flightplan and also flight instruments.
Be sure not to substitute these for the old school navigation which will further your flying career if indeed thats the reason for your hour building.
Remember the whizz wheel reigns supreme in these parts of the world.
Electronic flight computers make flying so much easier but unfortunately
our syllabus hasnt caught up yet with modern technology.
Be sure not to substitute these for the old school navigation which will further your flying career if indeed thats the reason for your hour building.
Remember the whizz wheel reigns supreme in these parts of the world.
Electronic flight computers make flying so much easier but unfortunately
our syllabus hasnt caught up yet with modern technology.
Last edited by Bearcat F8F; 10th Jun 2012 at 10:32.
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Tell me F8F, will you be allowed to use the Ipad during a checkride?
And exactly how will you use instrument procedures without an instructor , safety pilot etc? you don't plan to wear a hood alone in the plane and file an IFR flight plan without an instrument rating , do you?
The idea of VFR flight is to learn a trick or two about looking out the window. And yes, you might even get lost and have to figure out where you are.
Do you have a checklist for IPAD FAILURE?
What will you do, 15 years from now when you are captain on a hypersonic electric plane and everything quits except the engines? Mamouth ION storm knocks everything out, but you can look out the window?
Will you know how to navigate by pilotage? Dead Reckoning? Much of airline flying, or any flying, is visual.
Now, getting you rNOTAMS on the IPAD might be a good idea. But exercise your mind. Not your fingertips. And PAPER sectional charts don't need batteries, and you can put them in the windows, on the ground while parked, to keep the cockpit cool from sunshine.
Remember, you cannot file IFR unless you are instrument rated, (instructor aside).
And exactly how will you use instrument procedures without an instructor , safety pilot etc? you don't plan to wear a hood alone in the plane and file an IFR flight plan without an instrument rating , do you?
The idea of VFR flight is to learn a trick or two about looking out the window. And yes, you might even get lost and have to figure out where you are.
Do you have a checklist for IPAD FAILURE?
What will you do, 15 years from now when you are captain on a hypersonic electric plane and everything quits except the engines? Mamouth ION storm knocks everything out, but you can look out the window?
Will you know how to navigate by pilotage? Dead Reckoning? Much of airline flying, or any flying, is visual.
Now, getting you rNOTAMS on the IPAD might be a good idea. But exercise your mind. Not your fingertips. And PAPER sectional charts don't need batteries, and you can put them in the windows, on the ground while parked, to keep the cockpit cool from sunshine.
Remember, you cannot file IFR unless you are instrument rated, (instructor aside).
Of course one should take advantagevof technology and other fellow pilots living in last century trying to impose their philosophy is pathetic but not uncommon. The iPad is a great tool and later on in your career ou will enjoy the iPad jepps as backups while Mr better knowing is sitting on his boat dreaming of better times were bav was done with sixtant. Good luck bru.
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Ignore the dinosaurs Bearcat, they probably insist on a man walking in front of their cars with a red flag, you know, to improve road safety and all that.
I won't need to tell you that basic flying skills are important; I also won't need to tell you that if and when you go on a sim check for whatever airline, they won't give you a stop watch and a chart and tell you to crack on. In fact, you might not even get a sim check if you haven't got experience on modern tech such as glass cockpits etc.
You've probably realised that you can gain some really useful knowledge and tips on this website, but sadly, it's also full of people who will insist that unless you do it their way, you're obviously an amateurish idiot. Often, 'their way' will be how it was done in in the 1950's.
I won't need to tell you that basic flying skills are important; I also won't need to tell you that if and when you go on a sim check for whatever airline, they won't give you a stop watch and a chart and tell you to crack on. In fact, you might not even get a sim check if you haven't got experience on modern tech such as glass cockpits etc.
You've probably realised that you can gain some really useful knowledge and tips on this website, but sadly, it's also full of people who will insist that unless you do it their way, you're obviously an amateurish idiot. Often, 'their way' will be how it was done in in the 1950's.
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Tell me F8F, will you be allowed to use the Ipad during a checkride?
And exactly how will you use instrument procedures without an instructor , safety pilot etc? you don't plan to wear a hood alone in the plane and file an IFR flight plan without an instrument rating , do you?
The idea of VFR flight is to learn a trick or two about looking out the window. And yes, you might even get lost and have to figure out where you are.
Do you have a checklist for IPAD FAILURE?
What will you do, 15 years from now when you are captain on a hypersonic electric plane and everything quits except the engines? Mamouth ION storm knocks everything out, but you can look out the window?
Will you know how to navigate by pilotage? Dead Reckoning? Much of airline flying, or any flying, is visual.
Now, getting you rNOTAMS on the IPAD might be a good idea. But exercise your mind. Not your fingertips. And PAPER sectional charts don't need batteries, and you can put them in the windows, on the ground while parked, to keep the cockpit cool from sunshine.
Remember, you cannot file IFR unless you are instrument rated, (instructor aside).
And exactly how will you use instrument procedures without an instructor , safety pilot etc? you don't plan to wear a hood alone in the plane and file an IFR flight plan without an instrument rating , do you?
The idea of VFR flight is to learn a trick or two about looking out the window. And yes, you might even get lost and have to figure out where you are.
Do you have a checklist for IPAD FAILURE?
What will you do, 15 years from now when you are captain on a hypersonic electric plane and everything quits except the engines? Mamouth ION storm knocks everything out, but you can look out the window?
Will you know how to navigate by pilotage? Dead Reckoning? Much of airline flying, or any flying, is visual.
Now, getting you rNOTAMS on the IPAD might be a good idea. But exercise your mind. Not your fingertips. And PAPER sectional charts don't need batteries, and you can put them in the windows, on the ground while parked, to keep the cockpit cool from sunshine.
Remember, you cannot file IFR unless you are instrument rated, (instructor aside).
And no where does it say that I CAN'T use an ADF or VORs or whatever to navigate whilst flying VFR. And no, I will not be flying with a hood - to learn how to use instruments, you don't need to fly with a hood. And nor do you need to be in IFR and nor do you need to file a flight plan.
I didn't title this topic - "Is using an iPad a good idea?". This is a completely unrelated issue.
Of course one should take advantagevof technology and other fellow pilots living in last century trying to impose their philosophy is pathetic but not uncommon. The iPad is a great tool and later on in your career ou will enjoy the iPad jepps as backups while Mr better knowing is sitting on his boat dreaming of better times were bav was done with sixtant. Good luck bru.
Ignore the dinosaurs Bearcat, they probably insist on a man walking in front of their cars with a red flag, you know, to improve road safety and all that.
I won't need to tell you that basic flying skills are important; I also won't need to tell you that if and when you go on a sim check for whatever airline, they won't give you a stop watch and a chart and tell you to crack on. In fact, you might not even get a sim check if you haven't got experience on modern tech such as glass cockpits etc.
You've probably realised that you can gain some really useful knowledge and tips on this website, but sadly, it's also full of people who will insist that unless you do it their way, you're obviously an amateurish idiot. Often, 'their way' will be how it was done in in the 1950's.
I won't need to tell you that basic flying skills are important; I also won't need to tell you that if and when you go on a sim check for whatever airline, they won't give you a stop watch and a chart and tell you to crack on. In fact, you might not even get a sim check if you haven't got experience on modern tech such as glass cockpits etc.
You've probably realised that you can gain some really useful knowledge and tips on this website, but sadly, it's also full of people who will insist that unless you do it their way, you're obviously an amateurish idiot. Often, 'their way' will be how it was done in in the 1950's.
Last edited by Bearcat F8F; 10th Jun 2012 at 18:07.
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Shocked that some of the oldies feel the need to jibe you. I have flown with some shockingly out of touch captains. Anyone that feels the need to react like that is often in my experience, not as ace as they think they are.
Skydemon is a must purchase. Trust me, look it up and never look back! You can print off all the enroute stuff for your plan as back up for the iPad. I have Jepperson Vfr charts too to go with it. You need nothing else.
Uberwang
Skydemon is a must purchase. Trust me, look it up and never look back! You can print off all the enroute stuff for your plan as back up for the iPad. I have Jepperson Vfr charts too to go with it. You need nothing else.
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Shocked that some of the oldies feel the need to jibe you. I have flown with some shockingly out of touch captains. Anyone that feels the need to react like that is often in my experience, not as ace as they think they are.
Skydemon is a must purchase. Trust me, look it up and never look back! You can print off all the enroute stuff for your plan as back up for the iPad. I have Jepperson Vfr charts too to go with it. You need nothing else.
Uberwang
Skydemon is a must purchase. Trust me, look it up and never look back! You can print off all the enroute stuff for your plan as back up for the iPad. I have Jepperson Vfr charts too to go with it. You need nothing else.
Uberwang
Bearcat - Im in the same situation as you, thinking of buying an iPad or iPhone. For me the only real advantage of the iPad is SkyDemon, which is amazing for flight planning / weather / notams. I'll still use a Garmin for main GPS however.
For flight plan filiing tools, RocketRoute is good which can run on iPad or iPhone.
BTW - you probably should have posted this on the Private Flying forums. You might have avoided some of the Luddites.
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yeah, us old guys are out of touch...sure.
why not buy all the avition apps? you can probably deduct it from your income tax in pursuit of your commerical instrument ticket.
of course when you go for a sim check, an old guy will be checking YOU and YOUR skills and knowledge out.
why not buy all the avition apps? you can probably deduct it from your income tax in pursuit of your commerical instrument ticket.
of course when you go for a sim check, an old guy will be checking YOU and YOUR skills and knowledge out.
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Everyone thats keeping on topic, thanks very much for your suggestions, really appreciated and will check all of them out. Keep them coming if you have any more useful stuff.
Once again, I really don't know how to put it to you die-hard Wright Brother guys, but new technology doesn't necessarily turn anyone into a "stupid" pilot.
And explain this to me, what kind of chart and stop watch will I be using in a sim check? Most likely I will be dealing with MFDs - pretty much iPads with longer battery life - do you not agree? Doesn't really matter if it's an old guy or a young guy that sits next to you - MFDs won't suddenly turn into steam gauges and charts!
Overly-dependance on smart technology is incorrect - I agree. But finding a combination of having core skills combined with use of smart technology makes things a heck of a lot safer and better. Thats why all the modern stuff leaving the factory comes with glass cockpits
yeah, us old guys are out of touch...sure.
why not buy all the avition apps? you can probably deduct it from your income tax in pursuit of your commerical instrument ticket.
of course when you go for a sim check, an old guy will be checking YOU and YOUR skills and knowledge out.
why not buy all the avition apps? you can probably deduct it from your income tax in pursuit of your commerical instrument ticket.
of course when you go for a sim check, an old guy will be checking YOU and YOUR skills and knowledge out.
And explain this to me, what kind of chart and stop watch will I be using in a sim check? Most likely I will be dealing with MFDs - pretty much iPads with longer battery life - do you not agree? Doesn't really matter if it's an old guy or a young guy that sits next to you - MFDs won't suddenly turn into steam gauges and charts!
Overly-dependance on smart technology is incorrect - I agree. But finding a combination of having core skills combined with use of smart technology makes things a heck of a lot safer and better. Thats why all the modern stuff leaving the factory comes with glass cockpits
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sure, know how to use a multi functional display...energy circles, anything you like.
but, if I had 80 hours in a C152, besides shooting myself in the head for pain relief, I would do the following.
I would fly, VFR across the country and back...from the west coast to the east coast...all that cross country time will come in handy leading to both commercial and atp.
I would look out the window and see how things look...the patterns of the midwest, the mountains of the west the gross congestion of the east...stuff like that will help you when things aren't so electronic.
no, I don't think someone will hand you stop watch in the sim check...but you can play with an ''app'' in your house...but learning from doing is something that the plane will afford.
you aren't instrument rated...you might even harm yourself by ''teaching yourself'' the wrong things.
but, if I had 80 hours in a C152, besides shooting myself in the head for pain relief, I would do the following.
I would fly, VFR across the country and back...from the west coast to the east coast...all that cross country time will come in handy leading to both commercial and atp.
I would look out the window and see how things look...the patterns of the midwest, the mountains of the west the gross congestion of the east...stuff like that will help you when things aren't so electronic.
no, I don't think someone will hand you stop watch in the sim check...but you can play with an ''app'' in your house...but learning from doing is something that the plane will afford.
you aren't instrument rated...you might even harm yourself by ''teaching yourself'' the wrong things.
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I agree with the above. I am a "young guy" and i'm into technology, iPads etc. Apps are great but Sevenstrokeroll is correct. You are hour building VFR, then fly VFR. It is some of the most enjoyable flying you will do. Know how to use a VOR sure but don't obsess on it. If your PFD and MFD fail you are back to the "Wright brothers" type flying so being very competent with the low tech is vital. I also agree that trying to teach yourself to fly instruments is not a good idea!
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sevenstrokeroll,
Who's to say that he won't do that? The poor lad has simply asked for some advice on the best way to utilise a modern piece of technology and all the PPRuNe wolves come out of the trees to tell him how stupid he must be.
Newsflash: It doesn't have to be one or the other. If you have half a brain, you can integrate good old fashioned flying skills with useful technology.
If you believe that there is only one way (your way) then I agree, somebody on this thread is stupid, but I'm not sure that it's the original poster.
Who's to say that he won't do that? The poor lad has simply asked for some advice on the best way to utilise a modern piece of technology and all the PPRuNe wolves come out of the trees to tell him how stupid he must be.
Newsflash: It doesn't have to be one or the other. If you have half a brain, you can integrate good old fashioned flying skills with useful technology.
If you believe that there is only one way (your way) then I agree, somebody on this thread is stupid, but I'm not sure that it's the original poster.
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It's not either-or, is it, but both-and.
Most of the time I fly a little taildragger with no flaps, very few instruments, no navaids, one radio (and a mode S transponder because you pretty much have to have one of those now).
I also have an iPad, but can't use it in the taildragger because there's no room for it if there's someone in the other seat, which there usually is.
That said, there are some brilliant Apps for the iPad, which I use for planning and when I fly something larger.
I don't know about US chart coverage, but in Europe SkyDemon has to be the top aviation app - planning, NOTAMs, weather, and in-flight GPS all in one. It also has a vertical profile strip beneath the plan view, which is very useful. It suppresses the airspace that isn't relevant to your present altitude (the charts are proper digitised ones, not electronic photographs).
Apart from that, AeroWeather Pro, iVAC if you need a French airfield guide, GoodReader plus EGXX for UK airfields, PilotWiz for the calculations (fuel, W&B, that stuff), and Compass 54 for those occasions when your primary compass decides to play games.
Beware of the apps that pretend to give you a full IFR panel. I had one but removed it: it was based on the accelerometers and compass in the iPad, not on gyroscopes etc. While it made a fair attempt at simulating an AI etc, it would have killed me quite quickly if I'd relied on it in IMC in rough weather.
Most of the time I fly a little taildragger with no flaps, very few instruments, no navaids, one radio (and a mode S transponder because you pretty much have to have one of those now).
I also have an iPad, but can't use it in the taildragger because there's no room for it if there's someone in the other seat, which there usually is.
That said, there are some brilliant Apps for the iPad, which I use for planning and when I fly something larger.
I don't know about US chart coverage, but in Europe SkyDemon has to be the top aviation app - planning, NOTAMs, weather, and in-flight GPS all in one. It also has a vertical profile strip beneath the plan view, which is very useful. It suppresses the airspace that isn't relevant to your present altitude (the charts are proper digitised ones, not electronic photographs).
Apart from that, AeroWeather Pro, iVAC if you need a French airfield guide, GoodReader plus EGXX for UK airfields, PilotWiz for the calculations (fuel, W&B, that stuff), and Compass 54 for those occasions when your primary compass decides to play games.
Beware of the apps that pretend to give you a full IFR panel. I had one but removed it: it was based on the accelerometers and compass in the iPad, not on gyroscopes etc. While it made a fair attempt at simulating an AI etc, it would have killed me quite quickly if I'd relied on it in IMC in rough weather.
