Tablet use in cockpit

[AdamFrisch]

I love my iPad mini running Foreflight here in the US so much I'm even going to install 2 flush panel mounts when I do the panel. They're bloody brilliant. If I were legal to do so, I'd chuck the Garmin GPS right out the door and just have those, but alas, I can't since it's WAAS. The cool thing about having two iPads mounted is that you have:

Redundancy
You can run one IFR and one VFR to keep situational awareness.
You can put approach plates on one and keep the enroute chart on the other.
You can watch movies on long IR flights (hook the audio up to the audio panel)
You can run separate software, or a dedicated AHARS unit with artificial horizon or even synthetic vision.

Airgizmo has a nice panel mount unit for the iPad:

iPad mini Panel Dock™

[Silvaire1]

Despite the good screen on the iPAD it's still not bright enough in full sunshine. Another hazard - at least here in Oz - is that iPADs shut down when too hot. This has happened to me a couple of times and, while it's inconvenient, caused no great drama.

I use an articulating mount and have found that if I angle the screen to reduce glare prior to takeoff, it works with my iPad Mini until the sun elevation changes significantly with time. It was also lucky that the best place for the mount directly exposes the unit to an air vent, and for me that has prevented any shut downs.

You can run one IFR and one VFR to keep situational awareness.

Last weekend I was flying with a friend as safety pilot while he flew approaches in his G1000 equipped aircraft. On the sixth approach into the third airport he inadvertently busted Class B airspace (we were VFR for the practice approaches and not cleared into the Bravo at that point). The device that brought this to our attention first was my iPhone running the Terminal Area VFR chart on Foreflight The good news was that no phone number was furnished upon landing.

[Helicopterdriverguy]

I use an iPad Mini not Retina with RunwayHD and preflight with SkyDemon, as there really is nothing better. When i fly Europe abroad, i use Skydeamon, all with the relevant Paper VFR charts of course.

For home aircraft mounting, i use a RAM mount on my butterfly yoke, it works very well!

[piperboy84]

Ipad mini with the RAM mount up on the frame crossmember like where the visor is in my car, works great,easy to view and not in the way and leaves the kneepad free for writing etc.

[It flies]

I'm running Easy VFR on a Galaxy Tab PRO 8.4. I use it strapped to my leg with a MyClip Mini strap. This combination works quite well and the screen is still visible outside even in sunny weather. I returned an LG Gpad 8.3 because as soon as I got outside I couldn't see anything on the screen.

A newer version called the Galaxy Tab S with an oled screen might be even better but I haven't seen it yet.

Tab Pro 8.4:
Samsung GALAXY TabPRO (8.4) | SAMSUNG

Leg strap:
http://www.myclipforipad.com/product...M01=1396780977

[jayteeto]

As an old fart, I read this thread in awe of you young thrusters. I have used a map and stopwatch for 25 years. Often, I don't even bother switching the aircraft gps on.
Serious question, what do you use these iPods for?? I can understand approach plates, but what is actually available to use on these machines of the devil?
I own an iPad by the way.

[Helicopterdriverguy]

Hi Jayteeto,

I applaud you for sticking to the old ways, personally, i take a flight out every so often with the gps switched off to go back to old DR ways to keep current with both but normally, i prefer marking out an updated CAA chart and keeping that between the seats or if no pax, on the RH seat if needed.

Anyway, 2 big players exist in the iPad navigation field at this time, Airbox RunwayHD and Skydeamon. It is ultimately a matter of preference what you prefer to use as Skydeamon is vector charting, that is computer generated charts that are actually very, very good and the other, scanned CAA charting with aircraft overlay.

Heliguy

[A and C]

Twenty years back when I started using light aircraft for long trips in Europe I has five Jepp books, countless maps, and all sorts of navigation equipment all the flight planning had to be done manually and flight plans got faxed.

The whole plot took ten Kg off the payload of the aircraft.

Now I have two iPads, the mini for use in flight and the standard iPad because my fingers are too big for the mini most of the time, all the flight planing can be done over the Internet, the flight log is on the iPads, two iPads provide redundancy and carry world wide Jepp coverage and all with a weight reduction of in the order of 400%.

Anyone who is not using tablet technology in the cockpit is as the Brits say........Dagenham !

[Big Pistons Forever]

Originally Posted by fatmanmedia

the wife likes my 10 inch, she thinks the 5 is too small and the 7 inch feels weird in the hand.

Fats

Nice thread drift

If you want to talk about fuel dipsticks you should start another thread.

I love my i-pad. I have foreflight (the big player in North America) and it is brilliant. One compact little square with every VFR and IFR map for all of Canada and the US. My monster flight bag that I used to used to lug all the paper around is gathering dust in my closet.

[PPLvirgin]

Jayteeo,

Ipads or your modern choice makes life a lot easier. Planning is muc easier and Navigation is much eaiser and takes up less time giving you more time to be looking out, for contact and simply enjoying why we all like being up there, a birds eye view of breathtaking scenery.

The nav bit tells you precisely where you are and how high and fast with no second guessing, it also shows you clearly what is coming up. It dramatically reduces you looking in cockpit time and reduces your mental energy used etc..

I only passed my PPL in March 2014 and intend to keep current on traditional but there simply is no denying that IPAD's are brilliant Nav aids and allow you to enjoy the flight - having said that, there is no greater satisfaction than arriving on your destination using map & stopwatch.

regards

Tris

[glendalegoon]

what do you do if the lithium ion battery explodes or catches fire?


the FAA has just checked out the concept and its not pretty.

And what do you use to shade the cockpit?

[fatmanmedia]

when I fly I go with 2 fully charged ipad air both have all the software, maps and info that I need to complete my flight..

with that I bought a garmin glo and a kneeboard.

I really don’t see the need to carry paper charts, i know i might be one of the few who do that, i really do feel that with chat i can carry with the ipads there is no need for paper any more.

Fats

[PPLvirgin]

hopefully have time to chuck the Ipad out lol. Havn't heard of an accident yet?

surely something would have been done by now if they were not safe?

what are electronics powered by in all aircraft?

[Pace]

I use the I pad mini. It is fairly small and can slot into any reasonably small bag.
Its larger brother the I pad was rejected by EasyJet after extensive testing because of its overheating and failure problems.
The Mini I pad does not have those issues

Pace

[Cows getting bigger]

Something worth considering.

Air Accidents Investigation: Socata TB10 Tobago, G-CFME

[A and C]

In the air the iPad should be used as a data storage and display device NOT as the primary source of position information.

[Pace]

A C

I totally agree its main purpose should be for chart and data storage but even there a trip kit should be printed off in paper form

[Capt Kremmen]

As one of those currently on the back of the electronic drag curve, I do appreciate the comments and explanations of those with experience.

I use a Garmin 296 which is very good but, with a small screen the moving map doesn't give the bigger picture. So, a change is in the offing !

[Zulu Alpha]

I use a non reflecting screen protector on my Nexus 7.

A couple of £s on eBay.

It improves visibility in sunlight.

[cattardbezzina]

I use the Nexus 7 with AirNav Pro, coupled with the Dual XGPS150A GPS bluetooth reciever... works like a charm

FYI the nexus 7 is also the same size as a typical kneeboard