Sky Demon & iPad. Successes, not grumbles.
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Surrey
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Ipad
If you're going to use an iPad for Skydemon, make sure you buy the cellular model (3G/4G) because the normal wireless models don't have the GPS chip built in so you will have to buy a external GPS unit (bluetooth or plugin direct to the iPad) to be able to use Skydemon. I find this a pain for a few reasons 1) if it's a Bluetooth GPS unit then it's just another thing you need to make sure is charged 2) it's more clutter. 3) If you buy the GPS unit that plugs directly into the bottom of the iPad it gets in the way and can easily be bumped and damage the connector (as mentioned by a previous poster) It's actually also really handy to have the cellular model because you can buy a £5 month data only sim card and pop it in there and you will have instant TAF/METAR and NOTAM updates and you can also access your routes from the cloud without having to be on the wireless. This has proved immensely useful for me. I'm using the Ipad mini 4 and it's the perfect size for the cockpit.
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Radlett
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I use a 2nd hand Samsung Tab 4 with an 8" screen. It is perfectly ok, and only cost £80. It also doesn't need an external GPS receiver, and doesn't have retina display.
Before I used SkyDemon I would plan a flight the night before to save time. On the day I would then only need to add in the wind and calculate. I would then re-read the notams and weather just in case. With SkyDemon I do the whole lot in about 15 minutes on my computer, and then save it to the cloud.
cjm, I completely understand how you feel you're cheating, and so do I. After all planning a flight shouldn't be that quick and easy should it?
I also make a point of retrieving the saved plan to my tablet before I leave home, so that I can also download the aerodrome plates, including any alternates just in case. Of course I could do all of that at the aerodrome using their WiFi, but I just prefer to do it at home just in case the aerodrome WiFi isn't working.
Before I used SkyDemon I would plan a flight the night before to save time. On the day I would then only need to add in the wind and calculate. I would then re-read the notams and weather just in case. With SkyDemon I do the whole lot in about 15 minutes on my computer, and then save it to the cloud.
cjm, I completely understand how you feel you're cheating, and so do I. After all planning a flight shouldn't be that quick and easy should it?
I also make a point of retrieving the saved plan to my tablet before I leave home, so that I can also download the aerodrome plates, including any alternates just in case. Of course I could do all of that at the aerodrome using their WiFi, but I just prefer to do it at home just in case the aerodrome WiFi isn't working.
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: south wales
Age: 46
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cjm, I completely understand how you feel you're cheating, and so do I. After all planning a flight shouldn't be that quick and easy should it?
!The CFI at the club I did most of my training at gave me a mission for my first flight as a qualified pilot just over a fortnight ago - fly to Enstone & back (from Membury) via the Brize CTR, as an opportunity to practice RT.
Skydemon gave me instant situational awareness - I had the half mill chart on board with the track lines drawn, but with a gps moving map I could tell exactly where I was.
Coming back I had to ask for a low level crossing due to cloud & was cleared via a specific route that would have taken me a little while to work out on the paper chart. It reduced the workload to the point where I could feel confident with looking out, flying the aircraft, and the RT, unstressed. I intend to carry on marking routes on the paper chart & maybe deliberately shutting my kneeboard so I have to go old school; but it's so re-assuring to know I can ascertain where I am with little doubt should I need to.
