Ppl navigation apps
 

Hi All,

I'm getting back into ppl flying after a long break. Can anyone recommend any good Navigation Apps for iPad?

Only really need it for airspace avoidance etc.

Are we still required to carry a paper chart or has the world moved on?

Thanks

Airspace Avoid - EasyVFRBasic. Free. CAA sponsored.

SkyDemon. Not for free, but it´s worth it for me. No paper charts needed, but a backup should be available. I usually bring an AirMillion paper chart which covers my whole country. Haven´t used it once though....ipad and iPhone do the job perfectly.

iPads are almost universally used in the US, but overheating and attendant unexpected shutdowns a are a nuisance. There are large, clunky devices with fans on the back available to try and mitigate this. In the UK, many people prefer to use an Android tablet, either 7" or 8", dedicated to the job. Very cheap by comparison, battery life is 400 miles plus, the GPS receiver generally doesn't need another device. My android tablet gets an excellent signal on my knee. Panel mount if you have room. Skydemon is very good now. It's a legal requirement to carry a current chart, but whether or not it has to be paper is a grey area.

A massive iPad on a sucker on the window not only obstructs the view out, but could be a liability in an accident. If you yoke-mount, make sure it doesn't obstruct the view of the instruments. The wires you need to keep it charged will also get in the way in an emergency evacuation.

Just my view, based on experience flying with other people with iPads and my own xcountry flying.

TOO.

Wot others say:

• NATS EasyVFR Basic: free and will keep you out of where you shouldn't be. Works on Android, think it works on ipad
• Skydemon for planning and navigation. Costs, but superb. Android, ipad and PC (so you can plan at home and then load plans on a tablet)

If you have any issue with the ipad, my suggestion would be to get a cheap Android tablet for the plane. Don't need bells and whistles, just a functioning GPS. Doesn't need phone connection, you can load plans (or Easy VFR data) over wifi before you start. Plenty for £100-150 UK prices.

I also run Skydemon on my Android phone for short trips and as a backup.

Thanks chaps. My old iPad 3 is ready for an upgrade and I don't really want to buy two pads but I'll mull it over.

I've downloaded the free easyVFR and I'll have a play with that for a while with a view to upgrading to sky demon if I decide to do a lot of navigation.

Just need to get all the other stuff I ebayed years ago starting with a new headset, kneeboard, checklist, etc etc.

I run Sky Demon on a subscription but I understand that Sky Demon Light is free although only for UK use.

I don't know if there are any differences for UK use between the free and subscription versions,

I still use Memory Map from Ordnance Survey, with CAA charts. Works fine on my iPad.

Pax holds it, or it sits on the seat when I'm solo.

It's a legal requirement to have, and have obtained, all the information required for flight. This means a current map of some sort, but also the NOTAMs, weather and such.

EASA Part-NCO makes it clear that electronic solutions are allowed, as long as "availability is guaranteed". So flying around with just one iPad would not be legal, but if you also have SkyDemon on your phone or on another tablet, you would be covered.

(A single SkyDemon subscription is good for three devices, I think.)

Reference: Guidance Material to Part-NCO: GM1 to Part-NCO.GEN.135
https://www.easa.europa.eu/sites/def...May%202017.pdf
Page 13

It's a no-brainer for me to have a current chart stuffed in the seat-back. It's £15.99 for a 1/2 mil or as another poster said an Air Million for the same price covers the whole country. I don't think it gets unfolded between editions expiring but you know you're covered for sure.
TOO

If it doesn't get unfolded between editions then after about 28 days it's no longer current and technically does not fulfil the requirements of the law anymore. I don't think anyone has ever been busted for that, but according to the strict letter of the law you should amend the chart every AIRAC cycle. Jeppesen had a web page with the amendments to the old Jeppesen VFR charts, and other paper chart providers should have a similar process. (But I admit I've never tried to find it for the CAA, DFS or LVNL charts.)

The tedious paper chart update process has been an argument towards EASA to allow and actually encourage the use of electronic charting solutions - updating an electronic database is a process that just takes a few seconds and is normally done automatically.

But I admit I spend the 15 quid each year as well. The most important reason is that the chart, when unfolded, give me a much better overview of the whole route that I'm planning than SD can ever give me. After all, SD is limited by the size of my iPad screen. But once the route is planned and entered into SD, the only remaining aviation-related use of the chart is as a fly swatter.

SD light does planning but doesn't work live for navigation.

There are quite some aviation moving map apps for iPad now:
- Skydemon
- Garmin Pilot
- Jeppesen MFDVFR
may be the most popular.

The requirement for paper charts is a tricky question. I advice to get really familiar with the new european regulations and EASA rules, as they are different to what you may have once learned. For charts read Part.NCO: NCO.GEN.135(a)(10) Documents, manuals and information to be carried, CURRENT AND SUITABLE AERONAUTICAL CHARTS, (c) The aeronautical data should be appropriate for the current aeronautical information regulation and control (AIRAC) cycle. If taken seriously, this would even rule out paper charts. I do use the electronic charts on the iPad and AirMillions paper charts as backup.

This one is free, joining is free. Gives UK and some Continent Notams, no go areas plus a Nav function used at home in my case for several years as user friendly.

NOTAM Info | Up to date NOTAMS plotted on a map, or delivered via RSS feeds and Email

In the air the well loved AWARE programme for your own pad is perfect, alarm signal when closing on forbidden air space, proper CAA Charts, where you are etc. If you want all the Nav bells etc. you can link p.c. in planning to the airborne pad to show route and so on.
France and other charts are also covered for the cost of the electronic chart from AIRBOX.

I've used mine since inception and it's compatible with the paper chart you also carry (?).

mike hallam.

Air Navigation Pro
 

Hi, I believe you are looking for Apps that work in the UK. Air Navigation Pro Maps for the UK is at 77£ a year! If needed for France their are 2 free apps that are good: Mach7 and SD VFR.
Others exist like SkyDemon, Foreflights...