When is an iPad obsolete for flying?
iPad Pilot News

The iPad is decidedly middle-aged now, at least for consumer technology, which means there is a busy used market for older tablets. An original iPad, which came out in 2010, can be purchased on eBay for under $50—a great deal, right? Or maybe you can use that old iPad mini 1 that’s been sitting in the kitchen drawer for a few years, as a cheap way to have a dedicated aviation tablet?

An iPad is an iPad, right? Wrong.

Not so fast. Most aviation apps have specific requirements that eliminate some older tablets from consideration, so before you buy that used iPad, read on.

When answering the question, “how old is too old for an iPad in the airplane?” you have to consider two related issues: hardware and software. Start with hardware. Older iPads have much less powerful processors and far less memory than the latest generation—the latest iPad mini (hardly Apple’s most powerful tablet) is roughly 12 times faster than the iPad mini 2, for example. The new iPad Pro models are even more powerful. These are massive differences.

That leads to the software issue. Every year, Apple releases a new version of its operating system, the base level of software (now called iPadOS). As this gets ever more capable and resource-intensive, older models of iPads simply can’t keep up, so Apple cuts off support at some point. If you have an iPad mini 3 or an original iPad Air, for example, it will continue to work but you are not able to update iPadOS beyond version 12. That’s a problem, since most apps have minimum iPadOS levels in order to run the latest version and get the newest features.

So here’s the domino effect: older iPad doesn’t have enough computing power -> can’t update to the latest iPadOS -> can’t update to the latest version of aviation apps.

The result is your older tablet will be frozen in amber, able to run older version of apps, but unable to update. And eventually developers may cut off support for those older app versions. Your older iPad isn’t instantly junk, but the clock is ticking.

Here’s the current state of the market:

• The latest version of ForeFlight (14.4) requires iPadOS 14 or later.
• The latest version of Garmin Pilot (10.7) requires iPadOS 14.2 or later.
• The latest version of FltPlan Go (5.0) requires iPadOS 11 or later.
• The latest version of WingX (9.2) requires iPadOS 12 or later

More advanced features like synthetic vision require more computing power—there’s no free lunch.

As you can see, the minimum varies by app, so consider which one you use when making an iPad decision. Theoretically, a FltPlan Go pilot could get away with a much older iPadOS version than a Garmin Pilot user (although there are definitely tradeoffs to this strategy!).

Now it’s a matter of matching your hardware to the software minimums. Which iPads can run which versions of iPadOS? It varies:

• iPadOS 15 or later: all iPad Pro models, iPad Air 2-5, iPad 5-9, iPad mini 4-6.
• Maximum of iOS 12: iPad Air 1, iPad mini 2-3
• Maximum of iOS 10: iPad 4
• Maximum of iOS 9: iPad 2-3, iPad mini 1
• Maximum of iOS 5: iPad 1 (the original one)

Given all that information, when is it time to upgrade your iPad? We think any model that can run the latest version of iPadOS (top bullet point above) is a valid option for pilots. That’s everything that has been released in the last seven years, so that includes a lot of older tablets. For example, if you find a great deal on an iPad Pro 10.5″ (which was released in 2017), that’s a reasonable choice for flying—it may not last forever, but it probably has some life left. If you’re still hanging onto an iPad mini 3 or an iPad Air 1, it’s definitely time to make the upgrade.

Remember that we’re talking about the bare minimums here. For best performance, especially when it comes to features like synthetic vision and animated weather images, you’ll want a newer device with better performance. The iPad mini 6, iPad Air 5, and iPad Pro 11″ are our top picks. Read this article for more information on choosing the right model.

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Portable ADS-B and SiriusXM receiver buyer’s guide
iPad Pilot News

Today’s portable weather accessories for iPad have evolved from basic ADS-B receivers to sophisticated, multi-sensor devices capable of providing in-flight information that rivals many panel-mount avionics systems. For the price of a few flight lessons, you can have in-flight weather (ADS-B or SiriusXM), GPS, traffic, flight data recorder and a backup attitude/heading display, all on your iPad. There are a lot of options out there, so we assembled this buyer’s guide to help you sort out the details, with updated information covering ForeFlight’s new Sentry Plus. Click on the image for a larger version.

Shop all weather receivers here

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New charging cables includes status screen
iPad Pilot News

Charging cables used to be simple: buy one with a Lightning connector and plug it into your iPad. But since the early days of tablets, things have become much more complicated. Now there are multiple options for the plug on both sides of the cable: USB-A or USB-C? And that’s just the connectors. Different iPad and iPhone models can accept different amounts of charing power: how many watts can the cable support?

The built-in screen is an easy way to make sure your device is getting enough power.

We’ve recently been flying with some new cables that finally solve this problem, and add some helpful features as well. Here are four things we really like.

1. Built-in screen. This might seem like a luxury, but having used cables with a screen right at the plug now we can’t imaging using one without this feature. It’s a great way to confirm the plug is working and that your device is getting enough juice. For example, our iPhone often shows 7 watts, while our iPad Pro typically shows 15 watts. If you looked down and saw 1 watt on an iPad, you might check your charging plug to make sure you’re using a high amp plug. The screen is also helpful for knowing when to unplug: once the number drops to zero, you know your device is topped off.

2. High power charging. As the screens suggest, these cables can handle some serious power if you’re connected to a high amp charging plug. This is what you need to charge your devices quickly, and it’s one area where cheap cables often fall short.

For new iPhones and iPads, these cables can take advantage of fast charging technology to quickly boost up your battery. The USB-C to USB-C cable, which can handle 100 watts, is even powerful enough to charge up a MacBook Pro. Here are the full specs:

• USB-A to Lightning – 12 watts
• USB-A to USB-C – 66 watts
• USB-C to Lightning – 20 watts + Power Delivery (PD)
• USB-C to USB-C – 100 watts + PD

The braided cables stand up to abuse.

3. Braided cables. This is almost a given these days, but a braided cable will simply last longer. If you’re like us, you’re constantly rolling up a cable and shoving it in your flight bag. That can cause cheap cables to crack and fail, but these Smart Charging Cables have strain relief around the plugs and a rugged sleeve around the cables themselves. They have help up quite well after a month of testing.

4. Multiple plug options. Our current in-flight setup includes an iPad Pro (USB-C cable), an iPhone 13 Pro (Lightning cable), and a Sentry Plus (USB-C cable). That means we need a variety of plug types to keep everything charged. The Smart Charging Cables are offered in all the different varieties to fit our gear. This includes: USB-A to Lightning, USB-C to Lightning, USB-C to USB-C, and USB-A to USB-C.

The Smart Charging Cables are available in the four versions listed above; each one is $19.95.

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ForeFlight launches next generation Sentry ADS-B receiver
iPad Pilot News

Since the first one was introduced a decade ago, portable ADS-B receivers have become essential tools for any pilot who flies beyond the traffic pattern. These compact wireless devices deliver an incredible amount of information to electronic flight bag apps, including subscription-free in-flight weather, traffic alerts, backup attitude, and GPS position. The result is smarter decisions, safer flights, and happier passengers.

Over time, ADS-B receivers have grown to be much more than just weather receivers, integrating a variety of safety features into a single device. ForeFlight has carved out a dominant position in the market with Sentry, a small ADS-B receiver that also offers carbon monoxide monitoring and alerting. Pilots have given it high marks for its excellent battery life and long feature list.

Now there’s a new top dog in the portable weather receiver market, with the introduction of Sentry Plus. While slightly larger than the original Sentry, it’s still a compact and lightweight device that easily mounts on a side window via a suction cup. In addition to popular features like datalink weather and traffic, Sentry Plus includes some thoughtful upgrades and performance enhancements. Here’s a look at some of the new features.

Built-in OLED screen

Sentry Plus is the first ADS-B receiver with a built-in screen.

The first change is obvious as soon as you take Sentry Plus out of the box—it features a sunlight-readable 1.3” screen on the front. This isn’t colorful enough or large enough for displaying radar images, but it does make it easy to monitor performance, including: connection status, battery life, carbon monoxide level, ADS-B reception, groundspeed, and G-load.

The familiar three lights from the first Sentry are still there, showing battery, CO, and ADS-B status, but now pilots can tap the power button to cycle through each of the screens for more information. This is ideal for troubleshooting, but for normal operations we found ourselves flying with it on CO status. The screen is an OLED, which is both easy to read in direct sunlight but power-efficient so there’s essentially no battery life penalty.

Unmatched battery life

Speaking of battery life, this is one area where Sentry Plus is the undisputed leader. With up to 18 hours of use on a single charge, it will last for an entire weekend of flying and still have a reserve. We flew with Senty Plus for a week (four flights in a variety of airplanes) and never charged it. This just makes life easier—we always try to start a trip with a fully-charged battery, but sometimes that’s not possible. The long battery life offers some insurance for situations like that.

Another enhancement with the battery is the ability to charge from smart-charging plugs. Many consumer electronics these days, including newer iPhones and laptops, use USB-C plugs to provide faster charge times (sometimes called Power Delivery). While the original Sentry will not charge from these sources, Sentry Plus takes it in stride. It’s another convenience feature, since you don’t have to carry a proprietary charging cable or plug.

There’s also a new auto power on/off option. When this is set to on and Sentry Plus is connected to externalpower (cigarette lighter plug, battery pack, or aircraft electrical system), the device will automatically turn on without the need to push any buttons. It will also automatically turn off when it detects the flight is over (power off and groundspeed below 10 knots for 45 seconds). This is a great option for pilots who want to build a Sentry Plus into an experimental airplane panel or mount it in a more convenient location that’s out of arm’s reach.

Flight data recorder and replay

One feature that really impressed us was the built-in flight data recorder. This isn’t a “black box” to be used in case of a crash, but rather a way to systematically track your flights and improve your pilot skills. Other ADS-B receivers (notably Stratus 3) have this feature, but we always found it slow and hard to use. With Sentry Plus, ForeFlight has completely integrated flight logging and playback into the app. It’s like a FitBit for your airplane.

ForeFlight makes it easy to replay a flight recorded on Sentry Plus, including AHRS and G-load data.

Sentry Plus continuously records when it is powered on, so there’s no button-pushing required to log a flight—you don’t even have to be connected to ForeFlight. It stores GPS position, altitude, and AHRS-derived attitude, while automatically organizing flights based on power-on time and groundspeed (up to 16 flights).

The real magic happens once a flight is logged. ForeFlight will automatically download all flight data from Sentry Plus when it detects the flight is over, eliminating the need to manually import flights into the app. After a flight, we simply turned off Sentry and grabbed our iPad (make sure you turn off Sentry Plus before you close ForeFlight). When we walked into the FBO, a new track log was available in ForeFlight—in fact, downloading flight data took just a few seconds. Manual importing is still available, but we never had to use it.

The app’s powerful Track Logs tool makes it easy to quickly review a flight without switching to a separate app, which is ideal for post-flight debriefs. Much more than just a two dimensional track log, Sentry Plus provides a detailed recreation of your flight, including altitude and pitch/bank information. You can also view important data like speed, altitude, pitch, and bank on the graphs below the map. This is perfect for reviewing training flights or practice instrument approaches, and because it’s fast and easy we found ourselves doing it much more often.

One final tip: disable auto start/stop track log in the main ForeFlight settings, since this uses the basic 2D logging feature, not the higher fidelity Sentry Plus track logs. You’ll have duplicate logs if you leave this on.

G-meter

Astute pilots will notice a new graph option on the Track Logs page: G-load. That’s because Sentry Plus has a built-in G-meter, as you’d find in an aerobatic airplane. This can be viewed as a data field at the bottom of the Maps page for a real-time look, or it can be displayed as a historical trend in Track Logs. It’s also an option for the screen on Sentry Plus.

While aerobatic pilots are used to tracking Gs during a routine (including min/max), it has value for everyday pilots as well. Student pilots practicing steep turns or rusty pilots getting current on landings might be surprised to see how much G-load varies during common maneuvers.

ADS-B and FLARM traffic

Besides weather, most pilots’ favorite feature on their ADS-B receiver is traffic. Especially since the 2020 deadline for aircraft to equip with ADS-B Out, the traffic information available has become more complete and quite useful, especially in busy airspace. Sentry Plus has a dual band ADS-B receiver, so you’ll see traffic both directly from other aircraft equipped with ADS-B Out (air-to-air transmission) and from ground stations (TIS-B traffic broadcasts).

Traffic can be displayed on the moving map or the synthetic vision screen.

We found the reception to be outstanding, easily picking up 10 ground stations in cruise and airplanes broadcasting 1090 MHz out from over 100 miles away. If your airplane is equipped with ADS-B Out, ForeFlight will even provide pop-up and audio traffic alerts.

Sentry Plus adds another traffic feature for European pilots: a dedicated FLARM receiver. FLARM is a short-range collision avoidance technology, particularly popular in Europe and among glider pilots, that uses small, transponder-like devices to transmit aircraft position. The FLARM receiver in Sentry Plus is optimized for the European FLARM frequencies, specifically the SRD860 band (868.2 – 868.4 MHz). Note that you’ll need to purchase a FLARM decoding license from ForeFlight in order to enable FLARM traffic on your iPad. For US pilots, this feature won’t mean much, but it’s a helpful addition for those flying in the UK, France, or Germany.

WiFi client mode

One final new feature will be most useful for pilots flying larger airplanes with on-board WiFi systems, but is invaluable in these situations. Since Sentry Plus connects to your iPad via WiFi, such a connection would typically mean the internet connection is unavailable while using the ADS-B receiver. However, a new WiFi client mode option allows Sentry Plus to join your existing network (eg, GoGo), so you can get in-flight weather and traffic but still enjoy the benefits of your cabin WiFi. You can even select an option that will remember your aircraft’s wireless network and join automatically in the future. For business jet and airline pilots, this feature should be a welcome addition.

Carbon monoxide detector

Carbon monoxide is a hot topic in aviation, especially since the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) published a recommendation that all general aviation pilots fly with some type of CO detector. It’s not required, but it’s definitely a wise investment, especially if you fly a piston airplane where the cabin heat comes from a shroud around the exhaust stack. One small leak in the exhaust can cause deadly CO poisoning.

Carbon monoxide warnings are displayed on Sentry Plus and in ForeFlgiht, in addition to audio alerts.

Among its long list of features, Sentry Plus includes a CO detector so it can fill that role quite easily. Since it’s integrated into a device most pilots use on every flight, there’s no extra battery to charge or screen to monitor; you’re more likely to use it and notice it. In fact, ForeFlight makes it hard to ignore a high CO alert. In addition to a visual alert both on the device and in the app, Sentry Plus will emit a loud audio alert. We had no trouble hearing this over the drone of a Lycoming.

Sentry Plus has a more sensitive CO sensor than its predecessor, so it can detect potential leaks earlier. However ForeFlight still uses smart algorithms to reduce nuisance alerts: you’ll get a yellow alert when CO is elevated, and a red warning if it continues to rise. In general, if you hear an alert you should shut off all cabin heat and consider landing at a nearby airport. Talk to a mechanic before you fly again.

The CO sensor in Sentry Plus lasts 10 years, so there’s no need for annual recalibration. It requires no additional ForeFlight subscription level either. In fact, since it’s totally self-contained on the device itself, it can work without the app at all.

Plus pilot favorites

In spite of all these new features, the best feature of Sentry Plus—like all ADS-B receivers—is still the subscription-free ADS-B weather. Once you’ve flown with 10-minute old NEXRAD radar and up-to-date METARs, you’ll never go back. Sentry Plus receives all the weather products transmitted by the FAA, including newer options like icing forecasts and cloud tops. As long as you’re in range of a ground station (usually by 500-1000 feet AGL), everything is regularly refreshed. ForeFlight makes it easy to overlay multiple weather graphics on your route of flight, so you can make informed decisions and stay safe.

Subscription-free ADS-B weather is still the most valuable feature.

Sentry Plus also includes a multi-constellation GPS receiver that is incredibly accurate and reliable. We almost always see 1 meter accuracy on the moving map, which unlocks all kinds of powerful features like terrain alerts and glide advisor. The receiver will even switch to Europe’s Galileo satellite constellation if the US’s GPS system is jammed or unavailable for any reason. It’s a powerful bit of redundancy, and it’s all automatic.

Finally, the built-in AHRS drives a real-time pitch and bank display in ForeFlight. If you subscribe to Synthetic Vision, you can even see a 3D view of the world, complete with airports, terrain, obstacles, and traffic. This is not intended for primary reference, but it’s a great backup, and in an emergency we would not hesitate to use it.

Sentry Plus packs a lot into one small device, but it remains easy to use. On our first test flight, we simply mounted it on the side window using the included suction cup and turned it on. Without reading the instructions, ForeFlight lit up with weather, traffic, synthetic vision, and much more. It’s the perfect enhancement to your iPad, like having a virtual co-pilot sitting next to you. Sentry Plus is now shipping, and is available for $799. It requires ForeFlight version 14.4 or later.

Compared to the original Sentry, the Plus model adds 50% longer battery life, a built-in screen, G-meter, flight data recording, FLARM traffic, WiFi client mode, and some overall performance upgrades. Overall, it feels like a next generation product and a nice upgrade for any pilot flying with an older ADS-B receiver. If you’re looking for a good value portable, the original Sentry is still available and it’s a great value at $499.

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StationWeather app adds TAF widgets
iPad Pilot News

One of our favorite iPad features is the ability to add large custom widgets to the home screen.  These are displayed alongside your app icons, allowing you to view relevant data from compatible apps. Only a few aviation apps support this feature, and one of the best is StationWeather.

StationWeather is a preflight planning tool for pilots designed to display and decode METARs and TAFs and in a full-color graphical view. The app has supported aviation widgets for a few years now, but until recently, only provided the option to show METAR data in a widget. The latest update extends the customization options and allows for the display of TAFs too.

After installing the free app and signing up for a Pro subscription (free to try for a week and then $4/yr), tap and hold anywhere on your iPad’s home screen to enter the “edit” mode. Then tap the gray “+” button at the top left of the home screen to view a list of your currently installed apps that support widgets. Select StationWeather from the list, and then choose your preferred data type (METAR or TAF) and layout from the 11 available options:

You can choose from a wide range of options when setting up a widget, from a small single square with a summary of key weather info to a large rectangle showing the next 16 hours from a TAF. The presentation is easy to interpret, with color coding for VFR/IFR status, and a graphical presentation of precipitation, wind, ceiling and visibility:

Each widget can only show either a METAR or a TAF, but you can add multiple widgets to show both the report and forecast side by side for an airport if desired:

StationWeather is available for download here

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Apple announces iOS and iPadOS 16: First look at the new features
iPad Pilot News

Apple kicked off its annual developer conference today at its headquarters in Cupertino. During the keynote, they took the wraps off iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 and showed off many of the new features that will be coming to Apple devices later this year. Like with past major iOS updates, Apple will release a public beta of iOS and iPadOS 16 in July, and then likely release the final version for everyone later this year alongside the iPhone 14.

We’ll first look at what’s new for iOS 16 for iPhone then look at some of the unique features designed for the larger screen in iPadOS 16.

New Lock Screen for iPhone

Let’s start with a look at the new lock screen for iPhone, which finally allows you to add custom widgets. These take inspiration from Apple Watch complications, making it easy to get information at a glance, such as upcoming calendar events, the weather, battery levels, alarms, time zones, activity ring progress, and more. And like with the Apple Watch, you can create multiple Lock Screens, each with a unique design and widget configuration.

To further increase the utility of the lock screen in iOS 16, Apple added a concept called “Live Activities”.  These widgets are continuously updated and help users stay on top of things that are happening in real time — such as a sports game, workout, ride share, or food delivery order — right from the Lock Screen.

What’s new in Messages

You can edit or delete recently sent messages, recover recently deleted messages, and mark conversations as unread so they can come back to them later. In addition, SharePlay is coming to Messages, making it possible to enjoy synced content like movies or songs and shared playback controls all while chatting in Messages.

Updates to the Mail app

The mail app also received a long-overdue update, which includes an overhauled search feature designed to deliver more relevant, accurate, and complete results, including recent emails, contacts, documents, and links. You can also schedule emails ahead of time and cancel the delivery of a message before it reaches a recipient’s inbox.

Wallet adds shareable hotel keys

Digital hotel keys are becoming more and more common at the major hotel brands, and an update in the Wallet app allows you to share your digital hotel key with another iOS user.

Maps adds support for multistop routes

Apple Maps added the ability to create multistop routes when planning a trip. You can add up to 15 stops and use Siri to add new stops to a route when navigating via CarPlay.

My Sports

Apple News introduced a new My Sports section to easily follow favorite teams and leagues; receive stories from hundreds of top publishers; access scores, schedules, and standings for the top professional and college leagues; and watch highlights right in the News app. You can also add a Live Activity widget to the lock screen to show real time scores for the games you’re following.

The Next Generation of CarPlay

CarPlay has fundamentally changed the way people interact with their vehicles, and the next generation of CarPlay goes even further by deeply integrating with a car’s hardware. CarPlay will be able to provide content for multiple screens within the vehicle, creating an experience that is unified and consistent. Deeper integration with the vehicle will allow users to do things like control the radio or change the climate directly through CarPlay, and using the vehicle data, CarPlay will seamlessly render the speed, fuel level, temperature, and more on the instrument cluster.

You will be able to personalize their driving experience by choosing different gauge cluster designs, and with added support for widgets, you will have at-a-glance information from Weather and Music right on their car’s dashboard. More information about the next generation of CarPlay will be shared in the future, and vehicles will start to be announced late next year.

Medications tracking

The Health app adds Medications, allowing you to conveniently build and manage a medications list, create schedules and reminders, and track medications, vitamins, or supplements. In the US, you can simply point your iPhone camera at a label to add a medication, read about the medications you’re taking, and receive an alert if there are potential critical interactions for medications.

Live Text and Visual Look Up Enhancements

Live Text uses on-device intelligence to recognize text in images across iOS, and it is now expanding to include video. You can pause a video on any frame and interact with text. Live Text also adds the ability to quickly convert currency, translate text, and more.

What’s new in iPadOS 16

iPadOS 16 includes many of the same features in iOS16, including the same improvements in the Mail and Messages app, live text analysis for videos, My Sports in the News app and a redesigned (Smart) Home app. iPadOS 16 also received several new features designed to improve productivity collaboration for those using the iPad as an everyday computer.

The Weather App Comes to iPad

The Weather app is now available for the iPad’s larger display. You can see the most important weather information at a glance, or explore maps to check precipitation, air quality, and temperature. You will also be notified when a severe weather alert is issued in their area, or check the air quality using a color-coded scale.

Stage Manager adds new Multitasking features

Stage Manager is an entirely new multitasking experience that automatically organizes apps and windows, making it quick and easy to switch between tasks. For the first time on iPad, users can create overlapping windows of different sizes in a single view, drag and drop windows from the side, or open apps from the Dock to create groups of apps for faster, more flexible multitasking. The window of the app users are working on is displayed prominently in the center, and other open apps and windows are arranged on the left-hand side in order of recency.

FreeForm

The new FreeForm app allows users on multiple iPads to collaborate in a single real time space. Coming to iPadOS 16 later this year, Freeform allows collaborators to start a session from FaceTime and see the updates from others right in the Messages thread.

Everything else Apple announced today

WatchOS 9 introduces more customizable watch faces, an enhanced Workout app, sleep stages, a first-of-its-kind AFib History feature, and an all-new Medications app. Read more here 

New M2 Processor designed for the new Macbook Pro and Macbook Air. Read more here

MacOS Ventura adds new productivity and continuity features for Apple desktop and laptop computers. Read more here

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Bivy Stick offers new option for in-flight messaging
iPad Pilot News

The Bivy Stick offers satellite messaging in a small package.

Staying connected in flight is not easy, since most cell phones are useless above about 500 feet and installed WiFi systems cost nearly $100,000. There are some decent portable options, especially if you’re mostly interested in sending text messages, as we’ve covered before on iPad Pilot News. These typically use the Iridium satellite constellation, which is limited in terms of data speed but has the benefit of worldwide coverage at all altitudes. A portable satellite communicator is ideal for updating friends and family when your ETA changes or for tracking flights in remote areas.

Now there’s a new player in this market. ACR Electronics, a well-known manufacturer of personal locator beacons, has launched the Bivy Stick to offer affordable messaging and SOS alerting. About half the size of a typical smartphone, the Bivy is small enough to fit in your pocket or be clipped to a flight bag. It is even compatible with GoPro camera mounts, a thoughtful feature. The Bivy weighs less than 4 oz. but is a rugged little device, with just a few buttons along the side and a waterproof coating. You can check in or initiate an SOS from the device, making it a self-contained safety tool, but the real value is unlocked by pairing it to your smartphone.

Simply charge the battery, turn it on (with a clear view of the sky), and connect it to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth. Since there’s no screen, the free Bivy app—available for iOS and Android—is the main way to communicate. This allows you to send pre-composed messages, check-in with contacts, type custom messages, or get point weather forecasts (not aviation-specific). You can even send an SOS message, which uses Global Rescue to coordinate search and rescue services. The app also has a variety of other features aimed mostly at hikers, including maps and trip sharing options.

The Bivy app allows you to send custom text messages.

Like all Iridium devices, Bivy requires a data plan and four options are offered. These range from $15/month to $65/month, depending on the features and number of credits (messages, weather reports, and tracking points all use credits). These are competitive with Garmin’s plans, although slightly higher. On the good side, there is no activation fee with Bivy and credits can be rolled over from month to month.

Overall, we think the Bivy offers a unique combination of features at an attractive price—it’s just $249.95. If you’re looking for a top-of-the-line device with aviation app integration, the Garmin inReach is the way to go and is a proven performer. But for a basic, affordable option that can stand up to abuse, it’s hard to beat the Bivy. There’s certainly no less expensive way to send text messages in flight.

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Prevent iPad overheating issues in the airplane this summer
iPad Pilot News

Your iPad will display this message and stop functioning if the internal temperature gets too warm.

Based on iPad Pilot News reader surveys over the years, the majority of pilots have had the iPad shut down on them at least once in flight due to overheating. This is by far the most common problem reported by pilots when flying with an iPad, but it can be prevented with a little bit of planning and preparation.

Apple lists the normal temperature operating range for the iPad as 32° – 95° F. The recommended temperature for storing your iPad is -4° – 113° F. While there are reports of the iPad shutting down when operating in environments well below freezing, the most likely result will be lagging as you interact with the touchscreen (tip – when operating in cold environments, plug it into a charger and use a case to help generate and retain heat).

The more likely scenario when operating at the extreme ends of the temperature operating range is overheating, which will lead to the iPad entering a thermal protection mode where it will become completely unusable until the internal temperature of the device is reduced. The primary reason for this is to protect the enclosed lithium-polymer battery (bad things can happen if they get too hot).

There are a couple of ways on a typical flight that this can happen and both will catch you off guard if you’re not paying attention. The first scenario can happen when you’re flying in a low-wing airplane en route at altitude with the iPad secured in a kneeboard on your lap. You’re in VFR conditions in sunny weather, but the iPad is out of direct sunlight. Then you make a turn over a waypoint, and the sun begins to shine directly on your iPad’s dark screen without you noticing. Even though the ambient temperature may be well below the 95° F limit, the iPad’s internal temperature will quickly elevate and soon display the overheat warning.

Charging your iPad can exacerbate overheating.

There are several factors that may increase the potential for an overheat situation like this in flight. First, if you’re using the iPad with a fully-enclosed case or kneeboard, you will be restricting airflow around the rear of the iPad, limiting its ability to dissipate heat. Also, charging the iPad from a USB port in the airplane or a backup battery will also increase the internal temperature of the device, increasing the risk for an overheat situation in a hot airplane or near direct sunlight.

The other likely scenario in which your iPad can unexpectedly overheat is after shutting the engine down on the ramp on a hot summer day. Prior to the iPad, many pilots would set their paper charts or kneeboard on the glareshield to get them out of the way. New iPad users might inadvertently do the same thing out of habit. As we all know, the temperature inside the cabin will quickly rise after you shut the door, again putting the iPad in a vulnerable state for potential overheating. Make it a habit to take your iPad with you after shutdown, or store it in a protected part of the airplane to ensure a timely departure when you return.

Your iPad becomes completely unusable when it overheats and will display a temperature warning on the screen. At this point, your only option is to get it to a cooler environment and lower the internal temperature. Remove it from direct sunlight and aim a few air vents over if possible. If you had it in a kneeboard or case, remove these to aid the cooling process, and remove it from any charging sources. Once the iPad’s temperature lowers, it will automatically switch back on—there’s nothing else for you to do at that point, except to keep it out of the sun.

If you fly an airplane that has large windows and lets in a good deal of sunlight to the cabin, your best bet is to consider a yoke or suction cup RAM or Robust mount. These provide plenty of flexibility to pivot the iPad screen away from direct sunlight, and expose more of the front and rear surfaces of the iPad to ambient air for continuous cooling.

If a kneeboard is your only option and overheating is a concern, try raising the iPad slightly above the bottom of the kneeboard to create an open layer of air between it and the backside of the iPad. Many pilots report that adding a few pencils to accomplish this works well. It might be the most polished solution, but it works! For a simpler kneeboard solution that does not restrict airflow, check out the MyClip kneeboard, which does not rely on a traditional rigid base to keep the iPad secure on your lap and allows for more airflow around the device.

You may also want to consider using small sunshades on your windows in flight to help reduce the intensity of the sunlight reaching your iPad. Good options here are the collapsible aircraft sunshades, which are attached with suction cups, or slap on sun-visors that cling to the windows on their own.

Another consideration is to use the X-Naut Cooling Case along with your iPad. This mounting system features built-in fans to circulate cool air, specifically targeted at the iPad’s main hot spots to prevent it from overheating. The mount can be powered off of typical alkaline batteries or USB with a power bank or backup battery.

In addition to working with the RAM mount system, you can also turn it into a kneeboard with this accessory kit—perfect for cockpits with a bubble canopy where the iPad is exposed to direct sunlight. The X-Naut is available for the iPad Mini 1-5, iPad mini 6, the iPad Air 1-2 and 9.7″, the iPad Pro 11″ and Air 4 and the iPad Pro 10.5”/10.2″/iPad Air 2019/iPad (7th Gen).

With a little preparation and some new habits, it’s easy to fly all summer long with an iPad. In fact, after a few early mistakes, we have not suffered an overheating problem in over five years of flying.

The post Prevent iPad overheating issues in the airplane this summer appeared first on iPad Pilot News.

Top 10 aviation weather apps
iPad Pilot News

Checking the weather before flight has always been one of the most popular uses for the iPad. After all, it’s easier to get an update by looking at your tablet or your phone than to sit down at a computer or call Flight Service. But which app to use? A search for “weather” in the App Store will return a flood of apps, many of dubious value.

There are thousands of weather apps for the general public, from free to quite expensive. These are great for deciding whether you need a jacket tomorrow, but when it comes to aviation weather—looking at thunderstorms, ice, turbulence, visibility and so much more—these apps just aren’t enough. So we’ll focus on apps that offer more for pilots, both free and paid.

Here are our top 10 weather apps for pilots:

10. Station Weather. For a quick check of multiple METARs and NOTAMs, this app is hard to beat. It also does a nice job of displaying forecasts in a visual way, so you can get a good feel for when conditions will change. The app recently added support for new iPadOS 15 XL widgets (requires a Pro subscription). This enhanced capability allows you to view current METAR reports for up to four airports simultaneously on the iPad home screen. Get the app here.

9. WeatherSpork. This unique app is a companion to a full electronic flight bag app like ForeFlight. The focus here is long term planning and big picture visualization: what’s the best time to leave vs. what is the current METAR. The app incorporates a unique set of views to help you visualize the atmosphere and go beyond the standard reports. We particularly like the Grid View that graphically displays weather forecasts for the various points along your entered route, for a quick analysis of VFR/MVFR/IFR/LIFR conditions. It also includes a wealth of weather imagery products, eliminating the needs to hunt down the more advanced forecast graphics on aviationweather.gov. The app is free to download and try for 14 days; an annual subscription is $49.99. Get the app here.

8. WINDY. While thunderstorms and ice get all the attention, wind is actually the most common reason to cancel a flight. That’s why we like this app: it shows current and forecast wind conditions for thousands of locations, and offers the ability to search by airport identifier. What sets the app apart is its elegant design and beautiful animations. The map view, in particular, is a fantastic way to get the big picture overview. There’s also an excellent Apple Watch version that is a handy way to monitor changing conditions. Get the app here.

7. CloudTopper. This may not technically be a weather app, but it’s useful in flight when dealing with weather. CloudTopper, just $1.99, is the answer to the ever-present question, “Are we going to top those clouds?” Using the iPad or iPhone’s built-in gyro and camera, it allows you to point your phone at the clouds ahead, get it exactly level and see whether or not those clouds are above you. You can even enter your estimated distance to the clouds and the app will estimate how many feet you would need to climb to get on top. Great for VFR and IFR pilots alike, CloudTopper was recently updated to support full-screen on iPad and auto calibration. Get the app here

6. METARs Aviation Weather. While plenty of apps show you text weather reports, this $6.99 app is a fast and easy way to check the latest conditions without a lot of clutter. Set your favorite airports, then track VFR/MVFR/IFR/LIFR with color-coded icons. Plain English translations make it easy to understand all the details on that long METAR, too. But our favorite feature is the customizable notifications, which allows the app to alert you (even without having the app open) to changing weather conditions automatically. So if you want to know when your departure airport changes from VFR to marginal VFR, just tap a few settings and you’ll be ready. METARs Aviation Weather also has a pretty good Apple Watch app. Get the app here.

5. Ventusky. Probably our winner for best overall design, this beautiful app includes both traditional weather forecasts (rain and temperature) and more aviation-specific graphics (wind speed and radar). If you’re a student of weather, Ventusky allows you to pick which model the app is using. This is perfect for evaluating multiple scenarios and testing your own personal forecast skills. Excellent for getting the big picture understanding of the sky. Get the app here.

4. SkewTLogPro. For real weather geeks, a METAR just doesn’t cut it. To learn the finer points of atmospheric stability, wind shear, and potential cloud layers, there’s nothing better than a Skew-T log (p) chart. It’s a complicated name, but this app makes it easy to retrieve soundings for multiple airports along your route. You can choose the nearest sounding, tap on the map, or load a route, then download both current and forecast charts for offline viewing. SkewTLogPro is $16.99 for a one time purchase. Get the app here.

3. RadarScope. If MyRadar (below) is the lightweight, easy-to-use radar app, RadarScope is the diehard’s radar app. It focuses less on pretty pictures and more on options—you can display any of the 155 different radar sites in the US, and choose between base and composite reflectivity. This is a complicated subject, but many pilots think composite reflectivity is most useful for flight planning (but is not what most TV stations show). Having the ability to compare different radar scans can offer some good insights with a little training. There are all kinds of other radar products, from velocity to differential reflectivity. The app, which costs $9.99, also allows you to zoom in and look for tell-tale severe weather radar signatures. Get the app here.

2. MyRadar. There are literally hundreds of radar apps in the App Store, and with good reason—checking the radar is an essential task for pilots and non-pilots alike. Almost all of these apps use the same data (from the National Weather Service), so it’s mostly how this data is presented that distinguishes apps from each other. One of our favorites is MyRadar. It’s free, fast, and easy to use, with high quality looping radar and simple controls. But as we’ve mentioned before, there are some nice aviation features in there too, like an AIRMETs and TFR overlay. Get the app here.

1. ForeFlight/Garmin Pilot/FltPlan Go/WingX/Stratus Insight/FlyQ. Whichever of the big aviation apps you use, they are hard to beat for weather briefings. Because you can overlay your flight plan route on different weather maps, they offer great situational awareness and endless possibilities for diversion planning (you can even factor in fuel prices). These apps also include a wealth of information, from graphical METARs to icing forecasts, that you can’t find most other places. Finally, they allow you to get a formal weather briefing right in the app. This is not to mention the in-flight options for datalink weather, whether it’s SiriusXM or ADS-B. Get ForeFlight here, Garmin Pilot here, FltPlan Go here, WingX here, Stratus Insight here and FlyQ here.

What’s your favorite weather app? Add a comment below.

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ForeFlight adds graphical en route NOTAMs in latest update
iPad Pilot News

The latest update to ForeFlight is now available, version 14.4, and adds a variety of clever new features primarily focused on improving flight planning. This includes a new graphical NOTAM layer on the moving map and the ability to specify altitude changes for the active flight plan in the profile view.

Here’s a quick summary of which new features are included in each subscription plan:

Basic – Global graphical NOTAMs, Metric unit options, UL94 fuel prices

Pro Plus – Per-leg altitude in profile

Performance Plus – Gulfstream G200 Runway Analysis support

Graphical NOTAMs

You’ll want to start using the graphical NOTAMs feature right away when planning your next flight. When on the map screen, select the layer menu from the top left of the screen and you’ll see a new NOTAMs layer, just above TFRs. This displays en route NOTAMs on the chart, for purposes like active MOAs, parachute jumping, UAS flights and low-level high-speed exercises. The graphical NOTAMs are displayed using red, yellow and gray coloring.

Yellow > the most restrictive airspace NOTAMs, such as activated MOA or Restricted areas, are presented in yellow for the period up to 2 hours before the time they become active (and turn red when active). Areas with “scheduled exercises”, like high-speed operations below 10,000′, remain yellow when they are active.

Red > a defined sector of airspace, or charted special-use airspace, with restrictions that are currently active.

Gray > all other en route NOTAMs are shown in gray when they are active, like UAS/drone operations or parachute jumping.

You can toggle which types of NOTAMs are displayed on the map from the map settings dropdown.

Per-Leg Altitude

The Profile view in ForeFlight is an excellent tool for analyzing your flight from an alternate perspective, allowing you to see how terrain, airspace and weather affect your selected route and altitude. ForeFlight further improved this feature in the latest update by allowing you to specify a different altitude, if desired, for each leg of the active flight plan. This really comes in handy when you want to start the flight at one altitude, and then climb or descend later to clear rising terrain, an area of forecast icing or special-use airspace.

To insert an en route altitude change, enter a flight plan and then load the Profile view from the maps screen. In this example, you can see that the selected altitude of 4,000′ is not high enough to clear the terrain along the route:

To plan for a climb at the LOZ VOR, tap the identifier at the bottom of the profile window and enter a new altitude of 8,000′:

ForeFlight will automatically update the profile view to show the remainder of the flight at the new altitude. The app will use your aircraft’s selected climb or descent profile to calculate and display the climb or descent.

When selecting a new altitude, you’ll see a toggle with options to either “Start at” or “Cross at”, which allows you to specify where the altitude change will take place:

Start at > begin the altitude change as you cross the waypoint

Cross at > begin the altitude change in advance of the waypoint so that you level off at the new altitude as you cross the waypoint

In the example below, we set the altitude change to start at LOZ, so the climb is initiated when crossing that waypoint. And then we set another altitude change at SPA using the “Cross at” mode, so that the altitude change begins earlier and sets up to cross the SPA waypoint back at 4,000′.

Waypoints with an altitude change will show the new altitude after the waypoint name in the flight plan editor and on the map:

What else is new in ForeFlight 14.4

Fuel pricing for UL94 is shown where available:

The altitude instrument at the bottom of the screen and the distance rings can now be set for Metric units, to display in kilometers and meters, respectively. Tap on the distance rings to change that setting, and then head to the main Settings screen to change the units for the altitude instrument:

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Five essential iPad skills for pilots
iPad Pilot News

A good pilot should know how to “aviate, navigate, and communicate,” no matter what airplane they are flying. For anyone flying with an electronic flight bag, there isn’t a simple phrase to remember but there are still some essential skills to master. Are you proficient at all five of these?

Pack for a trip

If you don’t have the charts and data downloaded before you get in the airplane, your iPad might end up being a dumb piece of glass. Fortunately, apps like ForeFlight and Garmin Pilot make it easy to avoid this mistake. While you can manually download states or areas of coverage, the fastest way to save everything you need is to tap on the suitcase icon and “pack” for your trip. This will store all the charts, airport data, weather, and fuel prices for the route you have planned. Make this a part of your regular pre-flight checklist and you’ll always be ready.

Find recent routes

For IFR pilots, filing the correct route can be a challenge, particularly at busy airports where “direct destination” is not an option. With a few taps, though, EFB apps can eliminate lots of busywork and show you what routes other pilots have been receiving from Air Traffic Control. Both ForeFlight and Garmin Pilot offer this information from the route planning window on the Maps/Map page, or from the Flights/Trip Planning page. Enter a departure and destination airport, then tap Routes/Planned Routes to see what other pilots have been cleared. You can view both the frequency of each route and the altitude, helping you find the right answer for your flight. Tap a route to make it active, then remember to file a flight plan.

Check datalink weather status

Having up-to-date radar and METARs in flight has changed the way pilots fly long trips, improving both safety and passenger comfort. While portable devices like the Sentry, Stratus, and the GDL series from Garmin make it easier than ever to get datalink weather on your iPad, it’s critical to monitor how this system is performing in flight. In particular, it’s wise to regularly check the status page to make sure your weather receiver is connected and the data is fresh (5-15 minutes old is typical). In ForeFlight, there are two places to find this: on the Maps page, tap the gear symbol at the top left, then tap your device for a status menu; on the More page, tap Devices, then choose your device. Likewise, in Garmin Pilot you can tap the Connext drop down menu from the Map page for highlights, or tap the Devices page for detailed information. Check this every time you check your oil pressure gauge.

Find the nearest airport

When something goes wrong in flight, the best plan is to find an airport—fast. All modern EFB apps make this easy, with multiple options for finding a nearby airport. A great place to start is simply the large moving map screen with touchscreen navigation, since you can quickly get an overview of the airports around you. Remember to tap on candidate airports to evaluate runway length, weather, and communications frequencies before turning towards it. In ForeFlight, besides tapping on the map, you can also go to the Airports tab and tap the crosshair in the top right corner for a list of nearby airports. Garmin Pilot features a powerful Emergency Mode that declutters the screen and shows nearby airports; tap one to navigate direct. Both of these apps can also display a glide range ring, helpful in case of an engine failure.

Scan and import documents

Modern EFB apps are truly a one-stop resource, but many pilots stop at weather and charts. If you haven’t explored the Documents page, spend a few minutes poking around. This is a great place to find documents like Chart Supplements, VFR Flyway Charts, the AirVenture NOTAM, and much more. But you can also import your own documents, ideal for uploading aircraft manuals, weight and balance data, or anything else you want to reference in flight. You can either find a document (PDF, Word file) on your iPad and tap the “Open in” menu to send it to your EFB app, or scan a document with your iPad’s camera to take a printed resource and make it digital.

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Electronic flight bag legal briefing for pilots—2022 edition
iPad Pilot News

The best reading is in some Advisory Circulars from the FAA.

Each year we publish a plain-language review of the FARs and Advisory Circulars pertaining to the use of iPads and electronic flight bags in the cockpit. This is great information for pilots looking to make the transition from paper charts to an iPad, but should also be reviewed by experienced iPad pilots as well. We like to think of it as another step in maintaining pilot currency by staying up with the legalities of using digital devices in flight.

We continue to get questions about whether an iPad is “legal” for aviation use. The definition of “legal” depends on what type of flying you do and what you’re using your iPad for, so there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Here we’ll cover the applicable Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) and Advisory Circulars (ACs).

But first one suggestion: don’t get caught up in all the minutiae. The short answer is that the iPad is absolutely a legal replacement for paper charts in the cockpit (at least for most Part 91 GA flying).

Here are some regulations and documents that cover electronic devices and iPads:

FAR 91.21, Portable electronic devices (PEDs)

• This applies only to air carriers and IFR flights
• Covers almost all electronic devices—not just EFBs
• Pilots must determine that the PED won’t interfere with the navigation or communication systems
• The determination must be made by the PIC or operator of the aircraft

AC 91-21.1D, Use of Portable Electronic Devices Aboard Aircraft

• This Advisory Circular is a complement to FAR 91.21
• It mostly pertains to airlines and the use of PEDs by passengers (think cell phones and laptops).
• It also suggests methods to confirm that a PED is not interfering with avionics, and recommends that part 91 operators read AC 91-78 (below) for compliance.
• This AC also points out that cell phones and LTE-enabled iPads, while prohibited from use in flight by FCC regulations, are allowed to be used in aircraft while on the ground (ie, for picking up a clearance or filing a flight plan).

AC 91-92, Pilot’s Guide to a Preflight Briefing

• Applies to part 91 operators, and is guidance, not regulation. The AC “is intended only to provide clarity.”
• Offers modern (2021) guidance on how pilots can conduct preflight self-briefings—including with an EFB app.
• Reiterates that pilots do not need to call Flight Service to be legal: “The FAA considers that a self-briefing may be compliant with current Federal aviation regulations. By self-briefing, pilots can often improve their knowledge of weather and aeronautical information.”

AC 91-78, Use of Class 1 or Class 2 Electronic Flight Bag (EFB)

IMPORTANT: This is the advisory circular that states it’s legal for FAA Part 91 GA piston aircraft pilots to use the iPad with current data as a paper chart replacement.

• Aimed at Part 91 operators, VFR or IFR
• EFBs can be used in all phases of flight in lieu of paper when:
  • The EFB is the functional equivalent of the paper material
  • The EFB data is current and valid
• A backup data source is suggested, but is not required. Note that this backup can be another electronic device.
• Users should undergo an evaluation period to make sure they know how to use the EFB before eliminating paper charts.
• “The in-flight use of an EFB/ECD in lieu of paper reference material is the decision of the aircraft operator and the pilot in command.”

Download AC 91-78 here

AC 120-76D, Guidelines for the Certification, Airworthiness and Operational Use of Electronic Flight Bags (EFB)

IMPORTANT: This advisory circular does not apply to FAA Part 91 (GA piston aircraft) operations, but should still be referenced as guidance when using the iPad as a paper chart replacement.

What’s new in revision “D”

AC 120-76 was updated to the “D” revision on 10/27/2017 and supersedes version “C,” which was in place since May 2014. Here’s a quick summary of the major changes:

1. The update removes Part 91F (Large and Turbine-Powered Multiengine Airplanes) operators from needing to comply with AC 120-76, meaning the primary guidance for this group reverts back to AC 91-78.
2. Pilots are now permitted to display ownship (your GPS-based aircraft symbol) on an EFB during all phases of flight. Previously pilots were only authorized to display ownship while taxiing.
3. EFBs are now grouped into 2 categories, “portable” or “installed”. An iPad is an example of a portable EFB, whereas an installed EFB is incorporated into the aircraft type design. Class 1, 2 or 3 EFB classifications have been eliminated.
4. Type A and B EFB application groupings have been reorganized based on the criticality of the function they perform in flight. Type C applications have been eliminated from the AC.

Key Points from AC 120-76D

• The AC starts out with who’s required to comply with the guidance and who needs authorization:
  • “It is intended for all operators conducting flight operations under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 91 subpart K (part 91K), 121, 125, or 135 who want to replace required paper information or utilize other select applications as part of EFB functionality.” This is the line that shows most general aviation pilots are not affected by this AC.
• EFB Definition:
  • An EFB hosts applications, which are generally replacing conventional paper products and tools, traditionally carried in the pilot’s flight bag. EFB applications include natural extensions of traditional flight bag contents, such as replacing paper copies of weather with access to near-real-time weather information.

• 2 types of applications
  • Type A apps have a failure condition classification considered to be no safety effect and do not substitute for or replace any paper, system, or equipment required by airworthiness or operational regulations; and
  • Type A application examples: FARs, noise abatement procedures, service bulletins, airworthiness directives, etc.
  • Type B apps have a failure condition classification considered minor and may substitute or replace paper products of information required for dispatch or to be carried in the aircraft.
  • Type B application examples: flight planning apps, electronic charts, checklists, performance data, etc.
• 2 types of EFBs
  • Installed: Hardware supporting EFB applications are “installed” when they are incorporated into aircraft type design under 14 CFR part 21, or as a proper alteration under 14 CFR part 43.
  • Portable: All other components supporting EFB functionality are considered “portable,” regardless of how often they are removed from the aircraft. These devices are typically consumer commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) electronic devices functionally capable of communications, data processing (e.g. iPad).
    • Portable EFBs can be temporarily connected to an existing aircraft power port for battery recharging.
• Testing/compliance required (this must all be documented and kept on board the aircraft, but is only required for commercial operators when seeking FAA approval and replacing paper with an EFB)
  • Interference testing
    • The AC provides a process (listed as Method 2) by which you can self-test the device
  • Electrical power source
    • Battery-powered EFBs having aircraft power available for recharging the EFB battery are considered to have a suitable backup power source.
    • Useful battery life must be established and documented for battery-powered EFBs. Each battery-powered EFB providing Type B EFB applications must have at least one of the following before departing:
      • An established procedure to recharge the battery from aircraft power during flight operations
      • A battery or batteries with a combined useful battery life to ensure operational availability during taxi and flight operations to include diversions and reasonable delays considering duration of flight.
  • Lithium-ion battery
    • Requires safety and testing standards to be in the cockpit (UL, IEC)

• • Decompression testing (pressurized aircraft)
    • This is not required to be completed on your actual EFB or iPad; you just need proof that a representative device has successfully completed this testing
  • Stowage and mounting of EFB
    • Stowage requires an inherent means to prevent unwanted EFB movement. EFB stowage is required for all portable EFBs not secured in or on a mounting device
• Develop operational policies for EFB use
  • • They’re mainly looking for how you’ll use the EFB in all phases of flight, and a documented plan of action in the event of EFB failure
• Geo-referencing is allowed, as long as you have another display in the cockpit
  • You may overlay EFB own-ship position on an EFB only when the installed primary flight display, weather display, or map display also depict own-ship position.
  •  The AC recommends using position data from an installed GNSS source. Portable equipment is more likely to experience signal blockage, signal degradation, and performance degradation.
  • For airport map applications, the applicant should choose a database with an accuracy of 5 meters or less (ForeFlight well exceeds this accuracy).
  • Remember, this does not apply to Part 91 operations

Download AC 120-76 here

While the FAA made some improvements in this AC over previous versions, it can still come across as fairly confusing. It represents a complex, 35-page document that is often difficult to follow and requires a good deal of work for operators to fully comply with. If you’re flying under part 91 subpart K (part 91K), 121, 125, or 135 and are looking for assistance in complying with this AC when seeking FAA approval, check out Sporty’s iPad EFB Approval program.

In the end, the key point here is that you as PIC are responsible for ensuring that your iPad (or other PED) does not interfere with your airplane and provides a reliable source of data. This does not have to mean lots of tests and paperwork for part 91 operators.

Our suggestion? Take a safety pilot and go flying with your tablet on a nice VFR day.

Check out our flow chart below for a great summary of the rules:

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iOS Update Green Light program: iOS and iPadOS 15.5
iPad Pilot News

Apple recently released iOS and iPad OS 15.5, a routine update that adds several new features:

• Apple Wallet now enables Apple Cash customers to send and request money from their Apple Cash card
• Apple Podcasts includes a new setting to limit episodes stored on your iPhone and automatically delete older ones
• Fixes an issue where home automations, triggered by people arriving or leaving, may fail
• iOS 15.5 also include more than 25 security fixes, as outlined on Apple’s security support site.

As with any iOS release, we recommend holding off on updating until your app or accessory developer has had time to fully test compatibility with the new version.

Review the previous iOS 15.4.1 green light guidance here

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Using the Garmin D2 Mach 1 smartwatch with Garmin Pilot and inReach
iPad Pilot News

Garmin’s latest smartwatch for pilots, the D2 Mach 1, is loaded with all the advanced features you’d expect from an industry-leading avionics company: GPS, moving map, pulse oximeter, altimeter, fitness tracking, and smartphone notifications. But the watch also is another node in Garmin’s Connext platform, which ties together multiple devices in the cockpit, from iPad apps to panel avionics.

In a previous article, we showed how the Garmin D2 Air X10 smartwatch (the baby brother of the Mach 1) can connect to the Garmin Pilot app for flight plan sync. The Mach 1 supports that feature as well, but adds some other tricks. Here’s what it can do.

Emergency mode

In an emergency—engine failure, smoke in the cockpit, passenger medical issue—time is of the essence. The D2 Mach 1 can save you time in that situation, with one-touch access to nearest airport information. Simply press and hold the top right bezel button for about five seconds to activate Emergency Mode. No matter what screen you’re on, the watch will show the nearest airport with a large arrow and distance to the runway. You’ll also see glide information to help you plan your arrival, and it’s instant since the airport database and GPS are built-in.

If your watch is connected to your phone or tablet, the D2 Mach 1 goes one step further. After pressing the button, Garmin Pilot will also enter Emergency Mode, which presents a delcuttered map view and highlights nearby airports. You can tap on an airport for distance and course, plus read important airport details. Tap the direct button to navigate to it.

In the screenshots below, you’ll see Garmin Pilot in Emergency Map mode (left), which shows the airplane’s glide range ring, and the pop-up menu for Connext (right), which shows the status of connected devices.

inReach integration

The D2 Mach 1 can also connect to Garmin’s popular inReach satellite communicators, for the ultimate in emergency support and connection. To set this up, you’ll want to add an inReach glance to the watch. A glance is a quick-access feature that can be found by swiping up from the main watch face. You can add a glance from the Garmin Connect app, the free app that serves as a link between your watch and the internet when you’re on the ground. From the main Connect screen, tap on your watch at the top right, then Appearance -> Glances -> inReach. Now you’ll be able to access this quickly from your watch.

After pairing, you can press START to selection an option: initiate SOS (which should only be done in an emergency), new message (to create a custom text message), or send preset (to quickly send a message you composed on your phone or tablet before flight). The last option is the easiest from a watch, and is great for simple updates on ETA. The SOS option sends a distress signal through the Iridium network, which will alert search and rescue services.

For more complicated messages, it’s best to pair the inReach to Garmin Pilot. This creates a dedicated messages page in the app, and makes it easy to type a custom message.

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Sporty’s Pilot Training app now available for Apple computers
iPad Pilot News

Sporty’s Pilot Training platform started with just a few online courses over a decade ago and today has grown into an extensive library of over thirty HD/4K video and test prep courses. Sporty’s mission is to make its high-quality training courses accessible to pilots on any screen they own, from iPhone/iPad to Android (and even Apple CarPlay), and on all the popular smart TVs, including AppleTV, Roku, FireTV and Android TV.

The latest enhancement brings an all-new version of the Pilot Training app to Apple computers, allowing pilots to access courses natively on a Macbook, iMac or Mac Pro. Here’s a quick look at the app and some of its unique features.

Downloading the Pilot Training App

Similar to your iPhone and iPad, Apple includes a dedicated App Store app on its computers which allows you to download and install both paid and free applications. Search for Sporty’s Pilot Training, and you’ll see this aviation app at the top of the list. It’s free to download and offers a selection of video and interactive features to test drive before purchasing a course.

Access 30 Aviation Courses

If you’re an existing Sporty’s user, sign in with your training account and you’ll have immediate access to all previously purchased courses. All video and test prep progress will instantly sync up and you’ll be able to pick up right where you left off. You can also purchase access to any of the courses directly from the app for instant access (most of the courses offer lifetime access and free future updates).

Several of the courses are produced in 4K resolution, like Patty Wagstaff’s Tailwheel and Sporty’s Multiengine Checkout courses, and look great on the big screen of an iMac:

The Pilot Training app for Mac was designed to work offline too, making it a great travel companion when traveling on the airlines or when an internet connection isn’t available. The test prep components are automatically saved for offline use when downloading the app, and you can then download videos from individual courses to your Mac’s hard drive (just like downloading charts in ForeFlight) for offline playback:

Another useful feature to check out is the free FAA handbook library included in the app. Launch the “preview” mode for the Learn to Fly, Instrument or Commercial Pilot Courses, and you’ll have full access to all the FAA handbooks pertinent to each course. Each handbook is presented in a powerful PDF viewer and includes search, bookmarking and annotation features.

How to get the courses

You can purchase access to any of the 30 aviation training courses right from Sporty’s website, including the 2022 Learn to Fly, Instrument Rating Course and Commercial Pilot Course. You’ll gain instant access to all the course platforms for one price. If you’ve already purchased one of these courses, you just need to download the any of the apps listed below and sign in with your username/password (or log in to Sporty’s Online Course Portal.)

Each course purchase includes lifetime updates, allowing customers who previously purchased any of these courses to automatically receive the new features after updating to the latest version of the Pilot Training app.

Sporty’s also offers access to ALL its courses through the Pilot Training+ Membership program. After purchasing a monthly or annual subscription, you’ll have unlimited access to all the aviation courses Sporty’s offers, in addition to other benefits like free shipping and access to flight training scholarships. Pilot Training+ also includes lifetime access to Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course, even if you decide to end your subscription.

iPhone/iPad – download the free app here

Android – download the free app here

Apple Computer – download the free app here

AppleTV – go to the App Store on AppleTV (4th Gen or newer) and search for Pilot Training

FireTV – search for Sporty’s Pilot Training to download the app (preview the app here)

AndroidTV – search for Sporty’s Pilot Training to download the app (preview the app here)

RokuTV App – search for the Sporty’s Pilot Training Channel on your Roku device

Online – visit Sporty’s Course Catalog and purchase direct access to any course

The post Sporty’s Pilot Training app now available for Apple computers appeared first on iPad Pilot News.

RAM introduces iPad mini 6 cradle and leg mount
iPad Pilot News

Since launching in September 2021, the iPad mini 6 has quickly become the most popular tablet among pilots. It combines a vivid screen and powerful processor with the perfect case size for small cockpits. While it may not be quite as powerful as the latest iPad Pro models, the mini 6 has all the performance a pilot could need for ForeFlight or Garmin Pilot, at an attractive price.

Securing that tablet in the airplane is always an important consideration, and there are finally some good options. We previously covered the X-Naut Cooling Case, which has built-in fans to keep the iPad cool. The universal fit mounts from Robust are another great option, especially if you have a case on your tablet.

Completing the selection, RAM recently introduced its perfect-fit cradle for the mini 6. This custom-molded cradle offers a low profile mount, taking up less space in the cockpit and holding firm. It does not work with cases, but it does have a handy spot to store an Apple Pencil. The perfect fit cradle costs $24.95 and is compatible with all other RAM mounts, using the standard 1″ ball on the back. This includes yoke mounts and suction cup mounts, two very popular options.

If you don’t like the yoke or suction cup options, RAM also offers a unique leg mount solution. This essentially turns a standard RAM cradle into a kneeboard, using two leg straps and a 1″ mounting ball. From there, you can add a RAM arm and then use any RAM cradle (including the one mentioned above). IN the picture below we are using a short arm.

We’ve tested this setup and it works—there is some configuration to get the leg straps just right and get the arm installed. Once the arm is tightened up, the iPad holds very steady and can be adjusted for the perfect angle. Like all RAM Mounts, the result is a very rugged solution. However, it’s worth pointing out that the connecting arm adds a fair amount of height to the system. In many airplanes this will block the yoke, so we would not recommend this for takeoff and landing. Once in cruise, it works well.

The post RAM introduces iPad mini 6 cradle and leg mount appeared first on iPad Pilot News.

Tips for using aviation apps with home flight simulators
iPad Pilot News

Are you stuck at home and separated from your airplane, or just experiencing an unlucky stretch of bad weather? The good news is, you can still fly at home and stay current with your favorite aviation apps using the latest flight simulators.

Many flight simulators today integrate directly with EFB apps including ForeFlight, Garmin Pilot, FlyQ, and Stratus Insight. The apps will function nearly identically as if you were in the airplane, creating a realistic in-flight experience, displaying GPS position, moving maps, synthetic vision, and other flight parameters.

The simulators can even output real-time flight data, such as AHRS pitch and bank, allowing you to learn and experiment with the most advanced EFB features. Before getting started, you’ll first need to ensure the EFB and flight simulator programs are set up properly. We’ll then review various ways you can use these simulator programs to both maintain currency and learn new skills with a series of VFR and IFR scenarios.

Connecting ForeFlight to your Flight Simulator

Before using a Flight Simulator with your EFB, the tablet must be connected to WiFi on the same network as the flight simulator. We’ll first start with ForeFlight and then look at Garmin Pilot, Stratus Insight and FlyQ.

Microsoft Flight Simulator

With the release of the new Microsoft Flight Simulator last year, you have a modernized option to stay current with your favorite aviation apps. The new flight simulator provides you with breathtaking graphics, using Bing maps to drive its terrain and mapping data. The result is a very realistic flight experience, as the entire planet is modeled, including landmarks, buildings, and large cities – all simulated with photorealistic details. While the flight simulator software has vastly improved realism, you can further enhance the experience with the addition of new hardware to make your simulator as realistic as possible.

If you own the latest Microsoft Flight Simulator, it shares the same EFB connectivity feature as all of the other home flight simulators.

To get started, make sure your computer firewall and Wi-Fi router are not blocking UDP traffic port 49002. You’ll have to consult your router and firewall support documents to configure your settings appropriately.

Once you have that setup, there are a few different plugins to connect Flight Simulator 2020 to your EFB.

1. Flight Events (Click ‘Join’ in upper right corner)
2. FS2FF (Flight Simulator to ForeFlight – Click ‘Releases’ on Right Side)
3. XMapsy
4. MSFS Bridge

These plugins are all compatible with ForeFlight, and most available EFBs on the market. If you are a ForeFlight user, they’ve written an article with detailed instructions on how to set up each plug-in to connect with FS2020, which can be viewed here.

While these instructions are specific to connecting with ForeFlight, other supported EFBs can be connected using the same steps. Consult each specific plug-in and EFB manuals to properly configure your setup.

X-Plane 11

X-Plane 11 is one of the most widely used consumer flight simulator platforms for PC and a great choice for Mac. It’s the best option if you’re just getting started with flight simulators. X-Plane 11 features integrated EFB app support, so setting up ForeFlight and your iPad to connect is a breeze.

1. Open the settings (upper-right of the menu bar) in X-Plane and go to Network.
2. Open the “iPhone, iPad and External Apps” Category, and choose broadcast to all mapping apps.
3. Return to ForeFlight, tap More > Devices > X-Plane and make sure the Enabled switch is on.

If you’re having trouble connecting to ForeFlight using the steps above, select the option for “transmit to a single mapping app” in X-Plane and then do the following:

1. Open ForeFlight and tap More > Devices. 
2. In the upper right corner, tap the “i” icon, and take note of the IP address listed under the Wi-Fi label. 
3. Enter the IP address found under the “i” icon into the “Transmit to a single mapping app” row on X-Plane. 
4. When “X-Plane” appears under Devices, tap “X-Plane” and ensure the Enabled switch is toggled on. 

Prepar3D v4 or v5/Flight Simulator X (2006)

Prepar3D and Flight Simulator X (2006) also provide realistic home flight simulator experience. Both simulators can receive ForeFlight data over WiFi. Prepar3D already has integrated support for simulated position data.

Prepar3D v4 or v5:

1. Open the Applications Options box.
2. On the Options menu, click “General”.
3. Click the “Application” tab on the left side. Tap and Enable “Broadcast GPS Data to network”. 
4. On ForeFlight, tap More > Devices > tap the Prepar3D v4 or v5 tile and make sure the Enabled switch is on

Flight Simulator X (2006) and older versions of P3D:

Flight Simulator X (2006) and older versions of P3D require a third-party plug-in to receive ForeFlight Data. Additionally, some of these plugins require FSUIPC to work. FSUIPC is a third-party module that allows third-party programs to communicate with FSX/P3D (old versions) properly.

Here are a few plugin options to try:

1. MindStar GpsVR
2. FlightSimGPS
3. FSXFlight (no longer for sale, but works for existing users)
4. XMapsy v3

Please note that each specific plug-in only supports certain EFBs, so make sure to use the one appropriate for your aviation app.

Visit these ForeFlight articles for more details on third-party plugins.

Prepar3D V4 or earlier

Flight Simulator X (2006)

Infinite Flight

Infinite Flight is the platform of choice for running a flight simulator directly on Android and iOS devices. Infinite Flight can send simulated data such as position, attitude, and traffic to ForeFlight.

1. Launch Infinite Flight on a separate phone or tablet, different from the one running ForeFlight.
2. On Infinite Flight, tap the “Gear” (settings) button in the upper left corner.
3. Scroll down to the bottom of the list and tap “Enable ForeFlight Link” switch to ON.

If you’re an Infinite Flight Live user, you’ll be able to see simulated traffic if you enable the traffic layer on the Maps view. Synthetic Vision on ForeFlight can also use simulated data from Infinite Flight.

Setting up Garmin Pilot, Stratus Insight and FlyQ

To ensure a proper link between other EFB apps and a flight simulator, the EFB needs to know it should be communicating with a simulator.

Garmin Pilot

1. Tap More > Settings.
2. At the very bottom of the left side column, tap “Flight Simulation”
3. Toggle the “Use Flight Simulator Data” switch to on.

Stratus Insight

1. Tap the “Settings” icon in the top-right corner.
2. Scroll to the bottom of the list and enable the setting “Listen for Flight Simulators”

FlyQ

FlyQ supports X-Plane version 10.2 or higher. To set it up, follow the above instructions under the X-Plane section for ForeFlight, except when you open the “iPhone, iPad and External Apps” Category, choose “Add Connection to Xavion or FlyQ” and follow the remaining instructions.

FlyQ EFB will automatically recognize Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and Prepar3D using the FSXFlight Plugin, however, it is no longer for sale, but works for existing users.

Other simulators will still work and should automatically connect, but you may need to enable settings in the EFB that is usually marked for ForeFlight or WingX. 

Once you’re all set up and everything is connected and working properly, it’s time to put the hardware to use.

Flight Control Hardware

As the law of intensity would state – realism is important, and the closer you get, the better. If you’re a desktop user and you’re looking to maximize your flight simulator experience, there are a variety of options for you to choose from. 

These options start with a basic joystick and go up to a full-blown yoke and throttle quadrant setup. Depending on your requirements and budget, we have several recommendations. 

The Honeycomb Alpha Yoke and Bravo Throttle Quadrant are the perfect pair and best bang for the buck, featuring a fully realistic yoke with 180-degree rotation and a self-centering mechanism. The Bravo throttle quadrant features a programmable annunciator panel, gear and flap levers, a backlit autopilot, and configurable throttle setup that can be interchanged between general aviation and commercial aviation setups. To complement the Honeycomb setup, we would recommend either the Thrustmaster Flight Rudder pedals or the Thrustmaster TPR Flight Simulator pedals, depending on your budget. Best of all, each piece is configured to work with Microsoft Flight Simulator out of the box.

For users looking for a less expensive alternative, the Logitech Flight Simulator Yoke and Rudder Pedals kit still offer a feature-packed experience. The Logitech kit includes a stainless steel control shaft for the yoke, realistic switches and buttons, integrated USB docking station hub, throttle quadrant and adjustable tension rudder pedals.

If you’re training in a single-engine GA trainer aircraft, Redbird Simulations provides a variety of hardware that is compatible with both X-Plane and Flight Simulator that are designed specifically for pilots who want the most realistic simulation experience. Redbird Simulations hardware is commonly used for FAA-approved Aviation Training devices. The hardware is made of durable, all-metal alloy construction. Redbird offers a professional-grade yoke, familiar vernier throttle quadrant, and advanced spring system rudder pedals.

Last but not least, if you want to just jump in with working controls, you can purchase a few basic joysticks from Logitech, or even more advanced setups offered by Thrustmaster.

The options available offer ergonomic designs, flight controls with programmable buttons, and a much more realistic experience compared to a mouse and keyboard for a reasonable price.

For an even more realistic experience, RealSimGear offers a variety of consumer avionics suites that you can purchase separately. These avionics suites are compatible with the most popular flight simulators, including P3D v4/5, X-Plane 11, and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020. These avionics are a high-quality, ultra-realistic representation of the panel-mounted GPS units found in many trainer aircraft today. This provides a great way to stay current and proficient with your avionics suite, and even learn the avionics suite without the expense incurred from flying the real airplane. RealSimGear offers several common avionics suites including the G1000, GNS430/530, GTN750/650, GFC500/700 autopilots, and more. 

Flying in the Simulator

In this next section, we’re going to focus on tips for flying with ForeFlight with your home simulator, but the concepts and tips apply to all EFB apps. To begin, set up a basic flight in your simulator, and spend time personalizing your EFB to your specific preferences. Here is a list of features to get you started:

• Auto Log Track Logging
• Auto-Centering Modes
• Breadcrumbs
• Custom Map Layers
• Dark Mode vs Light Mode
• Distance Rings
• Glide Advisor
• Instrument Panel Data Boxes
• Radar, TFRs Opacity
• Track Vector

You’ll be able to preview your changes in real-time on your simulator without concern for heads-down time in the cockpit or the expensive Hobbs meter ticking away.

Next, take some time to dive deeper into your favorite app features. You can use your simulator to practice different ways to perform a task and most likely find something new along the way. There may be a more efficient way for you to do certain things, and now is the time to explore those different techniques. For example, experiment with different ways to quickly modify your route, simulating either an emergency diversion of IFR re-route issued by ATC. Or try out that new electronic audio checklist feature in ForeFlight, to see how it works into your flight operation to replace the old paper checklist.

Perhaps you are transitioning to a G1000 equipped airplane and want to get a basic idea of how things are laid out in the cockpit. The time you spend in the simulator getting a general idea of where the buttons and knobs are laid out can be a big time-saver and save you money when you start training with the real thing.

Instrument pilots can spend their time figuring out what certain buttons and knobs do on a particular GPS model, for example. Just be aware that some things may not be perfectly accurate, and remember that a lot of airplanes come with different avionics packages. To help here, there are a lot of third-party developers that model their product as close as they can get to their real-life counterpart for avid simmers. For example, PMDG‘s virtual representations of Boeing aircraft are very accurate. Not all aircraft and avionics suites are accurately modeled and available, but 3rd party developers are releasing more and more aircraft each year. If you can find one that accurately replicates your airplane, pair this with your favorite EFB and start flying some instrument approaches for proficiency. Even if you cannot find one, fly one that’s close enough – as building good habits of the actual real-life procedures is the takeaway here. 

If you are flying somewhere new, or you’re looking for a new route to a familiar place, use your favorite EFB and simulator to get familiar with the routes. You can use this to see what types of airspace you’ll encounter, different terrain, landmarks, and geography. You can use the maps feature on your EFB to visualize the waypoints are along your route, and what the alternate airports look like along the way.

For the VFR pilot, now is the time to practice using your EFB to assist with an emergency. Curious about how far your airplane will glide if the engine quits? Try out the glide advisor in ForeFlight and simulate an engine out scenario from a normal cruising altitude using the glide advisor.

Going on a cross-country on a beautiful VFR day using pilotage? Try flying it in a flight simulator with your EFB and make note of some important geographical landmarks, or terrain features along your route and build that familiarization.

If you’re a student pilot, you can even use the simulator to obtain a general concept of your flight maneuvers. The simulators don’t typically do a great job of replicating aerodynamics of the maneuvers such as slow flight, stalls, or steep turns. That doesn’t mean it can’t be a valuable resource. You can still chair fly the procedural aspect in the simulator, and even use the tracklog recording function so you can review and debrief the flight data later to see if you were within ACS limits for a practical test. All of these features are equally pertinent to the instrument pilot too.

Instrument pilots can greatly benefit from staying proficient thanks to home flight simulators, as procedures from the real world can easily be translated and practiced in the simulator world. There is a lot of data to be processed in the instrument flying realm including weather, NOTAMs, approach plates, departures and arrivals, and more. Use the time in the simulator to come up with a way to help you keep that data organized and easily accessible.

For example, ForeFlight has a plates binder where you can organize your approaches, SIDs and STARs, taxiway diagrams, and more. Try setting up your instrument panel to display relevant information for you, so you’re not hunting to find it. You can try out the different layers on the Maps tab, and see how each one works and what information you like. While you’re here, you can practice finding efficient ways to type in ATC re-routes, or figuring out the best way to enter a full route clearance.

Has it been a while since you’ve even flown an approach in actual conditions? Follow along with georeferenced approaches, and even use synthetic vision or 3D approach preview to review the approach in detail. Additionally, use this time to practice your approach briefings. The simulator can be useful for simulating abnormal scenarios too.

Ever wondered what it’s like to fly in a full electrical and instrument failure in IMC? Try it out on a flight simulator, and challenge yourself to see if you can safely land at an airport using strictly an EFB, simulated AHRS and synthetic vision. You’d be surprised. Trying out these types of emergencies in a controlled environment can help you learn about the worst situations, in a safe manner.

If you’re not up for trying out different emergencies, flight simulators can be great for staying proficient or even working on some fundamentals like the instrument scan or even trying a new instrument scan pattern. Regardless of your mission, flight simulators are a great tool for pilots to stay productive especially if you’re grounded for an extended period of time. Once you understand the limitations of flight simulators and have a solid foundation to work with from professional instruction; flight simulators are an inexpensive way to explore new EFB features, keep your skills sharp, and build upon good habits.

It should also be noted that there are limitations that should be respected with flight simulator programs, as they do not always accurately represent real-life flight characteristics. Flight simulators should not be used as a substitute for professional flight instruction, and a flight instructor should be consulted for the most efficient and practical use of flight simulators.

For More Information:

Flight Simulator Accessories

Sporty’s Flight Sim Central

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 – What Pilot’s Need to Know

The post Tips for using aviation apps with home flight simulators appeared first on iPad Pilot News.

Flying with ForeFlight and Garmin Flight Stream
iPad Pilot News

Garmin set the standard for the connected cockpit concept and today it’s better than ever, allowing you to wirelessly connect your iPad and favorite aviation app to the avionics in your panel and share weather, traffic, GPS, flight plan data, and more between the two systems. Flight Stream integrates with most of the Garmin GPS and panel-mount avionics in production today, and more importantly, works with several of the leading apps, including ForeFlight, Garmin Pilot and FltPlan Go.

We’ve previously covered how to use Flight Stream with the Garmin Pilot app and FltPlan Go, and here we’re going to show how to use it with ForeFlight. First, let’s review the Flight Stream hardware options and the basics of how the system works.

Flight Stream hardware

First, we’re going to assume you already have a compatible Garmin avionics system in your airplane:

• ADS-B transceivers > GDL 84/88, GTX 345
• GPS navigators > Garmin GNS400/500 series, GTN 600/700 series, GNX 375
• Flight Decks > G500/G600 and TXi, G1000 NXi/G3000/G5000, G3X Touch

You’ll then need to add one of Garmin’s Flight Stream components to enable wireless connectivity. Garmin’s current options include the Flight Stream 110, 210 and 510 (learn more about the capabilities of each here). Some of the systems listed above integrate the Flight Stream component right in the hardware, like the GTX 345, GNX 375 and glass panel flight decks found in new production airplanes (e.g. new Cessna and Cirrus airplanes), so the Flight Stream 110/210/510 components are not required.

Depending on your avionics and configuration, you’ll have a variety of options for data to share between the panel and your iPad:

• Two-way flight plan transfer
• GPS
• ADS-B traffic and weather
• SiriusXM weather (and radio in the Garmin Pilot app)
• AHRS (pitch and bank)

Flight Stream setup

Connecting your iPad to Flight Stream is easy – simply enable pairing on the panel-mount GPS (like a GTN 750 or GNS 530W), then go to the Settings app on your iPad and tap on Flight Stream in the Bluetooth menu. After the initial setup, it should pair automatically. Here’s the setup screen on a GTN 750 connected to a Flight Stream 510:

You can verify the connection by going to the Devices section in ForeFlight. Tap on the Garmin Connext status block to view additional information about the connection and additional settings:

Flight Plan transfer

After pairing, head over to the Maps page. Open the route editor window and you’ll notice a Connext symbol at the bottom to the right of the wind data block – it looks like a radio transmitter symbol. Tap this and you can choose to send the current route from ForeFlight to your panel, or pull the active flight plan from the panel and load it into ForeFlight. There’s also an option to make flight plans transfer automatically from the panel to your iPad:

If you set the auto-receive switch to “off”, a confirmation alert will appear in ForeFlight to load the new route from the panel:

When sending a new or updated flight plan from ForeFlight to the panel, the MSG button will begin flashing on your navigator to let you know a new flight plan is available. Here’s what it looks like after pressing the MSG button on the GTN 750:

To activate the new flight plan, tap the “New FPL” button at the top left, confirm the route looks correct, and press the activate button at the bottom of the route. This is a really handy feature to use at the beginning of a flight, to quickly transfer the flight plan from ForeFlight to your avionics, saving you the time of having to type it all in again on the Flight Plan screen:

GPS and AHRS

All Flight Stream systems include GPS position in the data sent to your iPad, and many configurations also include an Attitude Heading Reference System (AHRS), which provides backup attitude information to your iPad. Simply tap the attitude indicator symbol at the top of the Maps page and you’ll see a split-screen view – synthetic vision if you subscribe to it, or an attitude indicator if not.

You can monitor the status of Flight Stream by tapping the settings button at the top left of the screen, then tapping Connext. From there, you’ll see connection status, GPS source and more. Note that the “Reset AHRS” should not be used to calibrate the attitude display. To do that, tap the settings button at the bottom left of the attitude screen – you’ll see an option for “zero pitch and bank.”

ADS-B Weather and Traffic

Depending on the avionics in your panel, Flight Stream can also send the full suite of ADS-B traffic weather products (or SiriusXM weather) and ADS-B traffic to ForeFlight on your iPad. This looks and works seamlessly and is accessed from the same controls in ForeFlight as if you were using a portable ADS-B receiver:

Lastly, it’s worth noting that you can use Flight Stream simultaneously with portable ADS-B receivers, like Sentry. This is possible because Flight Stream uses Bluetooth for the connection, while Sentry relies on Wi-Fi. For example, let’s say you had a GTN 650 in the panel with a Flight Stream 510 card and ADS-B out only capability (no ADS-B IN). The Flight Stream 510 would provide GPS and flight plan transfer capabilities, and then you could add the portable Sentry to provide ADS-B traffic and weather data in ForeFlight. When using this hybrid approach, you’ll see both Connext and Sentry are shown in the Devices section of ForeFlight, with a brief description of what services are offered by each:

The post Flying with ForeFlight and Garmin Flight Stream appeared first on iPad Pilot News.

Cloud Topper app updated with auto calibration and full screen support
iPad Pilot News

How many times have you been en route on a cross-country and wondered what the tops are on the cumulus clouds up ahead? Of course, deviating around them is an option for ensuring a smooth ride, but that also adds extra flight time. What if you could tell in advance whether or not your current altitude was high enough to clear the tops? That’s the purpose of one of our long-time favorite iPhone/iPad apps called Cloud Topper Pilot Sight Level.

Using your iPhone or iPad’s internal camera, gyro and accelerometers, the app helps you hold the device level and displays guides on the screen to help you gauge whether or not your current flight path will clear the tops.

You can also enter the approximate distance from the cloud tops in the dark field just below the degree readout and the app will calculate your height above or below that cloud. In the example below, we entered the cloud distance of 50 miles and tilted iPad screen down to place the reference line at the top of the cumulus clouds, to determine that the tops were approximately 14,200′ below our current altitude:

The app was recently updated with a new few new convenience features, starting with the ability to automatically calibrate the 0° pitch line when opening the app. It also supports holding your iPhone or iPad in both landscape and portrait mode and displays full screen on newer devices.

We’ve used this app to fly over afternoon cumulus clouds at 8,000 feet, and to top thunderstorms in the flight levels, and it works pretty well. Of course, you don’t want to rely on this app as your sole source for making an in-flight weather decision, but it sure is a nice tool to have on your iPad or iPhone in the summertime.

Cloud Topper is available for $1.99 in the app store.

The post Cloud Topper app updated with auto calibration and full screen support appeared first on iPad Pilot News.

How to use all the iPad screen gestures
iPad Pilot News

You can do almost everything on your iPad without touching a button—in fact, the majority of new iPhone and iPad models don’t even have a home button. Whether it’s closing an app, switching apps, opening the control center, or searching for something, iOS has multiple gestures that can save time or unlock additional features. Once you get proficient with them, they can really save time in the cockpit.

Apple recently added new gesture options in iOS 15 to provide quick access to the Notes and Screenshot features. Here’s a look at all the options, starting with the gestures you’ll need to know when using a newer iPad without a home button.

Gestures to replace the home button

Swipe up (a little) for the dock – From any app, just swipe up from the bottom of the screen about an inch to display the tray of favorite apps. The ones on the left are set by you; the ones on the right are auto-filled by the iPad based on popular or recently used apps. This is a fast way to change apps, and it’s also how you set up a split-screen (see below). 

Swipe up (a lot) to close the current app – This is the home button replacement. Swipe up to about the middle of the screen and you’ll close the current app and display the home screen. If you’re on one of the secondary home screens, doing this will return you to the first page of apps.

Swipe down from the top right corner for Control Center – The Control Center provides quick access to some of the most commonly used settings, including Airplane Mode, WiFi, Bluetooth, and screen brightness. It’s also where you turn on the flashlight feature, so this is a frequently-used menu. Make sure you’re swiping down from the top right corner.

Swipe down from the top for notifications – Did you get an alert and want to review it? Swipe down from the top of the screen to see a list of all your notifications, whether it’s a new email or an expected route from ForeFlight.

Swipe down from the middle of the home screen for search – Most people learn this one by accident, but it can be useful if your iPad has a lot of apps. Swipe from top to bottom on the center of the home screen and you’ll see a search box at the top. You can use this to find an app that’s hidden in another folder, a contact, or even search the internet. Swipe back to the left to return to your home screen.

Swipe up to see the app switcher – Use this instead of pressing the home button twice to access recently-used apps.

Drag an app from the dock to get split-screen – While an app is open, swipe from the bottom of the screen to display the tray with favorite and recent apps. Then, tap and drag an app icon to overlay it on the app that’s already open. This is a great way to use a checklist app or an E6B app without closing your favorite EFB app. Some apps go a step further and allow a full split-screen view, with two apps side by side. To view this, first drag an app icon out of the tray to display a second app and slide it over the far left or right side of the screen. You should see your original app resize and both apps will be active at the same time. You can even go from an 80/20 split to a 50/50 split by then dragging the new window from the left edge.

You can also use the iOS 15 multitasking controller at the top center of the screen to activate split-screen multitasking — learn more about how to do that here.

Multitasking Gestures

Next, here are several gestures that require four or five fingers – Apple calls them Multitasking Gestures. To activate this functionality, go to Settings -> General -> Gestures and enable the toggle for the “Four and Five Finger Swipe” setting.

Pinch to the home screen – Use this instead of pressing the home button to access the home screen from within any app. Place four or five fingers spread out on the screen, and pinch together.

Swipe up from the app switcher to close multiple apps – Once you’ve opened the app switcher, you can close apps that are running in the background by swiping up. This doesn’t delete the app, it simply closes it down completely. However, you can close multiple apps at the same time by swiping up with multiple fingers. This is handy if you want to close a lot of open apps, which is useful if you’re trying to troubleshoot. 

Swipe left or right between apps – This allows quick movement between applications that are currently running. With an app running, place four or five fingers spread out on the screen. Now, move your hand to the left to switch to the last opened app. With the same motion, move your hand back to the right to switch back to the previous app.

Corner Gestures

Apple added new “Corner Gestures” in iOS 15, which allow you to customize a few actions when swiping up from the bottom left or right corners of the screen. By default, swiping up from the bottom right corner of the screen launches the Quick Note feature, which can be used to jot down a quick thought or note:

You can disable the Quick Note gesture by going to Settings -> General -> Gestures and setting the Right Corner Swipe action to Off. Additionally, you can also set the left or right corner swipe action to take a Screenshot, which you may find more convenient than simultaneously pressing the power and volume buttons to accomplish this action.

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