iPad Pilot News

Sporty’s E6B app is all new for 2021

Wed, 13 Jan 2021 14:05:55 GMT

There are several must-have items in every pilot’s flight bag: headset, fuel tester, iPad and E6B. During flight training, every pilot learns to love the handheld E6B flight computer, especially since it can be used to help with flight planning calculations on the FAA written test.

After the checkride, though, many pilots transition to an E6B app on a mobile phone or iPad for convenience and simplicity.

Sporty’s E6B app has been the flight computer app of choice for tens of thousands of pilots around the world for the past decade. It has been updated, improved, and redesigned numerous times since it was first developed in 2009 for the original iPhone. To keep up with the latest iOS technology, features and screen sizes, Sporty’s recently released an all-new version for 2021, available as a free update for all existing users.

Sporty’s E6B includes 22 aviation functions, 20 conversions, a clock/timer feature and a weight & balance calculator. The new version was designed to improve usability and minimize taps when on the go or in the airplane, thanks to the new tab-bar menu at the bottom of the screen. It also allows users to customize the home screen and keep favorite functions within quick reach.

The iPad version supports all of the latest multitasking features, which is great for displaying side by side with apps like ForeFlight:

The latest update adds support for iOS Dark Mode, which optimizes the screen colors when flying at night or in other low-light environments:

The included E6B app for Apple Watch was also redesigned with an improved interface to make it easier to use on the watch’s smaller screen. Pilots can access and interact with the functions and conversions on the watch, except for the timer and weight and balance calculator.

One thing hasn’t changed in the latest E6B update; the software is based on the tried and true formulas and algorithms developed over the years by Sporty’s team of over 50 pilots. Sporty’s E6B app makes quick work of navigational, weight and balance, or fuel problems, and is a favorite of student pilots. But it also includes a number of features that are useful for experienced pilots, like Top of Descent, Specific Range and Planned Mach #.

Sporty’s E6B app is available for a one-time purchase of $9.99 and includes iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch versions. An Android version of the E6B app is also available in the Google Play Store.

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The best flight simulator apps for iPad (if you’re a pilot)

Mon, 11 Jan 2021 22:49:35 GMT

Mention “flight simulator” right now and most pilots will think of the new Microsoft Flight Simulator, which has been one of the hot topics in aviation since it was released last year. This is an impressive new option, and when paired to high quality flight controls, it’s a valuable resource for keeping current at home (but don’t try to learn crosswind landings on it). If you want the best flight simulator experience this is the way to go.

But not everyone has a Windows computer that’s powerful enough to run MSFS, and sometimes you only have time for a quick sim session. For those reasons—and many more—there is still a thriving market in iPad-based flight simulators. Lots of these have flashy videos in the App Store, but most of them are aimed at casual gamers, not pilots. Here are our top picks for flight simulators that work on the iPad and won’t make pilots roll their eyes.

X-Plane is a familiar name among pilots, as the company has offered a robust desktop simulator for many years. The mobile version has most of the features that have made the original one so popular, including realistic airplane models, stunning scenery, and intuitive controls. You can choose from a pre-loaded Challenge, or select Free Flight to choose your airplane, airport, and weather. The app includes a Cessna 172, Cirrus SF50 jet, Sikorsky S-76 helicopter, and F-22 Raptor by default. Additional airplanes cost between 99 cents and $4.99.

The level of detail in the cockpits is exceptional, with every switch and knob visible (and adjustable). The latest update includes an improved Cirrus Jet, with a surprisingly lifelike G1000 panel. You can push all the buttons, engage the autopilot, and tune the radios. This isn’t exactly like the real thing, but it’s pretty close. For example, when you tap on a light switch, the app will show you what it does. For basic glass cockpit proficiency, it’s a lot more than a game.

The other feature we really like is the option to adjust weather and fail systems. The bottom of every Free Flight launch page includes options for airplane, location, weather, time, and failures. This makes it fast and easy to set the flaps to fail or leave the fuel cap off. You can even set these to “could fail” to add some surprise factor.

X-Plane is free to download, and while it really flies on newer iPad Pro models, it will run on any device with iOS 13 or newer. The free version doesn’t have as many limitations as you might expect: it’s a solid simulator right from the start. In addition to buying additional airplanes, you can subscribe to global scenery for $49.99/year. This adds global scenery, more than 11,500 highly detailed airports, and unlimited access to all aircraft.

Infinite Flight is our second recommendation, and it offers a similarly polished experience with plenty of customization options and a vibrant community. It’s a little more airline-focused (standard airplanes include three Boeings, two Airbus models, and a CRJ-200), but the app includes a Cessna 172, Cirrus SR22, and a CubCrafters XCub.

There are the usual options for choosing an airplane and a location, then you’re ready to fly. The cockpits and scenery are both highly detailed, with the option to fly a heads-up display, a cockpit view, or a variety of exterior camera angles. Like X-Plane, simple buttons on the side of the screen make it easy to adjust throttle or flaps, and the pitch/roll control is your iPad’s built-in accelerometer.

One small feature we like is the option to quickly move the airplane to takeoff or short final position. In the screenshot below, we instantly set up for landing on short final, and the red boxes provide guidance for a smooth landing.

Another helpful feature in Infinite Flight is accessed by tapping the globe at the bottom left corner of the screen during a flight. This brings up a map overlay (Wittman Airport in Oshkosh below), which is helpful during cross-countries or instrument flights.

Infinite Flight is only 99 cents to download, and this gives you access to plenty of options, including 12 airplanes and beautiful visuals, although the geographic areas you can fly in are limited to only a handful of options (including California and the Chicago/Oshkosh area). To unlock all the locations, including live weather, a multiplayer environment, dozens more airplanes, and live air traffic control, you’ll want to spend $79.99 on a Pro subscription. The live ATC feature in particular, where other users act as controllers (after some training), is a fun way to practice your aviation skills.

Both X-Plane and Infinite Flight are mature apps—these don’t suffer the same annoying bugs and frustrating menus you’ll find on more homemade options. But as good as they are, any simulator made for iPad is a poor substitute for real flying. They are all but worthless for learning maneuvers, landings, or seat of the pants flying skills. However, they have value for basic cockpit awareness (where is the trim wheel in a 172?) and instrument scan (if anything, this is harder in the app because pitch is so sensitive). It’s also worth pointing out that both apps work with ForeFlight, making either one a great way to practice EFB procedures from the comfort of your home. Oh yeah, they’re also a lot of fun…

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Video tip: How to use the ForeFlight map weather layers

Thu, 07 Jan 2021 20:36:49 GMT

Do you know the difference between base and composite radar reflectivity, enhanced vs. infrared satellite imagery, or how to interpret the icing forecast layers in ForeFlight? Our latest video tip, from the Flying with ForeFlight training course, explains it all.

This clip appears in Sporty’s Flying with ForeFlight training course, which features nearly 3 hours of in-depth training on how to use aviation’s most widely used EFB app.

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Top iPad accessories for pilots – 2021 gear roundup

Tue, 05 Jan 2021 22:59:23 GMT

The iPad makes a great all-in-one cockpit tool, combining maps, flight planning, weather, documents, and so much more. That doesn’t mean it stands on its own, though. A few carefully chosen accessories can make it so much more powerful and easy-to-use. Here’s our updated list of the accessories you should consider, and our top recommendations.

Weather Receiver

An ADS-B receiver is an essential accessory for the iPad.

Practically an essential for iPad pilots who fly cross country or IFR, these all-in-one portable receivers deliver a wealth of data to your iPad: subscription-free weather, traffic, GPS, and backup attitude. Some add flight data recording, carbon monoxide detection, and pressure altitude. Best of all, they’re battery-powered and require just a single button push to operate. Like a good ANR headset, an ADS-B receiver quickly pays back the initial investment.

Top Choice: ForeFlight Sentry

Why it’s the best: The Sentry packs a lot of features into a small size, and all for under $500. Sentry includes ADS-B weather (with a 30-minute replay), dual-band traffic, a carbon monoxide detector, and a built-in AHRS to drive ForeFlight’s synthetic vision. We particularly like the 12-hour battery life, which allows you to fly all day without wires.

On a budget: ForeFlight Sentry Mini

Want to learn more? Check out our portable weather receiver buyer’s guide.

GPS

The Bad Elf Pro+ is our top pick for deluxe GPSs.

If you don’t need all the bells and whistles of an ADS-B receiver, a standalone GPS is a great value. It will drive the moving maps in your aviation app and give you essential navigation data like groundspeed, track across the ground, and time to destination.

Top Choice: Bad Elf Pro+

Why it’s the best: Bad Elf’s flagship GPS is well made and has a number of great features: an incredible 35-hour battery life, handy built-in screen, altimeter, and the ability to connect to multiple devices.

On a budget: Dual XGPS150A

Want to learn more? Check out our iPad GPS buyer’s guide.

Flight Bag

The Flight Outfitters Lift Bag is made for the iPad, and has quickly become a popular choice for pilots.

Flight bags have evolved considerably over the past 10 years, featuring a smaller footprint with well-thought out pockets to keep your electronic gadgets organized and secure. They’re also more stylish. A good one can protect and organize your iPad, mount/kneeboard, charging cords, headset, and more.

Top Choice: Flight Outfitters Lift

Why it’s the best: This compact, square-shaped bag features a padded center pocket for your iPad, surrounded by additional side pockets for a headset or smaller iPad accessories. The fold-out style is handy in the airplane, especially if you’re flying single pilot and have the flight bag on the right seat – you can open only the pocket you need, and grab your gear with one hand.

On a budget: Flight Gear Tailwind Backpack

Kneeboard

The MyClip Multi will fit almost any tablet on the market.

Securing your iPad in the cockpit is important for safety and for ease of use. There are two main options for this: a kneeboard or a mounting system. Kneeboards are generally more affordable, and offer additional storage pockets. They’re ideal for renters or flying club members.

Top Choice: MyClip Multi

Why it’s the best: This simple leg strap doesn’t take up much space in the cockpit, but holds your iPad firmly in place. The ingenious attachment mechanism fits a huge variety of tablets, with or without a case. It just works.

On a budget: Flight Gear iPad Kneeboard

Mount

RAM Mounts are a good mix of quality and value.

If a kneeboard doesn’t work in your airplane, a mount is a great alternative. There are lots of options here, from suction cup mounts for side windows to yoke mounts. There are plenty of brands offering mounts, and most of them are quite good, but there are significant differences between them to consider.

Top Choice: RAM Suction Cup Mount

Why it’s the best: RAM Mounts have a great reputation for quality and flexibility, allowing pilots to mount an iPad almost anywhere. The EZ-Roll’r cradle holds the tablet tight, and the mount features a lifetime warranty. We’ve been flying with them for over a decade.

On a budget: Robust Suction Cup Mount

Backup Power

The Flight Gear battery pack can charge two iPads and a Stratus at the same time.

Most of the (very rare) issues we’ve had with the iPad have been due to running out of battery. So it’s only smart to have a backup for those days when you fly longer than expected or forget to charge your iPad. Fortunately, there are more options than ever. Just be sure to get something with a 2 amp charging port.

Top Choice: Flight Gear Battery Pack

Why it’s the best: The first backup battery that checks all the boxes. It features four high amp charging ports so it can power an iPad and an ADS-B receiver at the same time. Its 20,000 mAh capacity will last the whole flight, and it can be recharged with a Lightning, USB-C, or micro-USB cable. It’s like a Swiss Army Knife for your electronic devices.

On a budget: Flight Gear dual USB cigarette lighter charger

Screen Protector

ArmorGlas is made from tempered glass.

Not everyone likes screen protectors, since they can distort the screen slightly. But for pilots who use their iPads hard, it makes sense to give that big chunk of glass a little extra protection from scratches, drops and fingerprints. Some will cut down on screen glare too.

Top Choice: MyGoFlight ArmorGlas

Why it’s the best: These screen protectors aren’t flimsy sheets of plastic that are impossible to put on; instead, they’re made from tempered glass. They are much easier to apply, they don’t affect the touchscreen performance, and they even reduce screen glare by a bit.

What else is on your list for iPad accessories? Add a comment below.

The post Top iPad accessories for pilots – 2021 gear roundup appeared first on iPad Pilot News.

How to use CloudAhoy’s new ILS debriefing function

Wed, 30 Dec 2020 19:12:19 GMT

CloudAhoy has long been one of our favorite “add-on apps” for the iPad, a helpful tool that goes beyond your favorite EFB app with a suite of flight logging and debriefing features. This is a great way to get more out of every flight lesson: you can review that turn around a point or instrument approach, and make notes for improving your skills. It pulls in-flight data from a variety of sources, including ForeFlight tracklogs, Stratus ADS-B receivers, Garmin G1000 glass cockpits, and more.

The latest CloudAhoy update is designed for instrument pilots to help analyze flight performance after flying an ILS, and it’s pretty slick. Depending on whom you ask, the definition of a successful ILS approach range from meeting ATP standards with needles centered all the way down, to a looser view of being able to find the runway and land when breaking out of the clouds.

The latest ILS debrief function in CloudAhoy can help both pilots working on an instrument rating, as well as those who are already rated looking to polish up their approach skills, with an objective analysis to highlight what went well (and what could be improved).

To show how this works, we’re going to look at a debriefing from a recent flight that included the ILS Runway 11 approach at KBED in Massachusettes. Flight data was logged with the CloudAhoy app on an iPad with external GPS (Bad Elf). Flight data can also be imported to CloudAhoy after a flight from a variety of ways, including GPS loggers, EFBs, and avionics systems. For example, if you forget to log a flight via the CloudAhoy app, you can simply import tracklogs from ForeFlight to CloudAhoy after landing and debrief using that flight data.

After the flight and when back on the ground, select the “D – Debrief and More” tab from the bottom of the screen. The most recent flight will appear here, or you can tap the “Flights” button at the top to select a different recording.

Click on the side toggle to open the left panel and open the CFI Assistant. Here you’ll see that CloudAhoy automatically identified each approach flown and includes a performance score.

From this panel, you can declutter the track information by checking a specific segment (or segments). You can also choose which segment information you would like displayed by clicking on the circle “i” button to the right of the approach name.

After selecting an approach from the list, close the left panel to show more of the debriefing screen. For this demonstration, the left half shows a 3D track view, which allows you to explore the flight path and visualize the actual path flown vs. the charted 3D approach path. The right side includes various graph options to show how you managed airspeed control and tracked the localizer and glideslope. You can change what’s shown on the left and right side of the screens using the 2D/3D/HUD/i toggle at the top left of each panel.

Tap the Score at the top right to expand that window and see the specific details on what makes the total score and how much weight was given to each parameter.

Under the Score window is a series of graphs that can be expanded for additional details. The first graph is the Altitude Profile Graph. For CloudAhoy Pro Subscribers, CloudAhoy overlays the glideslope path and the glideslope beam to make it easy to see how stable your approach was at a glance. You can also click the PLAY button, or scrub it or the crosshair on any of the graphs. Notice the details on the VCDI graph, HCDI graph, and Vertical Speed graph.

There’s another option to view a Cockpit HUD display with flight instruments overlayed. Simply tap the HUD button at the top left of the screen to switch to this view. As you debrief the ILS approach, check out and follow the red/green CDI indicators in the HUD view to see the Localizer and Glideslope relative to your flight path (this is a new feature just added for CloudAhoy Pro Subscribers). Similar to the track views, if you scrub through the graphs, the HUD display will follow accordingly.

While this may seem like an overwhelming amount of information at first, you’ll find that focusing on one data point at a time will help you make sense of it all. Start by looking at the score analysis and find areas that were graded at less than 85. For example, you might find that your vertical speed control was erratic, leading to poor glideslope tracking. Or you may find that you were flying too fast and unstabilized at the FAF, leading to a needle chase adventure that never smoothed out.

Whatever it is, find a weak spot and make a conscious effort to improve that one aspect during your next round of practice approaches and try to improve your score. Not only will you find the practice more meaningful, but you’ll also have some fun along the way after while trying to improve your approach score.

The CFI assistant (automatic scoring) and approach profile views require the Pro version of CloudAhoy – learn more and sign-up here.

The post How to use CloudAhoy’s new ILS debriefing function appeared first on iPad Pilot News.

Overlooked iPad settings to consider before flying

Mon, 28 Dec 2020 14:55:51 GMT

The iPad Settings app offers a dizzying array of options, from changing privacy options to adjusting screen brightness. As we’ve covered before, we think a quick preflight inspection of your iPad is a good idea, but there are a few more obscure settings that some pilots might also want to review. Here are three we’ve learned about the hard way.

Require Passcode. If you use a password to keep your iPad secure during the day (as many companies require if used for work), this can introduce problems during flight. If you have sunglasses, a headset, and possibly even a mask on while flying, the FaceID might fail. Likewise, typing in a password every time the screen turns off is a hassle, especially if you need quick access to a chart. You can turn off your passcode, but then it’s a hassle to set it up again. An easier solution is to change how long the iPad waits before requiring you to enter your passcode. Go to Settings -> Face ID & Passcode -> Require Passcode. Choose “After 4 hours” and you should be set for all but the longest flights.

EFB App Notifications. Notifications are helpful, but they can quickly clog up your iPad screen if you use a lot of apps—do you really need 25 news alerts per day? For this reason, we often turn off most notifications during normal use. It’s just one less thing to be distracted by. In flight, however, notifications can be very important, for example if you use a timer for fuel management. To make sure you see these important notifications, go to Settings -> Notifications and choose your EFB app from the list. Make sure “Allow Notifications” is selected on, then tap Banner Style. By default it will be set to Temporary, meaning the notification shows up for a few seconds and then disappears. For flying, we like to change this to Persistent, so you have to acknowledge the alert.

Shake to Undo. This feature is one that most iPad owners learn about by accident—you accidentally shake or drop your tablet and a screen appears asking whether you want to undo. This can be helpful if you’re sitting on the couch, but it’s incredibly annoying if you’re slamming through moderate turbulence. To turn it off, go to Settings -> Accessibility -> Touch and turn off Shake to Undo.

Learn more about iPad settings in this article.

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Quiz: Flying IFR with ForeFlight

Fri, 25 Dec 2020 13:57:43 GMT

The post Quiz: Flying IFR with ForeFlight appeared first on iPad Pilot News.

Can you connect two Bluetooth devices to your iPad at one time?

Wed, 23 Dec 2020 17:06:43 GMT

Bluetooth, once a cutting edge technology, is now woven into the fabric of daily life, from the kitchen to the car. That’s certainly true for pilots too—a typical airplane might have five Bluetooth-enabled devices, streaming everything from weather to music. As simple as it seems, though, Bluetooth can actually get pretty complicated, especially if you’re trying to pair your iPad to multiple devices. Let’s explore what the limitations are, and what a typical setup can support.

How many of those devices will work at one time?

First, it’s worth reviewing what Bluetooth actually is and how it works. Bluetooth is a method for connecting devices wirelessly when they are close by. Unlike WiFi, another popular wireless connection option, Bluetooth is typically a one-to-one connection and is used for short range data transfer, not internet access (like WiFi). The classic example for pilots might be connecting an iPad to an external GPS, like a Bad Elf or Dual. Once you pair your iPad to the GPS, you’ll get GPS position data in your favorite apps without any wires but don’t expect to surf the internet.

Things have become more complicated over the years, with Bluetooth devices moving beyond just a single device feeding information to a single display. For example, on a recent flight we found ourselves with an iPad Pro running Garmin Pilot, plus a Garmin GDL 52 portable ADS-B/SiriusXM receiver, a Garmin GTN 750 panel-mount GPS with a Flight Stream 510 wireless link, and a Bose A20 headset. Can all those devices play nice? The short answer is yes, but there are important details to remember.

When pilots talk about “connecting to Bluetooth,” there are really three parts to it: pairing to another device, activating a connection to send data, and streaming audio. You pair your iPad to a Bluetooth device the first time you connect to it (via the Settings app -> Bluetooth). You can pair your iPad to dozens of devices, and once it’s paired it should remember it as an option in the future.

But the limitation is not how many devices you can pair with, it’s how many your iPad can talk to at one time. Technically, you could connect to 5 or more Bluetooth devices at a time, but this is extremely rare in practice (lots of things come into play here, including whether the devices use Bluetooth Low Energy and what the service profile is). With audio, it’s almost always limited to once device at a time.

For simplicity, it’s best to assume that your iPad can connect to two Bluetooth devices for data and one for audio at a time.

Can all these devices play well together?

So, in the example above we successfully connected all our devices:

iPad connected to Flight Stream 510 for flight plan sync (data)
iPad connected to GDL 52 for SiriusXM datalink weather and traffic (data)
iPad connected to Bose A20 for audio alerts from Garmin Pilot (audio)

So far we’ve been talking about the iPad making all the connections. But there’s another side to think about: the Bluetooth devices themselves, like the GDL 52. What if you have a co-pilot who wants to share your GDL?

This depends on the device. The Dual XGPS150A can only connect to one device at a time. However, the Dual XGPS160 and the Bad Elf Pro can connect to five devices at a time. The Garmin GDL 52 can connect to two devices at a time for weather and traffic information (an iPad and iPhone, for example), plus one audio device for listening to SiriusXM music (a Bose A20 headset, for example). Learn more about the GDL 52 pairing process in this article.

If you’re using a WiFi-enabled device, like a Stratus or Sentry ADS-B receiver, you can connect to five devices at once. Just remember that these devices only use WiFi for short-range data transfer (like Bluetooth), so they do not allow you to connect to the internet.

The post Can you connect two Bluetooth devices to your iPad at one time? appeared first on iPad Pilot News.

What’s the best external GPS for my iPad?

Mon, 21 Dec 2020 20:53:13 GMT

External iPad GPSs were one of the first accessories to appear for the iPad. After the iPad was released in 2010, pilots quickly realized that the tablet was far more useful with an accurate position source—moving maps, terrain warnings, and so much more come into play. Initially, there were very few options for pilots, but the market rapidly expanded and now there are more choices than ever. How do you pick the right one? Let’s survey the market.

Do you need a GPS?

The first question some pilots may ask is whether you even need an external iPad GPS. If you own a WiFi-only model iPad, it’s simple—you have no built-in GPS so you definitely need one. However, LTE model iPads (ones with the cellular radio in it) have a built-in GPS receiver. Note that this GPS is completely separate from the cell service, so you don’t even have to have an active data plan for the GPS to work. You could buy an LTE model iPad, never activate your Verizon or AT&T service, and still have GPS data.

But while the on-board GPS does work with all popular aviation apps, it was really designed for ground use and in our experience it’s not always as reliable in the air. It has a tendency to drop offline occasionally, especially when switching between apps or when the iPad goes to sleep. It’s not necessarily a question of accuracy, but of reliability. You don’t want the GPS to be a little slow waking up right at the final approach fix in the clouds. For this reason, many iPad pilots—even those with an LTE iPad—opt for an external GPS. It’s pretty cheap insurance.

More recently, with the exploding popularity of portable ADS-B receivers like the Stratus and Sentry, external iPad GPSs have faded in popularity just a bit. If you have a full-featured ADS-B receiver, you do not need a separate GPS, since all of them include one already. However, if you’re just getting started with the iPad and don’t want to spend $500 for an ADS-B receiver, a GPS represents a great way to get started. Some pilots who own an ADS-B receiver also keep an external GPS on hand for backup.

Note that GPSs are app-agnostic—that is, they work with almost any app because Apple builds “location services” into its core iOS functionality. Many of these GPSs are also compatible with Android devices.

The plug-in Bad Elf never needs charging or pairing.

Plug-in or wireless

If you’ve decided to buy an iPad GPS, the first question to consider is a pretty simple one: do you want a small GPS that plugs into the bottom of your iPad or do you want a wireless GPS that can be mounted remotely? The plug-in model wins for simplicity since it runs off your iPad’s battery. Just plug it in and open your favorite app. There is no battery to charge, no wireless settings to adjust and not even a power button. The only downside is that it’s (by design) limited to one device and it does stick out of your iPad. That’s not a major problem—we recommend flipping the iPad around so that it sticks out the top—but some pilots don’t like this.

Bad Elf offers the only plug-in GPS model, and it’s available for any Apple device with the Lightning connector (sorry, no USB-C option at this time). This GPS costs $99.99.

Wireless GPSs connect to your iPad via Bluetooth, so they do require some basic setup to pair the two devices. There’s also a battery to keep charged in the GPS, which means a little extra work. But there are plenty of advantages to a wireless GPS too, including the ability to mount it out of the way or in a better place for reception. For that reason, wireless GPSs are much more popular than plug-in GPSs these days.

Wireless GPSs are available from Dual Electronics, Garmin and Bad Elf. The Bad Elf Pro even includes a small screen for status messages and basic GPS position data. Prices range from $99.95 to $249.99.

The Bad Elf Pro+ is our top pick for deluxe GPSs.

Basic or deluxe

The next question is whether you want a basic, lower-cost model or a deluxe model. The three main features of the higher-end models are: longer battery life, data logging functions, and the ability to connect to multiple iPads simultaneously—a nice feature for two pilot crews or for connecting to a phone for backup. None of these are necessarily must-have features, but if you’ll be flying regularly with a GPS, the longer battery life is worth it.

Two models are available in this deluxe class. Bad Elf offers their Pro+ GPS with all of these advanced features, plus an altimeter, for $249.99. Dual offers their XGPS160 model for $149.95.

Our picks

Which one is best for pilots? None of these GPSs is really a bad choice, but we’ll offer two picks. For a good performer at a good price, the Dual XGPS150A is hard to beat. At just $99.95, it offers good battery life, reliable performance and a handy dash mount. It has been one of the best-selling models for years and gets good reviews from pilots.

For a deluxe model, or for pilots who fly with multiple devices in the cockpit, we like the Bad Elf Pro+. At $249.99 it isn’t cheap, but it’s very well made and has a number of great features: an incredible 35-hour battery life, handy built-in screen, altimeter, and connection to multiple devices.

You can see the entire selection of iPad GPSs at Sporty’s.

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Understanding USB-C and Power Delivery

Fri, 18 Dec 2020 17:04:23 GMT

In a world of competing standards (iOS or Android, Safari or Chrome, Garmin or Avidyne), USB seems like a simple and comforting exception. The familiar plug with a rectangular shape was first invented more than 25 years ago, and has since been used for everything from laptops to coffee makers. While the plug is not bidirectional—to the frustration of everyone who has ever tried to jam a cable into a plug upside down—its ubiquity made it easy to charge your iPad. From airport lounges to cigarette lighter plugs to battery packs, all you had to look for was the familiar USB plug.

The familiar USB-A port is slowly fading away.

But lately things have gotten more complicated. The traditional USB plug, technically called USB-A, is slowly being surpassed by USB-C (there is no USB-B). This new type, introduced in 2014, has some important advantages: it is smaller, it is bidirectional (yeah!), supports higher data transfer speeds, and offers the ability to charge devices faster. For these reasons, many iPhones and iPads now have a USB-C port to connect to the wall charging plug.

Beyond changing the connection for charging plugs, though, USB-C ports are starting to appear on portable devices themselves. For example, the latest iPad Pro models and both the Stratus and Sentry line of ADS-B receivers all feature USB-C charging plugs. For some of these devices, that means USB-C plugs are on both ends of the charging cable. That means your flight bag probably ought to include multiple types of charging cables now—the familiar USB-A to Lightning cable won’t cut it for many devices.

The newest Flight Gear Wall Plug includes two USB-A ports as well as a USB-C port with PD.

Many charging accessories have adapted to this new standard. The popular Flight Gear Battery Pack, our top pick for a go-anywhere backup power option, features a USB-C port in addition to traditional USB-A ports. That makes it perfect for charging an older iPhone and a new iPad Pro at the same time. Likewise, a new Flight Gear Wall Charging Plug includes a USB-C port below two USB-A ports. But you may notice another note on the plug: PD/QC.

While pilots know the importance of finding a 2+ amp charging port for their iPads (standard 1 amp phone chargers don’t work well), PD goes a step further. This stands for Power Delivery, and refers to a particular technical specification that allows for faster charging. Think of PD as a two-way conversation between the plug and the device being charged. Essentially, the device tells the plug how much power it needs, and the plug adjusts the output to charge as fast as possible. The result is your device can charge 50-75% faster with PD than it can with a traditional charger—up to 30 watts for some tablets.

To take advantage of PD, you need all three parts of the equation to support it: the plug, the cable, and the device. Look for PD or Power Delivery next to a USB-C plug to be sure it’s supported and make sure to use high quality cables. The iPhone 8 and newer all support PD. Supported iPad models include: iPad Air (3rd gen), iPad mini 5, iPad Pro 10.5″, iPad Pro 11″ (all generations), and iPad Pro 12.9″ (all generations).

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ForeFlight 12.11 adds new weather forecasts, airport hot spots and runway slope

Tue, 15 Dec 2020 17:01:02 GMT

ForeFlight released version 12.11 this week in what will likely be the app’s last major update for 2020. This includes new features and improvements in several different sections in the app, including maps, airport diagrams, weather, and the pack/download function. And unlike previous updates this year, all of the new features designed for GA pilots are included with all ForeFlight subscription plans. Let’s jump right in.

Daily and Hourly Weather Forecasts

There’s no shortage of sources for weather forecasts on your iPhone or iPad, from free general-purpose weather apps to detailed model and statistic-based graphical forecasts in aviation apps. The latest update to ForeFlight adds another option to the mix, called the Daily/Hourly Forecast product.

This all-purpose forecast is available out to 10 days and includes estimates of temperature, surface wind, pressure, dewpoint and humidity, density altitude, rain chance, ceiling, visibility, sunrise and sunset times, and color-coded flight category. You can access it from a few different places in ForeFlight, including the Airports and Maps screens:

While your first impression might be that this is just another temperature and sunshine/cloud icon-based forecast, it’s much more than that and can help you with long-range trip planning. Tap any of the day’s forecast rows to reveal an hourly forecast with key aviation data, like visibility, ceiling, precipitation and wind forecasts. At the bottom, you’ll see color bars representing a timeline for each day’s VFR/MVFR/IFR forecast status, perfect to get an at-a-glance feel for the week’s upcoming flight conditions.

While it’s not a replacement for the MOS text and graphical forecasts, you’ll likely find this very useful to help narrow down the best departure/arrival times when the weather is crummy and to get an eye on forecast trends for a trip planned several days out. Daily/Hourly Forecasts are also cached as part of Pack, allowing forecasts to be viewed for up to 24 hours after they were downloaded.

Airport Hotspot Details

When viewing ForeFlight’s custom airport diagrams when zoomed in on the map, you can now tap on a hotspot to get more information. This often provides additional information about ATC clearance expectations at runway and taxiway intersections.

Parachute Jump Areas

Parachute Jump Areas in the US are now displayed directly on the Aeronautical Map with a segmented yellow ring. Tap and hold one to view additional information:

Tap Details in the Add to Route popup to view a PJA’s information, including its name, associated airport or aerodrome, upper and lower altitude limits, active hours, and more. You can disable PJAs using the Parachute Area switch in Map Settings > Airspace, or by disabling all airspace.

Runway Slope

For many pilots, runway slope is just as important as runway length when maximum performance is needed for takeoff or landing. ForeFlight now includes this key detail in the Runway tab of the Airport screen, eliminating the extra step of digging it out of the Chart Supplement.

Oceanic Route Constraint: Include Track

For those flying high and far across the Atlantic or Pacific, ForeFlight added a new route planning constraint to narrow down the route options delivered by the Route Advisor feature. With Route Advisor open, tap the Constraints button in the top-right to edit constraints, then tap Include Track at the bottom of the list.

Switch between westward and eastward tracks using the toggle at the top of the window, and tap any track name from the North Atlantic Tracks or Pacific Organized Track System to select it. Tap out of the Constraints view and ForeFlight will attempt to generate a Recommended Route that includes the track you selected.

Download & Pack Improvements

Both the Download and Pack views have improved and consistent interfaces that display the combined size of pending and in-progress downloads. In Downloads, the Pause and Download buttons are now grouped together in the bottom-right corner, while the Delete button is accessible in the top-right corner.

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iOS Update Green Light program: iOS and iPadOS 14.3

Tue, 15 Dec 2020 14:30:53 GMT

Apple recently released iOS and iPad OS 14.3 for iPhone and iPad. iOS 14.3 brings the ProRAW camera format to the iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max, and introduces support for Apple Fitness+, Apple’s latest workout service. It also includes support for Ecosia, a new search engine option, and allows apps created with Shortcuts to launch more quickly (see the full list of updates below).

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.

Click here to view the iOS 14.2 iOS Green Light guidance

Here’s a rundown on all the new features from Apple:

Apple Fitness+
– A new fitness experience powered by Apple Watch with studio-style workouts available on your iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV (Apple Watch Series 3 and later)
– New Fitness app on ‌iPhone‌, ‌iPad‌, and ‌Apple TV‌ to browse Fitness+ workouts, trainers, and personalized recommendations
– Video workouts added each week in ten popular workout types: High-Intensity Interval Training, Indoor Cycling, Yoga, Core, Strength, Dance, Rowing, Treadmill Walking, Treadmill Running, and Mindful Cooldown
– Playlists curated by Fitness+ trainers to complement your workout
– Fitness+ subscription available in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and United States

AirPods Max
Support for AirPods Max, new over-ear headphones
– High fidelity audio for rich sound
– Adaptive EQ adapts sound in real-time to the personal fit of ear cushions
– Active Noise Cancellation to block out environmental noise
– Transparency mode to hear the environment around you
– Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking for a theater-like listening experience

Photos
– Apple ProRAW photos can be captured on ‌iPhone 12 Pro‌ and iPhone 12 Pro Max
– Apple ProRAW photos can be edited in the Photos app
– Option to record video at 25 fps
– Mirror the front-facing camera for still photos on ‌iPhone‌ 6s, ‌iPhone‌ 6s Plus, iPhone SE, ‌iPhone‌ 7, ‌iPhone‌ 7 Plus, ‌iPhone‌ 8, ‌iPhone‌ 8 Plus, and ‌iPhone‌ X

Privacy
– New privacy information section on App Store pages that includes a developer-reported summary of the app’s privacy practices

TV app
– An all-new ‌Apple TV+‌ tab makes it easy to discover and watch Apple Original shows and movies
– Enhanced search so you can browse by category such as genre, and see recent searches and suggestions as you type
– Top search results shown with the most relevant matches across movies, TV shows, cast, channels, and sports

App Clips
– Support for launching App Clips by scanning Apple-designed App Clip Codes via Camera or from Control Center

Health
– Ability to indicate pregnancy, lactation, or contraceptive use in Cycle Tracking in the Health app in order to better manage period and fertile window predictions

Weather
– Air quality data is now available in Weather, Maps, and Siri for locations in China mainland
– Air quality health recommendations are provided in Weather and ‌Siri‌ for the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, India, and Mexico at certain air quality levels
– Air quality data in Weather, Maps, and ‌Siri‌ reflects updated national scales for Germany and Mexico

Safari
Ecosia search engine option in Safari

This release also addresses the following issues:
– Some MMS messages may not be received
– Contact groups failed to display members when composing a message
– Some videos would not appear correctly when shared from the ‌Photos‌ app
– App folders may fail to open
– Spotlight search results, and opening apps from Spotlight may not work
– Bluetooth could be unavailable in Settings
– MagSafe Duo Charger could wirelessly charge your ‌iPhone‌ at less than the maximum power
– Wireless accessories and peripherals using the WAC protocol could fail to complete setup
– The keyboard would dismiss when adding a list in Reminders while using VoiceOver

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Maximize iPad battery life with these tips

Thu, 10 Dec 2020 19:46:09 GMT

The iPad is basically a big screen and a big battery.

One of the most under-appreciated features of the iPad is its fantastic battery life. Even with a high-resolution screen and a powerful processor, Apple’s tablet offers a battery life of 4 to 6 (or more) hours in the air—better than almost every other competing tablet. This is a huge advantage in the cockpit, as it’ll last for the duration of all but the longest flights.

But there are a number of things you can do to improve the performance of your iPad battery and keep it in top working condition. First, it’s important to know what type of battery the iPad (and the iPhone, for that matter) uses, and how it works. Like most consumer electronics, the iPad uses a lithium-ion polymer battery, often called a LiPo battery. These are the standard in portable devices now because they have a high power density but are very lightweight. When you think about it, it’s quite impressive how large a battery Apple manages to put into such a slim device. The latest generation iPad Pro 12.9″ for example, has a 9,720 mAh battery (36.71 watt-hour battery), but it weights less than 1.5 lbs.

Another major advantage of LiPo batteries is the way they are charged. There is no “memory effect” like older Nickel Cadmium batteries, so you can charge your iPad anytime you want and even leave it on a charger overnight. The battery will also charge very rapidly, to about 80% in a few hours, while the last 20% is more of a trickle charge and takes longer. The latest models support fast charging, which can charge an iPad to 50% in just 30 minutes. This charging pattern is very handy for pilots, especially in the cockpit. LiPo batteries also hold their charge for a long time, so a fully charged iPad that is stored for a month will still have most of its charge.

So far we’ve talked about the “battery life,” meaning how long the iPad will run on a single charge. But Apple also specifies a “battery lifespan,” which is the number of times you can charge and discharge the battery before it starts to lose capacity. The iPad was designed so that, after 1000 charge/discharge cycles, it will still have 80% of its battery capacity. Note that it’s not considered a “charge cycle” every time you plug in your iPad. If you used 20% of your iPad’s battery life every day for 5 days, and recharged it each day to 100%, that would be one charge cycle. So 1000 charge cycles is actually quite a long time (probably years of use for most people).

With that background in mind, here are some tips for getting the most out of your iPad’s battery:

Heat can permanently reduce battery life, especially if you use your iPad at temperatures higher than 95º F. The cockpit certainly can get that hot, so the best advice is to never leave your iPad in the airplane when you’re not there and never place it in the sun. Also, charging the device when it’s over 95 is even worse, so try to do your charging at home if you often fly in hot conditions. Finally, airflow does help so remove your iPad from its case if it’s getting hot.
Cold conditions (below 32º F) can also affect battery performance, but this is a temporary issue. Again, you shouldn’t store your iPad in the airplane on a cold night, but once it warms up the battery should give you normal life.
Use your iPad regularly. Lithium-ion batteries are meant to be used hard, so don’t be afraid to use and recharge your iPad often. In fact, if you don’t regularly use your iPad, you should perform a complete charge cycle once a month (where you fully discharge the battery, then charge it up to 100%).
If you don’t plan to use your iPad for a long time (say, a few months), store it with about a 50% charge for best performance. Storing it at 100% isn’t ideal, and storing it completely dead is even worse. The best advice is to charge it to 50%, then turn the iPad completely off and store it in a cool area.
Keep your iPad updated to the latest version of iOS. In addition to the many new features Apple adds when they update their operating system, they often include fixes and performance enhancements for the battery. It’s a good idea to always have the latest version of iOS.
Adjust screen brightness and wireless radio settings for maximum battery life. If you don’t need the screen at max brightness, turn it down—this has the most impact on battery drain so if you can stand lower brightness, do it. Likewise, if you don’t need the LTE data service or Bluetooth in flight, turn these services off (here’s how).
Limit background app refresh. Some apps can be data hogs even while they aren’t running, and this is especially power-hungry if you’re using LTE. Check which apps are enabled by going to Settings > General > Background App Refresh.
If you suspect sub-par battery performance, the best tip is to use the battery utility in the Settings app to monitor what apps are using battery life. iOS is pretty good about shutting down background apps before they become real parasites, but it’s worth looking at this once in awhile. We have seen instances where aviation apps almost completely drained an iPad even after the flight was over and the screen was off. Check to see which apps are using the most battery, and whether they match your usage patterns.

One option that’s available on iPhone is Low Power Mode. This is a one-touch way to reduce screen brightness, animations, and background app usage. It’s a great option in a pinch, and your phone will prompt you about this when you reach 20%. Someday this might come to iPad, but it’s not available at this time.

After two or three years, lithium-ion batteries eventually lose some of their capacity. A full charge just won’t last as long as it used to. One downside to the iPad battery is that there is no (easy) way to replace it in the field. If your battery needs service or replacement, it must be sent back to Apple or taken to an Apple service provider. This can be done through Apple, for about $100. Details on their site.

Want to learn more? Check out a good backup battery option in this article. Also note that the iPad battery does meet the standards required by Advisory Circular 120-76D for use as an EFB. And full iPad battery details are available on Apple’s website.

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iPad kneeboard buyer’s guide for pilots – 2020 edition

Tue, 08 Dec 2020 22:11:41 GMT

Every pilot should secure their iPad in the cockpit, for both convenience and safety. The most popular ways to do this involve either a mount or a kneeboard, and it usually ends up being a bit of a “Coke or Pepsi” debate. Some pilots just love iPad mounts, while others hate them and prefer kneeboards. There’s not really a right answer for everyone; it depends on the pilot and the airplane.

There are several popular mounting solutions available that will work with just about any airplane, from basic RAM Mounts to the versatile PIVOT case and deluxe options from MyGoFlight. In this article, we’ll review some of the most popular iPad kneeboard options, so you can make an informed decision if you’re not a mount person. There are more options than ever, and most of them are quite good.

Best overall: Flight Gear Bi-fold iPad Kneeboard. This new kneeboard is our overall top pick, winning points for its nearly universal design (it even works with iPads in cases) and its good value. Flip it open to reveal an iPad mount on the left side and storage pockets on the right. In typical use, the right flap will hang down on the side of your leg, with two pockets accessible. These are a great place to store your cell phone, screen cleaners, or charging cables. There’s also a place for two pens or a stylus, plus a zippered pocket that we like to use for our backup iPad battery. However, the right flap can be folded underneath for a lower profile setup, and a lot means you can still use the leg strap.

The iPad is securely held by two large, rubber-coated clips that grab the top or sides of the iPad. These clips are then attached to the kneeboard by velcro. That means the clips can be moved to accommodate a huge range of tablets, from Mini to Pro 11″ – with or without a case. There’s also a kickstand so the iPad can be elevated at an angle for the optimal viewing angle or to avoid sun glare. Plus, the iPad can be mounted portrait or landscape on the kneeboard.

The Flight Gear Bi-fold iPad kneeboard is available in two sizes: the smaller fits all iPad minis (1-5) and some other 8″ Android tablets; the larger fits all iPad, iPad Air, and iPad Pro tablets. At $34.95, it’s a great value.

Best for tight cockpits: MyClip Multi. This simple but elegant kneeboard is our favorite for a simple, universal kneeboard. It’s the smallest kneeboard we’ve seen, so if you’re flying in a tight cockpit, it’s an excellent choice—no pockets or clipboards to get in the way. It’s also very adaptable, fitting all iPad sizes, from iPad Mini to iPad Pro 12.9″, with or without a case. If you like to leave your protective case on, this is probably the best option. Just pull the rubber gripping surfaces apart, position the iPad and release – the elastic straps hold the kneeboard in place and prevent your iPad from moving around. It’s well-made and durable, and it takes up virtually zero space in your flight bag. The only downside is that it offers no storage or protection for your iPad. The MyClip is available for $33.95.

If you like to rotate your iPad: Flight Outfitters iPad Kneeboard. This kneeboard has a simple but well thought out design, with the iPad sitting in the middle, held steady by four elastic straps. These straps are coated with a rubber texture to prevent scratches, and the flexible material accommodates iPads with and without cases – although very thick cases like the Otterbox won’t fit. The iPad section can swivel, so it rotates from landscape to portrait with one hand. It’s firm enough to stay in place, but it doesn’t require latches or buttons. There are two mesh pockets for storing essential iPad accessories like a charging cord or a cigarette lighter charger. The kneeboard is fully reversible, so you can wear it on either leg. The Flight Outfitters iPad kneeboard is compatible with iPad 9.7″, iPad 10.2″, iPad Pro 10.5″, iPad Air 1/2/3; a smaller model is compatible with the iPad Mini.

If you want a clipboard: MyGoFlight Folio C. For a premium option, MyGoFlight offers the Folio C, which includes both a custom iPad mount and a metal writing surface. The writing desk attaches with magnets, so it’s easy to attach it to the front or it can be attached to the left panel of the bi-fold kneeboard when open. The Folio C includes a leg strap and closes up neatly for a professional look outside the cockpit. If you want a clipboard, this is the best option.

The MyGoFlight Folio C Kneeboard range in price from $154 to $174. MyGoFlight has options for all kinds of devices including the iPad Air 1/2/3, iPad 9.7″, iPad 10.2″, iPad Pro 10.5″, iPad Pro 12.9″, iPad Mini 1-5, and even for your smartphone. These kneeboards aren’t cheap, but they are well made, good-looking and highly-functional.

If you want to prevent overheating: X-Naut. This ingenious 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. We’ve flown with the X-Naut and it works, buying precious hours of use before an overheat situation. In addition to working 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, the iPad Air 1, 2, 9.7″ Pro, the iPad Pro 10.5″ / 10.2″ / iPad Air 3 (2019), and the iPad Pro 11″.

You can shop the complete iPad Kneeboard selection here.

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New flight tracking app released for Apple Watch

Fri, 04 Dec 2020 23:02:30 GMT

If you’re like most pilots, you look up to the sky every time you hear an airplane flying above and try to guess the type and where it’s going. If you have time, you might even reach for your phone and launch one of the many free aircraft tracking apps to learn more, like aircraft type, altitude and destination. It’s a fun way to hone your aircraft spotting skills on clear days using the tech you already own.

Pilots and aviation enthusiasts with an Apple Watch can add another resource to help identify air traffic, in the form of the new PlaneWatcher app. This app displays a well-organized map showing high-resolution traffic symbols, flight number and nearby airports for reference.

The app uses the compass and accelerometers in the watch to smoothly rotate the orientation of the map and traffic relative to the direction you’re facing, which is pretty slick when you see it in action for the first time. You can zoom in and out on the map using the digital crown and drag your finger to pan around the screen.

Here are examples of a wide view of traffic in the Cincinnati area, and then a close-up of a Piper Aztec on final approach at our local airport:

Tap any of the aircraft symbols for full details, including flight name, registration, type, category, operator, altitude, speeds and more (depending on data availability).

PlaneWatcher shows all aircraft, unfiltered, using data provided by ADSBExchange. In addition to viewing traffic near your local location, you can also enter any airport identifier and jump right to that location.

There is also an impressive list of customization and filtering options too, including the ability to filter by altitude, aircraft type, callsign or registration. The map can also be customized to show or hide airplanes, balloons, helicopters and UAVs, as well as ground features like airport location, runways, ICAO codes and more.

And thanks to the app’s support for home screen complications (shortcuts), you can launch the app in literally seconds and start identifying traffic. The app is only available for Apple Watch, so you’ll need to head to the dedicated App Store from your watch’s screen to purchase and download the app for $2.99.

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iPad pilot gift guide—2020 edition

Thu, 03 Dec 2020 20:08:33 GMT

Whether you’re a pilot shopping for another aviation enthusiast or you’re a non-pilot desperately trying to figure out what to buy the (slightly weird?) aviator on your list, iPad apps and accessories are a good bet. Ten years into the tablet revolution, pilots are still snapping up this gear at a tremendous rate. Here’s our list of the top 10 things any iPad pilot would like this Christmas.

10. Audio Link – More and more apps are adding audio alerts to go along with all the on-screen information, from terrain warnings to TFR reminders. Modern headsets like the Bose A20 and Lightspeed Zulu 3 have Bluetooth built in so you can hear these callouts without having to look down, but if you have an older model like a Bose X or David Clark H10-13.4 that’s not an option. That’s where this handy accessory comes in – it plugs into any standard twin plug headset and allows you to pair your iPad to your headset. Shop Now

The Flight Outfitters Lift Bag is made for the iPad, and is our top pick.

9. Flight bag – The iPad has fundamentally changed what most pilots carry: a single tablet has replaced stacks of paper charts, paper manuals and so much more. That means your old flight bag is probably outdated (and most likely too big). Fortunately, a new crop of flight bags is tailored to iPad pilots, with slimmer sizes and lots of iPad-specific pockets. Our current favorite is the Flight Outfitters Lift Bag.

8. Mount – A mount is a must-have accessory for many pilots and they are available in several sizes and configurations. The most popular options are the Yoke Mount and Suction Cup Mount, both of which are available for the Mini and iPad/Air/Pro. RAM Mounts are available with custom-fit cradles, while Robust Mounts are available with universal cradles (a good option if you use a case). Shop Now

7. Kneeboard – If you don’t like a mount the other option is a kneeboard, and there are plenty to choose from, ranging from under $40 to over $170. Roughly, there are two main styles: basic leg strap and bi-fold kneeboard. Both are excellent for keeping your iPad stable on your leg; it’s mostly a matter of deciding how much more you want the kneeboard to do. For example, do you like to write on paper? Some bi-fold kneeboards include a clipboard for paper and pen. Do you fly an airplane with a center stick? A basic leg strap is probably all you have room for. Our favorite bi-fold model is the new universal Flight Gear one; our favorite simple model is the MyClip Multi.

6. Apps – Yes, you can send an app as a gift. It may not be as beautiful as a perfectly wrapped box under the tree, but apps do make excellent gifts – especially if you know of one that a friend or family member would really enjoy. For the beginning pilot, there are a number of training apps that can be both inspirational and helpful during training. For a more experienced pilot, consider an app that helps them master their favorite Electronic Flight Bag app, or send them a ForeFlight gift certificate. Any app in the App Store can be sent as a gift – here’s how to do it.

The Flight Gear battery pack can charge two iPads and a Stratus at the same time.

5. Flight simulator – There’s a lot of excitement in the world of home flight simulators, especially since the relaunch of Microsoft Flight Simulator earlier this year. While programs like this are typically thought of as games, they can be an efficient way to practice with your favorite electronic flight bag app (here’s how). A good yoke and rudder pedals set is an essential addition to your favorite simulator. Shop Now

4. Backup battery – This slim battery pack is our nominee for most under-appreciated iPad accessory, allowing you to carry a “get out of jail free” card with you at all times. Simply charge it up (using USB-C, Lightning, or micro-USB) and then plug in up to four devices simultaneously – it more than doubles the battery life of your iPad, and does not require a cigarette lighter or a wall plug. You’ll find dozens of uses for this, and not just in the cockpit. For the ultimate peace of mind, there’s a three piece kit that also includes a cigarette lighter charger and a dual 2.4 amp wall plug. Shop Now

3. SiriusXM Aviation Weather Receiver – These portable weather receivers connect to an iPad via Bluetooth and deliver SiriusXM weather and GPS position to ForeFlight or Garmin Pilot – anywhere in the U.S. This includes radar (base and composite reflectivity), lightning, storm tracks, METARs, TAFs, TFRs, PIREPs and more. They even allow you to listen to SiriusXM audio entertainment in the air. Shop Now

The new D2 Air smartwatch from Garmin can connect to the Garmin Pilot app.

2. Smartwatch – The smartwatch continues to be one of the hottest trends, and it’s not limited to aviation use. Connect one of these to your smartphone and you can get push notifications, activity tracking, GPS directions and even some handy in-flight features. It’s not a replacement for an iPad, but it is a nice accessory for the gadget geek who has it all. The latest models even include a pulse oximeter to track your oxygen level and pulse. Garmin has two excellent options right now: the under-$500 D2 Air and the top-of-the-line D2 Delta PX.

1. ADS-B Receiver – Portable ADS-B receivers are still the most popular iPad accessory among pilots. Part of the reason for their success is that they’ve grown into more than just weather receivers (although that’s still the most valuable feature). Most of these now offer traffic and backup attitude as well, so that synthetic vision display in your favorite app really comes alive. The ForeFlight Sentry is the most popular option, but the Sentry Mini and Stratus 3 are other great choices. Shop Now

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Quiz: Are you an ADS-B weather expert?

Tue, 01 Dec 2020 22:13:51 GMT

The free datalink weather component of the ADS-B network has been a big hit with iPad pilots flying with portable ADS-B receivers. Test your knowledge on the system components and limitations in our latest quiz.

The post Quiz: Are you an ADS-B weather expert? appeared first on iPad Pilot News.

What’s the best iPad for pilots – 2020 buyer’s guide

Fri, 27 Nov 2020 22:02:08 GMT

The original Apple iPad was released over ten years ago on April 3, 2010. Since then Apple has continuously improved the tablet, making upgrades to its storage capacity, screen resolution, processor, connectivity options and form factor. The iPad Pro 11″ and 12.9″ are the top-end models currently available for sale today, and represent an enormous leap in performance over the original iPad.

While these high-performance pro models would suit (and honestly exceed) most pilots’ needs in the cockpit, there are some other options and features worth considering when purchasing an iPad for use in aviation. Here we’ll break down the differences in each, and give some insight for those looking to buy a used or refurbished iPad, which is a great way to save some money.

iPad Pro, iPad or iPad Mini?

Apple currently offers 4 models of iPad: the iPad Mini (7″), the iPad (10.2″), the iPad Air (10.9″), the iPad Pro (11″ and 12.9″). The iPad (good), iPad Air (better) and the iPad Pro 11″ (best) feature nearly the same external dimensions and pilots will find that all three work very well with nearly every aviation app available.

The 10.2″, 10.9” and 11” specs on the mid-size models refer to the screen’s diagonal dimension, meaning these models feature more screen real estate than the original iPad, while maintaining a similar form factor.

The flagship iPad Pro 11″ includes a large edge-to-edge display, high-performance multicore processor, and along with the iPad Pro 12.9″, is the only iPad to use FaceID for unlocking and USB-C for charging (read our PIREP on this model here). It also includes a bright, high-resolution liquid retina display with an anti-reflective coating.

The larger iPad Pro 12.9″ model represents a significant improvement over the original iPad Pro 12.9″ – it is 25% smaller while retaining the same display size, thanks to the edge-to-edge screen. The footprint is about the same as a sheet of paper, so it’s a good fit now in most GA cockpits. It comes at a premium price, but we can recommend this model now for those who want the most screen real estate possible.

It’s worth noting that Apple released updated versions of the iPad Pro 11 and 12.9″ models in March 2020. While the form factor and screen details remain identical, the 2020 models added a speedier A12Z processor, rear LIDAR camera and “studio-quality” microphones.

The latest version of the iPad Air was introduced in September 2020 and looks a lot like the iPad Pro with an edge to edge screen and no home button. It uses the latest A14 processor, which for most aviation uses will perform comparably to the A12Z processor in the iPad Pro. One unique thing in the iPad Air is that it incorporates TouchID in the home button at the top of the device, which many pilots find to be more reliable than FaceID in the cockpit.

The budget-friendly model referred to now as just “iPad” is no slouch and was recently updated with the more capable A12 processor. This is a great buy for much less than the Air or Pro models, and can handle all the demands of VFR and IFR pilots in the cockpit with ease.

If you’re looking for an iPad with a smaller footprint, consider the iPad mini. This version measures 7.87″ by 5.3″ and will be a better fit in cockpits with tighter constraints. It was last updated in 2019 with the same A12 processor found in the regular iPad model. It also includes the anti-reflective screen coating which pilots will find useful in the cockpit (read our PIREP on this model here). For a sense of the size, here’s a picture of an iPad Mini in a Cessna 172 cockpit.

WiFi-only or WiFi + Cellular model?

After choosing a size, it’s on to the connectivity question. This is pretty simple, but there are some confusing terms thrown around, so let’s start basic.

Every iPad model ever built offers WiFi connectivity to the internet, so you can connect to your home network, your office network, a local coffee shop, etc. But you can also buy an upgraded cellular model – called LTE – that receives wireless data from AT&T or Verizon (for a monthly fee).

The benefit to pilots with the cellular model is that it also contains an internal GPS receiver, which is useful for showing your aircraft’s position on aviation map applications (although it has some minor limitations). The cellular model also allows you to download weather and file flight plans on the go, but don’t count on this cellular data connection to work in the air. In our experience, it just isn’t reliable. It’s also technically illegal.

The internal GPS on an iPad with cellular data is completely independent of the cellular antenna and does not require that you activate a data plan from AT&T or Verizon to work properly. You could buy a cellular model iPad and use the GPS without ever activating your service.

So which is the right choice for pilots? Either one, really. The GPS that comes with the LTE model is nice, but for the price of this upgrade, you could buy an external iPad GPS that is more reliable in some ways. If you frequently use your iPad on the ground in locations without WiFi, the upgrade to the LTE model definitely makes sense.

Storage capacity

Apple offers multiple versions of internal memory options for iPads: the entry-level iPad is available in two sizes, either 32GB or 128GB, while the newer Mini and Air models feature are available in 64GB and 256GB sizes. The Pro models go even bigger, with the option to upgrade to 512GB and 1 TB storage options. Downloading all the VFR & IFR charts for the entire United States across multiple data cycles can take nearly 20GB, so even the smallest option available can work. And then you have to consider that you might also want to store high-resolution terrain data, synthetic vision, charts for Canada, Mexico and Caribbean, and PDF documents.

Not what you want to see.

Another thing to keep in mind is that many apps like ForeFlight allow you to download the next cycle’s charts approximately 4 days in advance. If you plan to keep charts for the entire U.S. on your iPad, you’ll need additional free space during this transition period each month.

Finally, consider that you may use the iPad for more than just aviation (e.g., pictures, videos, other apps), so you’ll want to leave open some free space for those items. The iPad’s memory is not upgradeable, so you have to commit to a size up front. If in doubt, go with either the 128 or 256GB option depending upon what is available for your model; 64GB may sound like a lot now, but it doesn’t leave much room for future growth as new aviation databases and features are introduced and your photo and music libraries continue to expand.

Conclusion

Most of the pilots we talk to prefer the smaller size of the iPad Mini in Cessna and Piper airplanes.

The good news is that any iPad model will work for pilots, so there’s not a bad choice here. But some are definitely better than others. So which model do we recommend?

Based on our experience talking with pilots flying GA piston airplanes, the iPad mini is by far the most popular choice, primarily because of how well it fits in most cockpits. For this reason, our first choice would be the iPad Mini, WiFi-only with 256GB model as the best iPad for aviation.

We hear from many pilots too who prefer the larger screen size of iPad and iPad Air for improved readability in the cockpit. If you’re on a budget, we recommend the entry-level iPad, WiFi-only with 128GB of storage. For additional performance and screen real estate with the same footprint as the base-model iPad, we also recommend the iPad Air, WiFi-only, 256GB, as a more premium option. The flagship iPad Pro 11″ works great in the cockpit too, but it’s hard to justify its higher price unless you have a need for graphic-intensive applications or multitasking performance outside of the cockpit.

The one exception on the iPad Pro models is if you’re looking for the ultimate big-screen experience on the flight deck. If this sounds like you, check out the 12.9″ iPad Pro. It’s not cheap, but for those who like the big display and had previously tried to shoehorn the original 12.9″ model in the cockpit, this model is worth a second look.

We’ve found the reliability and performance of external GPS receivers to be far superior to the internal option, and they’re available for under $100 – less than the upgrade to the cellular model. For the ultimate setup, we recommend adding a wireless ADS-B receiver, like Sentry ADS-B receiver, which provides subscription-free in-flight weather and WAAS GPS position data.

Lastly, keep an eye on Apple’s refurbished iPad offerings. They will look brand new to you out of the box, and include a new internal battery and the same warranty as a new iPad. It’s a great way to save $100 or more on a higher-end model.

To compare the iPad models, or to purchase, visit Apple’s website. To see how different sizes look in the cockpit of a Cessna 172, read this article.

The post What’s the best iPad for pilots – 2020 buyer’s guide appeared first on iPad Pilot News.

Portable ADS-B and SiriusXM receiver buyer’s guide

Wed, 25 Nov 2020 19:40:46 GMT

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. Click on the image for a larger version.

Shop all weather receivers here

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New Flight Gear kneeboard offers universal fit for different iPad sizes

Mon, 23 Nov 2020 21:39:41 GMT

Kneeboards remain a very popular option for securing an iPad in the cockpit, having evolved from their basic paper chart days to accommodate the latest tablets. They are affordable, don’t block the instrument panel, and can easily be carried between airplanes, making them a smart choice for renters or flying club members. But one issue that comes up frequently with iPad kneeboards is compatibility: which kneeboards work with which iPads? And what about iPad cases?

Fortunately, the latest Flight Gear iPad Kneeboard solves this problem, with a universal design that adapts to almost every tablet size, with or without a case. The iPad is held in place by two rubber-coated metal brackets; these are solidly built so they won’t crack or bend, but the rubber coating prevents scratches. The brackets work well with a “naked” iPad but are also wide enough to accommodate iPads in cases, including thicker ones like the Otterbox and Lifeproof models many pilots prefer—a rarity for kneeboards.

These brackets are then attached to the main kneeboard with velcro, so the position of them is almost infinitely adjustable. In our testing, we attached one bracket to the kneeboard (at the bottom) then placed the iPad against it before attaching the other bracket. This was a quick and easy way to get a tight fit without having to estimate the size—just stretch to fit. This worked for an older iPad Air model, a new iPad Pro 11″ model, and many sizes in between.

The board that the iPad is attached to can be removed from the rest of the kneeboard for repositioning, so it’s easy to switch from portrait to landscape orientation in flight. There’s also a built-in kickstand, which is helpful for reducing glare in flight. We left it down for takeoff and landing, to prevent any potential interference with the yoke, then flipped it up for cruise.

The right side of the kneeboard hangs down against your leg and has two slash pockets, ideal for holding a charging cord or cleaning cloth. There’s also a full-length zipper pocket, which is a good spot for a backup battery (a protective flap over the zipper prevents it from accidentally damaging your iPad screen). You can have your iPad mounted on the kneeboard and leave it plugged into your battery pack without any wires stretching across the cockpit, which we found to be a really nice setup. There are also two elastic bands for holding a pen or stylus.

Two nice details are apparent here. First, the outside of the pockets are made out of a soft fabric that accepts velcro accessories. You can attach almost anything here, but Sporty’s does offer a line of Gear Mods made just for this purpose. Secondly, there’s a slot in the spine of the kneeboard that allows it to be folded over, passing the leg strap through the slot. This makes the two-panel kneeboard into a smaller, single-panel design. It’s perfect for tight cockpits.

The front of the kneeboard has a larger pocket that’s sized for a backup chart, but we also found it well-suited to a small notepad. If you can’t quite give up the pen and paper, this is a good spot to put a small legal pad for in-flight notes. It’s easy to flip the right panel over on top of your iPad to copy ATIS, then flip it back to reveal your iPad.

The Flight Gear Bi-fold iPad Kneeboard is available for $34.95, which is a good value compared to many other iPad kneeboards. Two sizes are available, one for the iPad mini 1-5 and one for 9.7″ to 11″ iPads, but the flexible nature of the design means the larger size can fit almost any tablet.

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