iPad EFB
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iPad EFB
Since GPS nothing else has revolutionized aviation in recent history like the iPad. This was the first time in our industry a consumer electronic device gained widespread acceptance in the aerospace arena, and for good reason.
If you already fly with an iPad, nothing here will be new, so feel free to have the next ten minutes of your life back.
If you haven’t experienced what the iPad can do for your flying, read on.
By accident, the iPad has become the defacto electronic flight bag in large and small aircraft and among sport aircraft and airline cockpits alike.
The reason is simple, it works!
It’s cheap, reliable, intuitive, capable, customizable, and versatile. The only shortcoming I’m aware of is the readability suffers in bright sunlight conditions. This hasn’t been a huge issue as the FAA has approved its use in hundreds of airline flight decks.
The high points
- Electronic charts and maps are the core competency of the device and it does this very well with its touch screen interface. You can zoom to your heart’s content.
- Custom flight management applications, such as Foreflight, have taken all the work out of flying and provide more functionality than most panel mounted solutions for almost no money. Weight and balance, performance, flight planning, charts, weather, you name it -the capabilities are unbridled.
On board documents
- As a document reader we can bring along a virtual library that you can access in seconds. Great for answering questions about regs or theory or troubleshooting your specific aircraft.
Internet
- With internet access you can get the most current information prior to saddling up. This can include TFR, NOTAMs, METARs, TAFs, radar, winds aloft, ad nauseam.
Personal device
- Once you arrive at your destination you can use the iPad as a personal computer – bonus!
Other
- Electronic checklist
- Logbooks
- Moving map GPS
- Electronic flight instruments
- ADS-B in capability
- Flight tracking/recording
To name a few of the thousands of aviation apps available.
Almost by accident the iPad has revolutionized aviation, wiping away over 100 years of carry paper maps and charts! Not to be dramatic, but it is a game-changer for general aviation.
Thank you Apple!
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I have and iPad 1, and this does not work on it.
That’s what I have too. I have noticed lots of things are starting to be incompatible. Are you referring to Foreflight?
We are amazed at the potential innovations with iPad EFB–especially as we are now able to deliver real-time flight data to the iPad through the flyTab.aero suite.
The ability to do chart centering with true GPS helps pilots make real use of their maps can improve safety while reducing workload. The potential for an App to have an airport moving maps display can lower runway incursions and accidents.
The next generation of Class 2 iPad EFB’s is going to be exciting!
Amy,
Excellent points. I forgot about the telemetry functions.
Brent
I’m completing my IFR using my Galaxy Tablet and the Avilution App. My instructor keeps reminding me how lucky I am!
Great blog, keep up the good work.
Bill,
Yes the iPad isn’t the only game in town, even if its currently the most popular. There are certainly some other great players on the field.
Brent
Hey Brent
Currently using the iPad mini with foreflight. But what I was curious about is how do you use your iPad in the cockpit.. Do you have a mount for it? Knee board?
Luke,
The ipad with foreflight is a great set up. Unfortunately for me, the RV-8 lacks the room to use the ipad with a mount or a kneeboard. The guys that panel mount it have it nice. I find myself pulling it out and setting it on my lap for when I need it – less than optimum. I am considering a Nexus or a ipad mini to solve the problem.
I would highly… and I mean very highly recommend the iPad mini.. It really is the perfect size, and sense it is the same pixel count on a smaller screen the images are sharper then the regular iPad.
Anyways all to say I love my mini but I couldn’t find a kneeboard out there that worked that well for it. Then it finally hit me today!
Take my kneeboard that I currently use, the Hendricks 9G, I love it because its very minimalistic.
http://cl.ly/image/1Q0w073m0C0q
And take my iPad mini in its folio style case. I use the deviceware ridge. Absolutely love it.
http://cl.ly/image/341e0C1I0r1a
Anyways.. take those to things and clip them together with a small binderclip and you have probably one of the best iPad mini kneeboards out there! It folds over so you can copy clearances on your kneeboard and it seams very stable. Gonna take it on a cross country tomorrow and see how it does.. wow sorry for rambling, didn’t mean to write my own blog hahaha. But had to show someone this discovery! here are some more pictures of the setup…
http://cl.ly/image/3u0M1m0X3l2D
http://cl.ly/image/41121T0F2U2F
http://cl.ly/image/3O3G0t3Y0S1m
Wow! That’s awesome Luke! I’ll definitely putting the mini on my list of short-term purchases. Thanks for the pics and the great input.
Brent