iPad and for E-flight

[gparker]

Anyone used an iPad running foreflight in the air? How did it do?

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

I've had about second hand reports about the IPad used in flight. Not sure what software the pilots were using. All were very happy with it and none of them spent the money specifically for the purpose.

One friend won his in a business card raffle so it is the bottom line model. He "jail broke" it in order to use a bluetooth GPS with it because GPS is not built in. He is a somewhat fussy pilot, one you wouldn't think would put up with junk in his cockpit. He flies IFR a bit in a Cherokee Archer. He thinks it's pretty cool but won't be getting rid of his paper plates just yet. Reports the screen can be difficult to see in the sun under some conditions. He's not giving it up.

Another friend used wire ties to strap his to the two overhead tubes in his J3. This guy is the DO of a major medical lab who flies and oversees a fleet of about 40 aircraft from a G4 down to twin Barons, used to fly every night up and down the east cost regardless of weather. He's seen a lot of equipment but is tickled with his IPad in his J3.

I think Garmin might feel the pressure of the IPad. Lets hope it effects Garmin's prices anyway.

[gparker]

Thanks Bruce. I have foreflight on my iPhone and it is a neat program but to small to use in flight. If the gps in the ipad is good enough, i'll bet it is really useful.

[KS170A]

I'm using Foreflight on my iPad 3G, and it works beautifully. Used it in single-engine pistons and twin turbofans...picks up better signals in the airplanes with wider areas of windshield, but I have been able to pick up signals in the jets, too. The GPS function has been surprisingly accurate. Often the altitude displayed is more accurate than my WAAS-enabled handheld GPS.

[gparker]

Thanks Josh. Would you recommend buying an ipad and using foreflight, or would you get something like the garmin aera?

[KS170A]

I also have a GPSMap 496, and I am keeping it in service mainly for the XM weather functionality and the ability to download my trip data to Google Earth. As of yet, I am not aware of any airborne weather service that would be reliable with an iPad in flight, although I'm sure it's just a matter of time before there is (actually, more and more business aircraft are now coming with wi-fi capability, allowing the iPad to connect via wi-fi in-flight). I suppose if I activated the 3G functionality, I could download weather data in flight, but I'd be subject to spotty coverage. If you want a moving map, I would say the iPad with Foreflight is an excellent solution. If you would like weather, and a few other things the Garmins will do that iPads don't yet do, I'd suggest the Garmin.

To me, probably the most useful thing about Foreflight is the $75/year for ALL aviation charts (domestic), ability to obtain full weather briefings, plan flights and file flight plans. Plus, the iPad provides the ability for in-flight entertainment (beyond music, with an Aera will do for extra $$$). I also have the Owners Manual and POH's (for reference only, of course ) for the airplanes I fly, one-page Flight Manual for the 170, Illustrated parts Catalog, as well as all my avionics equipment user's guides, all on the iPad in .pdf format.

[N3243A]

I don't own an Ipad but Plane and Pilot magazine has an article in the September 2010 issue on the top 20 aviation apps for the iPad. Among them are AeroWeather, Beacon North America, Flight Guide iEFB, FlightPrep, ForeFlight Mobile 3 HD, Garmin Pilot My-Cast, Jeppesen, and several automated log book apps. Some are almost free and some cost upwards of $200. Anyway it might be worth buying this issue if you are considering an Ipad for your aircraft.