ipad2 - replacement for traditional avionics in the cockpit??
 

I have been trying to get as much info on the ipad2 and it's use for general aviation. I already know some boundaries such as 35-95 degrees F and also it's limit to 10000ft. I also have seen the typical apps for pilots such as charts, weather, etc..

So can the ipad2 possibly replace the far more expensive gps glass panels such as garmin, grand rapids, dynon, etc.?

Does anybody know how the ipad2 stacks up to the above mentioned traditional gps glass panel avionics vendors?

I plan on visiting all the booths during the sun n' fun airshow this year and ask around as well.

iPad Vs avionics
 

I think the iPad is a great cockpit tool... but it was NOT developed for reliability with airplanes in mind. I wouldn't bet my life nor my $80-100K investment in the plane just on instrumentation that's not developed specifically for it's intended purpose (the airplane).

I'm kind of curious if the smaller design of the new ipad2 will be more sensitive to heat and shutdowns. Any input from someone with an original that has upgraded?

Bob

Change in screen?
 

I was wondering if they came up with a solution to the screen glare? Any PIREPS?

Thanks!

J. Dembs
Rocklin, CA

1 mm thinner
 

I saw on Apple's website that iPad 2 is only 1 mm thinner... that's about 1/2 the thickness of a dime.

And without any input from other aircraft systems, the iPad is a long way from being a replacement for most glass panels.

True the actual change in the thickness doesn't appear to be much but due to the relative size it is quite a bit. Apple advertises 33% thinner. That's great for users but it could be problematic for heat dissipation. That's why the question...

Thanks,

Bob

Message from a curmudgeon Luddite...

I wouldn't consider for a moment sticking some trendy silicon toy into an airplane panel. In a very short time the operating system will change, the product will be unsupported, and whatever comes along next (that would be a week from now) won't be a direct replacement physically or functionally.

Stick with aviation oriented products. At least the screens are better in sunlight, though far from what I would consider good even in the best of them.

John Siebold

iCub is already using an ipad
 

The iCub is already using an iPad as it's flight instrument. Here's the link to their home page: http://icub.aero/, and the iPad page: http://icub.aero/?p=368

Just received this from AOPA. Kinda silly, but the message is deadly serious and very germane to all of us!

http://www.aopa.org/aopalive/?watch=....mc_id=F311PSA