IPAD for use as PFD

[Snowflake]

Originally Posted by Beer30?

First and foremost, it has no gyro or Pitot Static functionality.

You might want to read a little more on the iPads before saying that with certainty. The iPad3, at least, has solid state gyros as well as compass and GPS.

That being said, I agree that relying on one data source is silly. My installation will use a Levil Tech (or equivalent) for pitot-static data, as well as providing its own AHARS source to the iPad.

As someone else mentioned, some of the available aviation apps do not know the difference between a level flight and a coordinated turn.

This was an issue with the early iPhones and iPads, I tested it personally and can confirm that you can fly a rather nice Lazy 8 without the horizon on the iPhone changing at all.

The GPS antennas are great these days, but then how do you get the data to your Ipad? The interconnect to an Ipad is not really rugged enough to be considered aircraft grade hardware. Shutdowns, as previously discussed, are another reason to shy away from them, at least for primary navigation.

Shutdowns seem to be limited to temperature-related issues. Perhaps mounting the iPad to an aluminium panel, with an aluminium heatsink on the backside, would be enough?

[loopfuzz]

Originally Posted by Doug

This is an RS232 to Bluetooth interface device:
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/pro...oducts_id=8495

All you need then is software to display the graphic information - seems there are many developers around who could come up with a suitable iPad app.

It needs to be bluetooth 4.0 in order to work with a non-jailbroken ios device. And only the newer iphones/ipads support 4.0 (iPad mini, iphone 4s,iphone 5, iPad 3...)

[loopfuzz]

Originally Posted by celstar

Has anyone had a IPAD MINI shut down yet?

I didn't read all the threads, but has anyone tried to make a cooling system for the panel mounted iPads? efis units have cooling fans (some of the older ones don't, but most recent ones do.), so it's only fair.

[- Poindexter -]

Resurrecting this post to see if there is anyone out there with more details on using iPads for PFD and MFD in their builds?

Here are the only (2) I could find, non Van's related:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZxt1k_1Y8I&t=235s
along with this one:
https://ipadpilotnews.com/2016/12/ch...trument-panel/

Heat dissipation via fans and iLevel + other apps make it functional.
Thanks.

[Jab]

I don’t have the details on me but saw a display at Oshkosh where the engine instruments and PFD could be displayed on an iPad. If I can find their details I will let you know. I have an EFIS and an iPad next to it in a Guardian flush mount, works great and I have it wired in for power and the audio is tapped into my intercom so I get audible traffic warnings from ForeFlight, I love it. The mount has a place on the back to mount a computer fan to keep the iPad cool, good idea.

[- Poindexter -]

Originally Posted by Jab

If I can find their details I will let you know.

Thanks, Jab. Would love to see the details, including pics, on your build!

[flightlogic]

Guardian Avionics (an advertiser here) has long since solved the iPad heating issues. Watch for their complete product line up at Oshkosh. Their aim is to occupy all the panel space with lower cost avionics.... based on iPads.
I will be test flying their new RV9A next week in Tucson. Looking forward to more forward thinking developments. They always surprise me with continuous innovation.

[rv7charlie]

I have no interest in i stuff, but more generally, there are now adsb-in units that include ssgyros, accelerometers, and pitot-static ports. There are android apps that will use the adahrs data for efis displays. Not saying to depend on them for ifr, but I'd certainly use one in a vfr a/c.

[- Poindexter -]

Originally Posted by rv7charlie

Not saying to depend on them for ifr, but I'd certainly use one in a vfr a/c.

IFR is the rub, or is it? Is that the delineation line between an iPad system of VFR and IFR?

[rv7charlie]

Well, there's at least a chance that the exp efis units many depend on for ifr, use the same hardware as the adsb boxes. But the unknowns are in the software. Did the writer of the free app do as much testing as Dynon/GRT/Garmin? Who knows?

There's a story about one of the early panel mount efis-s; it supposedly could handle the high maneuvering rates of an rv just fine, but a very slow continuous turn for a couple of minutes would leave it completely disoriented. Something a user (not the vendor) discovered, fortunately in vfr conditions.