My experience so far with the IPad in the cockpit

[jeffk]

Here's the direct link to the story:

http://www.macrumors.com/2011/08/23/...c-flight-bags/

Think we'll be able to have our iPads on during critical phases of flight from now on? Dare to dream...

[Tram]

Originally Posted by gpiney

Just saw this story about United Airlines and IPads

http://www.macrumors.com

Our company is supposedly going to issue iPads as well, since our Lido charts were designed for EFB's and having crew sets is a pretty large aggravation. Hopefully it will happen soon.

[649PF]

Is there anything like this that anyone has ever heard of? Copying IFR clearances have always been tough for me, especially on long unfamiliar legs. I hate getting yelled at by controllers right before going into the clouds. The iPad seems ripe for this type of app. Picture your screen with the standard DRAFT down the left side. 1) Before calling for you clearance you would input your expected destination next to D. 2) Then next to your route (R) would be columns with every possible en-route airway and VOR marker, ordered by most likely with a big DIRECT button. As the controller reads you your clearance you would just click on the names followed by an airway or "direct" button. As you did, your choices would diminish making it easier to find the next one. Altitudes (A) would be in list appropriate for direction of travel of course. All possible departure frequencies (F) would pop up and finally an easy way to enter your transponder code. The time and frustration saved would make IFR much more enjoyable for the GA pilot. Any thoughts?

[Tram]

I'd say just get more practice at taking a clearance.. I used to hate them, now they're no biggie, but picking up 4+ a day, 12 times a month tends to ease the pain.

[Frankpav]

Last July, I flew a 2400 nm VFR cross country; Lorain OH to Petaluma CA, in my RV12 using the iPad2. It was mounted on the center tunnel under the panel, visible but unaffected by glare. I took no paper charts and the Foreflight software and moving map skirted me past MOAs, restricted areas, the US-Mexican border and across mountains within my and the RV12's capability. I also had a backup on my iPhone and a Garmin 496. I used the 12's DC power plug to keep the iPad and iPhone charged. Using the iPad to plan the legs also allowed an accurate route for Wx briefing and filing flight plans. It was a successful flight.

[panhandler1956]

Originally Posted by Frankpav

Last July, I flew a 2400 nm VFR cross country; Lorain OH to Petaluma CA, in my RV12 using the iPad2. It was mounted on the center tunnel under the panel, visible but unaffected by glare. I took no paper charts and the Foreflight software and moving map skirted me past MOAs, restricted areas, the US-Mexican border and across mountains within my and the RV12's capability. I also had a backup on my iPhone and a Garmin 496. I used the 12's DC power plug to keep the iPad and iPhone charged. Using the iPad to plan the legs also allowed an accurate route for Wx briefing and filing flight plans. It was a successful flight.

That's cool - on several different levels.

[JerryG150]

I cancelled my XM weather for my Gamin 496 in my RV-12. I was hoping to use my new Ipad2 Wi-Fi, Iphone4 with hotspot and bluetooth GNS5870 MFI instead.

I'm hoping my hotspot Iphone4 will send a signal to the Ipad2 via Wi-Fi and my Ipad2 will receive GPS from my Bluetooth and I'll have a moving GPS with weather (radar and satellite views via Foreflight maps).

Do you think I will I receive all the necessary signals @ 5,000' and 140 knots on my Iphone4 (yes, I paid for the data and hotspot feature on my AT&T Iphone4) to send the hotspot signal to my Ipad2 Wi-Fi while it is receiving bluetooth info from my GNS 5870 MFI (GPS)?

I tried it once, but I think my settings were incorrect on the Ipad2 (wrong network) and it was a no go. Instead on removing the Ipad2 from my kneeboard holder and reworking the settings in my Ipads2 ... I decided to just fly the plane.

Think it should work ... or am I just dreaming?

[n5lp]

Originally Posted by JerryG150

...Do you think I will I receive all the necessary signals @ 5,000' and 140 knots on my Iphone4...

I have fiddled around with this some. On occasion I have received data at altitude but it is certainly nothing to count on.

The picture below is an exception. That photo was taken and immediately uploaded to Facebook one day when I happened to notice that I had 3G data coverage at 10,000 feet in the middle of nowhere.

[Pat Hatch]

You'll probably get better cell tower reception at or below 3,000' AGL. It becomes hit or miss above that in my experience. This due to the horizontal propagation inherent in cell antennae. You can get an external cell antenna (Don Pansier) and a Wilson amplifier (like the truckers use) and get acceptable cell data as high as 10K or more. Of course, you probably know cell use in flight is contrary to FCC regs in the U.S.

[w1curtis]

Originally Posted by 649PF

Is there anything like this that anyone has ever heard of? Copying IFR clearances have always been tough for me, especially on long unfamiliar legs. I hate getting yelled at by controllers right before going into the clouds. The iPad seems ripe for this type of app. Picture your screen with the standard DRAFT down the left side. 1) Before calling for you clearance you would input your expected destination next to D. 2) Then next to your route (R) would be columns with every possible en-route airway and VOR marker, ordered by most likely with a big DIRECT button. As the controller reads you your clearance you would just click on the names followed by an airway or "direct" button. As you did, your choices would diminish making it easier to find the next one. Altitudes (A) would be in list appropriate for direction of travel of course. All possible departure frequencies (F) would pop up and finally an easy way to enter your transponder code. The time and frustration saved would make IFR much more enjoyable for the GA pilot. Any thoughts?

I think this may be of interest to you. Since Foreflight has airway decoding, I cant see paying $20 for this app.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/airwa...3509?mt=8&ls=1