Anybody willing to share their experience with I PAD

[BobTurner]

I thought the iPad, while it worked fine, was a bit too large. Won't fit on my lap as the stick is in the way. Switched to an iPad mini. Portrait mode locked in, sits fine on my knee board. Just big enough to read approach charts without zooming. VFR sectionals are easy to zoom in/out as needed. ADSB wx and traffic via Skyradar and WingX (Foreflight/Stratus won't talk to my GRT panel). I still carry local sectionals but rely on the iPad WingX exclusively on trips. I sometimes make paper copies for backup if ifr. The gps has never failed to lock on, is a good nav backup. I do not have attitude information on my set up.

[hillc95]

I too use an Ipad mini and I love it. I use it with a windshield RAM mount and it works great. I pair mine with a Garmin GDL and the Garmin app. It seems everyone else is using Foreflight but I just like the layout of Garmin better. After flying with it I couldn't take off without it.

[David Paule]

Full-size iPad, 32 gig, cellular/gps. Use it routinely for day VFR. I generally let it ride in the passenger footwell if I'm solo, otherwise the passenger holds it. It can overheat and shut down. Don't panic.

I prefer SkyCharts Pro and WingX. WingX has a few additional features that I like, such as their fuel cost display (extra cost).

My backup GPS is a small handheld on a mount. It's more reliable but the display isn't nearly as good; I usually keep it set for merely text data, which is plenty fine.

Dave

[Smilin' Jack]

Both Professionally and in General Aviation I have used IPADS in our corporate planes and in my RV7.

We have a group of 4 pilot corporately who use IPADS for all their chart service utilizing ForeFlight for Charts and Plates.

Only issue we have had. If the sun is glaring down on the IPAD it can get over heated and shut down.. same is true of the Stratus 2 we have. Our solution is to have some airflow on the back of the IPADS from the vents and to cover the Stratus with something white. Then there is no issue.

Half of us utilize a no glare screen cover. Which really helps. In the evening it does not matter but during bright sunlight it cuts down on the reflections on the screen.

The accuracy we enjoy with the Stratus 2 and Foreflight is often less than 2 meters. I wish they were around when I learned to shoot ADF approaches back in the 70's.
Like Mike, I started using SkyCharts which is still around... but there is no comparision to the ease of Foreflight... So many features.. You have to work with it to get comfortable.

I know this was about utilizing an IPAD. but with the situation awareness of utilizing Foreflight and Stratus together it make doing the grunt work so easy. Just don't get too caught up in the nice glass stuff.... there is a world to see out the windshield including planes not picked up on the fancy equipment.

Jack

[C. Brenden]

Being new to the EFB world, are only some map software apps approved for stand alone flight bag use IFR and VFR? Does the FAA approve only certain hardware (IPAD or Nexus, etc) ? Or does it simply have to be current?
Seems like Foreflight and WingX are the most popular.

[BobTurner]

Under part 91 the FAA does not endorse or approve anything carry-on. That is up to the PIC.

[Smilin' Jack]

I am of the opinion from what we have been told that if you use an Ipad you under Part 91 must have a training and documented. also if using it for charts and plates you must have 2.
we carry the Ipads in our corporate aircraft under part 91
on my RV IFR i have the I Pad and an I phone with ForeFlight on it

Jack

[Arlen]

Originally Posted by Smilin' Jack

I am of the opinion from what we have been told that if you use an Ipad you under Part 91 must have a training and documented. also if using it for charts and plates you must have 2.

Jack

Jack,
I agree that it's wise to have back-up charts/plates (as I do on my iPhone), but I don't believe that the FAA requires "2."

[JBPILOT]

So far - so good.

[BobTurner]

One advantge of WingX is better data compression, it uses less memory than Foreflight.