Using the Garmin D2 Air X10 with your iPhone and Garmin Pilot

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Garmin continues to improve their range of aviation smartwatches, and the new D2 Air X10 is their best yet. While it can function quite well as a standalone navigator (using the internal GPS and aviation database), it is even more powerful when paired with a smartphone. This allows you to get updated weather and even share flight plans; it's really an extension of your flight deck. Here's what it can do.
Dual 150

What’s the best external GPS for pilots?

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External iPad GPSs were one of the first accessories to appear for the iPad. After the iPad was released in 2010, pilots quickly realized that the tablet was far more useful with an accurate position source—moving maps, terrain warnings, and so much more come into play. Initially, there were very few options for pilots, but the market rapidly expanded and now there are more choices than ever. How do you pick the right one? Let's survey the market.
Flight Gear charging plug

Understanding USB-C and Power Delivery

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In a world of competing standards (iOS or Android, Safari or Chrome, Garmin or Avidyne), USB seems like a simple and comforting exception. But now the familiar USB-A port is slowly fading away. Here's what you need to know about USB-C plugs and what Power Delivery means.

What’s new in iPad accessories

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An iPad by itself is useful, but the smart pilot knows that a few well-chosen accessories can transform a simple tablet into a powerful electronic flight bag. Fortunately, a robust market has sprung up to provide these accessories, with solutions for mounting, protecting, and charging a tablet in flight. The second half of 2021 has brought a steady stream of new products in this category—here's a review.

iPad pilot gift guide—2021 edition

Whether you're a pilot shopping for another aviation enthusiast or you're a non-pilot desperately trying to figure out what to buy the (slightly odd?) aviator on your list, iPad apps and accessories are a good bet. Over 10 years into the tablet revolution, pilots are still snapping up this gear at a tremendous rate. Here's our list of the top 10 things any iPad pilot would like this Christmas.
18W iPad charger

Tips for charging your iPad before flight and in the cockpit

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One of the standout features of the iPad is its long battery life, but it's always a good idea to charge the iPad the night before your flight and start with a full battery. In fact, running out of battery power is about the only problem we've had in ten years of flying with the iPad. Here's how to avoid that situation, including some recommendations for the right charging gear.

Video: how to use SiriusXM Weather in Garmin Pilot

Datalink weather has transformed in-flight decision making, especially since it can be accessed with affordable portable receivers and displayed on popular EFB apps. This quick video tip from Garmin shows how to set up SiriusXM satellite weather on the Garmin Pilot app, how to enable different weather layers, and even how to use widgets to get detailed data on airport conditions. If you're only looking at radar, this video will help you dive deeper.
GPS outage

GPS outages—how ADS-B receivers can protect against jamming

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Portable ADS-B receivers like Sentry are must-have devices for many pilots, delivering subscription-free weather that helps make better in-flight decisions. Beyond datalink weather, many pilots have also discovered the value of having a portable ADS-B receiver as a backup. There's another level of redundancy that most pilots don't consider, though: GPS failure.

Video: comparing the top 4 iPad kneeboards

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Kneeboards have changed drastically over the last 15 years. Once used for charts and flight plan forms, kneeboards are now used to hold the most trusted navigational tool: an iPad, tablet, or phone. There are more options than ever, ranging from very basic to deluxe, so the decision can be a difficult one. In this new video, Sporty's John Zimmerman compares four popular kneeboards, and offers his thoughts on the strengths and weaknesses of each one.

Which kneeboards work with the latest iPad Pro?

The iPad Pro 11" has proven to be the top choice for pilots interested in peak tablet performance. But once you have your fancy new iPad, the question naturally comes up: what mount or kneeboard works with it? We are big fans of the Robust Mounts, since their universal design accepts many different size tablets, but the story with kneeboards is more complicated. Let's examine the options.
Garmin inReach Explorer+

In-flight connectivity on the cheap: inReach and AirText

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Flying a general aviation airplane usually means being disconnected, unless you're willing to spend over $50,000 on hardware and at least $1000/month for data. That doesn't mean pilots are totally cut off, though. Two products, Garmin's inReach portable communicators and AirText's semi-permanent boxes, offer reasonably affordable services for sending text messages or retrieving text weather. Here's a long term test report.
Robust mount

How do I mount my iPad in the airplane?

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Securing your iPad while you fly is important for safety (to prevent your tablet from flying around the cockpit), but also for convenience (to keep it close by and easy to use). There are plenty of different mounts to choose from, but they aren't all universal. Which one is right for you? It depends a lot on the type of airplane you fly. Let's look at some examples.