Optimize your iPad’s location services settings

The iPad's software settings allow you to customize which apps can use your location to improve the user experience. While this is essential for moving map navigation apps in the airplane, you'll find that it's not necessarily important for all types of apps to be able to access this data. Here we'll show you how to customize these settings to improve your iPad's battery life.

Save time with these 10 iPad gestures

You can do almost everything on your iPad without touching a…

Video: Responsibly Transitioning from Paper to EFB (webinar recording)

AOPA recently presented a new webinar on how to effectively and…

How to debrief a circling approach with CloudAhoy

For most pilots, a circling approach is not a part of regular flying, so it's definitely worth practicing with a flight instructor. To get the most out of that practice session, we like to record our flights with a data logger (Stratus 3, Garmin G1000, etc.) and then use an app like CloudAhoy for a detailed debriefing. With some recent updates, it's easier than ever to grade your performance on those three key components.

Three quick tips for Garmin Pilot – NOTAMs, aerial view, fuel prices

Garmin Pilot is loaded with features, and these go far beyond the basics of charts and airport information. In fact, it seems like the team at Garmin adds a handful of unique features with every update, sometimes without mentioning them in the release notes. Here are three we've been using recently that can make your preflight planning better.

How to use all of Garmin Pilot’s traffic features

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One of the standout features in Garmin Pilot is its traffic page, which looks like it's right off a panel-mount GTN navigator. This is a decluttered view so it appears simple, but we've noticed many pilots don't notice all the customization options. Here's a look at what you can adjust.

How to customize the Control Center on your iPad and iPhone

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The hidden Control Center screen remains one of the most useful features on iPhone and iPad, allowing you to quickly access commonly-used settings and apps. It's especially useful during iPad preflight, allowing you to quickly optimize wireless and network settings before takeoff without the need to leave your EFB app.

How to file an IFR flight plan in ForeFlight

After setting up some initial data in ForeFlight for you and your aircraft, filing an IFR flight plan takes just a few minutes. Here we'll walk through the process step-by-step to show you where to enter the data and send the flight plan through to ATC.

Storage almost full? Here’s how to free up space on your iPad

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It has happened to almost every pilot: you're excited to download that new app or it's time to download charts for your big cross country, but you get the dreaded "iPad Storage Full" message. This means it's time to start thinking about freeing up some space by deleting unused apps and media. Here's how to do it.

Overlooked iPad settings to consider before flying

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The iPad Settings app offers a dizzying array of options, from changing privacy options to adjusting screen brightness. As we've covered before, we think a quick preflight inspection of your iPad is a good idea, but there are a few more obscure settings that some pilots might also want to review. Here are three we've learned about the hard way.

How to make sure your ICAO flight plan doesn’t get rejected by ATC

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The transition to the ICAO flight plan form for flights within the U.S. has been pretty seamless, but there are still some gotchas to be aware of when filing IFR. Here are some common routing mistakes that will cause your flight plan to get rejected from ATC computers.

How to connect Sentry or Stratus ADS-B receivers after updating to iOS 14

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There's a new privacy setting in iOS 14 which can prevent you from connecting a Wi-Fi ADS-B receiver, like Sentry or Stratus, to your aviation app. Here's what to look for and how to change the setting if you're having trouble connecting after updating to iOS 14.