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Sporty’s Pilot Training app now available for Apple computers

Cloud Topper app updated with auto calibration and full screen support

Accessories

Portable ADS-B and SiriusXM receiver buyer’s guide

New charging cables include status screen

ForeFlight launches next generation Sentry ADS-B receiver

Beginner Tips

When is an iPad obsolete for flying?

Prevent iPad overheating issues in the airplane this summer

Five essential iPad skills for pilots

Electronic flight bag legal briefing for pilots—2022 edition

October 22, 2020/by John Zimmerman

Quizzes

Quiz: Flying with ADS-B weather and your iPad

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Quiz: ForeFlight badges, labels and alerts

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Getting Started

iPad Frequently Asked Questions

Pilot’s guide to the iPad – how to get started

January 20, 2020/by Bret Koebbe

Pilot’s guide to the iPad – how to get started

January 13, 2017/by John Zimmerman

iOS Update Green Light Program

Latest Articles

When is an iPad obsolete for flying?

An original iPad, which came out in 2010, can be purchased on eBay for under $50—a great deal, right? Not so fast. Most aviation apps have specific requirements that eliminate some older tablets from consideration, so before you buy that used iPad, read on.

Portable ADS-B and SiriusXM receiver buyer’s guide

For the price of a few flight lessons, you can have in-flight weather (ADS-B or SiriusXM), GPS, traffic, flight data recorder and a backup attitude/heading display, all on your iPad. There are a lot of options out there, so we assembled this buyer's guide to help you sort out the details, with updated information covering ForeFlight's new Sentry Plus.

New charging cables include status screen

Charging cables used to be simple: buy one with a Lightning connector and plug it into your iPad. But since the early days of tablets, things have become much more complicated. We've recently been flying with some new cables that finally solve this problem, and add some helpful features as well.

ForeFlight launches next generation Sentry ADS-B receiver

Now there’s a new top dog in the portable weather receiver market, with the introduction of Sentry Plus. While slightly larger than the original Sentry, it’s still a compact and lightweight device that easily mounts on a side window via a suction cup. In addition to popular features like datalink weather and traffic, Sentry Plus includes some thoughtful upgrades and performance enhancements. Here’s a look at some of the new features.

StationWeather app adds TAF widgets

StationWeather, a popular app for displaying decoded METARs and TAFs in a graphical format, recently added support to display TAF data in an iPadOS home screen widget.

Apple announces iOS and iPadOS 16: First look at the new features

News

Apple kicked off its annual developer conference today at its headquarters in Cupertino. During the keynote, they took the wraps off iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 and showed off many of the new features that will be coming to Apple devices later this year. We'll first look at what's new for iOS 16 for iPhone then look at some of the unique features designed for the larger screen in iPadOS 16.

Bivy Stick offers new option for in-flight messaging

A portable satellite communicator is ideal for updating friends and family when your ETA changes or for tracking flights in remote areas. Now there's a new player in this market. ACR Electronics, a well-known manufacturer of personal locator beacons, has launched the Bivy Stick.

Prevent iPad overheating issues in the airplane this summer

Based on iPad Pilot News reader surveys over the years, the majority of pilots have had the iPad shut down on them at least once in flight due to overheating. This is by far the most common problem reported by pilots when flying with an iPad, but it can be prevented with a little bit of planning and preparation.

Top 10 aviation weather apps

There are thousands of weather apps for the general public, from free to quite expensive. These are great for deciding whether you need a jacket tomorrow, but when it comes to aviation weather—looking at thunderstorms, ice, turbulence, visibility and so much more—these apps just aren't enough. So we'll focus on apps that offer more for pilots, both free and paid.

ForeFlight adds graphical en route NOTAMs in latest update

Tips and tricks

The latest update to ForeFlight is now available, version 14.4, and adds a variety of clever new features primarily focused on improving flight planning. This includes a new graphical NOTAM layer on the moving map and the ability to specify altitude changes for the active flight plan in the profile view.

Five essential iPad skills for pilots

A good pilot should know how to "aviate, navigate, and communicate," no matter what airplane they are flying. For anyone flying with an electronic flight bag, there isn't a simple phrase to remember but there are still some essential skills to master. Are you proficient at all five of these?

Electronic flight bag legal briefing for pilots—2022 edition