Beginner’s guide to flying with an iPad—how to get started

The iPad continues to be the best-selling tablet on the market, with sales exceeding 425 million units since launching in 2010. There’s no question that it’s the most widely used tablet in aviation too, as pilots continue to purchase iPads at an incredible rate. Fortunately, one of the big selling points of the iPad is its ease of use, meaning most pilots will be able to jump right in and start using the iPad as an Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) with minimal training.

Over the past several years we have written hundreds of articles here at iPad Pilot News with tips for pilots, app and accessory reviews, the latest news, and helpful videos. As active general aviation pilots and flight instructors, we hear pilots ask all the time things like “which app should I use,” or “is it legal,” and “where should I mount the iPad in my airplane?” To make things easier, we’ve collected our most popular educational articles and videos designed to help get pilots off to the right start with the iPad in the cockpit.

Step 1: Seminar Videos

The best way for any new iPad pilot to start out is by watching some of the videos we offer at iPad Pilot News. These webinar recordings are packed with information for the beginning pilot:

Flying with the iPad – Your Digital Copilot

Flying with ForeFlight Webinar

Flying with Datalink Weather – How to use ADS-B and SiriusXM in the Cockpit

Step 2: Which iPad and Which Apps?

• Which iPad Should I Buy?
• Should pilots buy an iPad with built-in GPS?
• Top 20 Aviation Apps
• Garmin Pilot vs. ForeFlight: Which is best for you?
• Which ForeFlight subscription plan is right for me?
• Top 10 Aviation Apps for Student Pilots
• Top 10 Weather Apps for Pilots
• Top 10 Aviation Apps for Apple Watch
• iPad Apps for Turbine Pilots
• Complete Aviation App Directory

Step 3: Essential Operating Tips

• iPad Preflight Checklist
• iPad Frequently Asked Questions
• How to Optimize iPad Battery Life
• iPad Legal Briefing for Pilots
• Flying with your iPad at Night
• iPad Overheat Prevention
• App Troubleshooting Techniques for Pilots
• Annual Maintenance Checklist for Your iPad
• Tips for using your aviation apps with home flight simulators

Step 4: GPS, ADS-B and SiriusXM Accessories

• Choosing the Right iPad GPS – Tips for Pilots
• Portable ADS-B and SiriusXM receiver buyer’s guide
• ADS-B weather vs. SiriusXM satellite weather—comparing the options
• Guide to ADS-B Traffic
• Do ADS-B receivers work internationally? A pilot report
• Flying with ADS-B Receivers – A Real World Scenario
• Flying with the Sentry ADS-B receiver
• Six video tips on ADS-B receivers
• iPad Connected Panel Buyer’s Guide
• How to use iPad audio to make flying safer

Step 5: Mounting and Backup Power Options

• Where should I mount my iPad in the cockpit?
• How to mount your iPhone in the cockpit
• A simple, affordable iPad mounting option
• iPad kneeboard buyer’s guide
• Video: comparing the top 4 iPad kneeboards
• Panel-mount options for iPads
• Charging Your iPad
• New Professional iPad Battery Backup is the Best Yet

Is there an iPad topic that we have not covered and you’d like to know more about? Post a comment below or send us an email at [email protected].