Battery app in iOS

Annual maintenance checklist for your iPad

The one side effect from Apple's high level of performance is that it can cause pilots to develop a bit of complacency over time, especially if you don't periodically inspect your device settings, preferences, app configuration, and system updates. Similar to the routine of having your airplane undergo an annual inspection, we recommend that you take the time to review the following items once a year to keep your iPad, apps and accessories performing at their best.

How to free up storage space on your iPad

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. Over time, as you download more apps and take more pictures, you can quickly fill up the storage space on your device and run into this alert. This means it's time to start thinking about freeing up some space by deleting unused apps and media.
ForeFlight traffic

Our top 16 tips for flying with the iPad

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Most pilots have a favorite tip or two when it comes to flying with the iPad, and we always learn something when we fly with another pilot. So we asked four Sporty's pilots who regularly fly with the iPad to share their top tips. Read what they had to say, then add a comment with your own at the bottom.

Guide to filing an IFR flight plan in ForeFlight

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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.

PilotWorkshops courses now available in training app

Sporty's Pilot Training app now includes a collection of new courses and digital pilot manuals from the team at PilotWorkshops. These new training products are designed to take your VFR and IFR flying skills to the next level and maximize the utility of your pilot certificate.

Keep your head up with iPad audio alerts

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The iPad is an engaging visual tool, but many pilots forget about its many audio uses. Especially for those pilots who worry about spending too much "heads-down" time with the iPad, it's worth understanding how apps use audio to make flying more efficient and safe. Let's look at some of the options, and how to set up an audio connection to your headset.

ForeFlight Pack — more than just charts

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Most pilots know how to use ForeFlight's Pack feature to verify chart downloads before a flight, but it can do much more.
iPad Model Name

How to find your iPad model number

If you're shopping for a mount or kneeboard you'll quickly have to answer the question, "which iPad do I have?" It's not always as simple as it might sound, so if you're not sure which model you have, you're not alone. If you need to look that information up here’s how to do so.

iOS Update Green Light program: iOS and iPadOS 18.3

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Apple released iOS and iPadOS 18.3 for iPhone and iPad, which includes new Apple Intelligence features. Like any software update, we recommend waiting until your app or accessory developer has time to test it out and verify there are no compatibility issues.

The top 20 apps for pilots – 2024 edition

There are thousands of apps that are useful for pilots, from flight training and weather briefings to calculators and games. With that in mind, compiling a list of the top apps may seem foolish, but once again we're going to try—after all, a brand new iPad pilot needs to start somewhere. This list isn't necessarily our 20 favorite apps, but rather the ones we see in use most often.

How to set up Stolen Device Protection in iOS 17.3

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Apple added a new security feature called Stolen Device Protection for your iPhone in the most recent iOS 17.3 update. When this feature is enabled, some features and actions require additional security steps beyond entering the numeric passcode when your iPhone is away from familiar locations such as home or work.
iPad teardown

How to improve your iPad’s battery life

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One of the most under-appreciated features of the iPad is its fantastic battery life. Even with a high-resolution screen and a powerful processor, Apple's tablet offers a battery life of 4 to 6 (or more) hours in the air—better than almost every other competing tablet. But there are a number of things you can do to improve the performance of your iPad battery and keep it in top working condition.