Use the Reminders app for maintenance tracking
The iPad’s built-in Reminders app is useful for tracking maintenance events.
Being a pilot or aircraft owner often means keeping up with lots of currency issues, like flight reviews, annual inspections and medical expirations. Fortunately, the iPad has a built-in feature that makes it easy to stay current. If you are using iOS 5 or later, you’ll see a Reminders app on your home screen. This free and easy-to-use app allows you to make a to-do list, and specify dates and times to remind you.
The app is obviously helpful for plenty of things other than aviation, but we’ve found it to be quite helpful for those everyday flying tasks. With the latest version of the app (built into iOS 6), you can create separate to-do lists, so we would recommend making a flying list or an aircraft maintenance list if you are an owner. Then, simply type in the event you want to remember and set a date/time to get a pop-up reminder. This reminder shows up no matter what app you’re using at the time, so it’s hard to miss. You can also set priorities and add notes to a reminder–perfect for making a list of fixes or upgrades to do at annual.
Also note that if your iPhone or iPad is compatible with Siri, Apple’s digital assistant feature, you can set up new reminders just by talking to Siri.
Here are some ideas to track in the app:
- Flight reviews
- Takeoff/landing currency
- Instrument currency
- Medical certificates
- Oil changes
- Annual inspections
- IFR checks
- Transponder checks
- AD compliance
- ELT batteries
Reminders are also backed up to your iCloud account, so you can access them from your iPhone and iPad. And because you almost always have your iPhone or iPad with you in the airplane, it’s fast and easy to keep your entries up to date.
I wish there was a way to email the reminder list to the maintenance tech. Or is there??
Geof, I’m not aware of any way to email the list directly from the app, but you could always take a screen shot of the app while it’s open (see below), and email that photo directly to your tech. Make sure to hold it in portrait orientation to get the most amount of data on the screen at one time in the Reminders app. More info on taking screen captures: https://ipadpilotnews.com/2012/06/use-the-ipads-built-in-screen-capture-function/
OK, I have a first gen iPad and after a couple of attempts, I got it to work. I was holding the buttons too long. Just push and release, don’t hold them. Appears to work fine for me. Thanks for the advice.