Entries by John Zimmerman

The perfect portable battery for Starlink: Flight Gear Smart Battery Pack Max

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More and more general aviation pilots are flying with Starlink Mini, the first truly portable and affordable satellite connectivity system that works in small airplanes. Passengers can browse social media and pilots can access additional weather products at any altitude, and all with simply a square antenna mounted in the window and a $65/month subscription. We are both excited and nervous about the Starlink revolution, but it’s undeniably a powerful tool when used properly. 

Garmin SmartCharts: a pilot’s guide to interactive instrument charts

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After nearly a decade of work, avionics giant Garmin has released SmartCharts, a fully interactive version of those familiar approach plates that is accessible in its Garmin Pilot EFB app. This seemingly modest change is actually the result of sophisticated software development, rigorous testing, and exhaustive validation work. In other words, it’s a big deal—a Jeppesen Airway manual moment for the EFB age. Here’s how it works.

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.

SkewTLogPro releases version 3.0—upgrade your weather briefing today

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It seems like there are two types of pilots: those who have never heard of Skew-T log (p) charts and true believers who know they are the source of all truth and knowledge about weather. The second group is overstating things just a bit, but the first group is definitely missing out on some helpful weather information. With a little training—and the affordable SkewTLogPro app—it’s easy to integrate Skew-T diagrams into your normal preflight routine. Here’s how to get started.

How to listen to SiriusXM Radio in ForeFlight and Garmin Pilot

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Garmin’s top-of-the-line portable weather receivers, the compact GDL 52 and GDL 51, receive more than just GPS and weather. With an active SiriusXM subscription, pilots and passengers can also enjoy music and live sports in flight. Once you’ve configured all your devices, it’s very easy to listen to SiriusXM Radio, but the first time you do it there are a few steps to follow.

Three quick Garmin Pilot tips

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Garmin Pilot makes it easy to do the basics: view aviation charts, plan a flight, and navigate direct to airports. But if you’re looking to take your EFB skills to the next level, this app is loaded with time-saving features and advanced in-flight tools. Here are three we’ve been using recently.