Entries by John Zimmerman

How to improve your iPad’s battery life

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

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

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

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.

Using the Flights tab in ForeFlight—pro tips

ForeFlight’s Maps page can be a pilot’s best friend, since it’s packed with visual planning tools and helpful information. But for experienced pilots, especially those who file IFR or fly high performance airplanes, the Flights tab offers a wealth of powerful features. Here are six that are often overlooked.

Flight testing the new iPad Pro nano-texture screen

One of the major headlines from Apple’s recent iPad announcement was the introduction of a new screen technology on the latest iPad Pro models. We just received our new iPad Pro 13″ with the nano-texture screen and promptly took it up for a test flight. Is it deserving of the hype? In short, yes. While it doesn’t completely eliminate screen glare, it does make a big difference in direct sunlight. Read on for more details