Entries by John Zimmerman

Plane Finder adds Watch app, weather layers, 3D view

There are lots of apps for tracking airplanes, from FlightAware’s ever-popular solution to the new internet traffic layer in ForeFlight. But one of the most creative and polished apps is Plane Finder, a longtime App Store best-seller. It’s great for tracking your inbound airline flight, but it also has the tools to be of value for general aviation pilots. After a busy summer, the latest version of the app is sporting some interesting new features.

Pilot Training app grows to 27 courses with new aerobatics training

Sporty’s Pilot Training app (available for both iOS and Android devices) has grown dramatically over the last few years to become a comprehensive aviation library for any pilot interested in improving their flying skills. The latest addition is a new aerobatics course from well-known airshow pilot Patty Wagstaff, which dives into the exciting world of loops, rolls, and spins.

Sporty’s and ForeFlight launch “virtual poker run” with track logs

As part of its Virtual Airshow this month, an online celebration of aviation to help ease the pain of a cancelled 2020 AirVenture Oshkosh, Sporty’s has partnered with ForeFlight to offer a virtual poker run contest. The goal is to encourage pilots to fly this summer, whether it’s a local flight or a long cross-country, and then share it with others. One winner will be awarded a Sentry ADS-B receiver.

What to expect from iOS 14 and iPadOS 14

Apple kicked off its annual developer conference Monday with a traditional keynote presentation to show off the latest features coming to iOS 14 and iPadOS 14. The latest operating system introduces a new app home screen layout for iPhone, dynamic widgets and hundreds of other new features which will debut in the fall.

How do I mount my iPad in the airplane?

Securing your iPad while you fly is important for safety (to prevent your tablet from flying around the cockpit), but also for convenience (to keep it close by and easy to use). There are plenty of different mounts to choose from, but they aren’t all universal. Which one is right for you? It depends a lot on the type of airplane you fly. Let’s look at some examples.