Pilots tend to focus more on optimizing the iPad’s battery life than the average iPad user, since this is critical to keeping the device functioning in the airplane over the course of a flight. Fortunately, there’s a dedicated utility in the main iPad settings to help shed some light on which apps are using the most power, possibly while running in the background.
We’ve flown with (and previously reviewed) the Aithre Connect app and its companion line of pilot monitoring devices. This free app connects to the company’s carbon monoxide detector, pulse oximeter, and oxygen tank monitor, then provides real time status information and audio alerts. The latest version of this app adds new features that go beyond health monitoring, including voice commands.
The heavyweight fight between ForeFlight and Garmin continues. The same week ForeFlight released its biggest update in recent memory, Garmin unveiled their own app update, version 10.1. This is hardly the big overhaul that ForeFlight delivered, but it does offer some nice additions and thoughtful modifications to popular features.
Insurance might seem like a very conservative industry, one that would resist the march of technology as long as possible. That’s true in some ways (ever faxed an insurance renewal form in after filling out the same information five times?), but a new app from Starr Aviation is a refreshing change. It offers pilots the option to purchase renter’s insurance right from the app, and the ability to track flying skill over time.
With the threat of coronavirus hanging over most segments of aviation, many pilots are getting a quick education on proper cleaning procedures. Wiping down the yokes, avionics, and door handles after each flight has become standard practice at many flight schools, flying clubs, and charter companies. That focus on cleanliness extends to tablets and phones too—but what is safe?
CloudAhoy started life as a desktop app and, until recently, the user interface reflected that heritage. While the feature list is long and impressive, some of the options were a little hard to use—especially on a mobile device. The company knows that more and more pilots are debriefing on their iPads, so they have redesigned the Debrief section of the app to be easier to use. Here’s a look at the new layout.
For pilots using a tablet as their primary chart reference, keeping an iPad charged isn’t just a convenience – it’s a safety of flight issue. Fortunately, there are a whole host of solutions that can keep your battery topped off; unfortunately, many were developed for cars and not airplanes. We’ve recently been testing a new option that is made for aviation but is both inexpensive and portable.
The reality is EFB apps can do so much more than just METARs and charts, so it’s worth taking the time to sit down on a rainy day (or during quarantine) and explore their hidden features. It’ll help you break out of your iPad routine and improve your preflight planning and in-flight situational awareness. To get you started, here are 5 lesser-known features in the Garmin Pilot app to check out before the next flight.
Portable weather receivers like the Sentry from ForeFlight and the Stratus 3 from Appareo are essential parts of many pilots’ flight bags. They are easy to use, with just one button and no wires, but there are some things to know for best performance. This new series of videos offers quick tips for anyone flying with a Sentry or Stratus, and is especially helpful for new owners.
Digital logbooks have been around for many years, but ForeFlight’s introduction of this feature about five years ago seems to have made it mainstream. More and more pilots are using the app to log flights and track currency, but there’s more to this feature than just basic flight logging. Here are eight ways to get the most out of your new logbook.
Apple doesn’t make it easy to understand which iPad you have right now. The latest line of tablets on offer includes no fewer than five confusingly-named models. Finding a mount or kneeboard that fits these new models can be equally confusing. Fortunately, there are good options for each of these five options, including a new one from RAM.
Datalink weather has the potential to make your flying safer and more comfortable—but only if you know how to use it properly. Join iPad Pilot News contributor John Zimmerman for an in-depth look at ADS-B, SiriusXM, and how to use them in flight. The webinar recording includes over an hour of practical tips for pilots of all levels.
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