Entries by John Zimmerman

Garmin Pilot split-screen: reviewing all the options

One of Garmin Pilot’s standout features is its robust split-screen menu. With the tap of a button, you can view the standard moving map screen alongside traffic, terrain, charts, and much more. It’s that unique combination of powerful and easy to use, and we find ourselves taking advantage of it on almost every flight. Here’s a look at all the options.

Heads-up displays: what do pilots really want?

Since ADS-B receivers came out eight years ago, many pilots have been wondering what the next big thing would be. Might a less expensive HUD be the next addition to the electronic flight bag world?  We’ve been flying with various HUD ideas for years, and our short answer is: not yet. Here’s why.

Using your iPad on a Caribbean flying trip

Today you can confidently navigate the islands with everything you need right on your iPad, including geo-referenced VFR and IFR en route charts, airport and airspace databases, synthetic vision and even ADS-B weather in certain spots. Here we’re going to take a closer look at ForeFlight Mobile and Garmin Pilot, since they offer the most comprehensive resources for Caribbean-bound pilots.

Garmin Pilot adds powerful IFR features with version 10

In the never-ending battle between ForeFlight and Garmin for electronic flight bag supremacy, the two companies have taken slightly different approaches. Garmin has played to its strength by making their Pilot app more and more like their panel avionics. The latest update, version 10, continues this trend.

Understanding all the ForeFlight FPL and Edit features

ForeFlight offers the most comprehensive set of flight management features, accessible from the Edit section of the FPL window on the Maps page. This small but feature-rich drop-down window allows you to enter aircraft performance data, enter/modify flight plans, add arrival/departure and instrument approach procedures to your route, and choose the right altitude.

How to use iPad audio to make flying safer

The iPad is an engaging visual tool, but many pilots forget about its many audio uses. Especially for those pilots who worry about spending too much “heads-down” time with the iPad, it’s worth understanding how apps use audio to make flying more efficient and safe. Let’s look at some of the options, and how to set up an audio connection to your headset.

The top 20 apps for pilots – 2020 edition

There are thousands of apps that are useful for pilots, from flight training and weather briefings to calculators and games. With that in mind, compiling a list of the top apps may seem foolish, but once again we’re going to try—after all, a brand new iPad pilot needs to start somewhere. This list isn’t necessarily our 20 favorite apps, but rather the ones we see in use most often.

How to monitor your ADS-B Out system’s performance

While ADS-B Out avionics are pretty simple to operate (they’re basically just upgraded transponders), it is important to ensure your system is working properly. Simply choosing the wrong setting during installation can lead to significant errors, and we’ve heard a number of stories where this has happened. Fortunately, it’s free and easy to check.