Earlier this year we reviewed a unique new carbon monoxide detector, the Aithre Shield, that used a free app to offer precise monitoring of the cockpit environment. Now the company has added oxygen system monitoring to the mix, with an updated app and a new accessory called Altus.
Flying with backup is part of any smart pilot’s pre-flight plan. For us, that usually means at least a flashlight and a battery pack, since both come in handy on almost every flight. A new device is worth considering, since it combines those essential tools into one convenient product.
Where to mount a tablet in a helicopter is a tricky question since the pilot typically has both hands on the controls at all times and there is no yoke to use for mounting as there is in an airplane. The high vibration environment can also pose some unique challenges. Here’s our advice.
For most pilots, learning to talk on the radio is a challenge – right up there with crosswind landings on the list of struggles. While learning to crab and slip still requires plenty of time in the airplane, some new technology makes it much easier to perfect those communication skills. The latest example is PlaneEnglish, an app for Android and iOS devices that uses speech recognition to coach you through different scenarios.
ForeFlight has gained a loyal following in part by continuously adding features, so the ForeFlight of two years ago looks almost unrecognizable today. That’s great news for pilots, who get powerful new tools seemingly every month, but it does mean that some features occasionally get lost in the shuffle. Here’s a look at five helpful features in ForeFlight that you may not be using.
On a recent flight we got to try Fltplan Go when connected to a Garmin Flight Stream 510, and came away impressed. While Fltplan Go is not as polished and powerful as the Garmin Pilot app, it still packs a number of useful features into a free app, including weather and flight plan transfer.
If you’re considering a datalink weather receiver for your iPad (like a Sentry, Stratus, or GDL), one of the first decisions you’ll face is the source of your weather data: ADS-B or SiriusXM? Here’s a review of the similarities and differences, plus our advice for choosing the right solution.
As the old saying goes, “train like you fly, fly like you train.” If you fly with an iPad, don’t hide it during your training flights. Better to make it an integral part of your proficiency program, whether you’re on your own or with an instructor, including what to do if it fails. Here’s a suggested list of topics to cover.
Last year at Oshkosh 2018, Sporty’s introduced a handy battery pack that is specifically made for pilots. We loved it from the start and we’ve carried it on every flight. Now there’s a new option with the same great features but in a more compact size and at a lower price. Here’s a look at the specs.
Now there’s an affordable and easy-to-use option for flying with ADS-B weather and traffic. Sentry Mini, introduced this week at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, is an incredibly small, lightweight ADS-B receiver that’s specifically made for ForeFlight. It delivers subscription-free datalink weather, including radar, lightning, METARs, TAFs, and TFRs, plus dual band ADS-B traffic and WAAS GPS position. All these features are packed into a case that weighs less than two ounces and is smaller than a deck of cards.
Garmin’s top-of-the-line portable weather receivers, the compact GDL 51/52, receive more than just GPS, traffic, 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 – and they are probably a little different than what you expect. Here’s a step-by-step explanation.
ForeFlight has been on a torrid pace lately, shipping significant app updates every few weeks this spring and early summer. That continues with version 11.6, a new version that adds some unique planning and debriefing tools, enhanced annotation options, and some helpful logbook upgrades. Here’s a hands-on look at what’s new.
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