While the big electronic flight bag (EFB) apps like ForeFlight and Garmin Pilot are loaded with weather tools, a new app is taking a different approach to help pilots make smarter preflight decisions. WeatherSpork is not an EFB app, but rather an easy-to-use app that focuses on smarter preflight weather briefings. Here’s a hands-on review.
While the AirText and AirText+ have found their way into a number of airplanes, the price and size meant they were out of reach for most single engine piston airplanes. Now there’s a smaller, less expensive option that will work in almost any airplane.
Garmin Pilot has been expanding its weather options lately, with a particular focus on interactive map layers. If you’re only watching the radar and METARs, you’re missing a lot of good information that can help your next flight be smoother and safer. Here are four tools to use.
ForeFlight released version 10.1 this week, and as usual it has a number of new features and refinements. While the big news was the app’s launch in Europe, there are plenty of other interesting features for North American pilots. Here are seven tips to check out.
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 we reported on a concept from MITRE corporation that showed how to deliver IFR clearances via electronic flight bag app. The goal was to offer a safer, more reliable, and more efficient way to pick up a clearance at a remote airport. Now this concept is taking the next step, with a limited test at Manassas Regional Airport (HEF) in Virginia.
A few weeks ago, we asked iPad Pilot News readers about their experience flying with the iPad. We wanted to know about squawks – any app or hardware issues that had occurred, and how often. Today we’re happy to share the results of the survey:
iPads are great, but sometimes you just need to scribble a note or consult a paper checklist. That’s why many pilots fly with a kneeboard to keep things organized. In this new Product PIREP video, we went flying with two new designs from Flight Gear that accommodate both paper and EFBs, and include a number of flexible options. See them in action in a Cessna 182 to see all the features.
The iPad is an incredibly powerful and reliable tool for pilots, whether you’re flying a Cub or a C-17. But like any technology, issues can pop up, from overheating to app bugs. Take our quick, 10-question survey to tell us what problems you’ve had flying with the iPad. We’ll then share the data with readers to determine which issues are most common.
One of our favorite features in ForeFlight is its ability to continuously monitor your position, altitude and flight profile to provide a number of in-app audio and visual alerts. These are designed to keep you aware of potential hazards and improve situational awareness in-flight and on the ground. Here we’ll go through each alert function based on phase of flight to explain its purpose and configuration options.
Learning how to use VORs and NDBs isn’t very exciting, but it’s still a requirement if you want to earn a Private Pilot certificate or Instrument rating. Often it comes down to a problem of visualizing how the different systems work. A recently-updated app, IFR Flight Trainer Simulator, can help with this learning curve.
Garmin has introduced multiple portable weather receivers over the last six months, including the GDL 51 SiriusXM receiver and the GDL 52 SiriusXM/ADS-B receiver. Now the GDL family is complete, with the introduction of the GDL 50 – an ADS-B, GPS, AHRS unit with an 8-hour battery.
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