Using chart annotations in your favorite aviation app
Here we’re going to show you how to use chart annotations in several apps and offer tips on how to make make the most of them during your flying. They can really come in handy.
Author Archive for: johnz
Entries by John Zimmerman
How to use Garmin Pilot’s emergency mode
There are certainly important differences in how features are implemented in different apps, but there haven’t been many truly new app features over the last year. One exception is Garmin’s Emergency Mode, which was released this summer. It’s simple, but thoughtfully designed and very useful. Here’s how to use it.
Flying with the Garmin GDL 51 SiriusXM receiver
Garmin announced an all-new SiriusXM weather receiver this summer, the GDL 51, which finally brings satellite weather to the Garmin Pilot app (as well as Garmin portable GPSs like the Aera 660). We’ve had the chance to fly with it for a few weeks now, and have formed some opinions. Here are our testing notes.
Pilot poll: what tablet do you fly with?
Add your vote in our latest poll – what is the tablet you use most often for flying? Is it an old iPad 2 or a brand new iPad Pro?
Why the 2017 iPad is a good value for pilots
Apple’s lineup of tablets has grown tremendously over the past five years, from a single iPad model with a roughly 10″ screen to three main options: iPad Mini, 10.5″ iPad Pro, and 12.9″ iPad Pro. Each of these has its place, but lost in the mix is the confusingly-named “iPad.” We think it’s a great value.
How to use the new terrain options and graphical route tool in ForeFlight 9.3
The latest update from ForeFlight brings a number of enhancements to the everyday workflow of the app, with notable upgrades to the route planning, terrain, and SiriusXM weather tools. Let’s explore what the new features offer, and how to use them.
Mount and kneeboard options for the iPad Pro 10.5″
The iPad Pro 10.5″ has quickly established itself as the best iPad yet for pilots. How to secure this new iPad in the cockpit isn’t so simple. There are a number of options available, but not every iPad Air or iPad Pro 9.7″ accessory works with the larger 10.5″ size. Let’s review the options.
How to use Stratus for flight data recording
The Stratus line of ADS-B receivers are well-known as weather receivers, but there’s another option that many pilots don’t use as often: flight data recording. By default, Stratus 2 and 2S are always recording your flights, including position, speed, altitude, and attitude – up to 20 hours at a time. Here’s how to use these track logs.
Top 20 apps for pilots
The number of aviation apps seems to expand daily, with thousands of options for flight training, weather briefings, games and so much more. With that in mind, compiling a list of the top apps may seem foolish, but we’re going to try – after all, a brand new iPad pilot needs to start somewhere. The list below isn’t necessarily our 20 favorite apps, but rather the ones we see in use most often, and are worth considering for any pilot’s tablet.
Keeping your charge – iPad battery tips
An external battery pack can be a lifesaver in today’s modern cockpit. Let’s dig into the details of the devices you carry and these backup batteries to understand what you need to look for and what to avoid.
Big Google Earth update makes 3D airport flyovers easy
Google Earth has been around for over 15 years, and in that time it has changed many people’s perception of our planet with its worldwide satellite images. More practically for pilots, the website and app can be useful for planning a flight to an unfamiliar airport. This week brought a major update for the iOS app with some helpful new features for pilots.
ForeFlight and Garmin introduce new weather receivers
EAA Airventure Oshkosh is the aviation event of the summer, and it usually brings a number of product introductions. This year is proving to be no exception, with new airplanes, new engines, and new avionics all being announced over the last week. Two of the giants in the world of aviation apps and accessories, ForeFlight and Garmin, joined the fray this week. Here’s a look at what’s new and what it all means.
RECENT COMMENTS