Since launching in September 2021, the iPad mini 6 has quickly become the most popular tablet among pilots. RAM recently introduced two new products to help secure it in flight: a perfect-fit cradle and a leg mount. Here’s flight test report.
If you’re anything like us, your favorite electronic flight bag (EFB) app has dozens of features that you don’t even know about, or perhaps you once knew about but have long since forgotten. That’s certainly true of ForeFlight, which has steadily added features over the last decade to become a truly comprehensive preflight and in-flight tool. Here are five features we recently “rediscovered” that are worth trying on your next flight.
One of the standout features in Garmin Pilot is its traffic page, which looks like it’s right off a panel-mount GTN navigator. This is a decluttered view so it appears simple, but we’ve noticed many pilots don’t notice all the customization options. Here’s a look at what you can adjust.
Some compromises are made when moving data that was initially designed to be displayed on a fold-out chart or book to an iPad app. In particular, it’s a challenge to integrate information like legends and chart supplements—some of which is critically important for pilots. Fortunately, ForeFlight still offers these supplements and supporting data, but you need to know where to look.
There are dozens of options for securing an iPad in the cockpit, but one of our favorite new options is the Flight Outfitters iPad Flight Desk. It combines a protective case, an in-flight organizer, and a flexible iPad kneeboard into one product. Pilots have the option to use it as a bi-fold flight desk, complete with a clipboard, or as a basic iPad leg strap. In this video, Sporty’s Doug Ranly explains all the features.
The days of holding a mini-Maglite in your mouth and shining it down on a paper sectional are gone thanks to the iPad’s backlit screen. But just because the iPad solves part of the night lighting equation doesn’t mean you can just hop in the airplane and start using it the same way you do during the day. Here are five things to consider the next time you go flying at night with your iPad.
Over the past several years we have written hundreds of articles here at iPad Pilot News with tips for pilots, app and accessory reviews, the latest news, and helpful videos. To make things easier, we’ve collected our most popular educational articles and videos designed to help get pilots off to the right start with the iPad in the cockpit.
As any experienced iPad pilot knows, a few good accessories can make your tablet easier to use, more reliable, and more powerful. Here’s a roundup of some new products that fit that description, from mounts to charging tools.
Garmin continues to improve their range of aviation smartwatches, and the new D2 Air X10 is their best yet. While it can function quite well as a standalone navigator (using the internal GPS and aviation database), it is even more powerful when paired with a smartphone. This allows you to get updated weather and even share flight plans; it’s really an extension of your flight deck. Here’s what it can do.
It has happened to almost every pilot: you’re excited to download that new app or it’s time to download charts for your big cross country, but you get the dreaded “iPad Storage Full” message. Over time, as you download more apps and take more pictures, you can quickly fill up the storage space on your device and run into this alert. This means it’s time to start thinking about freeing up some space by deleting unused apps and media.
Most pilots have a favorite tip or two when it comes to flying with the iPad, and we always learn something when we fly with another pilot. So we asked four Sporty’s pilots who regularly fly with the iPad to share their top tips. Read what they had to say, then add a comment with your own at the bottom.
External iPad GPSs were one of the first accessories to appear for the iPad. After the iPad was released in 2010, pilots quickly realized that the tablet was far more useful with an accurate position source—moving maps, terrain warnings, and so much more come into play. Initially, there were very few options for pilots, but the market rapidly expanded and now there are more choices than ever. How do you pick the right one? Let’s survey the market.
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