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.
One of the most under-appreciated features of the iPad is its fantastic battery life. Even with a high-resolution screen and a powerful processor, Apple’s tablet offers a battery life of 4 to 6 (or more) hours in the air—better than almost every other competing tablet. But there are a number of things you can do to improve the performance of your iPad battery and keep it in top working condition.
ForeFlight now offers three main subscription plans: Basic Plus, Pro Plus, and Performance Plus. On top of that there are choices for geographic regions, and considerations for fleet operators. Which subscription is right for you? What are the pros and cons of each level? In this article, we’ll examine the key differences and offer a few opinions.
Over a decade after the iPad’s introduction, aviation continues to be a poster child for the power and flexibility of the world’s best-selling tablet. This year saw major updates from Apple in both hardware and software, plus plenty of news from app developers and accessory manufacturers. Here are some of the biggest stories from 2021.
It’s a nightmare that many pilots face every year: after landing at an airport far from home base, your airplane develops a mechanical problem and you find yourself AOG (airplane on ground). Who do you call for help? That’s exactly the problem this new app is trying to solve.
An iPad by itself is useful, but the smart pilot knows that a few well-chosen accessories can transform a simple tablet into a powerful electronic flight bag. Fortunately, a robust market has sprung up to provide these accessories, with solutions for mounting, protecting, and charging a tablet in flight. The second half of 2021 has brought a steady stream of new products in this category—here’s a review.
Whether you’re a pilot shopping for another aviation enthusiast or you’re a non-pilot desperately trying to figure out what to buy the (slightly odd?) aviator on your list, iPad apps and accessories are a good bet. Over 10 years into the tablet revolution, pilots are still snapping up this gear at a tremendous rate. Here’s our list of the top 10 things any iPad pilot would like this Christmas.
One of the standout features of the iPad is its long battery life, but it’s always a good idea to charge the iPad the night before your flight and start with a full battery. In fact, running out of battery power is about the only problem we’ve had in ten years of flying with the iPad. Here’s how to avoid that situation, including some recommendations for the right charging gear.
ADS-B has become a household word among pilots over the last decade, especially with the popularity of devices like the Sentry, Stratus, and Garmin GDL receivers. While ADS-B weather is fairly well understood, ADS-B traffic is more complicated and there has been a great deal of confusion about when and how pilots can view this traffic information. In this article, we’ll try to explain in plain English what ADS-B traffic is, how to get it, and what the limitations are.
Datalink weather has transformed in-flight decision making, especially since it can be accessed with affordable portable receivers and displayed on popular EFB apps. This quick video tip from Garmin shows how to set up SiriusXM satellite weather on the Garmin Pilot app, how to enable different weather layers, and even how to use widgets to get detailed data on airport conditions. If you’re only looking at radar, this video will help you dive deeper.
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