Overlooked iPad settings to consider before flying

The iPad Settings app offers a dizzying array of options, from changing privacy options to adjusting screen brightness. As we've covered before, we think a quick preflight inspection of your iPad is a good idea, but there are a few more obscure settings that some pilots might also want to review. Here are three we've learned about the hard way.

How to make sure your ICAO flight plan doesn’t get rejected by ATC

The transition to the ICAO flight plan form for flights within the U.S. has been pretty seamless, but there are still some gotchas to be aware of when filing IFR. Here are some common routing mistakes that will cause your flight plan to get rejected from ATC computers.

How to connect Sentry or Stratus ADS-B receivers after updating to iOS 14

There's a new privacy setting in iOS 14 which can prevent you from connecting a Wi-Fi ADS-B receiver, like Sentry or Stratus, to your aviation app. Here's what to look for and how to change the setting if you're having trouble connecting after updating to iOS 14.

Understanding ADS-B traffic: when can you trust it?

Portable ADS-B receivers for the iPad (like the Sentry, Garmin GDL 50 and Stratus 3) can receive ADS-B traffic in addition to weather. But unlike weather, which is broadcast continuously, traffic is only transmitted in certain cases. This can make ADS-B traffic very confusing—when does it work and when does it not work?

Step-by-step guide to planning a flight in Garmin Pilot

Aviation apps like ForeFlight and Garmin Pilot have been adding in-flight features at a rapid pace over the last few years, from new terrain alerts to better IFR procedure tools. What sometimes gets overlooked in this app competition are the preflight tools that make planning a flight faster and easier. Today, let's look at how to plan a flight in Garmin Pilot, moving step-by-step through the main options.

iPad Flight Review – 8 key questions

Ok, you’ve been flying with the iPad for several years and the thought of manually calculating the time en route to your destination or unfolding a sectional chart in the cockpit makes you cringe. But like everything in aviation, it pays dividends to spend some time to brushing up on the basics to keep your knowledge and skills sharp. Take our latest quiz to see where you stand.

How to customize ForeFlight’s instrument panel on the map

There are countless ways to customize the map screen in ForeFlight based on the needs of each flight. Here we'll look at how to set up and customize the instrument panel data blocks displayed at the bottom of the screen.

ICAO flight plans: how to set up aircraft profiles and equipment codes

Filing a VFR or IFR flight plan today is a breeze with today's aviation iPad apps, but entering all the required aircraft data to meet the ICAO requirements of the form can be a bit confusing. Here we'll break it down in plain English to help you understand each requirement.

Video tip – How to incorporate the iPad into flight training

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Many students beginning their training often ask the question “is the iPad the right tool for me in my flight training?” To help with the decision, Dave Zitt, a senior flight instructor at Sporty's Academy, shares his thoughts on best practices for incorporating the iPad as an EFB when learning to fly.
Garmin Flight Stream 510

Pilot Report: Flying with Garmin Connext and your iPad

Garmin's Connext system allows you to wirelessly connect your iPad using Bluetooth to the Garmin avionics in your panel, and send ADS-B weather and traffic, GPS position data, flight plan information, AHRS and more right to the ForeFlight and Garmin Pilot apps. Here's a look at how it works in our latest Pilot Report.

ADS-B weather vs. SiriusXM satellite weather—comparing the options

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? Both are reliable systems that deliver the same key information, so neither one is a bad choice. But there are important differences to consider. Let's review each option.

Optimize your iPad’s location services settings

The iPad's software settings allow you to customize which apps can use your location to improve the user experience. While this is essential for moving map navigation apps in the airplane, you'll find that it's not necessarily important for all types of apps to be able to access this data. Here we'll show you how to customize these settings to improve your iPad's battery life.