What’s the best iPad for Pilots – 2024 Edition

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Buying your first iPad or upgrading an older one? Almost any model can work for pilots, but there are more options than ever to choose from. Here we'll break down the differences between each and give some insight for those looking to buy a used or refurbished iPad.
iPad Pro nano-texture glass

Flight testing the new iPad Pro nano-texture screen

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One of the major headlines from Apple's recent iPad announcement was the introduction of a new screen technology on the latest iPad Pro models. We just received our new iPad Pro 13" with the nano-texture screen and promptly took it up for a test flight. Is it deserving of the hype? In short, yes. While it doesn't completely eliminate screen glare, it does make a big difference in direct sunlight. Read on for more details
Battery app in iOS

Annual maintenance checklist for your iPad

The one side effect from Apple's high level of performance is that it can cause pilots to develop a bit of complacency over time, especially if you don't periodically inspect your device settings, preferences, app configuration, and system updates. Similar to the routine of having your airplane undergo an annual inspection, we recommend that you take the time to review the following items once a year to keep your iPad, apps and accessories performing at their best.

How to free up storage space on your iPad

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.
iPad Model Name

How to find your iPad model number

If you're shopping for a mount or kneeboard you'll quickly have to answer the question, "which iPad do I have?" It's not always as simple as it might sound, so if you're not sure which model you have, you're not alone. If you need to look that information up here’s how to do so.
iPad teardown

How to improve your iPad’s battery life

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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.

App troubleshooting: how to close, delete and restart

Everyone knows how to open an app on the iPad--just tap the icon and it's off to the races. But what about closing apps--do you know the difference between sleeping an app, shutting down an app and deleting an app? It's an important distinction that comes into play when an app starts misbehaving.

Top 10 mistakes iPad pilots make

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The way we move from beginner to expert is by trial and error. Along the way, many of us made some mistakes with the iPad and aviation apps. Here's our list of the 10 most common ones.

Student pilot’s guide to cross-country flight planning with an iPad

There is a wide range of opinions on how the iPad should be used during flight training by student pilots. In this video, we'll show how the iPad and ForeFlight can be worked into the cross-country planning process as a digital chart viewer and navigation resource while still flying the trip using pilotage and dead reckoning techniques.

What’s the best iPad for pilots—2023 Holiday edition

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Buying your first iPad or upgrading an older one? Almost any model can work for pilots, but there are more options than ever to choose from. Here we'll break down the differences between each and give some insight for those looking to buy a used or refurbished iPad.
Accessibility settings in iOS

Eight iOS settings all iPad pilots should know

The Settings app is so complex that Apple includes a search function within the Settings app to locate buried preferences. All these settings and configuration options are great for customizing everything to your liking, but at the end of the day there are really only a few settings you need to be concerned about when using the iPad as an EFB in the cockpit. Here's a quick rundown.
Airplane Mode

Do I really need to use Airplane Mode on my iPad or iPhone?

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One of the most common questions we hear as pilots is, "Do I really need to put my phone in Airplane Mode?" The airlines have been saying yes for years, but many travelers think this advice is outdated and it's safe to ignore. Is that true in a small airplane? And what is Airplane Mode anyway? Here's our advice.