Student pilot’s guide to cross-country flight planning with an iPad (video tip)

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.
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 The airlines have been saying yes for years, but many travelers think this advice is outdated and it's safe to ignore.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.
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Understanding ADS-B traffic: when does it work?

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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?
Control Center settings

Eight iPad settings all pilots should know

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The Settings app was fairly basic when the iPad was first released in 2010, providing control of the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi wireless radios, screen brightness and email account settings. Ten years later it has evolved into a collection of hundreds of settings, with multi-tier menus that can make it difficult to find what you're looking for. Here are 8 pilots need to know.

What’s the best iPad for pilots – 2022 buyer’s guide

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Considering your first iPad or upgrading your old one? There are a lot of options. In this article, we'll walk you through all the options, then offer our choice for the best overall aviation tablet.

How to scan documents into your favorite aviation app

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More and more pilots are going completely paperless in the cockpit, but that requires some paper documents to be scanned first. Fortunately, Apple includes some hidden capabilities in the Notes app, including the addition of a powerful scanner utility. This can be used to scan just about any type of physical document.

Optimize your iPad’s location services setting options

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.
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When is an iPad obsolete for flying?

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An original iPad, which came out in 2010, can be purchased on eBay for under $50—a great deal, right? Not so fast. Most aviation apps have specific requirements that eliminate some older tablets from consideration, so before you buy that used iPad, read on.

Prevent iPad overheating issues in the airplane this summer

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Based on iPad Pilot News reader surveys over the years, the majority of pilots have had the iPad shut down on them at least once in flight due to overheating. This is by far the most common problem reported by pilots when flying with an iPad, but it can be prevented with a little bit of planning and preparation.

Five essential iPad skills for pilots

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A good pilot should know how to "aviate, navigate, and communicate," no matter what airplane they are flying. For anyone flying with an electronic flight bag, there isn't a simple phrase to remember but there are still some essential skills to master. Are you proficient at all five of these?

Electronic flight bag legal briefing for pilots—2022 edition

Each year we publish a plain-language review of the FARs and Advisory Circulars pertaining to the use of iPads and electronic flight bags in the cockpit. This is great information for pilots looking to make the transition from paper charts to an iPad, but should also be reviewed by experienced iPad pilots as well.

The student pilot’s guide to learning to fly with an iPad

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You’ve come to the right spot if you’re a student pilot who has decided to buy an iPad and would like to incorporate it into your flight training. Here we'll cover a variety of considerations to help you get started, from buying an iPad to selecting an aviation app, and which accessories work well with an iPad in the cockpit.