I recently obtained an ipad with embedded GPS and
compass to test its suitability as an in-flight Nav
supplement.
The good news:
The software is very good and rapidly evolving to
a state where it will surpass the usability and content
of Garmin handhelds. The data update prices are a
tiny fraction of Garmin/Jepp data.
The three software packages I tested are
SkyCharts, Air Navigation Pro, and Foreflight Mobile.
They are all inexpensive and their features overlap
considerably. None are perfect,but they are quite
usable now and the companies have described exciting
evolutionary plans.
The strongest points in these packages revolves around
situational awareness. On an iPad, the charts and plates
are very readable in size, and the 3G (cell phone digital)
data connections allow current weather data overlays
Battery life is 8+ hours in use. No Apple approved 12
charger is currently available.
I specifically did not include Hilton WingX because
it was at least 4x the price of the other packages
and did not have any additional features. WingX
received a fair bit of press, no doubt because of a
large advertising budget in our captive GA press.
I also did not include AeroCharts(CONUS) because
of the relatively high price.
The down side:
The iPad is too big to mount on a Europa panel. See image.
It works as a knee pad, but then the ambient sunlight
overwhelms the screen.
The iPad GPS chip is not a full featured Aviation
system. Only seems to have a 1 Hz update unlike Garmin
systems that can do 10 Hz (most important for their pseudo
instrument panel display)
3G data appears from test flight in the NYC Metro area
to be more available than voice cell service in air, but is
altitude and location sensitive. Clearly not as reliable inflight
as Satellite downlink, but 3G is much cheaper when you can
get it.
The iPad is heat sensitive. 5 minutes under my windshield on
a cloudy near-summer day put a big red X on the screen. I guess
the temp was about 130F or so.
So far none of the software packages offer georeferenced IFR
procedure plates as are available in some PDA products. Maybe
this will change by Oshkosh, But then the PDA products cant do
the NYT Crosswords at the same time :-)
--------
Ira N224XS
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