Ipad troubles

All these apps and a portable device that fits in your hands!

But with the good news comes the knowledge that an iPad or like tablet is not a silver bullet and that they have limitations.

Like all new technology the more you use the iPad the more you learn about them and how to use them. To use one in the cockpit you need a model 64GB with Wi-Fi, 3G and GPS. To allow roaming you need to use a micro-sim card and be on a data plan with a mobile carrier.

The ipad can run for up to 10 hours (100%) on a fully charged internal battery but be aware that the battery charge reduces quicker with GPS use.

The ipad will shut down if it gets too hot or cold. It is said to be useable in the temperature range of 0 to 35 degrees C. In short do not leave it on the coaming to cook in the sunshine.

Apple says that the iPad has a maximum operating altitude of 10,000 feet. Hmm! Does that mean airline pilots and skydive pilots will not be able to use it?

Get a Smart cover. A Smart cover is the cover that when closed allows the device to ‘go to sleep’ without being turned off. This function helps stretch battery life. A Smart cover or any cover is desirable to protect the unit from normal and rough handling. An iPad with or without a cover is bulky. Not something that you want to have on your lap during the take-off or landing. For one it can restrict movement of the control wheel and if it falls the natural human reaction is to try and grab it before it hits the floor and gets damaged, all at a time when your attention should be focused on keeping the aircraft straight for the take-off or landing.

It is possible to obtain holders that can be mounted on your thigh for cross country navigation use, using the GPS function. Good but…
If you have it on your lap it means that your vision has to be constantly dropped from outside and the panel to down to your lap and the iPad. This in turn reduces a pilot’s see and be seen capability in a VFR situation. The FAA has already commented on this as a factor that can contribute to mid-air collisions.

If you fly a low wing aircraft you will probably have no iPad GPS reception problems. If however you fly a high wing aircraft the chances are that your location on the moving map display will be incorrect. An iPad GPS does not appear to pick-up the satellite signals as fast or as well as a portable GPS. To improve the signal you need to use a GNS 5870 or Bad Elf Bluetooth receiver. The 5870 needs to be mounted on the inside of the windscreen or on top of the coaming. Suction cups, Velcro or Blue Tack will do the job. The 5870 provides a Bluetooth wireless relay of GPS signals to the iPad to improve reception. The Bad Elf plugs into the base of the iPad to do the same job. The 5870 needs to be charged via a USB connection while the Bad Elf keeps itself charged from being plugged into the iPad.

In-flight turbulence can make it hard to select a function in an app. A finger stroke can get misdirected by turbulence and then you have to go back and try to find the function that you want. Wearing gloves can be a problem as tablets use finger strokes to be operated.

An iPad and a GNS 5870 use power. If you use them by day and forget to recharge them at night you might have a problem next day. If your aircraft has a cigarette lighter type power outlet the units can be charged in flight. A flat battery and no power outlet might mean having a portable battery power pack at hand.

Night flight can mean an amount of glare that may not be wanted. During daylight you can experience reflected glare from sunlight.
An iPad or tablet may have some limitations but if used within those limitations it will still give great service to an aviator and in flight.

Contact Dave by email at [email protected]