One in every of Garmin Pilot’s standout options is its split-screen mode. Accessed from the Map web page, this affords quite a few choices for displaying vital flight info whereas conserving the principle transferring map web page in view. Whereas many pilots know the right way to use split-screen for viewing method charts or site visitors, there are additionally some precious instruments for climate planning, each earlier than takeoff and through cruise. Right here’s the right way to use the Widgets and Flight Profile options.
Unlock the Energy of Widgets
Widgets have been a part of the Garmin Pilot app for the reason that earliest days of the app, and is a function not discovered on some other aviation app. Widgets are basically information blocks that may be configured to point out airport info, together with METARs, TAFs, winds aloft, and NOTAMs. To show them, first faucet on the arrow on the fitting aspect of the display to open up split-screen mode, then faucet the icon above the arrow to decide on Widgets.
Two widgets are proven by default (on most iPad screens) when in panorama mode; in portrait mode you’ll normally see three. To alter what the widgets present, faucet on the arrow subsequent to METAR or TAF to open the menu of widget varieties. This lets you show no matter info is Most worthy for you.
The highly effective half is that the app means that you can rapidly scroll by means of quite a few widgets with a slider bar on the backside of the display. So if you wish to see how visibility is dropping alongside your route, slowly drag the slider to the fitting and watch the METAR transfer alongside your route. You’ll see a pin on the map at left displaying the place the widget is positioned, and it’ll transfer as you proceed to slip alongside your route. Additionally observe the underside of the widget reveals the supply (on this case SiriusXM), the timestamp (18 minutes in the past), and the way far off beam the report is (0.8 miles northwest of your route).
Widgets make it straightforward to evaluate a whole lot of info in a brief period of time, and are simply as precious in-flight as they’re when planning. For instance, in case you’re contemplating altering altitude as a consequence of winds aloft, you’ll be able to scroll by means of plenty of winds aloft forecasts to see how your new plan may work additional alongside your route.
How one can Use Flight Profile
One other precious device that’s unique to Garmin Pilot is the Profile view, additionally accessible from the split-screen menu. This brings up a aspect view of your flight, full with terrain and climate. You possibly can select which overlays you like by tapping the stacked layers button within the backside left nook of the Flight Profile display. In our expertise, it’s notably good for wind and icing.
You may also faucet on a METAR to see the complete report, which is nice for placing climate info in context. If there’s a forecast icing layer, you’ll be able to rapidly discover out if the airport beneath is above freezing or not.
PIREPs are one other useful layer within the Flight Profile view. The 3D nature of the device is useful for deciding what may influence your flight and what will be ignored, since PIREPs are proven at their altitude and it’s straightforward to see how shut it’s to your present cruising altitude.
Bonus options
It’s price mentioning that widgets aren’t only for airport information. You may also set them to point out navigation information like groundspeed, ETA, and distance to vacation spot.
You possibly can even set a widget to show logbook entries after which view the monitor on the left aspect of the display; merely faucet on a monitor to see the inexperienced flight path on the map. It is a nice strategy to rapidly evaluate current flights.
Coming from an aviation household, John grew up behind small airplanes and discovered to fly as an adolescent. Ever since, he has been hooked on aviation of every kind and recurrently flies a Citabria, a Pilatus PC-12, and a Cirrus SR22. He’s a 4000-hour ATP and likewise holds rankings for multiengine, seaplanes, gliders, and helicopters. He has written for Flying journal, AOPA Pilot, and Aircraft & Pilot, and is at the moment the Editor-in-Chief of Air Details and the host of the Pilot’s Discretion podcast.
