iPad Often Requested Questions for Pilots

What are the variations between the fashions of iPads presently out there from Apple?
What are the interior storage choices and the way a lot do I actually need?
What’s the distinction between the Wifi-only iPad and the iPad + Mobile?
I’ve iPad + Mobile – do I nonetheless want an exterior GPS?
I purchased an iPad + Mobile – do I have to activate the wi-fi service for the interior GPS to work?
What are my choices for including an exterior GPS?
What’s the distinction between WiFi and Bluetooth?
Can I add in-flight climate to the iPad?
What’s the distinction between Sentry and Sentry Plus
Can I legally use the iPad as a alternative for paper charts for VFR or IFR flight?
Is the iPad a dependable paper chart alternative?
Can I set up my aviation app on each my iPad and iPhone with the identical subscription?
How do I replace my apps?
What choices do I’ve for getting charts exterior the US?
What’s the typical iPad battery life?
Can I cost the iPad from my airplane’s 12v-24v plug?
I don’t have an influence supply in my airplane – what are different choices for backup energy?
What are the principle methods persons are mounting iPads within the cockpit?
What are my choices for securing an iPad in my lap within the cockpit?
I wish to use the RAM Cradle – do I’ve to take away my iPad’s protecting cowl every time?
What choices can be found for decreasing display glare within the cockpit?
What about Android apps?
The place can I discover extra info on flying with the iPad?

What are the variations between the fashions of iPads presently out there from Apple?

Apple presently provides 4 variations of iPad: the iPad Mini (8″), the iPad (10.9″), the iPad Air (11 and 13″), the iPad Professional (11″ and 13″). The iPad (good), iPad Air (higher) and the iPad Professional (greatest) characteristic practically the identical exterior dimensions and pilots will discover that each one three work very properly with practically each aviation app out there.

The ten.9” and 11” specs on the mid-size fashions consult with the display’s diagonal dimension, that means these fashions characteristic extra display actual property than the unique iPad whereas sustaining an analogous kind issue.

The flagship iPad Professional 11″ contains a big edge-to-edge show, a high-performance multicore processor, and together with the iPad Professional 13″, is the one iPad to make use of FaceID for unlocking. Each sizes of iPad Professional embrace a shiny, high-resolution OLED display. Additionally they are the one fashions that provide an optionally available nano-texture coating on the display, which considerably reduces glare within the cockpit (learn our PIREP on that expertise right here).

The bigger iPad Air 13″ and iPad Professional 13″ fashions could sound like they’d be too giant for a lot of frequent normal aviation cockpits, but it surely seems that the machine kind issue is about the identical dimension as a sheet of paper. It could slot in most GA cockpits, offering the biggest display out there. Nevertheless, it will not be perfect to be used in a J-3 Cub, because it is likely to be too giant for the cockpit.

Apple launched up to date iPad Professional 11″ and 13″ fashions in Might 2024. Whereas the shape issue stays just like the earlier iteration, the 2024 fashions had been upgraded with an OLED display and embrace Apple’s M4 processor, which Apple claims to be 50% quicker than the M2 processor it replaces.

Apple additionally refreshed the iPad Air mannequin in March 2025 and it seems quite a bit just like the iPad Professional with an edge-to-edge display, no residence button, and USB-C for charging. It makes use of the highly effective M3 processor, which might deal with essentially the most demanding aviation apps with ease. For safety, the iPad Air incorporates TouchID built-in with the facility button on the high of the machine, which some pilots discover to be extra dependable than FaceID within the cockpit.

The entry-level mannequin, known as simply “iPad,” was final up to date in October 2022 and, on the floor, seems similar to the iPad Air. It incorporates Apple’s A14 processor, which has loads of energy to run any of at this time’s aviation apps effortlessly. It contains Contact ID within the high energy button and makes use of USB-C for charging. One distinction price noting between the iPad Air and iPad is that the display on the entry-level iPad doesn’t embrace the anti-reflective coating, which is a pleasant characteristic in shiny cockpits.

In the event you’re searching for an iPad with a smaller footprint, think about the iPad mini. This model measures 7.69″ by 5.3″ and will likely be a greater slot in cockpits with tighter constraints. The most recent seventh era mannequin was final up to date in October 2024, makes use of the A17 Professional processor and contains the anti-reflective display coating (learn our PIREP on this mannequin right here). For a way of the dimensions, right here’s an image of an iPad Mini 7 in a Cessna 182 cockpit:

Full iPad specs can be found from Apple. Our high two picks for pilots could be the iPad Air or iPad Mini 7 with 128 GB, relying in your dimension choice. See our purchaser’s information for a extra detailed evaluation.

What are the interior storage choices and the way a lot do I actually need?

The bottom storage capability varies by mannequin and every provides the choice to go greater: 64 GB for the fundamental iPad, 128 GB for the iPad Mini and iPad Air and 256 GB for the iPad Professional. The Professional fashions provide essentially the most storage, with the choice to improve as much as 2TB.  Downloading all of the VFR and IFR charts for the complete United States throughout a number of information cycles can take practically 20GB, so even the smallest choice out there can work but it surely rapidly will get tight should you restrict your self to 64 GB on the entry-level mannequin. You must think about that you may also wish to retailer high-resolution terrain information, artificial imaginative and prescient, charts for Canada, Mexico and Caribbean, and PDF paperwork.

Lastly, think about that you could be use the iPad for extra than simply aviation (e.g., footage, movies, different apps), so that you’ll wish to depart open some free house for these objects. The iPad’s reminiscence isn’t upgradeable, so it’s important to decide to a dimension up entrance. If unsure and you propose to make use of your iPad past simply the cockpit, think about 128 GB because the naked minimal. Which will sound like quite a bit now, but it surely doesn’t depart a lot room for future progress as new aviation databases and options are launched and your photograph and music libraries proceed to develop.

What’s the distinction between the Wifi-only iPad and the iPad with Mobile information?

Each iPad mannequin ever constructed provides WiFi connectivity to the web, so you’ll be able to connect with your house community, your workplace community, an area espresso store, and many others. However you can even purchase an upgraded mobile mannequin that receives wi-fi information from a service like AT&T or Verizon (for a month-to-month payment).

The profit to pilots with the mobile mannequin is that it additionally incorporates an inner GPS receiver, which is helpful for displaying your plane’s place on aviation map purposes (though it has some minor limitations). The mobile mannequin additionally means that you can obtain climate and file flight plans on the go, however don’t depend on this mobile information connection to work within the air. In our expertise, it simply isn’t dependable. It’s additionally technically unlawful. Once more, solely the mobile mannequin iPads have a built-in GPS.

The inner GPS on an iPad with mobile information is utterly unbiased of the mobile antenna and does not require that you simply activate a knowledge plan from AT&T or Verizon to work correctly. You can purchase a mobile mannequin iPad and use the GPS with out ever activating your service.

So which is the correct selection for pilots? Both one, actually. Many pilots already fly with an ADS-B receiver that features an built-in GPS, so it can save you some cash in your iPad buy and depend on your ADS-B receiver for a place supply. Others desire to have the built-in GPS within the iPad as an always-on backup and think about the improve to be low-cost insurance coverage. The GPS present in at this time’s mobile iPad mannequin is way improved over the GPS receivers discovered within the unique iPad fashions, so it’s quick and correct (learn our iPad GPS PIREP right here). From the connectivity aspect, should you often use your iPad on the bottom at places with out WiFi, the improve to the mobile mannequin undoubtedly is sensible.

I’ve the iPad + Mobile (which has an inner GPS) – do I nonetheless want an exterior GPS?

No, the interior GPS receiver within the iPad fashions with mobile information has been improved considerably for the reason that iPad’s early days and gives dependable place and navigation information (learn our iPad GPS PIREP right here).

I purchased an iPad + Mobile – do I have to activate the wi-fi service for the interior GPS to work?

The inner GPS on an iPad + Mobile is totally unbiased from the mobile antenna and doesn’t require a knowledge service to be activated from AT&T or Verizon to work correctly. Many pilots purchase an iPad + Mobile and use the GPS with out ever activating your service.

What are my choices for including an exterior GPS?

Most pilots elect so as to add an ADS-B receiver containing an built-in GPS. You may have three choices: Sentry (works with ForeFlight solely), Stratus (works with ForeFlight, WingX, FlyQ, and others) and Garmin GDL 50/51/52 (works with the Garmin Pilot, ForeFlight, Fltplan Go). See under extra info on wi-fi iPad ADS-B climate receivers.

What’s the distinction between WiFi and Bluetooth?

Each protocols will let you join equipment to your iPad wirelessly. Bluetooth is shorter vary, and permits for restricted connections (like Garmin’s GPS and ADS-B receivers). WiFi is longer vary and permits a number of iPads/iPhones to connect with a wi-fi community for web entry. WiFi can be a typical strategy to join wi-fi equipment to the iPad (just like the Stratus or Sentry climate receiver).

Can I add in-flight climate to the iPad?

Sure! It is a highly regarded improve. There are two principal sources of in-flight climate.

ADS-B: subscription-free and ground-based. Requires transportable Sentry climate receiver and the ForeFlight iPad app, the Garmin GDL 50 climate receiver and the Garmin Pilot app, or ForeFlight app, or the Stratus climate receiver for FlyQ, Straus Perception, WingX, FltPlan Go and different aviation apps. Study extra with our ADS-B Receiver Comparability Information.

SiriusXM: In the event you desire a satellite-based data-link climate service and don’t thoughts paying a month-to-month subscription, then the Garmin GDL 51/52 would do the trick. The GDL 51 is XM solely and works with ForeFlight and Garmin Pilot. The GDL 52 receives each ADS-B and XM for one of the best of each worlds.

What’s the distinction between Sentry and Sentry Plus?

Each Sentry and Sentry Plus had been designed to offer GPS, AHRS, CO monitoring and ADS-B visitors/climate to ForeFlight. Sentry Plus contains extra options, like a g-meter, on-device monitor logging, OLED show and an prolonged 18-hour battery life.

Can I legally use the iPad as a alternative for paper charts for VFR or IFR flight?

Sure, underneath FAR Half 91 flying (majority of Common Aviation), you’ll be able to legally use an iPad that has present charts put in for each VFR and IFR flights. For technical data, consult with the iPad Authorized Briefing for Pilots for added steering on Digital Flight Baggage.

On a extra sensible be aware, is the iPad a dependable paper chart alternative?

At Sporty’s we’ve got been flying with the iPad for the reason that day it got here out in 2010, and have discovered it to be very dependable for displaying digital charts and aviation information within the cockpit. We use it as our principal supply of charts in all our flight operations, from native flight-training missions to cross-country journeys in our Piper Aztec – and it hasn’t allow us to down as soon as. We nonetheless suggest carrying some sort of backup, like your iPhone or Android telephone, with an aviation app put in with present information.

Can I set up my aviation app on each an iPhone and iPad with the identical subscription?

One subscription to ForeFlight means that you can set up the app on 2 iPads and 1 iPhone, or 1 iPad and a pair of iPhones. A Garmin Pilot subscription might be put in on any mixture of three iOS units.

How do I replace my apps?

When an replace is accessible for any of your put in purposes, you’ll see a crimson badge on the App Retailer icon on the iPad residence display. Open the App Retailer program, and also you’ll then faucet in your profile image on the high proper of the display to see out there updates. App updates can be set to obtain robotically (from the Settings App, iTunes and App Retailer web page). Most updates are free.

What choices do I’ve for getting charts exterior the US?

In the event you’re searching for Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe or Australia, ForeFlight Cellular provides subscription choices for these areas. For a bigger assortment of worldwide charts, together with VFR and IFR charts for a lot of European, Asian and African international locations, take a look at the worldwide subscription choices within the Garmin Pilot app.

What’s the typical iPad battery life?

Out of the field you’ll be able to anticipate about 10 hours of battery life when utilizing it for on a regular basis duties like browsing the online or studying an e-book. When utilizing it within the airplane with a GPS and a moving-map software, anticipate the battery to final round 4 hours. Try this text for info on getting essentially the most out of the battery.

Can I cost the iPad from my airplane’s 12v-24v plug?

Sure, you should purchase a USB 12-24V Charger. That is specifically designed for the iPad’s greater 2.1 to 2.4 amp energy requirement (not all chargers will successfully cost an iPad).

I don’t have an influence supply in my airplane – what different choices are there for supplying backup energy to an iPad?

For prolonged flights with out entry to charging, Sporty’s provides a compact, high-capacity battery backup system. This transportable energy provide will present as much as a further 10 hours of battery life.

What are the principle methods pilots are mounting iPads within the cockpit?

The best and most transportable strategy to safe the iPad within the cockpit is with an iPad kneeboard (Sporty’s sells many of those). For safer and versatile choices you should utilize the Ram Mount or Strong Mounting techniques, which provide the choice of utilizing a yoke mount, glareshield clamp mount, or a suction cup mount. MyGoFlight additionally provides a set of premium mounts that connect to your yoke or aspect window.

Really useful mounting choices for:

All of those mounts can be found for iPad, iPad Air, iPad Mini and iPad Professional. Store all mounts right here.

What are my choices for securing an iPad in my lap within the cockpit?

Most kneeboards are designed for both the iPad Mini or the bigger iPad/iPad Air/iPad Professional (9.7″ to 11″).

I wish to use the RAM Cradle – do I’ve to take away my iPad’s protecting cowl every time?

There are two RAM Mount cradle choices. The Good Match cradle design (out there for many iPads) is the usual and can securely maintain the iPad, however you should take away any cowl or case earlier than utilizing. The RAM X-Grip gives extra flexibility and allows you to safe the iPad with out eradicating a protecting case.

What choices can be found for decreasing display glare within the cockpit?

No choices presently exist that utterly remove display glare (don’t imagine it should you learn it), however this display protector is one of the best one we’ve ever seen.

What about Android apps?

Google’s Android system is a competitor to Apple’s iPad and iPhone. In the event you’re searching for a complete flight planning and in-flight chart & navigation app, take a look at Garmin Pilot for Android.

Sporty’s kneeboards and the Spring-loaded RAM Mount (10″ class and 7″ class each out there) will work with most Android tablets.