This document provides an overview of getting started with using an iPad for aviation purposes. It discusses recommended iPad models, apps for charts, weather, flight planning, and checklists. It also covers accessories like GPS receivers, ADS-B weather receivers, glare filters, kneeboards, and backup battery solutions. Tips are provided on downloading charts, keeping the iPad and apps updated, conducting an iPad preflight, and configuring settings for maximum battery life. The goal is to help pilots learn the basics of using an iPad as an electronic flight bag.

1. Bret Koebbe
Sporty’s Pilot Shop
Getting Started with iPad Flying
Techniques, apps & accessories

2. Bret Koebbe
• ATP / CFI / Vice President
Sporty’s Academy
• App / Video Producer
Sporty’s Pilot Shop
• Editor
iPad Pilot News
Getting Started with the iPad

3. ipadpilotnews.com
Additional resources
Sit back, relax and learn!
• How-to articles
• iPad Tips & News
• iPad Newsletter

4. • iPad 101
• Pilot Productivity Apps
• In-flight aviation apps
• GPS, ADS-B and mounting
accessories
• iPad Preflight Checklist
presentation overview
Getting Started with the iPad

5. Poll
What is your iPad experience level?
1) Looking to buy an iPad
2) New iPad user
3) Advanced iPad user
4) Airline/Corporate iPad Pilot

6. Contains all aviation resources on one device
Why pilots love the iPad
Digital charts & weather
Aviation book reader
Weight & Balance
E6B Flight Computer
GPS Navigation
Logbook
Flight Data Recorder

7. Contains all aviation resources on one device
Why pilots love the iPad
Digital charts & weather
Aviation book reader
Weight & Balance
E6B Flight Computer
GPS Navigation
Logbook
Flight Data Recorder
Electro
nic
Flight
Bag

8. Which iPad should I buy?
First consider size - iPad or iPad Mini
• All iPad apps run on both devices
• Similar battery life
• Same memory & wireless options
• So what’s the main difference?
- Size/Weight
- Cost

9. Highly recommended
iPad Air 2
• 40% faster, 18% thinner
• Touch ID on home button
• Built-in barometer
• New screen technology,
reduces glare
• Storage – 16/64/128 GB
No major improvement to iPad Mini during latest release

10. Four options, not upgradeable
iPad Internal Memory
16GB 64GB
Charts for US = 9 GB
High Resolution Terrain = 2 GB
Consider extra space for Canada,
Mexico, Caribbean
Requires 2x space during
Chart updates
128GB

11. built-in GPS
iPad 101
Wi-Fi Only Wi-Fi + LTE
No GPS Built-in GPS

12. built-in GPS
• You don’t need to activate the
LTE service for the GPS to work
• Don’t count on being able to access
LTE data in the air
*IMPORTANT*
iPad 101
Wi-Fi + LTE
Built-in GPS

13. Bluetooth GPS Bluetooth GPS
Add GPS with an accessory
iPad 101
Lightning Connector

14. Look for red badge on app store icon
app updates – free new features!
iPad 101

15. Consider turning automatic
app updates OFF to avoid
surprises
app updates – automatic download?
iPad 101

16. Settings
iPad Controls
System settings are
accessed from the Settings
app, located on the home
screen
• Turn on/off WiFi, Bluetooth, Cellular Data
• Set screen auto-lock timer
• View how much storage space is free
• Set Date/Time (important to keep this set, since
apps use iPad time for ETD/ETA
display)

17. Control Panel
• Swipe up from bottom
of screen to display
• Quick access way to
control WiFi, Bluetooth,
Airplane Mode, etc.
iPad Controls

18. Temperature
EFB/iPad Limitations
32°- 95° F
IMPORTANT: avoid mounting or storing the
iPad in direct sunlight, as this will cause the
iPad to quickly overheat and temporarily
shutdown to protect the internal battery

19. Maximum Altitude
EFB/iPad Limitations
10,000’
Per Apple, the maximum authorized
pressure altitude the iPad should be
operated at is 10,000 ft.
NOTE: the iPad and iPad Mini have demonstrated the ability to continue to function normally after experiencing
rapid decompression, going from 8,000’ to 51,000’ in 10 seconds (test required per AC 120-76C)

20. GPS Interference
EFB/iPad Limitations
• Operators must determine that the
iPad does not interfere with
existing aircraft systems for all
flight phases
• The most likely cause of GPS
interference comes from leaving
the Cellular Data function ON in
flight

21. Screen glare
EFB/iPad Limitations
• Adjust angle that iPad is mounted or use
a glare filter
• iPad Air 2 uses increased anti-reflective
coating on the screen

22. Screen glare
EFB/iPad Limitations
Tip: Consider applying a glare-reducing
screen protector (available from Sporty’s)

23. Pilot Productivity Apps

24. FAA Handbooks
Electronic Books on your iPad
Lighten the load on your flight bag
Federal Aviation
Regulations (FAR)
Aeronautical
Information
Manual (AIM)
Airplane POH
(e.g. C172 Manual)
Avionics Pilot’s Guides
(e.g. Garmin 430)
FAA Practical Test
Standards (PTS)

25. E6B Flight Computer Apps
From WWII to the 21st Century
Nostalgia FAA
Knowledge
Test
Everyday
use

26. Weight & Balance and Performance Apps
Graphic interfaces, custom aircraft profiles
Aviation W&B Calculator
Gyronimo Performance Pad
(aircraft specific)

27. Dedicated apps
Aircraft Owners & Pilots - Logbooks
Logbook Pro
LogTen Pro

28. Flight Tracking
Uses GPS to record your flight data in the background
CloudAhoy

29. Aircraft Checklists
All the normal and emergency checklists on your iPad
Aircraft Checklists app
Data from Qref

30. Using the iPad in the Cockpit

31. The million dollar question -- YES, the iPad is a LEGAL
REPLACEMENT for paper charts for VFR & IFR
save paper, weight and money
Flying with the iPad - Part 91

32. FAR 91.21 & AC 91-21-1B
Portable Electronic Devices
Legal Considerations
Flying with the iPad - Part 91

33. Advisory Circular 91-78
Applies to part 91 GA piston ops
EFB Advisory Circulars
Advisory Circular 120-76C
Applies to part 91F turbojet ops and
commercial operators (121 & 135)

34. Advisory Circular 91-78
- Class 1 Electronic Flight Bag (EFB)
- Functional equivalent of paper reference material
(apps like ForeFlight, Garmin & WingX)
- Backup Source recommended, not required
(Paper or a 2nd EFB)
- Does not cause electronic interference (FAR 91.21 reference)
- Use first during an evaluation period with paper available
Legal Considerations
Flying with the iPad - Part 91

35. Need to install an aviation app for charts and aero data
Chart & Navigation Apps
Charts & Data
Aviation App
Aviation iPad

36. Full-featured aviation apps in the app store
Chart & Navigation Apps
ForeFlight Mobile Garmin Pilot WingX Pro7

37. Poll
What is your preferred iPad app?
1) Garmin Pilot
2) ForeFlight
3) WingX Pro
4) Seattle Avionics FlyQ
5) Jeppesen Mobile Flight Deck

38. all-in-one resource
• IFR/VFR Charts
- Sectionals/TACs/WACs
- A/FD
• Complete Weather
• Flight Planning
• ADS-B In-Flight Weather
• Terrain & Hazards
• Synthetic Vision
• FBO directory & Fuel Prices
Chart & Navigation Apps

39. all-in-one resource
ForeFlight Mobile

40. all-in-one resource
Garmin Pilot

41. Packed with features
WingX Pro7

42. Aviation Chart apps in the app store
Jeppesen Chart Apps
Jeppesen Mobile Flight Deck VFR
VFR Chart app for General Aviation
Jeppesen Mobile Flight Deck
Worldwide Charts
Jeppesen Mobile TC
Terminal Charts

43. Perfect for fltplan.com users - FREE
FltPlan Go App
Store Fltplan.com data for offline use
- Navigation Logs
- Weather briefings
- VFR/IFR Charts
- Charts for Canada,Mexico & Caribbean

44. More Chart/Navigation Apps
Seattle Avionics FlyQ
Detailed app feature comparison guide available on ipadpilotnews.com
Air Navigation Pro

45. • Try before you buy
• Subscription Based, ~$75/year
• Ease of Use – Most Important
• Talk to other pilots
• Customer support?
Chart & Navigation Apps
all-in-one resource

46. Downloading Charts
Chart & Navigation Apps
Charts will display
automatically on the
ground when connected
to internet, but they won’t
be available in the air

47. Downloading Charts
Chart & Navigation Apps

48. Step 1: Select chart type
Step 2: Select states to
download
Chart & Navigation Apps
all-in-one resource

49. Provide supplemental data in flight
New Apps
BaroAltimeter NRST
iPhone 6 only

50. Cloud Topper
In-flight weather app

51. iPad Accessories

52. Accessory Considerations
Backup Power
GPS / ADS-B
Mounting

53. GPS Accessories
Add WAAS GPS navigation and position data to your iPad
New model for the Lightning port
(iPad Mini & Air)
Wireless Bluetooth Options
Dual XGPS160
Garmin GLO
Bad Elf Pro
Bad Elf

54. FAA NextGen – ADS-B Traffic and Weather
Datalink Weather on your iPad
• Subscription-free weather
• ADS-B Traffic display
• Portable Receivers
- battery operated (4 to 8 hours)
- integrated GPS
- wireless: WiFi or Bluetooth
- optional AHRS

55. In-Flight
Weather Radar
5 – 10 minutes old

56. ADS-B receivers
In-Flight Weather – Garmin GDL 39 3D
• Portable ADS-B Receiver
• Built-in WAAS GPS & AHRS
• Provides both subscription-free
weather & traffic
• Works with some with Garmin GPSs
Works with
Garmin Pilot

57. ADS-B receivers
In-Flight Weather – Stratus
• Subscription-free weather!
• ADS-B Traffic
• Built-in WAAS GPS
• Dual-band 978/1090 MHz
• Integrated AHRS
Works with
ForeFlight Mobile

58. In-Flight Weather – Stratus
AHRS

59. In-Flight Weather – ADS-B Products
WingX Pro • FlyQ • Fltplan.com
Sagetech Clarity
Dual XGPS170

60. Accessories – Kneeboards for iPad and Mini
Full Kneeboards
Sporty’s iPad
Kneeboard
iPro Aviator
Kneeboard
MyClip
Kneeboard

61. Accessories - RAM Mounts
Cockpit supports
RAM Systems RAM Systems RAM Systems

62. Backup power solutions
Keep the iPad battery charged in-flight
Increase battery life by 150% Meets 2.4a charging spec

63. iPad Preflight

64. Required part of every flight
iPad Preflight

65. Start every flight with battery at 100%
Normal use gives 8 – 10 hours (screen brightness less than max)
Using with wireless GPS accessory? Expect 4 – 6 hours
Preflight – Charge the Battery
+

66. Charging best practices
Make sure to use included
charger (or other 2 amp
charger)
Takes 4 – 6 hours to charge
drained battery
OK to leave plugged in at office
or home when not in use
Preflight – Charge the Battery
NOTE: iPad Mini requires only 1 amp charger (same as iPhone)

67. Verify in the Updates section of App Store
Preflight – Apps up to date

68. After any install or update – Run application at least once on
the ground to verify it works & your aviation data is still there
Preflight – Apps up to date

69. Verify in your aviation app
New data available every 28 days;
available 4 – 5 days in advance
The app will store 2 sets of data, and
automatically switch over at the new
date/time (requires 2x space)
Preflight – Aviation database up to date

70. Preflight – Charts needed for your trip
ForeFlight Pack

71. Preflight – Backup source?
Not required – but consider your iPhone as a backup

72. Preflight – Configure wireless radios
Reduce potential interference and maximize battery life
+
iPad
WiFi or Bluetooth
GPS or ADS-B
Turn off WiFi, Bluetooth
and Cellular Data when
not needed
NOTE: Airplane Mode set to disables internal iPad GPS
OF
F

73. Preflight – Screen Brightness Set
Maximize battery life
Start with a clean screen
(requires less screen brightness)
Set screen brightness lower
than max if conditions allow
+

74. ipadpilotnews.com
Additional resources
Sit back, relax and learn!
• How-to articles
• iPad Tips & News
• iPad Newsletter

75. Bret Koebbe
bkoebbe@sportys.com
Getting Started with the iPad
Techniques, apps & accessories
@bKoebbe