Any suggestions for a kneeboard that can maybe hold an ipad or ipad mini.?

It is almost 2016, and I am slowly updating all my ancient stuff. Kneeboard & a tablet are maybe next.

I have not yet decided on an ipad vs android. I have always bought non-Apple because I somehow felt I was being forced to drink the Cupertino KoolAid. But, given the current situation in aviation software, it might be one of those moments though where I may take another one of those rare gulps. In the past I have bought an Apple IIe, the original boxy MacIntosh, and an ipod touch. I am currently running a Samsung Galaxy Note 4 cell phone. My current tablet is an HP Touchpad, which I would never use.

Anyway, I guess I am going to make a joint decision soon re a tablet and a kneeboard. At this point all the kneeboards look the same, and that reflects my lack of knowledge and experience re this item. I can always add Velcro backing to a tablet if needed.

Suggestions and discussion welcomed.

I keep my ipad on an older version of the mygoflight kneeboard.

http://www.sportys.com/pilotshop/ipad-i ... board.html

I got it for free from a friend, but it's nice that I can slap the lid closed and have complete freedom of movement without worrying about stowing the ipad somewhere so it doesn't fall somewhere. I don't use the giant metal clipboard part though, I have it hung in my hangar (it's magnetic).

When I want to see my foreflight I'll open the kneeboard and use the ipad. T/O and landing it gets shut, as well as when I'm just tooling around locally.

@ CamTom12

Are you using a mini or regular sized ipad?

I never really used the iPad until I started my instrument training and realized how invaluable it is to manage approach plates, SIDs, STARs, weather, etc. The moving map is great situational awareness to augment aircraft avionics.

I use the "For Pilots Only" aluminum kneeboard for the iPad mini. The full size iPad is just too big for a kneeboard in my opinion. I like the clipboard on front to keep my notepad and the inside lid for checklists. I have used it for over a year now and am very happy with it. The fabric ones with all the pockets seem a bit unwieldy in the cockpit.

http://www.forpilotsonly.com/iPro-Aviator.htm

Denali wrote:@ CamTom12

Are you using a mini or regular sized ipad?

I've got one of those ginormous original generation ipad 2's. I use it because it was my wife's and after she got a new macbook she wasn't using the ipad any more.

I'd prefer a smaller size in the cockpit, but what I have works fine for no additional money invested.

Ram Tab-Tight on a wood wedge to improve viewing angle, attached to a simple aluminum square with a velcro strap around my (right) leg. The aluminum square used to be a plate holder for paper plates but I cut the top off that had the spring clip.

The Mini is as big as you want on a kneeboard, but still small for viewing a plate or Foreflight. The plate display on the Mini is 40% smaller than a standard Jepp plate. Fortunately you can easily zoom and it is backlit.

If I was using proper plate holders I'd go full size iPad, like AA does.

I bought a Life Proof case for my Mini, then found some "Rails" to attach a velcro strap to it, and glued them to the back of that case.

The Lifeproof cases are required equipment in my opinion, if you're planning to use an I Pad in the cockpit. they're waterproof, dustproof and shock resistant.

Many kneeboards have a set of rails on the back that the velcro strap can slide through....pirate a set of those from an old or cheap kneeboard, and you'll have something simple, tough and functional.

When landing, I just rotate it around my left leg, so it's on the left side of my leg....no conflict with stick. Works great.

MTV

@ MTV

I was trying to envision what you did. Can you maybe post a quick image ? Here is the image of a LifeProof case for the Mac Air2 tablet. I am still waffling between mini and regular sized tablet because of potentially using approach plates down the road.

LifeProof Case


Mini vs Regular Apple Tablet

Here's what I'm using.....very simple, bomb proof, and it works:



I took the brackets from an old kneeboard that had a clip board, etc on it, plus the same velcro strap, that slides through the brackets.

As to whether using the Mini or the Full Size IPad, I would go with the mini. I used a full size IPad at the University for a couple years, doing a lot of instrument work, plus in a Cub. I found it to be just too large to be practical in our Warriors, Cessnas or Arrows. The Mini is near perfect in my opinion. That's validated somewhat by Garmin, whose 696/796 are just about the same size.

As to using a Mini for approach plates, I think it works fine. Don't forget the zoom feature......

MTV

x2 on what Mike said. Had I not gotten my kneeboard dealy for free I'd be doing something similar to his. And I'd get a mini if I didn't already have a full sizer sitting around unused.

Especially for IFR work, I use a knee strap with an IPad mini. This is what I use:

http://www.myclipforipad.com/kneeboard.php

I particularly like the low profile because as a shorter stature (short) pilot I jack my seat up and my yoke comes into close proximity with my thighs. This is especially problematic when pushing left rudder when my right thigh elevates slightly. I need a low profile kneeboard solution and this works the best for me.

Good luck.

I would really recommend a device the size of the ipad mini, or other 7-8" tablet. They are just a better size IMHO for the cockpit. Particularly as I fly in several different planes, like RV's, and the size works well in most all cockpits.


I looked at a bunch and was a bit turned off by some of the prices I saw. I actually just tried clipping my mini in my old kneeboard, which didn't work well, but I also found that without angling the screen a bit, the glare was so bad when flat on my leg, it was almost unusable.

I ended up getting, and have been really happy with, the AppStrap. it provides bumper case like protection, but also has an adjustable wedge for angling the screen toward the pilot and reduces glare. Its an extremely simple case, not (as) expensive as some of the other options, and has been great for me. They make it for other tablets as well I believe.
http://www.amazon.com/AppStrap-Pilot-Kneeboard-iPad-mini/dp/B00AFDOORW

I got a belkin case for $20, had some elastic stitched onto it, got some legal pads and bada bing. It just sits on my lap, it's a ruff canvas so it doesn't really move.

It's been a while since anyone posted on this topic. I have an Ipad 4 mini inbound and am looking for all the input I can get before making a decision on a kneeboard or mount.

Your thoughts and experience are appreciated.

Richard

I like what MTV has done with gluing kneeboard strap loops to a lifeproof case. When I get a mini I'll do the same.

Sent from my LG-D850 using Tapatalk

I use the iPad mini 3 for all of my IFR and work stuff. Really the best thing I've found is the smart cover. The sort of felt part really grips your cloths when its on your leg so no straps to work about, it holds a 8.5" x11" sheet of paper folded 4 ways really well, and its very easy to get out of the way when you don't need it.

Years ago I had my worst case of vertigo ever, trying to do an approach with the approach plate in my lap during my IR training. From then on, I used a clip that clamped to the yoke for about 17 years, until I found a decent yoke board at an AOPA convention in New Orleans, I think in 1992. I used it until I replaced it with a forpilotsonly.com yoke mount for my iPad Mini, 3 years ago.



I have changed the clamp to RAM's newer yoke clamp, which I like better because it's sturdier and doesn't have the adjustment knob hanging out as far as the older yoke clamp:



I'm not sure how much smaller percentage wise the Mini screen is than a standard approach plate, but it's not much, and it can be zoomed. The Mini case is almost exactly the same size as the plate. What's really nice about having the Mini on the yoke board is that it's right there to easily include into the scan as needed--no ducking the head to stare at a kneeboard, and less chance for vertigo.

I use a kneeboard, and before I switched to Foreflight, I used it as a place to keep the upcoming charts and plates as well as to take notes. Now it's just for note-taking, copying clearances, etc. I know others who use the scratchpad feature of the Foreflight program for note-taking, but I have trouble using it in a way that is legible more than 5 seconds after I've taken down the info. But I would never use a kneeboard again for approach plates, either electronic or paper.

Such things are obviously personal, so do what is most comfortable for you.

Cary