I found and use a nice combination of software apps for the iPad: Foreflight and ScenicMaps.

Foreflight is a very nice aviation app that for $75/yr. has all VFR charts for the US, plus IFR and approach charts. Plus flight planning, airport directory, stunning weather graphics (but not in the air), etc. It seems to be a well designed app and very enjoyable to use. If you haven't experienced charting on the iPad, it is smooth and sweet with the panning and finger pinching. http://www.foreflight.com

ScenicMaps is wonderful. It isn't aviation specific, but is an offline mapping app that does a great job displaying terrain while labeling mountains, rivers, streets, etc. You have to buy and download a specific region of the US. For the western region, its about 2GB of data and $10. I enjoy being able to get more detail about the area I'm flying around. It is GPS enabled. http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/scenic-map-western-usa/id363746157?mt=8

I like the iPad. To get the built in GPS you have to purchase the 3G version, although I didn't sign up for a data plan with it. Then again, there is a problem with the GPS in that it has problems initializing sometimes (possibly if there are no cell or wifi signals present, which may have to do with GPS-A that Apple uses). Some are jailbreaking their iPads to use a normal bluetooth GPS puck although I haven't done that yet. There is talk of a wifi GPS solution coming out.

Anyone else using the iPad?

- Ney

iCub with iPad-equipped panel.

I believe piperpainter uses a iPad.

1SeventyZ wrote:iCub with iPad-equipped panel.

That obviously uses this iPad app, WingX:

http://www.hiltonsoftware.com/

I wanted to look at WingX, but they don't offer a free demo. One difference between WingX and Foreflight is that WingX is vector generated graphics, while Foreflight are actual FAA scanned charts. WingX is more pleasing to eye, but Foreflight is the real thing so you don't need charts (or as many). Both vector and scanned would be nice. There is a company called Beacon North America and they took the data set from Seattle Avionics (Voyager on the PC) and used that on the iPad, so they do provide both. But I haven't checked that out.

Ney

Yes I do and I love it! I have Foreflight and it works great. I don't have 3g activated right now because im out of the country more than I am in the country (sadly) so it would be a waste of money. But I am going to get it activated here during my 3 weeks flying around the USA. I think it'll be great, its already amazing!

piperpainter wrote:Yes I do and I love it! I have Foreflight and it works great. I don't have 3g activated right now because im out of the country more than I am in the country (sadly) so it would be a waste of money. But I am going to get it activated here during my 3 weeks flying around the USA. I think it'll be great, its already amazing!

Here's another option: I use verizon broadband for my internet connection. I switched from a USB dongle to a verizon "mifi" personal hotspot. That way it gives both my laptop and my iPad internet access. As a bonus, I was able to climb a tree and put the mifi thing (its battery powered) up there when camping, and then was able to reply to a couple of critical emails. I saw I could throw a line up over a branch and pull the mifi unit even higher, but then my wife would think I'm a bigger geek than I already am.

- Ney

I have been looking for an excuse to buy one. You just gave me more justification. I hate dealing with paper charts. I am waiting for my local sectional to expire so I can get the new one. Paperless charts are always up to date. Fewer airports are carrying them anymore because they can't meet the minimum volume. I recently had to travel to Maine to pick up my new plane. The international airport did not have any charts in the 3 FBOs on the field. I had to rent a car and drive to an airport 35 miles away to get the charts. I would have flown there, but I had no chart. Only $75/year. I spend that much on charts every time I do any crosscountry flying and often get charts that are within days of expirey.

What else can it do? Are there any other aviation related apps. It would be nice to view checklists, waypoint and airport information, fuel calculation and performance data as well as weight and balance. My new Garmin Aera (sp?) has a lot of these functions, but the I pad can replace a laptop for most everything.

Are batteries relaible?

After seeing piperpainters I bought one, haven't tried it in the plane yet though.
Battery life seems good (I think they say 10hrs).
Lots of apps, go to the apple store and search for "aviation".

I saw on another board a RUMOR that Jeppesen is working on a JeppView app for the maxipad. If true that would be a big help to those of us outside the US. I tried to call Jepp, but after 15 minutes of music it was time to head out.

I've heard that rumor is true as well Porter.

mountainmatt wrote:I've heard that rumor is true as well Porter.

Well if you hear the rumor to be true, then I'm going to think it's true

That is three votes and it's on the internet so I'm upgrading the rumor to fact!

Flew a friend to Redmond today to look at the Lancair Evolution
My first flight with the iPad and Foreflight, worked great!!

Small Tail Caddy wrote:Flew a friend to Redmond today to look at the Lancair Evolution
My first flight with the iPad and Foreflight, worked great!!

Glad you like it! The only issue I've come to find is that it doesn't have the edge of the charts. So if your going to do a cross country you need to plan ahead and look on skyvector.com to find out the info on the airspace. luckily we don't have a ton of restricted area's in WA/OR/ID I know nevada does. But when in doubt you can always ask ATC! I was happy to show anyone the iPad when I was at the fly in, and if you want to see what all foreflight has you can google them or go to apple.com and look up the app. Its awesome needless to say. And a new feature they have is you can lock the approach plates so that it wont move to a different page. Pretty awesome! Anyway happy flying!

I received a confirmation from Jeppesen today, they are working on an ipad app for JeppView. No extra charges other than what you are already paying.

porterjet wrote:I received a confirmation from Jeppesen today, they are working on an ipad app for JeppView. No extra charges other than what you are already paying.

Which from what I know is already a fortune so why keep paying a fortune when you can just pay $75.00

piperpainter wrote:

porterjet wrote:I received a confirmation from Jeppesen today, they are working on an ipad app for JeppView. No extra charges other than what you are already paying.

Which from what I know is already a fortune so why keep paying a fortune when you can just pay $75.00

True, but you can get worldwide charts if you need them.