iPad as an EFB

[siouxicide]

As far as the enroute charts go, I was initially not enthused with the cross section you see. Granted you can pinch the screen to zoom in or out, but finding a specific fix became a little harder zoomed out. But how many times do you stare at your charts for random fixes? Like your GPS/FMS, all you have to do is type in the fix, or even the clearance, and it'll draw the route right over the Hi/Low/VFR chart.

Here's someone's Youtube demonstration Beware, it's 9 min.

 

[Headfake14]

Don't know about iPad but for the iPhone use the app "GoodReader" for viewing pdf's. It's cheap and works well.

Thx for the post, I currently use a Kindle DX for approach plates and have paper enroutes. I wanted to switch to iPad but was unsure about foreflight; I'm sold now. What's your commision?

The iPhone/iPad will read Adobe PDF files...but it's the flash player thats the issue. Adobe doesn't make one for the iStuff...so I'm told. That is a problem for us (jetblue) since some of our websites require it. Could be a deal breaker for the iPad. Otherwise...they'd have an instant sale of around 2500 units.

 

[ttflyer]

The iPhone/iPad will read Adobe PDF files...but it's the flash player thats the issue. Adobe doesn't make one for the iStuff...so I'm told. That is a problem for us (jetblue) since some of our websites require it. Could be a deal breaker for the iPad. Otherwise...they'd have an instant sale of around 2500 units.

Don't worry. Steve Jobs has already found a solution for you. Just get every web site you use that uses flash to re-write their site in HTML5. Problem solved. And it didn't cost apple a dime!

I'm not a fan of apple's stance on flash or DRM for that matter... But that's a topic for different forum...

 

[siouxicide]

Picked one up yesterday and I have to say the more I use Foreflight, the more I love it. You can get everything from one spot and fast. No more paging through the AC-U-KWIK either. However, I do have a couple beefs with it. Here goes:

1. Downloads of all the charts took about 7 hours(slower hotel connection) and I had to individually select every state, etc. What they should have is a "select all" or "select region", but at least you don't have to babysit the download. Just let it go, and, you only do it once every couple months. If your connection drops or you close out, it will pick up where you left off.

2. I was mistaken when I thought you could type in V or J into the route feature and it would draw that route. It will not. Not a deal breaker, but it would be nice on the occasion you get that kind of clearance.

Honestly, that's it. After downloading for 7 hours with the screen on, it was at 45% battery and was still mostly cool to the touch. I have yet to try and file with it. I'm still impartial to my Fltplan.com for that, which btw, you can save an icon of it on the iPad's homescreen. Basically a bookmark right on your "desktop" page.

 

[khsgt]

Jepp has something coming for the Ipad soon, per email.

Any indication of a timeframe?

 

[jross]

I received this email this week from Jeppesen.

We’ve heard from many of you who have an iPad, or are considering getting one, and we agree that this would be the perfect platform for viewing Jeppesen terminal charts. Plus, if you have an existing subscription, or if you are thinking of increasing your coverage's, there will be no additional charge outside the JeppView subscription fee itself.

Look for additional e-mail status updates in the coming weeks and also check JeppDirect.com for the latest on our iPad app.

Best Regards,

Jeppesen Customer Service/Sales Team
Aviation

 

[siouxicide]

You definitely pay for Jepp's electronic charts, but being able to get worldwide charts is huge.

 

[Nolife]

So far after you've used it in-flight how do you rate it. I just want to make sure it's the right thing for me before shelling out nearly 1000 bucks.

 

[siouxicide]

Overall I still love it and I find more uses for it all the time, albeit not aviation related. Battery seems to go forever, too. I'll use it in flight, watch Netflix or surf at the FBO and use it again on the trip back with tons of battery to spare. Did I mention you can read full newspapers(i.e., USA Today which is free) in flight? Not that I do that, but you can as long as you opened the app when connected to wi-fi so it can cache the current news.
They've added an update so you can use the 3G model's GPS in-flight. They've demonstrated it in a Cirrus, but how well it works in aluminum...dunno. You do not need to sign up for a data plan with the 3G model. I've also seen people use it as an overgrown Tom Tom in their car.
Using it in bright light is just fine, but certain angles seem to wash it out more than others. Even then it's still legible.
If you're used to glass cockpits, you'll find it's just another screen staring at you at night. Dimmed all the way down it's not hard on the eyes. Personally, I like it almost black inside so what I do is invert the screen to white on black.
Don't leave it in the sun for hours and expect it to turn on. It will tell you it's too hot and needs to cool. Put it in the shade for 5 minutes and you're good to go.
I like using the radar in Foreflight better than WSI, especially when trying to see radar at small airports. Type in the identifier and it puts a push pin on the airport, then loop the radar. That or type your full route and see your track compared to the wx.
Lots of cool stuff. If you can get your hands on one before you buy it, do it. Everybody has their own likes/dislikes.

 

[Nolife]

Thx for the responce. I just ordered one. How do you like the case. It had mixed reviews on apple's site and the store doesn't have one you can check out.

 

[siouxicide]

The guy that first showed me the iPad had this case so I got the same: Leather case
Looks like a binder(instead of "hey look! an iPad!"), is sturdy, and holds it in super tight. I would NOT recommend using the iPad without a case. Feels like it's going to slide off your lap.

Just remember, if you're going to use it to replace paper, you need to be Pt. 91.

 

[JJET44]

Six months later, would like to hear more coments now, especially from jeppview users.

 

[BoilerUP]

Jepp Mobile TC is a good chart viewer - but it doesn't do nearly as much as Foreflight does.

...but reportedly an update coming after the first of the year will have enroute charts and possibly ship's position data.

 

[JJET44]

Jepp Mobile TC is a good chart viewer - but it doesn't do nearly as much as Foreflight does.

...but reportedly an update coming after the first of the year will have enroute charts and possibly ship's position data.

So does fore flight have ships position data?
I assume you mean on the ground only and only with the 3g unit?

 

[melndav]

Fore flight has position info....sort of. If your iPad has GPS it will show your position on the map, groundspeed, GPS altitude etc. We have found, though, that if you ever put it away and it loses it's position it will rarely reaquire it until it picks up some cell service. As long ad you keep it near the window it does fine, but most people seem to have at least a couple of moving maps in the panel anyway. We have Jepp and Foreflight and use both every flight.