iPad as an EFB

[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.

 

[Bleeds On]

Waiting for Jepp to get the enroute chart feature. Will then likely replace the international paper. Jepp allows 4 iPads to use one Jeppview account.
For GPS info, Foreflight advises use of an external Bluetooth GPS.
Oh yeah, don't leave the iPad in the hot plane, in the sun, and expect it to work. But, if you put in in the shade for a couple minutes it will be fine. Happened one time. Otherwise it's worked flawless since June.

 

[JJET44]

How much is Jepps charging for this US suscription these day? If I remember correctly it use to be about $1100.00 to include paper enroute and vol #1.

pm me if you don't want to respond here.

 

[spxdriver]

How much is Jepps charging for this US suscription these day? If I remember correctly it use to be about $1100.00 to include paper enroute and vol #1.

pm me if you don't want to respond here.

It's no secret what Jeppesen charges. Just go here, and select the coverages that you are interested in, and see the price.

 

[JJET44]

JEPPVIEW TC APP

Does the Jeppview TC app store charts? Someone mentioned that it took them seven hours to download the app and I'm assuming because it does.
I'm mostly concerned if we have an emergency enroute and need to land at an airport that we didn't plan on. Will I be able to pull up those charts at FL350?

 

[BoilerUP]

All charts used by Jepp Mobile TC are on the iPad memory, yes.

7 hours? No frigging way - updates take like 15 minutes with Jepp Mobile TC on the iPad and the initial app didn't take much more than that IIRC.

 

[svcta]

My jepp update has never taken more than 5 min over wifi. I would guess 10 maybe 15 over 3g. I only keep N. America on my ipad, to, but even still, nothing would cause download times outside of minutes.

And, yes, you can access any chart en route straight from the device.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

JEPPVIEW TC APP

Does the Jeppview TC app store charts? Someone mentioned that it took them seven hours to download the app and I'm assuming because it does.
I'm mostly concerned if we have an emergency enroute and need to land at an airport that we didn't plan on. Will I be able to pull up those charts at FL350?

The first few week or the app was avail there was delays loading the initial app, just due to volume (according to Jepp) Mine took a few days before it was even able to connect long enough to get everything, then I think it took all night?

Since then we have loaded 3-4 more iPads worth of Jepps with no delays, and yes...revisions usually take approx. 5 mins over wifi.

 

[JJET44]

The first few week or the app was avail there was delays loading the initial app, just due to volume (according to Jepp) Mine took a few days before it was even able to connect long enough to get everything, then I think it took all night?

Since then we have loaded 3-4 more iPads worth of Jepps with no delays, and yes...revisions usually take approx. 5 mins over wifi.

Okay. I just remember someone on here saying that it took him seven hours in his hotel room to load the initial app.

 

[can99]

From a super slow connection in India it takes only about 5-10 minutes to download the charts for China, Australia, India, Middle East and South East Asia... its about 300 mb update and it doesnt hang and screw up like it does on our efbs using jeppview and flitestar. The initial download was really quick as the actual APP program isnt that big it seems.

Just a pity it doesnt yet have enroute charts and the text pages in the ipad app.

I love the interface, its so much easier than on the Jeppview ...just miss the gps connectivity.

 

[Bleeds On]

Okay. I just remember someone on here saying that it took him seven hours in his hotel room to load the initial app.

That's Foreflight and they've greatly improved download speed, relative to your connection. Initial app download takes second. The database is about 4GB. But it has more than just the approach plates like Jeppview has. Still waiting for Jepp to add their enroute charts, etc.