Aviation Applications Review

Apple’s iPad market continues to present new applications aimed at aviation community. The device which is neither a laptop nor a cell phone found its cockpit use due to its large screen and a great number of useful applications. The range is quite wide: from study guides to navigation and weather tools.

The newest iPad is equipped with some hardware pieces (GPS units for example) and makes it possible to carry information worth of a large bag of different charts in your pocket. It can even function as a glass panel display in front of a pilot in a light sport aircraft while running an application that replicates a glass panel with airspeed indicator, artificial horizon, altimeter and compass.

In this case the iPad is mounted in a cockpit on a bracket about an inch above the existing panel. Since iPad 2 was introduced it has become even easier to bring new applications on the flight: the newest iPad is much lighter and faster. Moreover the prices on the older version have been pushed into reach of most aviation amateurs.

Though the device works great, it shouldn’t be used as a primary instrument. Below is a short list of some useful aviation applications.

Jeppesen Mobile TC

This application is one of the most useful aviation applications. It was created by an airmail pilot in 1930s: he took notes about all the airports he ever flew in or out of. This application is a standard for pilots using instrument approach in bad weather and substitutes for a few large briefcases full of paper versions of instrument approaches. Jeppesen provides you with access to high-quality, full-color, vector-based information with details and zoom capabilities, chart changes and on-line updates, departure, approach and arrival procedures and other functions.

Flight Guide

It is a powerful application that contains airport & supplementary information, fuel prices, about 5000 airport diagrams, airspace charts, field info, moving maps with the TACs you may need in busy airspace, food, lodging, transportation, and much more. “On-The- Fly” auto update feature makes it possible to update and store textual data for all the airports of the lower 48 states.

The application saves your money otherwise spent on costly paper charts. All the data provided are of the highest quality, the application will cost you up to $19.99 per month.

ForeFlight

ForeFlight Mobile designed for iPad is extremely helpful both on ground and in air. It provides extensive weather information on thirteen weather maps with a possibility to overlay weather maps and charts on any other chart (e.g. global, data-driven maps).

Another option is the Documents option that includes a built-in catalog. The catalog can be supplemented from any source with a PDF or an image.The app’s AF/D covers about 220 countries including databases from Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the Federal Aviation Administration and ForeFlight’s proprietary research, and Universal Weather. Among the information available are frequencies, diagrams, runway details, phone numbers, operating hours, fuel prices, sunrise/set times, winds aloft and much more.

Garmin Pilot MyCast

One more comprehensive application designed for general aviation, commercial, and corporate pilots for weather and flight-planning, with an access to the AOPA airport database. Provided with a moving-map feature it lets you follow your route while using the NavTrack feature. Designed by pilots it includes different maps and charts and extensive text product widgets, airport diagrams, sectionals, and approach charts, AOPA airport directories and other useful information you may need while preparing for and during the flight.

Related articles

• Qantas pilots to get iPads (bigpondnews.com)
• AOPA FlyQ – Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (itunes.apple.com)
• Airbus: iPad Is the World’s Most Versatile Mobile Digital Device (news.softpedia.com)
• Airports To Introduce iPads For Traveler Use (manhattan.ny1.com)