iPad or iPad Mini for EFB

Jimmy_Norton

Jimmy_Norton

Well-Known Member
Given the choice, would you rather have a full size iPad, or an iPad Mini for an EFB? I've used a full size iPad in the cockpit before, and I think the convenient size of the Mini would outweigh the downside of the smaller screen.
 
iPad mini (retina display).

I just bought one with 128gig (150 bucks off sucka!) It is perfect.

HOWEVER!

I verify the approach in the FMS against the plate (altitudes, courses, etc) and then put the iPad away. The one draw back I see with iPads for EFB/charting is the ability to have it out and visible. I can't strap it to my leg since it would interfere with the yoke and putting some kind of mount on the yoke or in the airplane is a big no no (under 135 at least) without an engineering order.
 
Eh, the mini's screen was too small for me, especially with the split screen in wingx pro.
 
Mini. All. The. Way.

Get the new retina. It'll run the app way faster and look better than the original mini. Get at least a 64gb. That way you'll have plenty of room for all the charts and any "training films". I had all the charts you could download on foreflight and the Jepps for US and Latin America and still had several gigs of space. You won't regret the mini. I had an ipad 3 when we bought the mini for work. I started using the mini so much I sold my full size. Now that the new retina mini came out I bought a personal one again. Love it.
 
Dugie8 said:
iPad mini (retina display).

I just bought one with 128gig (150 bucks off sucka!) It is perfect.

HOWEVER!

I verify the approach in the FMS against the plate (altitudes, courses, etc) and then put the iPad away. The one draw back I see with iPads for EFB/charting is the ability to have it out and visible. I can't strap it to my leg since it would interfere with the yoke and putting some kind of mount on the yoke or in the airplane is a big no no (under 135 at least) without an engineering order.
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Tell that to our FSDO. So far they're OK with a panel mounted iPad mini run off a TSO'd USB charging port in a 135 airplane. I honestly don't see why you would need an engineering order, unless you're modifying primary structure you're just doing a minor alteration and AC43-13 should be perfectly OK as a basis for your installation. I'll get back to you once they've actually done the conformity though, you know how FSDOs can change their mind.
 
Roger Roger said:
Tell that to our FSDO. So far they're OK with a panel mounted iPad mini run off a TSO'd USB charging port in a 135 airplane. I honestly don't see why you would need an engineering order, unless you're modifying primary structure you're just doing a minor alteration and AC43-13 should be perfectly OK as a basis for your installation. I'll get back to you once they've actually done the conformity though, you know how FSDOs can change their mind.
Click to expand...

But you are not using the iPad as a approved EFB, so it's no different than mouthing a Garmin handheld with a Air Gizmo in panel mount.
 
Capt. Chaos said:
But you are not using the iPad as a approved EFB, so it's no different than mouthing a Garmin handheld with a Air Gizmo in panel mount.
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True, but the vibe I got from the post I quoted was that he thought that even a "for reference only" setup would require an engineering order, which is of course not the case.
 
Roger Roger said:
Tell that to our FSDO. So far they're OK with a panel mounted iPad mini run off a TSO'd USB charging port in a 135 airplane. I honestly don't see why you would need an engineering order, unless you're modifying primary structure you're just doing a minor alteration and AC43-13 should be perfectly OK as a basis for your installation. I'll get back to you once they've actually done the conformity though, you know how FSDOs can change their mind.
Click to expand...
http://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC 20-173.pdf

Paragraph 5a
 
Dugie8 said:
http://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC 20-173.pdf

Paragraph 5a
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Ah, you're dealing with part 25 aircraft and official EFBs then. Never mind, different standards.

I also feel compelled to point out that at least from browsing the AC the installation requirements are simply re-wordings of what you'd find in AC43-13. I.e, make sure it isn't going to overload wiring, make sure it isn't going to go flying in a crash, make sure it isn't going to fall out of the panel at ULF. It's not really rocket science,
 
Roger Roger said:
Ah, you're dealing with part 25 aircraft and official EFBs then. Never mind, different standards.
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I am yes. I do believe that AC would apply to any permanent mounting being installed in either part 23 and 25 aircraft.

Seems silly since a kneeboard is ok, but a yoke mount is "hold on big fella". It's the FAA....
 
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