Best iPad app for Sectional Charts

If you can swing the cost, go with a 64GB mini w/ retina display. 32GB is probably enough, especially if you're not downloading scads of stuff you don't need, but it does limit your abilities to store lots of music and other media.

I've used a full-sized iPad in the cockpit of your typical GA single and it can be a bit awkward. The form factor of the mini just seems to be better suited, in my opinion.

I use my mini for LOTS of things besides aviation, though, so the extra storage capacity is worth it to me.
 
@killbilly Thanks for the info! As much as I like the idea of having an Air, since I plan on only using it for instruction and travel -- in lieu of carrying a laptop -- I think that the Mini will be more than sufficient. I plan on keeping my Macbook for everyday use, and I think that the biggest app that I'll probably end up having on the iPad is Mobile FliteDeck, so I should probably be ok with a 32GB one.

I take it that you have a cellular version, versus wifi only?
 
@killbilly Thanks for the info! As much as I like the idea of having an Air, since I plan on only using it for instruction and travel -- in lieu of carrying a laptop -- I think that the Mini will be more than sufficient. I plan on keeping my Macbook for everyday use, and I think that the biggest app that I'll probably end up having on the iPad is Mobile FliteDeck, so I should probably be ok with a 32GB one.

I take it that you have a cellular version, versus wifi only?


Correct. I have not had any GPS issues that some people have reported.

I wouldn't mind having an ADS-B receiver, but I'm going to wait on that. I get very gadget fixated when I should be focusing on airmanship.

Anyway - Usually once I clear the SFRA I turn it off or just pull up AFD pages and/or the notes page. Trying to be better at pilotage.
 
X3 on the mini. I've used both an the mini is the way to go. Typing on the keyboard is much easier too. The keys aren't awkwardly far away. You can get a 64G mini with data from B&H for $729 no tax and free shipping. Not a bad deal when compared to dedicated aviation portable GPS units. You'll get much more use out go the iPad. Hell, that's even cheaper than most ANR headsets.
 
Do you know of any programs that doesn't require that yearly subscription? kind of students pay doesn't cater for everything hehe
 
Fltplan.com's app doesn't require a subscription and is pretty nice. I've only used it on my iPhone, though, as I can't bring myself to buy an iPad just for flying.
 
Fltplan.com's app doesn't require a subscription and is pretty nice. I've only used it on my iPhone, though, as I can't bring myself to buy an iPad just for flying.
I suspect that most people who bought an iPad just for flying have found other uses for it. ForeFlight was the one and only reason I bought my first iPad. Of course one still has to sort of justify the expense to begin with so YRMV.
 
Do you know of any programs that doesn't require that yearly subscription? kind of students pay doesn't cater for everything hehe
I think FltPln Go! is the only free one that works on the iPad. There are two free ones that work on Android tablets, FltPlan Go! and Avare.
 
Foreflight for government plates
Jepp for Jepp Plates

If you are a CFI and especially a CFI EMPLOYEE of a school, the costs are tax deductible. Write them off.
This year alone I will get almost 14K in total deductions due to being a CFI. (I added an additional instructor rating this year simply to boost my deductions)
I write off everything I can from NAFI and AOPA memberships to Foreflight and Jepp Charts. Heck I even write off dry-cleaning and my designated CFI record computer and the cloud services to store all my required record keeping. lol

Haven't been audited yet. :)
 
I've been trying FltPlan Go! On my iPhone lately. It's pretty useful for A/FD and TERPS info, and it is a free app of course. It mostly works, but there are a few big issues I have run into.

I have had difficulty getting the app to actually store downloaded maps or procedure charts and not randomly delete them. I have also found that sometimes if I pan the map around it will not refocus to a clear image, whether I am running maps through wifi/cellular data or running them saved on the phone with wifi/cell data off (it has an option for that to make the app not use your data up streaming the maps). It happens sometime with map zooming too.

I have also had sectional and low IFR enroute charts show on the screen backwards/reversed or oriented way off (not oriented to a flight track but not oriented to north either). The only way to refocus the maps has been to recenter the map on the airplane icon then try to pan again. Sometimes that doesn't work either, and I have to exit the app and restart to get the maps to focus.

Lastly, trying to edit a flight route in the app, there is no way I can find to erase a waypoint if you make a typo. You can put in new waypoints before or after another waypoint, but if you misstype a waypoint, you have to clear the route and start over.

The old FltPlan.com app was better with the map viewing in general. The Go! version does work well with georeferencing, if you can read the map that is. The airport info/procedures info and user interface is pretty nice in the Go! app too, probably a bit more convenient than the old app. If they fix the bugs I mentioned, it would be great.
 
Back
Top