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Do you use an iPad in the cockpit? Would you?

What are your feelings on institution of an iPad type device as a replacement for a chart/pub bag?


  • Total voters
    130

HAL Pilot

Well-Known Member
None
Contributor
I'd say keep working on it...:D;)

I know, I know...
80239_spelling_police.jpg
Hey, I just have to spout out the items, not write them....
 

Rugby_Guy

Livin on a Prayer
pilot
Sorry to dig up a dead thread, but figured this was better than starting a new one.

A lot of my instructors flynwith iPads, which makes sense because SNAs can do some dumb stuff sometimes and we fly a lot “in the IFR structure”, so I get having extra SA as an IP.

Some of my contemporaries have begun buying iPad/GPS set ups because “I’m totally going to need this in the fleet”, but I have my doubts.

How useful/how often do you use an iPad as a Naval Aviator? I’m a Marine strike stud if that makes a difference. Is it actually worth the cost of a ForeFlight subscription (not to mention initial costs of iPad, Kneeboard and GPS), or is it something that would get in the way more than it would help? Obviously flying around with every chart known to man sucks as an SNA, but how often would that be of use later in my career? Does the fact that VR/IR routes are now on ForeFlight change anything, or is it still something that won’t be referenced real time?

The few IPs I’ve asked have been all over the place with if they were even allowed to be used, much less useful, but also concede that thier info is dated.
 

Treetop Flyer

Well-Known Member
pilot
Sorry to dig up a dead thread, but figured this was better than starting a new one.

A lot of my instructors flynwith iPads, which makes sense because SNAs can do some dumb stuff sometimes and we fly a lot “in the IFR structure”, so I get having extra SA as an IP.

Some of my contemporaries have begun buying iPad/GPS set ups because “I’m totally going to need this in the fleet”, but I have my doubts.

How useful/how often do you use an iPad as a Naval Aviator? I’m a Marine strike stud if that makes a difference. Is it actually worth the cost of a ForeFlight subscription (not to mention initial costs of iPad, Kneeboard and GPS), or is it something that would get in the way more than it would help? Obviously flying around with every chart known to man sucks as an SNA, but how often would that be of use later in my career? Does the fact that VR/IR routes are now on ForeFlight change anything, or is it still something that won’t be referenced real time?

The few IPs I’ve asked have been all over the place with if they were even allowed to be used, much less useful, but also concede that thier info is dated.
DCA released some guidance about a year ago regarding personal electronic devices in the cockpit. Basically I wouldn’t expect to bring your own unless your squadron got a waiver. I especially wouldn’t spend any money on it until you see how things are done in your fleet squadron.

Oh and I wouldn’t recommend looking at an iPad while you’re on a VR
 

sickboy

Well-Known Member
pilot
Definitely figure out what your fleet squadron will let you use first. When I left my squadron had just gotten a few iPads to fly with, some people liked them. I ended up buying my own iPad anyway. It's nice to have all your pubs in one spot when you go to the boat.

I fly with one mostly to help with the cockpit crap management aspect in the T-6, in addition to the SA factor previously mentioned. Certainly not required at all though.
 

nukon

Well-Known Member
pilot
How useful/how often do you use an iPad as a Naval Aviator? I’m a Marine strike stud if that makes a difference. Is it actually worth the cost of a ForeFlight subscription (not to mention initial costs of iPad, Kneeboard and GPS), or is it something that would get in the way more than it would help? Obviously flying around with every chart known to man sucks as an SNA, but how often would that be of use later in my career? Does the fact that VR/IR routes are now on ForeFlight change anything, or is it still something that won’t be referenced real time?
Disclaimer: I'm a V22 guy.

Part 1: I bought an iPad mini 4 back when the mil flight bag back when subscriptions were free, and I intend to renew. Just for preflight planning alone, I almost think the subscription is worth it; I use it before almost every flight. Stating it mildly, JMPS/VMPS can be finnicky, time consuming, and downright murderously infuriating to plan with. After inputting a few basic numbers (fuel burn, airspeeds) into a foreflight profile one time, you can quickly get strong swags on your routes and save a ton of time, all while checking weather, NOTAMS, satellite/radar, TFRs, etc. In flight, I suppose how much you'll appreciate the foreflight moving maps depends on the avionics suite in your airframe, but if you fly any instruments at all, or to big/complex airports, the benefits of geo-ref'd approach plates and airport diagrams are obvious and immense.

Is it actually worth the cost of a ForeFlight subscription (not to mention initial costs of iPad, Kneeboard and GPS), or is it something that would get in the way more than it would help?

I got an iPad with cellular capabilities. I don't actually have a cell service contract hooked up to it, but the cellular models have integrated GPS that is usually accurate within 5m, which I've found accurate and acceptable in CONUS, so I didn't have to buy a BadElf or anything else.

Does it get in the way? Nope. I fly with my regular kneeboard on one leg, and if I anticipate using the iPad in flight, I wear this AppStrap on my other leg with the iPad in an Otterbox. The AppStrap guy was happy to hook it up with a military discount, and I can't recommend the product enough. The iPad quickly comes on and off with velcro, so I can easily show other crewmembers what I'm looking at, pass it off to let someone else use it, or, if I don't need it, just pop it back into my bag. That size iPad also fits in the flight suit leg pockets, but I also don't wear speed jeans.

Does the fact that VR/IR routes are now on ForeFlight change anything, or is it still something that won’t be referenced real time?

As for VR routes, again, awesome for planning, but when I'm down that low I'm 100% outside - maybe that varies by platform. My previous squadron had Samsung tablets with the free Aero app. It works well enough, maybe try that out and see if you like it. If you do like it, just know that foreflight does all of that, plus a lot more, much better.
 

Hotdogs

I don’t care if I hurt your feelings
pilot
DCA released some guidance about a year ago regarding personal electronic devices in the cockpit. Basically I wouldn’t expect to bring your own unless your squadron got a waiver. I especially wouldn’t spend any money on it until you see how things are done in your fleet squadron.

There’s some pretty big deviations in the interpretations of that letter from squadron to squadron and MAG to MAG. I don't know a RW aviator that doesn't use a tablet in the aircraft right now. Generally speaking the guidance initially received was very dogmatic and tended to not address very simple things like single piloted vs multicrew aircraft or in what phases of flight handheld electronic devices are appropriate...or the fact that many aircraft with MFDs in the fleet have the same ability to degrade pilot's SA. I'm sure you know now that many commanders have clarified their intent with this type of stuff and it is not as black and white as that letter had suggested.

Sorry to dig up a dead thread, but figured this was better than starting a new one.

A lot of my instructors flynwith iPads, which makes sense because SNAs can do some dumb stuff sometimes and we fly a lot “in the IFR structure”, so I get having extra SA as an IP.

Some of my contemporaries have begun buying iPad/GPS set ups because “I’m totally going to need this in the fleet”, but I have my doubts.

How useful/how often do you use an iPad as a Naval Aviator? I’m a Marine strike stud if that makes a difference. Is it actually worth the cost of a ForeFlight subscription (not to mention initial costs of iPad, Kneeboard and GPS), or is it something that would get in the way more than it would help? Obviously flying around with every chart known to man sucks as an SNA, but how often would that be of use later in my career? Does the fact that VR/IR routes are now on ForeFlight change anything, or is it still something that won’t be referenced real time?

The few IPs I’ve asked have been all over the place with if they were even allowed to be used, much less useful, but also concede that thier info is dated.

I highly recommend a tablet of some sort. Tactical applications have tend to lean towards Android vice the current MacOS. There is a current acquisitions program going forward with MAGTAB that eventually will be present in each deploying squadron and will have more capabilities. However, for everyday use to include tactical and the admin side of things, I recommend being as flexible as possible and having your own.
 

Brett327

Well-Known Member
None
Super Moderator
Contributor
Pointy nosed deployers are using classified android based tablets with kilswitch. Load it up with any pdf you like too. Pretty handy, but not intended for FLIP type pubs.
 

BACONATOR

Well-Known Member
pilot
Contributor

Treetop Flyer

Well-Known Member
pilot
There’s some pretty big deviations in the interpretations of that letter from squadron to squadron and MAG to MAG. I don't know a RW aviator that doesn't use a tablet in the aircraft right now. Generally speaking the guidance initially received was very dogmatic and tended to not address very simple things like single piloted vs multicrew aircraft or in what phases of flight handheld electronic devices are appropriate...or the fact that many aircraft with MFDs in the fleet have the same ability to degrade pilot's SA. I'm sure you know now that many commanders have clarified their intent with this type of stuff and it is not as black and white as that letter had suggested.



I highly recommend a tablet of some sort. Tactical applications have tend to lean towards Android vice the current MacOS. There is a current acquisitions program going forward with MAGTAB that eventually will be present in each deploying squadron and will have more capabilities. However, for everyday use to include tactical and the admin side of things, I recommend being as flexible as possible and having your own.
Interesting. We used androids with killswitch for OEF, and they gave us iPads just for the translant. Still, I would encourage him to wait to spend any money until he sees what his fleet squadron does. I had no desire for a tablet in Yuma, since we flew VFR pretty much everywhere.
 

ChuckMK23

FERS and TSP contributor!
pilot
Sorry to dig up a dead thread, but figured this was better than starting a new one.

A lot of my instructors flynwith iPads, which makes sense because SNAs can do some dumb stuff sometimes and we fly a lot “in the IFR structure”, so I get having extra SA as an IP.

Some of my contemporaries have begun buying iPad/GPS set ups because “I’m totally going to need this in the fleet”, but I have my doubts.

How useful/how often do you use an iPad as a Naval Aviator? I’m a Marine strike stud if that makes a difference. Is it actually worth the cost of a ForeFlight subscription (not to mention initial costs of iPad, Kneeboard and GPS), or is it something that would get in the way more than it would help? Obviously flying around with every chart known to man sucks as an SNA, but how often would that be of use later in my career? Does the fact that VR/IR routes are now on ForeFlight change anything, or is it still something that won’t be referenced real time?

The few IPs I’ve asked have been all over the place with if they were even allowed to be used, much less useful, but also concede that thier info is dated.

In this day and age , its almost inappropriate to fly with paper publications. And from a hardware perspective the iPad wins - by huge margin. Period. The level of safety, efficiency, speed, and SA can not be matched.

Gear matters.
 

ChuckMK23

FERS and TSP contributor!
pilot
Interesting enough the FAA ACS for Private and Commercial Pilot requires (at least thats how designated pilot examiners are interpretting it for now) competency with paper - which is what I am teaching in my syllabus. But after you are rated, iPad all the way - unless you are in a Piper Cub with no electrical system :)
 

zippy

Freedom!
pilot
Contributor
There’s very much useful aspects of flying with a PED. In the airline world, all pubs have been replaced by iPad/surface depending on company. Obviously there’s a lot more infosec consideration that has to be given for dod usages. In the VTs, iPads are pretty useful from an IP prospective. Tactically, I’ve never flown with one due to all the wizbang shit an adversary can exploit on folks using them.

As a student I wouldn’t invest in an ipad/ForeFlight combo unless you had intentions of using it in GA. Wait until you hit the fleet and learn to fly the fleet way.

Once you hit the airlines, I recommend against naming your company iPad “Captain Nutsack” unless you’re cool with having a very awkward conversation with corporate... and if you’re willing to go that far to get a woman to talk to you, please for the love of god be off probation.
 
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