AndrewR

I've had a few flights with the FltPlan GO app paired to the Clarity SV. Here are my thoughts. I've provided this feedback to the FltPlan team so they can add it to the improvement list. - The map doesn't zoom in enough. Terminal Area Charts are unusable because the text is waaay too small. Even the Sectionals are tough to read in flight. I've got the iPad mounted to the RH yoke and I have to lean over to get close enough to read the chart. - ADS-B traffic is good to see, but it doesn't provide the altitude of the target directly on the chart. You have to go into the Clarity menu and open the traffic list, select a tail number and return to the map screen to see if the popup window you selected was for the right target. I'm glad I don't have ADS-B Out yet, because with TIS-B the list could be in the dozens and guessing for tail number would take all day. - I couldn't get FIS-B weather to work, but I think I may have not been trying it correctly. I'll try it again the next time I'm up. - DP and STAR charts which are printed in the landscape format are not 'rotatable'. You have to lock the screen using the iPad 'rotate lock' function and rotate the tablet to get the text upright. The FltPlan 'lock' button doesn't lockout the auto-rotate. Also with a hard mounted pad, rotating the tablet isn't a useable option. - Geo-referenced Approach Plates! For free! I haven't tried these yet as none have been released for where I fly, but the airport diagrams are released. I've yet to test this new feature but expect to this week. If these few issues are addressed, this app has the capability to replace Foreflight for me. Definitely can't beat the price.

You can use the free service http://www.fltplan.com/ https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=app.fltplan&hl=en https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fltplan.com-mobile-app/id442736594?mt=8 I don't think you can import your own PDFs but it has mapping features and current charts (Sectionals, IFR High/Low, Approach Plates). Functionally, it's like a cheap-o version of ForeFlight.

Having a towered airport doesn't negate the need of see-and-avoid. I lost two coworkers in tower controlled airspace at Renton, WA. BTW, KRNT is one of the towers on "The List". http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?do=main.textpost&id=d66608fa-d9df-4489-b8fe-511744a5d45c http://www.komonews.com/news/archive/4159996.html

Galvin Flying Service in Seattle rents an M20J: http://www.galvinflying.com/flight-training-school/aircraft-fleet/

Aerospace Engineer. Working as a Flight Test Engineer on N7874 (yes, I'm aware of a battery issue).

Xavion has a W/B section. You also get synthetic vision and hoops guidance to a runway in the event of an engine failure. It'll also learn your takeoff performance based on location and W/B entries and use the numbers to predict performance at another airport. I haven't purchased it yet, but plan to in the near future.

That mounting is beautiful. I like the eye level location and the temporary binder clip. I'm going to have to see what I can work out on the C. I have an old iPhone 3G that would be a perfect for this role, but I don't think Xavion will work on the old iOS; need to use the new 5 but without the velcro as it resides in my pocket most of the time. With the new VAL INS-429 FlyTester and I installed in 78U I expect to be IMC a lot more and having the Xavion as a secondary independently-powered backup to the TC will definitely add a layer of safety. Thanks for the Xavion review and photos! - Andrew

I've been flying X-Plane since about '97 and fly it multiple times a week. Can't get enough of it. Do you feed the iPhone with external AHRS/GPS data or do you use the internal sensors? I'd be interetested to know since I have the Dual 150 but will be waiting to see the iLevil in production for about 6 months before purchasing. I'd also need to figure out a way to vertically mount the iPhone if internal data is used.

If going with an iPad or iPod/iPhone as a backup is an option, I'd go down the Xavion route. Getting hoop guidance to an airport is a definite bonus. Pushing higher accuracy AHRS/GPS data to the app is the next step, but iLevil should have a good battery powered unit for ~$1200 out soon (with FIS/TIS/ADS-. Complete electrical & engine failure IMC or night is now managable. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/xavion/id574203838?mt=8 http://www.aviation.levil.com/iLevil.htm I haven't purchased the app yet, but am seriously considering doing so. My only reservation now is that the iPad is mounted to the RH yoke, so the internal 'gyros' would be useless. Panel mounting the iPad is not really an option in the old '63 M20C. Maybe I can work out something for my old iPhone...