IPad/tablet size and placement experiences?

[dkkim73]

Hi All, 

As part of evaluating modern flight tools, I purchased an iPad Air (5th gen) to run ForeFlight on. I've found it excellent for planning and also use it in conjunction with the G1000 and other resources. 

I have it in a Pivot case (very solid) and also bought a thigh strap, intending to use it alongside my kneedboard. The only problem is I'm concluding it's just too big for my setup.  

For those that use iPads, what size do you use and in what locations? Interested in any experiences, but especially with the crowded G1000 panels. 

I'm considering the following:

- trade-in for an IPad Mini (smaller, keep on original plan)

- figure out a good suction cup or bracket mount (window, compass post, something else?) for either the large or small iPad

As for the yoke, I got a RAM mount and have been using an Aera 760 when flying IFR as a backup. I still haven't decided my final configuration, had also considered have a pivot mount there and putting the iPad in that location. Really an embarassment of riches when it comes to data options. 

Thanks,

David

PS. If anyone is particularly in the market for a 5th gen iPad (excellent condition with glass protector and Pivot hard case) LMK. Otherwise I'm probably going to take advantage of Apple's trade-in options. 

[MikeOH]

I have had an older gen iPad 10.5 Pro for many years and I just use it as a knee/lap board.  In fact I have a standard clipboard that I write clearances and notes on; I just put the iPad on top of it and slide the iPad slightly off it when I need to read or write.

[McMooney]

I Pad Mini 6 with Celluar,  mounted using a RAM X  Grip attached to the steel bar running down the middle of the windshield.

Basically it's hanging from the ceiling

[dkkim73]

6 minutes ago, McMooney said:

I Pad Mini 6 with Celluar,  mounted using a RAM X  Grip attached to the steel bar running down the middle of the windshield.

Basically it's hanging from the ceiling

Have thought about this, mounting it high on the pole. Have you noticed it interfering with the compass at all? 

[KSMooniac]

Mini using MyGoFlight yoke mount for me... it is the perfect size for a Mooney.  I used to hate yoke mounts, but have grown to like this setup.  I keep my old 496 on the copilot yoke for weather and battery backup.

[Danb]

Dave I’ve done exactly as you, I ended up getting iPad mini for the yoke and use the big one as a backup plus I use it personally it’s addictive 

D

[NickG]

1 hour ago, dkkim73 said:

Hi All, 

As part of evaluating modern flight tools, I purchased an iPad Air (5th gen) to run ForeFlight on. I've found it excellent for planning and also use it in conjunction with the G1000 and other resources. 

I have it in a Pivot case (very solid) and also bought a thigh strap, intending to use it alongside my kneedboard. The only problem is I'm concluding it's just too big for my setup.  

For those that use iPads, what size do you use and in what locations? Interested in any experiences, but especially with the crowded G1000 panels. 

I'm considering the following:

- trade-in for an IPad Mini (smaller, keep on original plan)

- figure out a good suction cup or bracket mount (window, compass post, something else?) for either the large or small iPad

As for the yoke, I got a RAM mount and have been using an Aera 760 when flying IFR as a backup. I still haven't decided my final configuration, had also considered have a pivot mount there and putting the iPad in that location. Really an embarassment of riches when it comes to data options. 

Thanks,

David

PS. If anyone is particularly in the market for a 5th gen iPad (excellent condition with glass protector and Pivot hard case) LMK. Otherwise I'm probably going to take advantage of Apple's trade-in options. 

iPad mini6 was indispensable and the right size. Now I have a G3x and a glass cockpit, so other than preflight planning, the mini basically stays in the footwell pocket. I have digital scans of my POH and avionics manuals on it for and I run Gramin pilot for logbook recording, engine data downloads etc. IMHO the Mini 6 is the perfect size for our cockpits.

[Pinecone]

I use a full size iPad, but in CAP C-182s.

In my Mooney, it is a Mini6 on a RAM yoke mount.

[dkkim73]

2 hours ago, KSMooniac said:

Mini using MyGoFlight yoke mount for me... it is the perfect size for a Mooney.  I used to hate yoke mounts, but have grown to like this setup.  I keep my old 496 on the copilot yoke for weather and battery backup.

Is this the one? https://mygoflight.com/collections/mount-to-yoke/products/flex-clamp-yoke

I am using the RAM mount for the Aera 760 and it is solid, though rotates with a bit of pressure... and the clamp part comes uncomfortably close to the gear switch at full deflection. 

I might try putting one unit on the co-pilot yoke, good to follow along (if I have a passenger I usually hand them the iPad) and I can always grab it as needed (esp. with a detachable mount) to check freqs, plates, etc. 

Lots of great replies on this thread, TYVMI for the quick replies! I just ordered the Mini gen 6.

D

 

[GeeBee]

I keep my iPad nearby but not out, nor do I need to. I have trained myself to learn that there is little my G1000 cannot do very capably with a SIRIUS subscription. I do like referencing the approach charts on the iPad over the Flite Charts on the G1000. You might give a try flying a few legs without opening the iPad and see what you think. If you like it, throw away the mounting cases, just have a folding folio case in put in either in the seat next to you when flying solo or down in the map pocket.

[hubcap]

48 minutes ago, GeeBee said:

I keep my iPad nearby but not out, nor do I need to. I have trained myself to learn that there is little my G1000 cannot do very capably with a SIRIUS subscription. I do like referencing the approach charts on the iPad over the Flite Charts on the G1000. You might give a try flying a few legs without opening the iPad and see what you think. If you like it, throw away the mounting cases, just have a folding folio case in put in either in the seat next to you when flying solo or down in the map pocket.

My technique is very similar since the avionics upgrade to Myrtle. The G3x provides me with far more than the iPad. I still keep an iPad mini to review approach plates, but that is literally the only task I use it for in the cockpit. 
 

I use Foreflight to file with, but only for approach plates when flying.

[exM20K]

51 minutes ago, GeeBee said:

I keep my iPad nearby but not out, nor do I need to. I have trained myself to learn that there is little my G1000 cannot do very capably with a SIRIUS subscription. I do like referencing the approach charts on the iPad over the Flite Charts on the G1000. You might give a try flying a few legs without opening the iPad and see what you think. If you like it, throw away the mounting cases, just have a folding folio case in put in either in the seat next to you when flying solo or down in the map pocket.

This has been my way, too.  Primary nav/wx/traffic is G1000.  The iPad is in a portfolio-style case between my calves and the seat front.  It comes out to run a checklist, do an approach, or check weather at individual airports. These are things it does better than G1000. 
-dan

[Ragsf15e]

3 hours ago, dkkim73 said:

Have thought about this, mounting it high on the pole. Have you noticed it interfering with the compass at all? 

(I’m kind of saying this tongue in cheek, but…) isn’t that like just putting up the sunshades in front of the big front windows and cruising along staring at your screens?

[Ragsf15e]

1 hour ago, dkkim73 said:

Is this the one? https://mygoflight.com/collections/mount-to-yoke/products/flex-clamp-yoke

I am using the RAM mount for the Aera 760 and it is solid, though rotates with a bit of pressure... and the clamp part comes uncomfortably close to the gear switch at full deflection. 

I might try putting one unit on the co-pilot yoke, good to follow along (if I have a passenger I usually hand them the iPad) and I can always grab it as needed (esp. with a detachable mount) to check freqs, plates, etc. 

Lots of great replies on this thread, TYVMI for the quick replies! I just ordered the Mini gen 6.

D

 

I like this mini setup (ram ball mount) in my airplane but maybe not room in the g1000?  In the work airplane (which has a g1000), I keep a full size ipad in my flight bag for looking at charts.  Use the g1000 for everything else…

[PeteMc]

4 hours ago, dkkim73 said:

For those that use iPads, what size do you use and in what locations?

I also have an Air and have it on the yoke with a RAM mount.  I purchased a separate small extension arm and ball joint so I could move it around a bit so it fits right in the yoke.  And I also move the mounting ball on the back of the holder to get it in the right place.  

[N201MKTurbo]

Mine is mounted on the copilots seat, unless there is someone in the copilots seat, then it is mounted in their lap.

[McMooney]

4 hours ago, dkkim73 said:

Have thought about this, mounting it high on the pole. Have you noticed it interfering with the compass at all? 

Originally it was mounted far enough away where it didn't interfere but now i have G5's so don't even bother to look

[McMooney]

4 hours ago, McMooney said:

I Pad Mini 6 with Celluar,  mounted using a RAM X  Grip attached to the steel bar running down the middle of the windshield.

Basically it's hanging from the ceiling

here's a pic, before i got the g5s

[dkkim73]

58 minutes ago, Ragsf15e said:

(I’m kind of saying this tongue in cheek, but…) isn’t that like just putting up the sunshades in front of the big front windows and cruising along staring at your screens?

That is a totally fair criticism. Not my intent. Also the reason I haven't tried any suction cup mounts (except one on a back window for the Sentry).

More so wondering about having it "out of the (physical) way" yet "accessible". I was thinking to have the ipad at the top of the panel at about the level of the glareshield, or along the roof tilted obliquely, not obsuring too much view. But that might not be possible given the layout. That panel above has more dead space on the top right than a G1000 setup. 

I'm thinking more and more of using the co-pilot yoke space... Kind of a trade-off between "having it handy but stowed" and "front and center". 

To @GeeBee's point, I have tried leaning more heavily on the G1000. Part of it is probably acquiring the familiarity to get any bit of info quickly (freqs, etc). I'm going to keep doing this more.

I do think the tablet is a handy way to review places more quickly and also have them able to pull out for periodic review. Kind of like a printed copy on a clip...

 

[dkkim73]

4 minutes ago, McMooney said:

here's a pic, before i got the g5s

Now *that* spider-grip looks like something out of the Matrix...

Thanks for the pic! I was going to ask but you beat me to it. 

[dkkim73]

1 hour ago, Ragsf15e said:

I like this mini setup (ram ball mount) in my airplane but maybe not room in the g1000?  In the work airplane (which has a g1000), I keep a full size ipad in my flight bag for looking at charts.  Use the g1000 for everything else…

That mount on the right, where does it attach? In my case I think it would obscure too much of the MFD, and some of the breakers. It does look nicely below the windshield, though. 

[dkkim73]

I've seen kneeboards that have a minimalist "rubber band" type approach to grab the corners of the Mini, and a small Pivot case would attach to my kneeboard strap. So if I am using it for charts and the occasional freq or filing reference, that would probably be adequate and well down out of the way (visually). 
Anyone tried it in that mode? I suppose with the Pivot case I could get an extra mount and just experiment. 

Good point above was to just lean more heavily on the G1000 and "get fast" with that. I *definitely* have been leaning on it (and Sirius XM) for in-flight wx, especially NEXRAD, and traffic. 

Also, I suppose, in an (unlikely) backup type situation I can just move devices around. E.g. if relying on AHRS from Sentry or Aera, just clamp it up front...

 

[Ragsf15e]

27 minutes ago, dkkim73 said:

That mount on the right, where does it attach? In my case I think it would obscure too much of the MFD, and some of the breakers. It does look nicely below the windshield, though. 

The mount is screwed into the panel in the upper right corner.  The ball mount sticks out a couple inches and allows the mini to articulate to a position where it doesn’t block anything on my panel, however, it might on yours.  If im honest, it’s a little too far away to be used for specific freqs on a map or reviewing an approach plate.  I usually pop it out and use it in my lap for that.  It’s good for a traffic picture, vfr map and glide ring in its mounted position.

[toto]

3 hours ago, GeeBee said:

I keep my iPad nearby but not out, nor do I need to. I have trained myself to learn that there is little my G1000 cannot do very capably with a SIRIUS subscription. I do like referencing the approach charts on the iPad over the Flite Charts on the G1000. You might give a try flying a few legs without opening the iPad and see what you think. If you like it, throw away the mounting cases, just have a folding folio case in put in either in the seat next to you when flying solo or down in the map pocket.

This is the way. I keep my iPad mini in a folio case, either in my lap or on the floor. I usually have the EIS page open just in case the LCD craps out and I lose engine indications.

Using the iPad only once in a while means the battery will last for a full flight, and I don’t have to have cables strung across the cockpit for charging. 

I have a G3X+GTN, not a G1000 - so I’m not sure what the flight data situation is with the G1000. But having the iPad in the closed folio still captures all of the flight data recordings, so I have real-time EIS and flight parameters available at home for later review. I use this all the time.. No need to pull SD cards - just keep the iPad in my lap and I’ve got flight data logging plus an EIS backup. 

[Mooney in Oz]

I also have a G3X setup with an iPad 6 mini.

I don’t like having the iPad mounted on the yoke and for me, it has to be within reasonable front sight as I don’t like the idea of having to keep turning my head to view the chart in case I need to hand fly an approach.

So, the iPad is mounted on a spider grip RAM that is suction cupped to the left window with the bottom part of the cup just below and between the top of the storm window and pillar. Because the iPad is a mini, I can have the approach plate adjusted in landscape mode with a great view of the profile.

The G3X has an excellent, editable checklist layout that I have displayed during the approach on the MFD side while using the navigator MFD for tracking. Shooting an approach with this setup is so easy. I also have approach charts on the G3X in case the iPad flakes out.

I only attach the iPad holder to the side window in preparation for an approach and remove it after landing. Otherwise I use Rich’s copilot’s seat method.

@dkkim73 Apologies if this is not possible with your G1000. It’s been so long since I’ve flown a G1000 setup that I cannot remember whether it can be done.