Flying with Full Sized/11" iPad

[Max Clark]

Hi all,

I've been flying with an iPad mini for a while now. It's nice to have Foreflight, Sentry/ADS-B, logging, etc... handy especially when I was switching planes a lot in training.

I just finished a panel upgrade so I'm trying to keep my eyes up on the new Garmin glass instead of down in my lap (or I should say the yoke).

Something that's standing out now is just how small the mini is and I've started thinking if I want to keep this as my EFB or switch to my full sized iPad.

I'm curious if you're flying with the big iPad and if you've mounted it somewhere. Is this thing just massive to fly with?

https://rammount.com/products/ram-b-121-ap23u?srsltid=AfmBOoqsTB_4i2v4yaH2ue6TY6gzTRhTt_Aqtok6RMxNDBMJyn5NZR-N

Thanks!

[1980Mooney]

24 minutes ago, Max Clark said:

Hi all,

I've been flying with an iPad mini for a while now. It's nice to have Foreflight, Sentry/ADS-B, logging, etc... handy especially when I was switching planes a lot in training.

I just finished a panel upgrade so I'm trying to keep my eyes up on the new Garmin glass instead of down in my lap (or I should say the yoke).

Something that's standing out now is just how small the mini is and I've started thinking if I want to keep this as my EFB or switch to my full sized iPad.

I'm curious if you're flying with the big iPad and if you've mounted it somewhere. Is this thing just massive to fly with?

https://rammount.com/products/ram-b-121-ap23u?srsltid=AfmBOoqsTB_4i2v4yaH2ue6TY6gzTRhTt_Aqtok6RMxNDBMJyn5NZR-N

Thanks!

If you have all new Garmin glass, why do you need a yoke mounted iPad at all?  Doesn’t your new Garmin glass panel/Garmin suite give you everything you need allseamlessly integrated? All a mini or full size iPad on the yoke does is block the view of your new Garmin glass panel.
 

Maybe I am missing something but I don’t see the need for Sentry or Foreflight now.   And you get a much better data price with Garmin OnePak on your new Garmin suite including Garmin Pilot. I can see keeping an iPad handy as backup in case your panel goes dark and also for uploading or downloading. But your primary and your eyes should be on your new panel. 
 

 

[Max Clark]

20 years of my flying life in Foreflight so hard habit to break. Before my next Foreflight renewal I'm going to toy with Garmin Pilot but I've got a while (plus the new equipment is already enough of a transition).

This started with re-evaluating what equipment I'm carrying with me and what I want moving forward. Just thinking through everything now.

The Mini on the Yoke was already large, just curious on what people are doing.

[dkkim73]

I specifically traded an iPad Air which I otherwise loved in terms of speed, price, etc, because it was functionally too big. 

IMHO the Mooney cockpit is too tight for a full size. 

If you have panel space or don't mind blocking a window, it might be different, but it wasn't an option for me. 

HTH

[MikeOH]

I fly with a full sized iPad in my lap, just like I used to with paper charts.  No mount at all.

[Brian2034]

Same here 10.5 iPad in my lap , I like the screen size and tried a couple different mounts and they always seemed to be blocking something important.

[Ragsf15e]

I have a nice new panel too, but I use a mini running ff on my lap.  Im just use to looking at my approach and arrivals on my lap.  It’s also a good backup for traffic, terrain, weather, etc that I now use my panel screens for.  I don’t like my ipad on the yoke.  I’m toying with adding a ram ball mount to the right side of the panel to hold the mini as i had in my previous airplane.

[Buckeyechuck]

I use a double jointed ram mount on my yoke for a full size iPad. Great for approaches as the chart is right in front of you. It’s tight but doable. I have two G5’s. I input headings on the upper screen to help with getting around space issues. 

[PT20J]

I have a mini mounted on the yoke. I don't usually bother with it for local VFR flights -- everything I need is on the G3X and GTN. When flying VFR, I keep the GTN on the traffic display and when flying IFR I keep it on the Flight Plan page.

I use the iPad with ForeFlight for longer flights and for IFR flights. 1. I can do the flight planning on it, file the flight plan with it and upload the flight plan to the panel via Bluetooth. 2. It provides a larger display for the approach plates than the G3X split screen. 3. I find it easier to maneuver around ForeFlight to check on weather and also do what if planning. 4. I like the weather overlays on the ForeFlight map and especially the ability to increase the transparency so that the radar doesn't obliterate the other map features. 5. It provides instant redundancy should the G3X fail.

I tried using the iPad on my lap, but I have a tendency to rest my hands there and I was always touching the screen and causing the display to change to something other than how I left it.

[Max Clark]

1 hour ago, PT20J said:

I have a mini mounted on the yoke. I don't usually bother with it for local VFR flights -- everything I need is on the G3X and GTN. When flying VFR, I keep the GTN on the traffic display and when flying IFR I keep it on the Flight Plan page.

I use the iPad with ForeFlight for longer flights and for IFR flights. 1. I can do the flight planning on it, file the flight plan with it and upload the flight plan to the panel via Bluetooth. 2. It provides a larger display for the approach plates than the G3X split screen. 3. I find it easier to maneuver around ForeFlight to check on weather and also do what if planning. 4. I like the weather overlays on the ForeFlight map and especially the ability to increase the transparency so that the radar doesn't obliterate the other map features. 5. It provides instant redundancy should the G3X fail.

I tried using the iPad on my lap, but I have a tendency to rest my hands there and I was always touching the screen and causing the display to change to something other than how I left it.

Are you using a sentry or flight stream for the iPad data feed?

[PT20J]

1 hour ago, Max Clark said:

Are you using a sentry or flight stream for the iPad data feed?

The iPad gets it's data from the GTX 345. 

[toto]

I’m with the “lap” iPad crowd. I have a GTN+G3X+GTX but I keep an iPad mini in my lap, normally with the screen off unless I need to look up a chart or something. 

I do connect Bluetooth on every flight so I get the flight data and EIS streamed to Garmin Pilot. 

[toto]

3 hours ago, PT20J said:

It provides instant redundancy should the G3X fail.

I have my iPad in my lap for the same reason, and I like having real-time EIS on the iPad as a secondary engine display. I also have a GDL that can be used for AHRS if necessary, but on a VFR flight it stays in my bag. 

3 hours ago, PT20J said:

I tried using the iPad on my lap, but I have a tendency to rest my hands there and I was always touching the screen and causing the display to change to something other than how I left it.

I keep a case on my iPad with the cover closed, so I can rest my hands there without messing up the screen. 

[BDPetersen]

Between sun glare and turbulence shake, I realized my years of trying to perfect a yoke mount was folly. A basic lap board seems to be just fine.

[JayMatt]

42 minutes ago, BDPetersen said:

Between sun glare and turbulence shake, I realized my years of trying to perfect a yoke mount was folly. A basic lap board seems to be just fine.

For what it's worth, I put industrial strength velcro on my android tablet and the fuzzy side on my yoke. Sits very nicely and runs Avare just fine. I spend zero on any subscriptions for anything and fly all over the country just staring out the window. 

[McMooney]

I use the mini,  mounted to the center bar,  i keep an air in my bag as backup or really long trips to watch movies

[Pinecone]

16 hours ago, PT20J said:

I have a mini mounted on the yoke. I don't usually bother with it for local VFR flights -- everything I need is on the G3X and GTN. When flying VFR, I keep the GTN on the traffic display and when flying IFR I keep it on the Flight Plan page.

I use the iPad with ForeFlight for longer flights and for IFR flights. 1. I can do the flight planning on it, file the flight plan with it and upload the flight plan to the panel via Bluetooth. 2. It provides a larger display for the approach plates than the G3X split screen. 3. I find it easier to maneuver around ForeFlight to check on weather and also do what if planning. 4. I like the weather overlays on the ForeFlight map and especially the ability to increase the transparency so that the radar doesn't obliterate the other map features. 5. It provides instant redundancy should the G3X fail.

I tried using the iPad on my lap, but I have a tendency to rest my hands there and I was always touching the screen and causing the display to change to something other than how I left it.

I am about the same.  ForeFlight on iPad Mini is better for approach plates.   I found in Garmin training that I could use the GTN/G3X, but I needed to put the plan view of the plate on one unit and the profile view on the other one to see everything and be able to read it easily.  iPad is just easier.

It can also be nice for amended clearances, as I find I can put them into FF then upload them to the GTN via the FS-510 faster than putting them into the GTN directly.  

I have both a 750Xi and 650Xi, so I keep the map view on the 750 and Traffic on the 650.  I keep a small window of the Flight Plan on the G3X.  Great for grabbing frequencies and putting them onto the GTNs.  FF gets the ADSB and FISB feed from my GTX-345R transponder.

I fly with a full size iPad in CAP C-182s.  It works fine on a yoke mount.   But too big for the Mooney.

They way I have my iPad Mini mounted, it does not obstruct my view of any of the panel except the pitot and prop heat switches.

[Danb]

I like most mentioned fly with an IPad mini on the yoke, I have an IPad Pro I throw on the back seat just in case, although I’ve never used it in the plane. I’m equipped with a G-1000 so agreed it’s overkill but whatever. I feel lost without being able to play with the mini it’s useful for traffic, making changes from ATC approach plates etc., prior to entering it on my G-1000. 

[ttflyer]

I used to fly with the mini mounted on the yoke.  After the Garmin G3X upgrade, I use my iphone on the yoke and keep the mini in my flightbag...

[65MooneyPilot]

I bought a Mini plus a pivot case and mount it to the side window. It does not block the instrument panel and not much of the outside view. You can remove it quickly if you need to. 

[M20F]

I am in the I bought a panel display why do I need an iPad crowd.  
 
I use my phone to check some things here or there but otherwise why pay for a panel if you don’t intend to use it. 

[Pinecone]

You CAN use both.

One thing I like about having the iPad is that I can get a sectional chart, but track up.  The Garmin stuff only does the sectional as North up.

[bigmo]

@Pinecone assuming you are talking G3X Touch? My old plane had twin G3X and I could do enroute (IFR or sectional) track up…but it’s kind of hard to mentally process (and I’m a track up kind of guy). The experimental G3X might be a few updates ahead of certified, however. I tried it once and was like, nope! 
FWIW I love my iPad Mini on my yoke. It makes my somewhat dated panel feel very capable. I also like the yoke as I’m not swinging my head around all over. I owned a full size iPad when I bought the Mooney and it was just too big no matter west I tried. The Mini really is a great device and is the perfect size for the yoke. I only have to zoom in when I’m briefing myself an approach. Other than that, portrait mode has all the detail I need and it never gets I’m the way.

[Pinecone]

Yes, G3X Touch.

You can do the Map as Track Up, but not the "chart" view.

Garmin decided this since the  writing on Sectional cannot be made to rotate to be readable.   But the same applies to the paper ones

[PT20J]

Also, you can only load the IFR and VFR charts for one region at a time on the G3X. Found this out when flying to Canada. You have to manually switch regions even if you have a subscription to more than one region and have more than one region downloaded to the G3X.