My Exact iPad Setup in the Cockpit That I LOVE

[@CockpitScenes]

Something to note, the iPad WiFi has no GPS.

[@Clif_Brown]

That's why a Sentry is great to have if not in a iEFIS equiped airplane, it has the GPS, ADSB In, and lots of other data it feeds in.

[@Vanpotheosis]

​@@Clif_Brownbut that's an additional 600 dollar expense.

[@buckyperchski-mc2vo]

My first solo was in 1986. The tech today is amazing. Word to the younger guys. Although tech is phenomenal ( I luv it just as much as you), make sure you keep your basic stick n rudder skills at the top of your priority list. Control/Performance especially when flying IFR. I've been in IT all my career, and tech fails..... so never take your stick n rudder skills for granted. I absolutely luv this iPad mini setup on the windscreen coupled with the stratus. No need to call FSS for inflight weather..... but believe it or not, I still do it from time to time to stay proficient. You should too. Have fun and fly safe!

[@goboulder]

Thanks for another great video. Regarding the cellular version vs WIFI only version, the spec says WIFI only do not have built-in GPS. It is unnecessary if you use an external ADSB-in device but having a built-in GPS could be an added redundancy incase anything happens to your primary GPS source for iPad.

[@Chrisovideos]

I've had my ADS-B in (Stratux) stop working mid flight (faulty USB cable). All of a sudden, you disappear in foreflight and it becomes just a map. Thankfully I was close to home and didn't really need it at the time. Went out and picked up a Data enabled iPad. Much better peace of mind. I also have a basic moving map GPS on my radio for additional redundancy.

[@bwheeler83]

Yes, must have the ‘Cellular Enabled’ iPad. These come with a built in GPS. You don’t have to connect it to a network, it is part of the hardware. Cellular = Built in GPS

[@JFisco]

Kevin C and Brandon, with the cellular data enabled iPad mini without a data plan, will other pilots around you be able to “see” you and will you be able to see them on foreflight? Trying to decide between an iPad mini wifi or cell capable.

[@goboulder]

@@JFisco Having embedded GPS on iPad is nothing to do with whether other pilots see you or whether you see other airplanes. Regardless your iPad model, other pilots will see you if your aircraft is equipped with ADS-B Out. Also your iPad will show other aircraft only if you have working ADS-B In connected to your iPad. The only scenario that embedded GPS on iPad will be useful is when your ADS-B In is failed. You will at least see your own location on the map even though your ADS-B In is failed.

[@benh2134]

Great points. Thanks for sharing that story. We get used to planning for big equipment malfunctions, but it is likely to be something as simple as a glitchy USB cord. The irony of life. 😉 Ben.

[@vandal968]

Great video. Quick talking, all information, no fluff. Perfect, thank you.

[@toddmiller1039]

Boy, I wish I saw this video just a few weeks earlier. I knew that I wanted a smaller version to be able to mount it in the plane, but I got an iPad Pro 11” which I thought wasn’t that much bigger. It is just a bit too big. I will have to make it work. Great video with great information as always.

[@BANDAIist]

The cellular data version iPad has an integrated GPS, which might be useful sometimes. My two cents.

[@EthanDurant]

A note on the iPad specs. You need a cellular-equipped iPad for ForeFlight. Unfortunately, Apple has only included GPS capabilities on the cellular (and thus more expensive) version. You do not need a cellular plan but you need the cellular-equipped iPad.

[@GA-in4mw]

Cellular feature is highly recommend in the iPad (*no service needed though*), by Apple design this feature will activate the GPS in the iPad, this being said, if your External GPS source fails, the iPad still has its own internal GPS... Real life story: This happened to me while flying from Texas to Oregon, the Dynon GPS failed in flight, all iPads lost positioning and no longer can be used on ForeFlight, but my iPhone and my Cellular iPad used their internal GPS, that was a huge help especially when you need to exactly follow the planned route between the mountains.

[@willhyde3]

I’m. A student pilot and your videos help me so much! Thanks for the important lessons.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

I'm so glad! How's it going? Keep me posted on your progress!

[@willhyde3]

@@AirplaneAcademy thank you so much! I’m like 10 hours in. Right now we are starting power on stalls.

[@smflyboy]

Great video thanks! I am a student pilot and planning my electronic flight bag and was trying to decide which size ipad is best. My understanding is that if you buy the cellular version that you do not actually have to activate a data plan to use it. The main reason for buying an ipad mini with the cellular feature is because it has an internal GPS chip in it which the wifi version does not. It allows you to use the moving maps feature. Anyway, that's what the ForeFlight recommendations say. I like the suction mount that you chose! Might be a good idea to have an external charging battery pack in case you need to charge it midflight? Thanks again!

[@tedstriker754]

If you have an ADS-B in and out with wifi, you can get weather and traffic directly from the wifi in the ADS-B. No need for any in-between device. Foreflight is compatible with most brands of ADS-B transceivers. Not sure about Garmin Pilot, they seem to hide that info. There's still proprietary issues going around that can block connectivity between certain devices.

[@scottbeyer101]

Hey Charlie. Thanks to you, I switched from kneeboard iPad to the FlyBoys case & mount. Works perfect tucked in the front left corner. Nothing in the panel is obscured, and very little outside visibility is lost there. I bought the light tan colored case to reduce heat soak from the sunlight. Love it.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Great to hear that! I'll bet the tan looks cool

[@TylerR909]

My iPad is wifi-only BUT it's important to note that most Carriers price out Phones and Tablets differently. I'd always assumed adding an iPad was just another $45 (pick your number) line on my existing plan but it turns out adding things like an Apple Watch or iPad to the plan is like $20/mo for my carrier. When I upgrade my iPad, that knowledge may play a role in my decision.

[@Shannonbarnesdr1]

foreflight and skyvector are both super awesome

[@davesnyder6656]

Great videos, always something to learn. My 1st plane was 1976 182-skylane…. Love that airplane!!

[@amaoffeibea2634]

Hey all. I ordered the WiFi-only option (11” air) but now I’m a little concerned it may not be good enough. I’d be mainly using it to study for my ATPLs (groundschool) and some flying here and there. Would it still be sufficient to only have the WiFi- only option, connect to your mobile hotspot when in air and ensure to have location on all navigation apps? Thank you in advance

[@mountainmarauder2575]

Excellent presentation! One thing I noticed is that sometimes your course and plane are going across the map sideways and sometimes straight up and sometimes sort of straight up. Does Foreflight have a track up mode where the destination is always straight up (assuming you are on course)?

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Yep they have a "track up" feature. blog.foreflight.com/2022/08/22/feature-focus-get-the-most-out-of-foreflight/#:~:text=Track%20Up%20Centered%20%E2%80%93%20The%20map,you%20and%20less%20behind%20you.

[@stevendavis3538]

I've understood that getting the cellular version is advantageous simply because ot has GPS and the wifi version does not. The thinking is that if your sentry goes out, you have a back up. Your thoughts?

[@kevinbrowne1278]

Ty, older pilot getting back into it, good info, keep it coming!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

That's awesome! Congrats! Keep me posted on your progress!

[@austenquick7671]

As a new Private Pilot that has started to use ForeFlight more often, this video was beneficial. Can I request a video idea? A tips and tricks or basics on using ForeFlight. Thanks again.

[@timhoke2]

Charlie, this a great idea. Your tutorial would prove invaluable for those of us trying to better use Foreflight.

[@ShawnSmith-uy3zr]

I wish I'd seen this video months ago, because I purchased a "huge" I pad, and it does get in the way

[@allenprejean3780]

If my mini 6 has wifi + cellular do I really need the Sentry ADS-B?

[@melaniethorley]

Hi Charlie, thanks for this video, I am really new to aviation and have jsut purchased my Cessna 172 to get my Private Pilots Licence here in Australia. My instructor told me that a ipad will be useful when using AUSRunways, but I managed to get one with WiFi not GPS :(. I am wondering if you know if getting a Garmin Glo 2 (without Garmin Pilot) will work. I am not really interested in spending double to have Gamin Pilot installed into the Glo 2, I just want my new IPad Mini to work. Any ideas?

[@AirplaneAcademy]

congrats on your airplane purchase! Unfortunately I don't have experience with garmin pilot or Glo 2. Maybe someone else will respond here or I'm sure there are some reddit threads on it as well.

[@SteveBierfeldt]

This was super helpful, especially the size suggestion for ipad vs ipad mini. Thanks!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@josephsener420]

I got the Fly Boys mount from your recommendation! Can’t wait to use it.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Awesome!! Let me know what you think!

[@Justin-ny8df]

Picked up the iPad mini and Pivot thanks to your videos and recommendations. I love the suction mini as I can really get it fit into some difficult spots. Definitely have to find a good spot for it though, I am learning in a Cherokee and if I put it where you do in the video, it blocks the stall warning light which I prooooooooooooob need to see, lol.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Awesome, glad you like it Justin! I was flying a Seminole the other day for my multi commercial and I ended up having to use the kneeboard mount because of what you just described. So it just kind of depends on your airplane as to the best place to mount it.

[@Slinky--]

I don’t know if this is true or not, but a dpe told me the iPad mini technically isn’t allowed by the FAA because it isn’t big enough for procedure plates. But nothing wrong with it for VFR.

[@sammalone4988]

Thanks Charlie. I saved this vid for future reference.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Awesome! Glad it was helpful.

[@yamilcabrera2111]

Thanks for the videos. Always helpful.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

I'm so glad!

[@technopc2953]

The cellular version of the iPad is usefull for the GPS. No GPS on the wifi version

[@RafaelGonzalez4]

@Airplane Academy, i would suggest the Stratux, works and does the same but you can get it for as little as $150, and it is a self build, so for a student they can buy parts every month or whatever, and have it ready when they needed, not to mention if a part breaks it can be replace.

[@dbo4061]

I second the affordability and utility of a Stratux. For under $200 (including a 20,000 mAh external battery and suction cup mount) I get weather and traffic in as well as a GPS receiver (for wifi only iPad) and AHRS for a backup attitude indicator.

[@johnsbright]

@@dbo4061 The AHRS on my Stratux is unstable/useless and I've seen the same comment from others. Weather, traffic, and GPS it is great.

[@thomasw.richter5212]

I use iPad Pro 10,9” and Garmin Pilot. The advantage is that I can transfer my plans to the GTX650xi. Together with automatic planning alongsid with Eurocontrol it is great.

[@joseantoniohurtadoverdugo5227]

The video is so good!!! In my humble opinion the best Ipad is the Ipad Air, with the aplication Forefligh that were created for this!!!😏

[@timhoke2]

Thanks Charlie. My Cherokee 140 does not have a lot of room for mounts, but you have inspired me to scale down to an iPad Mini. One quick question: How do you address the issue of overheating in the hot Texas summers? I need help on that one.

[@bobcole612]

I use a Stratux ADS-B in the steam guage 172's and rental Cherokees I fly. I use the Mini 5/256 GB with cell service. To be fair, I do work for AT&T, and get an employee discount on my cell plan, so adding one more service to my account is pretty cheap, but I would still recommend it for the convenience. Also keep an older iPad for a backup with WingX (FF won't run on older iPads). Also have WingX on my Android phone. Was using the Ram yoke mount, but that doesn't work well with the G1000, so I moved it to a suction mount on the windscreen. Really like the Pivot mount/case, but that's out of my budget for now.

[@willhyde3]

Love the videos!

[@ericstockman8622]

Charlie, first let me say thank you for your content. Question your mount how long is the extension. I am a big guy. I like the yoke mount but I have belly issue on landing. If buy the window suction mount will I need a longer or shorter extension?

[@AirplaneAcademy]

I've got their standard mount (single suction mount) but they also make a "shorty". I haven't used the shorty but haven't had any issues with the length or placement or their standard size.

[@homomorphic]

Thanks, this is a really good overview. So is it legal to use a phone as a backup for an iPad? In a situation where the iPad may have failed (e.g. clear air turbulence bouncing the iPad aroynd the cabin and breaking it) wouldn't it also be likely that the phone was also damaged? I can think of mitigations that would make me comfortable (such as always keeping my phone in my pocket when flying so that it is secured) but I thought the FAA might have an issue with that.

[@jcburleigh]

Double-check the FAR/AIM yourself please, but I'm pretty sure it's no more "illegal" to use a phone than to use an iPad with Foreflight in the first place: the requirements for various types of flights don't, last I checked, allow for depending on Foreflight for aviation or navigation, e.g. you can't fly VFR while relying solely on Foreflight to see traffic (you still have to "see and avoid"). Foreflight (and others, like Garmin Pilot, Avare, etc) are great tools to improve situational awareness, manage things like flight plans, and so on. So whether you're using them on an iPad, a phone, or the IBM 370 mainframe in the right seat, shouldn't make any difference, legally speaking. ;)

[@homomorphic]

@@jcburleigh exactly, it isn't legal as a backup, because foreflight, isn't legal as a primary.

[@jcburleigh]

@@homomorphic Thanks for clarifying, and explaining it much more succinctly!

[@topofthegreen]

doesnt placing it in the windshild increase overheating?

[@AirplaneAcademy]

It can, though I've never had mine overheat. It only gets hot in the summer and in the afternoons, and so if I'm flying on a summer afternoon and doing a longer cross country, I'll periodically take it out of the direct sunlight during less busy portions of the flight just as a precaution. Benefit of having a high wing.... even in the afternoons, there's always shade somewhere and so the ipad isn't always in direct sunlight anyways. Good question though!

[@jcburleigh]

Very helpful video! Wish I'd seen it a year or so ago. I tried avoiding getting into the iOS world, being an Android user, and bought a Galaxy Tab A. Tried FltPlan Go, Avare, etc, but settled on Garmin Pilot. That worked okay, except for some reason, after a few weeks, it (the Tab itself, I guess, not GP) just wouldn't reliably connect to the Garmin units in our Diamond DA20's - the Bluetooth would Pair, but not actually Connect! Not sure if avionics upgrades in the '20s, or a software upgrade on my Tab A, caused that. Finally sprung for the iPad Mini with Foreflight, which "everyone else" at the flight school recommended - easier to ask for and get help, among other things. Later, as my wife and I started flying XC's (which I called "aviation day-cations", extended versions of the famous $100 hamburgers), I decided to spring for a Garmin GDL 52, so she could have her own tablet, with ADS-B and even Sirius XM weather and such. She loves checking on that and keeping me informed; and I'm happy with having redundancy, in case the Garmin avionics fail for whatever reason. In fact, I've often mounted it on the right side and connected it to the GDL 52 even when flying solo XCs, to ensure I have "live" redundancy. It's actually quite helpful to have a handy map+traffic display I can glance at, while I'm doing other things on my iPad. That's less of an issue, now that I'm flying glass DA-40's, the MFDs having the map+traffic. Moah redundancy tho!! ;)

[@ericrolerkite951]

I’m missing the idea of the stratus and other hardware. Is it adsb and and internet ? if your plane has adsb installed and you have cellular to your iPad it’s basically the same thing??

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Sorry for any confusion. The Stratus/Sentry doesn't provide internet access to the iPad (i.e. you can't check email or whatnot using that signal) but it just sends the ADS-B info to the iPad. Even if your iPad has cellular signal it wouldn't be able to pull in the traffic information by cell signal alone because that relies on ADS-B. You could probably still get weather info, though (if you had adequate signal).

[@sxf093020]

Charlie, thank you for the video! Do you ever find that the iPad is in the way of spotting traffic or when you're landing to see the runway?

[@bobcole612]

I have an iPad Mini, running Foreflight with Military Flight Bag (Civil Air Patrol). I was using a Ram yoke mount, but since I transitioned into the G1000 (172 and 182), I moved it to the windshield suction cup mount. Going to upgrade to a Pivot mount/case system in a few months. Also run WingX on my older iPads and Android phone as a backup I modified the Foreflight checklists to make them match the official CAP checklists, and run all my checklists from that. Saves a ton of paper shuffling in the cockpit.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

I haven't found it to be obtrusive when looking for traffic or landing. Sometimes I'll take it off during landing if I'm landing on a grass strip somewhere and I don't need the iPad during that phase of flight, just to get everything out of the way and focus. But when I'm landing at Addison and stuff I leave it mounted because they are often asking you to report traffic in sight and it's a helpful reference to see where they are on the map and then try to find them outside of the cockpit.

[@bobcole612]

@@AirplaneAcademy I never had an issue with it in the steam guage 172, but will all the controls on the yoke of the G1000 planes, it just doesn't seem to work there. I now windshield mount in pretty much the same place you do, and it just seems to work better. I now get the map and navigation functions on the G1000, but Foreflight is a nice backup, and I can build my flightplans and just upload them to the G1000. It's really a sweet combination.

[@buckyperchski-mc2vo]

I have a 55" iPad. I mount it in the back seat. Just kidding.... I too have an iPad mini. Perfect size for the C172.... and watching Premiere League futbol when i am waiting for Thunderstorms to blow over.

[@normanclark4946]

Charlie. Love the set up. Recently got the fly boys mount, thanks to you… How long was the transition for you from the yoke mount to the side window? Love the set up so far.

[@1dullgeek]

A couple of questions: 1) With the ipad mounted on window: - do you lose the lindbergh reference? - do you have a harder time keeping the ipad cool? 2) For those of us who use android, what do you recommend for backup? Another ipad?

[@Sifo_Dyas]

+1 on each of these questions, especially the Lindberg reference question. That iPad seems to be blocking a significant and important part of the window.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Good question. I personally have experienced no issue on landing with peripheral vision even with the ipad in place. If that's an issue or concern, I would consider a yoke mount. As for ipad cooling, I've only had concerns in the middle of the Texas summer afternoon if the angle is just right where the ipad is in direct sunlight for a prolonged period of time. In that instance, during cruise I'll periodically take it out of the mount and put it in the shade. It's never overheated to the point of shutting off, but I was just trying to prevent it. But the vast majority of the time it's not an issue at all.

[@bobbyvee8941]

Charlie. I'm ordering an LSA with the Garmin G3X Display. Do I still need the Sentry ADS-B?

[@AirplaneAcademy]

From Garmin's site on the G3X: "With available Garmin ADS-B “In” solutions, G3X Touch can display up to 60 ADS-B traffic targets as well as subscription-free U.S. weather. Add SiriusXM® satellite weather coverage - including NEXRAD radar - plus listen to audio entertainment1 with a GDL® 51R or GDL 52R SiriusXM receiver (sold separately)." Your avionics shop installing the unit will be able to help ensure you're getting the set up and data you're looking for.

[@gveduccio]

I fly multiple planes with all sorts of avionics from just a radio like the Cessna 150 I bought last year to Cessna 182s with G1000 NXI...I have a wifi only 32GB ipad with ForeFlight...when it dies I will buy one with 128GB...I got a Stratus that I won from their company God Bless them...I have Garmin Pilot on my android phone as a backup......and I highly recommend looking around and learning your area where are the roads? can you follow power lines? is there a small mountain near the airport you can see for 15 miles?

[@edturner5931]

I'm still not sure the question was answered, If you have a wifi only ipad hooked up to stratus or sentry , does that give your ipad gps?

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Yes, it will show your plane on the moving map on Foreflight.

[@Kamel419]

I have a long running active boycott with Apple that I'd prefer not to break. Is it possible to do this with any device not sold by Apple?

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Yes you can use a non-apple product. Just be sure to look into compatibility. For example, Foreflight doesn't currently work on android and the sentry only works with foreflight whereas the stratus works with other platforms, I believe.

[@omarfaris8273]

what do pilots use the ipad for?

[@steviem8294]

Wi-Fi only iPads do not have gps sensors so id avoid them at all costs unless you have an external gps

[@michaelnodorft7198]

With cellular capability, your iOS needs that capability to show gps location, even if you don’t get a plan

[@HawkGulf]

You would want the cellular data version of the ipad for gps capability…

[@johnsbright]

What's the backup if the Stratus goes down?

[@ThereCameAnEcho]

If the Stratus fails, jail. If you have a Sentry and it fails, jail. If you have either and they work fine for the whole floor? Believe it or not, straight to jail.

[@yamilcabrera2111]

He has an iPad with built in gps so at least he can get back but will not have traffic. That’s the beauty of the ipad with gsm/5G it has a gps.

[@gveduccio]

For me Garmin Pilot on my android phone...I would suggest ForeFlight on your iPhone if you are an Apple person like most

[@williammitchell6921]

Tip: get the mini.

[@AllenPortman]

So when flying how do you hit a wifi router? Never mind you answered how you get WIFI!

[@jimharrow8104]

Nice...

[@chrislacey6036]

No love for the stratux eh? It's a little bit bigger and bulkier but I'm glad that I only paid 165 dollars to build it vs the 6-800 dollars of the competitors.

[@yamilcabrera2111]

I used my built stratux for 3 yrs but found it was bulky and took longer to set up. I now use sentry but otherwise the stratux never let me down. I still have it in case I have issues with sentry which I did have to return once.

[@anonymous_friend]

Whats your favorite song to play in your headphones when you are flying?

[@genxpilot69]

iFly

[@joenist]

No Video ONLY audio.

[@SuperEddietv]

Isn't it rich that yet another observation of me coming off a 15 year hiatus of not flying is noticing how dependent aviation is on the usual, evil suspects in this modern era..... in this case, Apple and mind numbing tech. Now boing (spelling intentional) owns Foreflight? You're kidding right? Sadly, I own 2 IPAD Pro 11.2 or something like that and use foreflight. My first IPAD almost was target practice numerous times. You're right about one thing, the stuff works well, especially when you can connect to the Garmin 650 or 750, which is hardly ever. Foreflight flightplans can be directly loaded to these GPS units. Connectivity to peripherals isn't Apples strong point. Many flight instructors couldn't believe it doesn't connect most times. Freaking Apple. Hahahaha. This video will help younger aspiring pilots to move in the direction corporations want though, digital accountability. Foreflight has the digital logbook and my school told me I had better start filling it out, if I want a job with some sort of carrier. Good thing I'm to old for that nonsense. Hope that tidbit of info helps someone.

[@jamesdearwent7037]

Your video would be much better if you would slow down You talk way to fast

[@normanclark4946]

Charlie. Live the set up. Recently got the fly boys mount, thanks to you… How long was the transition for you from the yoke mount to the side window? Love the set up so far.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Awesome! I think you'll love it. I don't remember the switch being unnatural or difficult. I was really glad to get the ipad away from my stomach and make some more room. I liked moving it to the windscreen.