I Wish I Bought This Cockpit Gadget SOONER!

[@chipmiller984]

In system settings you can configure your pencil to switch between writing and erasing with a double-tap.

[@danielrhodes4844]

I was about to say the same.

[@jfoxtrot24]

I don’t think that feature works in ForeFlight currently…does it? I have that feature on and it isn’t working on ForeFlight

[@jfoxtrot24]

Update: It doesn’t work on the map currently but does work in the scratch pad section. Idk why I only tried it on the map. Lol

[@chipmiller984]

Confirmed that it doesn’t work on the map. Weird. It appears that the map doesn’t even have an erase function for the pencil. It does, however, have undo and clear functions.

[@richardc6843]

Thanks for that double tap hint. That is so cool.

[@jeremydwayne]

btw you can double tap the apple pencil 2 to go between write mode and erase mode, works in Foreflight too.

[@Shaneepe1]

Was just about to type this you beat me to it

[@AirplaneAcademy]

ohh!! Very cool, thank you for sharing.

[@Jamespecoraro]

My CFII taught me this method doing IFR training. The only thing I would recommend especially if you're in a rental is buying the generic version for about 1/4 the cost of a real apple pencil. When you forget it in the plane you're only out $25 and no $100+. I used it to make all kinds of notes and reminders on my approach plates.

[@TimAyro]

This is what I did while teaching. It's great. I still recommend keeping a pen and pad in your bag somewhere just in case your pen or ipad dies.

[@jasonjohnston94]

You mentioned storing a kneeboard between the seats. Wouldn’t it go on your knee?

[@BrianRhodes9763]

I was thinking the same thing.

[@EJWash57]

😁

[@dailyaviation2542]

I am a student pilot 28 hours into my ppl when is the appropriate time to bring a iPad into the cockpit?

[@AirplaneAcademy]

That's a really good question. I would definitely make sure that you are confident and competent without it. Realistically though, it's a major resource in the cockpit so it's definitely worth learning and using if you want to. If it were me, I'd probably get through private before incorporating it so that it's not a crutch. But there is no right or wrong answer.

[@marcoortiz2239]

In minute 4:20 you talk about erasing and having to go tap the erase button, if you double tap the pencil where you rest your index finger on the flat side it'll send a command to any writing software including foreflight's scratchpad to switch over to erase function, and same goes viceversa!

[@kylemccartney1831]

I have a $40 knock off apple pencil and it works great. I don't know the full capabilities of the apple pencil so I can't make a true fight but this one hasn't given me any problems.

[@Jomama_01]

The apple pencil is able to auto swap between writing and erasing by double tapping the side of the pencil... it literally showed you that feature in the tutorial when you first attached it.

[@glennwatson]

Be aware Apple Pencil v1 and v2 are locked to the model of iPad. Some handle the pencil 1 others 2. Check before purchasing.

[@rpcraighead]

The magnetic attachment is weak... It's REALLY easy to knock it off somewhere, and not notice. No more pen... I'm trying to come up with an attachment to a string. Other than that I'm loving it.

[@Avi8tor857]

My cover has a pocket for the pen so it is more secure than just the magnet. A recoil line for name tags works pretty good to allow using it and not dropping it.

[@mnice59]

A kneepad is supposed to be on your knee. A piece of velcro will keep the pencil there and a tether (a retractable one is even better) will keep it off the ground. I’m all for new tech but it’s got to work and the divide between tried and true systems/devices and new tech is getting so large that it seems a lot of times it’s just a bad reinvention of the wheel. - The Boomer

[@leecrosby9017]

I tethered my apple pen to my case so that if it drops I can retrieve easily.

[@VictoryAviation]

I bought an Apple Pencil knock off when I first bought my iPad a couple years ago. It was a fraction of the cost and has worked great. My favorite thing to mark is approach plates. I have a specific color coding system and being able to use the pencil means you can make precise annotations right on the plate. That helps a ton when you’re in critical phases of flight.

[@josecollazoalvarez4506]

And what about ink tablets ? 🤔

[@jeremyrangel8138]

Thanks for the video. I have a cheapo silicone/rubber cap that goes on the top of my apple pencil that is used to attach to a tether cord (which is attached to the case). It's just held onto the iPad with friction, but it's strong enough that it won't come off unless I consciously pull it off. But, it's still easy enough to remove when I want to use the pencil without it.

[@justincase5272]

KEY POINT: TETHER IT to the pad! There's nothing worse than a dropped pencil in the cockpit!!!

[@JulioHernandez-gz5lr]

The pencil has to be kept charged! I didn’t use it for several months and it would not charge. Apple says that if the charge goes below 5% it might not charge again. Happened to me twice 😢. Now my keep my iPad mini is always charged and the pencil always attached to it!

[@dougw3094]

Go to setting on your iPad and enable double tap to erase, then go to settings in FF and enable double tap to erase. Double tap the flat side of the pencil and use the tip to erase, then double tap again to go back to writing with the pecile....

[@LoganEakins]

Great video. 4.5 props....if i give them all 5's then my ratings don't mean anything! I'm a stinky Android / Garmin Pilot guy, but my tablet is a Galaxy with the S-Pen. I've thinkered with it, but haven't used it in the cockpit yet. I haven't started my IFR, but my evil plan is to use this to copy my clearances. Your video confirms that I have my head on straight...or at least there's one other person doing what I'm thinking about doing...

[@christianmitchell9915]

I also recommend a paper like screen protector. Writing on these screens is already difficult, but the paper like screen protectors make it feel like paper and give you the friction to have a paper like feeling when writing. You will be surprised how much it cleans up your writing on an iPad. Just Google paper like screen protector.

[@alexcoutu9740]

Here’s my one gripe I’ve had with using an Apple Pencil. If I have an approach plate up I’m currently using. Then atc says something I want to write down asap before I forget it I have to switch between pages which takes some time and navigate away from my approach plate. Other then that I love to use it!

[@yellowtwig]

You really need a wire. Especially at night. Just a short string of good quality sowing thread.

[@Avi8tor857]

There are generic ipad pencils that at least for note taking works just as well and cost less than $25 just make sure it has wireless charging some of the cheapest knockoffs are wired charging. If you do art or sketching the real deal might be better.

[@scottbeyer101]

I bought the Pivot case and suction mount based on your other video. Game changer! Never have to look down again -- which always puts me in a descending left turn if I leave my hand on the yoke, lol. I'll give the pen a try.

[@piloto2412]

I wish the flyboys case had an extra grip for the pen. Im too clumsy sometimes my pen falls to the floor and that can be annoying.

[@justinhamilton372]

Double tap the pencil and it will go between eraser and writing

[@Cessnacaptain]

Just bought it amazon for $89 sale

[@jeffreybryner1196]

Charlie -- as always super informative with your flair for humor and entertainment. Love your vids. I have and use the iPad mini, PIVOT Case, Mount(s), and the Apple pencil with Foreflight. I addition, I love and use the ForeFlight ScratchPad Templates for writing on. Mostly the templates for CRAFT, ATIS (one each for DEP and ARR) and Draw. Also, I recommend aviators buy a set of replacement tips for the Apple Pencil and keep them in your flight bag. If you drop the pencil on the tip, it can and does make it unusable. In those cases, replace the tip. Apple sells them in a 4-pack. Your advice about annotating the map with the pencil are great and make it another level of useful.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks Jeffrey! Glad you found it helpful. Thanks for sharing the tip about the tip! I also realized you can annotate your approach plates, and even when you then put them on top of the map your annotations will also appear there on the map to scale, which is really cool. Wish I would have realized that before making this video as that is a really neat feature.

[@jerrytimm9751]

what iPad mini case do you use

[@doylefab8945]

Just purchased one

[@FlamingTomatoAviation]

As a current student pilot, I've been eating up your content while I review procedures and other necessities in the evenings. So far, your reviews and suggestions have helped me spend a bunch of money, but made cockpit workflow that much easier!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Haha, sorry for the money spent but glad it has been helpful!! Rooting for you in your training!

[@FlamingTomatoAviation]

The biggest benefit was the Pivot case. TOTAL game changer!

[@22ft35]

Does the ipad block your vison on landing? it looks to me like that would interfere with your peripheral l vision especially during the flare.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

It probably looks like that in the video but it really doesn't feel that way in real life. I can still see just fine. 👍

[@justincgs]

​@@AirplaneAcademyAnd then the suction mount pops off the windshield and the iPad with its mouth falls down gets lodged in your pedals and you crash. DUMB DUMB

[@josephsener420]

Just bought it!

[@ron1969]

I gave my CFI a pen with rubber end on it that is used the same way. He thinks its the best thing since sliced bread. I have docs saved in Foreflight that you can write in and you can do the same thing but less expensive and no pairing.

[@Avi8tor857]

The apple pencil or the cheap knock off is much better than the basic stylist pen. For one it allows you to rest your hand on the tablet while writing like you would on paper without interference. The $25 knock offs are good enough for everything except fine drawing in art. Though no need for the $120 apple version.

[@jfoxtrot24]

I got the 2nd gen apple pencil a year ago for $100. Can’t believe it went up in price. But it is infinitely better than finger or standard stylus’s. Totally worth it. I annotate the map so I know when I want to start descending and stuff. I’ll also draw the path I was given by ground instead of writing it out😂

[@mikephillips9311]

Get the Paperlike film screen protector for your iPad and the pencil works even way better, the tip doesn't slide so much on the screen in flight. It also reduces the screen glare and protects against screen scratches, etc. You'll like it alot I think!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

I will look into that. Is there one you recommend?

[@mikephillips9311]

@@AirplaneAcademy Yes, just goggle up "paperlike". Amazon carries several brands but the actual paperlike brand cuts the glare better IMHO which can be a real PITA in the cockpit. The ability to write in flight on the screen easier without the pencil sliding all over the glass in turbulence like it does on a bare screen is much improved too. It's the most expensive one (around $40-45 bucks or so). Read a few of the reviews to get a feel for the pros & cons of the cheaper ones. I think the paperlike brand gives the best "feel". Not sure if the others offer better protection to the screen or not. I can fit way more legible writing on the iPad scratch pads in flight with it than without......worth the price of admission to me! Love your videos. Stay safe!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Nice! Thanks for the recommendation I will look into this. I have heard about that brand before so will check it out.

[@HamBown]

100% agree, I am using an iPad Mini 6 + Apple Pencil 2 with Foreflight and it is definitely a game changer. It was not cheap, all told, but the functionality over paper maps and a notepad is insane.

[@Justin-kw2fh]

I love using the apple pencil when in flight. The only issue I have is that it is incredibly unreliable as far as if it is connected or not. I can generally use it for pre-taxi stuff like getting ATIS info, Taxi clearance or IFR clearance. sometime shortly after I will notice the pencil does not work anymore. I get a white bubble on the top of the screen that says "Apple Pencil" but does not show the battery status. It will have a full charge before I fly, so I am miffed. It would be great to not have to keep a pen and paper close by still.

[@bogus_not_me]

APPLE PENCIL?? For how much? Why? Everything Apple costs at least twice or the times any other brand! What's wrong with paper and peck? Just another way to spend more money than what you must! I'm losing respect v for your channel!