I downloaded foreflight to my iPad and was curious what it will really do for me. I messed with making a flight plan a little bit but that's about it.
How does it get inflight weather? Do I have to have a cell service plan? Anyone have a basic once over of how it works and what it will do?
One question I have is if it is considered an EFB or do I have to carry my bag of plates as well.
What will it do for you? Many things - See below.
How does it get weather? Pre-flight, through the Internet, via WiFi or if you have a cellular-capable iPad and a data plan, through the cell connection. In-flight, you'll need additional hardware. The most common is the Stratus, which works with ADS-B to give you free in-flight weather. Other options require both hardware and a $ubscription to XM weather and are thus much less popular.
You do not have to have a cell service plan. There are basically three levels of hardware and service you can get:
1) WiFi-only iPad. This will not even have built-in GPS, but you can either buy a hardware GPS unit to plug in, or use the aforementioned Stratus receiver which does both GPS and ADS-B for inflight traffic and weather. You'll only be able to get weather on the ground if you have internet access via WiFi.
2) Cellular-enabled iPad with no data plan. This will be just like (1) except you will have a built-in GPS rather than needing an external one.
3) Cellular-enabled iPad with a data plan. This will have the built-in GPS as well as allowing you to get weather information and download charts when you're not within range of a WiFi hotspot.
If you're flying Part 91 like most of us, yes it is an EFB and can legally replace your paper charts, plates, and A/FD. If you're flying 121 or 135, your company will need to get its use approved by the FAA. IIRC, ForeFlight on the iPad has been approved for quite a few 135 operators and at least one 121.
What will it do for you?
1) To start with, it'll give you up-to-date charts, plates, and information for less money than keeping a single A/FD, a single sectional, a single low enroute, and a single book of approach plates current.
2) It'll give you easy situational awareness by showing you where you are on the chart. If you get the Pro subscription, you'll also get georeferenced approach plates and be able to see where you are on the plate.
3) It'll allow you to easily plan a flight, file the flight plan, get a weather briefing, and give you all the information you need for the flight both prior to and during the flight.
4) MUCH more. I'm only scratching the surface to give you the basics here. Start by doing the things I've listed, and you'll find that there are tons of other features - Sending the flight to an electronic logbook, visualizing the terrain and obstructions along your route, automatically displaying the airport diagram after you land, finding cheap fuel stops, and hundreds upon hundreds of other features.
Enjoy!
Typically, when flying from the Flint area back to home base (VLL) at night, I'll file and receive RV PISTN as the expected route. But as often as not, when I call up, I'll get RV direct or even just direct.
