Hey guys! First post here. I will be doing my checkride in a few weeks. Solo at 12 hours, I should take my checkride around 42 hours. Started in May of this year.
Anyways, I am a big fan of having the correct technology and equipment. Partly because I like gadgets and partly because I like to be well prepared. I have been entrigued by all of the applications for iPads, phones, receivers, etc.
I have been contemplating with getting an iPad and possibly a Strattus receiver soon. I wil obviously be VFR for now and will do the IFR very next but who knows how long that will take and how often I will truly need/use it.
Here is the question - I have an iPhone 8+. Do I need an iPad? And more importantly, do I WANT an iPad? 500-600 aside.. Also, do I need a receiver yet if I am only doing VFR stuff?
What would be a good simple setup to get that doesn’t absolutely break the bank? Funds aren’t a huge issue but I don’t want to get stupid with it, especially if I don’t need it or won’t get much bang for my buck.
Thoughts?
Jake (from State Farm)
Welcome to POA! Where is home base for you?
In my opinion, in order of must have to would be nice to have, explanations below
1.) paper sectional
2.) paper AFD
3.) handheld radio
4.) headset
5.) iPad mini with Foreflight
6.) stratus
7.) spare batteries
8.) USB battery pack
9.) flashlight
10.) some kind of GPS locator
Explanations
1.) paper sectional
--I've had my iPad overheat or become unresponsive more times than I would think is appropriate for a several hundred dollar piece of tech I'm putting a ton of trust in to get me from A to B. So the paper sectional is huge piece of mind that if the iPad goes down for more than a minute or two I can use a good old chart (even in a plane with G1000 I carry a paper chart and AFD)
2.) paper AFD
--same reason as above. iPad died and you need to find that ATIS or TWR frequency? Love having my trusty AFD always in my bag
3.) handheld radio
--having had two alternator failures or issues in <300 hrs and knowing at least 3 people directly who have lost their radios, the handheld brings me great piece of mine when flying a 1970s relic. Yes, we can use cell phones in flight.. but at least around SoCal I don't get any cell service from about 4K up to about 15K.. even up high it is very spotty. At least with a VHF I can hope to at least get a local tower, even if I can't get a TRACON
4.) headset
--this is an investment.. honestly, those club headsets that squeeze your head and make yours ears sore that every other student's grease hair was sweating on is terrible. I splurged and got a Bose A20, and never looked back. I have now about 250 hrs on it and love it and it still feels brand new. Best part, I've worn it almost non step for 10 hr days with zero discomfort. I've heard awesome things about the Lightspeed headsets as well.. so would recommend either that or A20. I know, it's a lot of $$, but if you are serious about flying that will be with you for the next 10 years.. it is worth it
5.) iPad mini with Foreflight
a.) iPad is a must have. The flight planning, weather, filing, and the shear amount of tools available at your finger tips (fuel, WB, etc.) is amazing, regardless of which EFB you choose. I prefer the mini because even a "big" cabin plane like a 182, 210, Bonanza, Cirrus, etc., is still limited on cabin space.. the mini is the perfect size to mount on a yoke, or on your leg on a kneeboard
b.) I went with Foreflight and am happy. I know some people balk at the idea of paying for an app when there are free apps out there, and some of them really good.. but with Foreflight you have a solid support network, it is very easy to use, works with stratus etc., has a decent enough logbook (that you can export to spreadsheet, etc.).. you can also have your instructor sign your virtual logbook in Foreflight, which is pretty cool. I've been happy with it
6.) stratus
--depends really on where you live.. to be honest
pros: really cool to have traffic, a back up AHRS (if you get one with it), and the weather CAN be helpful.. reassuring looking at your Foreflight screen and seeing those green dots
cons: as a 12 hr student and VFR only you should be getting a solid weather briefing anyway and really if you are in a position where you need weather on your iPad in flight you may have gotten in deep and should be looking for a spot to land while you are still VFR.. so unless you have the money to burn I think you can skip this for a bit.. at least until you are further along and doing cross countries as a PPL
7.) spare batteries
--because always good to have for headset, flashlight, etc.
8.) USB battery pack
--because always good to be able to charge a low iPad or dead phone
9.) flashlight
--I mean, if you don't already have this.. get one. Again, you are VFR student, so you probably don't need this as much as the other stuff, but get one eventually!
10.) some kind of GPS locator
--many will think this is overkill. But honestly, I don't trust the ELT. And for a couple hundred dollars you can have a guaranteed lifeline with you. Imagine you are on your long cross country and put it down somewhere in the New Hampshire woods, Nevada or CA desert, Florida swamp land, or wherever.. and now you survived a crash landing but are sitting there alone with no service on your phone. iPad says you are 9 miles from a road, and 12 from a town.. that can be a long distance to hike, especially if terrain is not hospitable. Why not just flick on the EPIRB and make shelter for a few hours until help arrives
Anyway, that's my list. Cheers and happy flying!
