Which iPad do you use?

jd21476

jd21476

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jd21476
Currently, I use my iPhone on a mount in the cockpit and have it linked to a Stratus for ADSB in. I am going to buy an iPad because this year I want to get my IFR ticket but there are so many options.

I went to the Foreflight site and it says to basically buy a 256GB cellular one and be done with it but they are expensive and I may not need that much iPad.

I always link my phone to my Stratus and since I will be doing the same with my iPad then it seems the wifi version will be fine. I know the cellular does not need to be connected and it give a GPS location but if its connected to the Stratus I believe it is the same.

Additionally, I am in the process of getting a new panel with a Garmin GNC355 and a G5/HSI and I believe the GNC355 can link to the iPad via Bluetooth.

So for size, Im thinking the iPad mini 5 wifi only with a kneeboard holder.

What are you flying with and any recommendations?
 
mini with cellular, so you get a backup gps for when the stratus disconnects or dies or whatever. I'd get the 64G and just be stingy about what maps I download. I had a 16G phone until recently and did just fine with just the local maps.
 
See I always thought the 64GB would be fine but Foreflight makes it sound like I need a 128 or higher.
 
Foreflight assumes you're going to use the iPad for other data-consuming stuff as well. If it's going to be a mostly dedicated flight bag, and not used to download data-hungry videos/photos, then 64GB will be PLENTY to keep the entire US downloaded on the iPad. It only takes about 15.5 GB according to the website.

As far as non-cellular, the main benefit will be the ability to get database updates in a non-wifi area. Of course, you can always create a hotspot with your phone for that and get around not having cellular on the iPad itself.

I did not get a mini. Wish I had.
 
I use 256 iPad Pro 11 on my leg. Linked to sentry for traffic. Best money I’ve spent so far. I would not get anything less than a 128 unless you will use it only for foreflight. I use the log book and have my iPad sync with my iPhone so they are identical that way I have the exact same pictures or files on each. Having the big screen helps out a lot when zooming in for traffic around big airports.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I use an older ipad air 32gb. I am using about 28gb of it with just foreflight on it, but that lets me cover most of the US charts.
 
iPad Air 64GB. I have it on a RAM mount on the yoke of our Arrow. It is a bit big, but I like it for IFR. Plates are right there in full view. I found if I turn the RAM mount upside-down, I get another inch of viewing over the top of it.
 
I'm on my third, a Mini 4 WiFi only (they have always been WiFi only) with 128 Gb. It works acceptably well and storage is a non-issue even though I use it for just about everything in addition to aviation. If you are interested in the Mini form/size, I would by a 5 and not a 4. At this point, my Mini 4 is over 4 years old and showing signs of slowing down (most likely because of increased demands by ForeFlight).
 
jd21476 said:
I only plan on using it for Foreflight...that's all
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Is this your first tablet? If it is, be sure you know yourself. You may be one of those who is ale to compartmentalize and keeps it dedicated to only aviation use (and even that is not likely to be just ForeFlight). Or you may be one of those who finds the iPad so convenient that it grows into a general purpose tool. I don't think I have taken a laptop out of the house except for business purposes in the 9+ years I have been using an iPad.
 
iPad Air 3 - it's what we're given at work, so I use that for GA as well.
 
iPad Pro 11-inch 256 gig cellular/GPS on a single-suction-cup mount running foreflight. Works great. I have an anti-glare screen protector. I got it when I was flying old Cessnas...my current airplane is entirely glass, rendering Foreflight less useful in the cockpit, but still very useful. Between my EFIS, my G5, my iPad, and my iPhone...I have a LOT of redundant navigation power in my cockpit. Fore someone who's been a pilot since long before GPS or the Internet was even invented...it's very cool.

The 11 inch iPad Pro is really bright, great battery life, very responsive, and will receive internet data up to about 4000 ft around here. I also have a bunch of other little aviation apps that are very convenient at times.
 
Mini5 with cellular. Used to use an iPad Air2 but the kids took it over. Mini is for flying only.
 
I run WingX on my iPad Pro 256 GB and have used it on an Air 2 64GB without any issues.
 
iPad Mini 4 with 128G. Only using about 20+ G for local VFR charts and airplane/flying docs (Plus a lot of other non aviation stuff). If you are using for ForeFlight only, you should be fine with 64G. I use WiFi only and hook to the Stratux. If I need to get another download with no WiFi, I use my phone as a hot spot.

If I was using it for IFR, I would go with the larger form factor to help my old eyes.

You should check the Apple Store for refurbished stuff. You can save at least $100 on an Apple refurbished device with the same warranty as a new one.

Cheers
 
I have used ForeFlight for years ...IFR and VFR charts loaded for 8 states here in Southeast US. ForeFlight only takes up 7GB. I have a 32G ipad and with tons of pdf tiles and pics, I am at 20 GB. I think 64 GB is plenty for most people.
 
A Mini 4 cellular is my everyday, general purpose tablet. In flight I use Foreflight in an iPhone on the yoke mount, and I keep the iPad mini in the map pocket so I can look things up without distracting the iPhone from its magenta-line-following duties.
 
I have mini 4, will upgrade to a 6 whenever that’s developed. With new features, software requires more CPU power.
 
Mini 3. Fits the yoke of my Mooney. I'll upgrade when the fool thing doesn't work any more.
 
Ipad PRO 10.5 with cellular and 64 gb memory. I've had it about 2 years, running FF Performance Plus Canada and USA. Right now I'm showing 48.2 out of 64 GB used with FF using 26.34 Gb of that total.

It was on sale, $200 cheaper than the same model at the Apple store from Verizon. Costs $10 extra a month on my cell plan. The higher memory models were sold out at the time so I went for it.

Works great.
 
I'm running a mini-4 cellular. I don't remember the memory, but it wasn't the smallest available at the time. The mini form factor is better for in cockpit mounting IMHO. I would get the mini-5 now but haven't felt the need to upgrade yet. I do like the cellular for the ability to easily update the database wherever, but it does get it's positioning through the IFR-GPS in the plane.
 
I never skimp on memory and power. I have a mini 4 with 256mb. 4 years old, still works great. You will always outgrow the minimum power and memory. My .02
 
MacFly said:
iPad Pro 11-inch 256 gig cellular/GPS on a single-suction-cup mount running foreflight. Works great. I have an anti-glare screen protector. I got it when I was flying old Cessnas...my current airplane is entirely glass, rendering Foreflight less useful in the cockpit, but still very useful. Between my EFIS, my G5, my iPad, and my iPhone...I have a LOT of redundant navigation power in my cockpit. Fore someone who's been a pilot since long before GPS or the Internet was even invented...it's very cool.

The 11 inch iPad Pro is really bright, great battery life, very responsive, and will receive internet data up to about 4000 ft around here. I also have a bunch of other little aviation apps that are very convenient at times.
Click to expand...

Same. Nothing but good things to say about the Pro 11”.
 
cowman said:
Mini 5. Best size for cockpit use IMO
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I wrestled with the iPad Mini vs the 11-inch iPad Pro. If I had been committed to a knee-mounted or yoke-mounted iPad, it would have been the Mini. As it was, I continued to prefer my simple old aluminum kneeboard and pencil on my knee for notes and note-taking. In the Cessna, I Ram-mounted the iPad Pro on the lower-left corner of the windshield and it worked fine. On my RV-9a, it mounts even better on a suction cup on the left side of the panel and is readily accessible. In that application, the Mini would have been too small.

Size-wise, the iPad Pro is small and light, and the screen pretty much fills up the face of the device. Only significant annoyance with the iPad Pro is that the charge connector is a USB-C. A regular Apple USB charger cord won't work, and even the USB -> USB-C cord won't take advantage of the PD-3.0 fast charging feature.
 
Eric Brunelle said:
I never skimp on memory and power. I have a mini 4 with 256mb. 4 years old, still works great. You will always outgrow the minimum power and memory. My .02[/

Apple will see to it your ipad will barely surf the net in a few years...engineered obsolescence...I'm on my second ipad now. The first one became so slow it barely works to check emails...it was way faster before all the updates. Takes forever to run ForeFlight.

I currently run an ipad pro 9.7 with 32GB...been using it 3 years..no complaints. If you need more memory, so be it.
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I have an iProblem. iPhone 10, Mini5, iPad 4th gen and a work provided Pro 12.9.

The Mini is yoke mounted and the phone is my backup. On a longer flight the smaller iPad is in the flight bag.
 
MuseChaser said:
A Samsung....

<----- ducks and runs for cover....
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An Asus ZenPad 10 tablet with 192 GB, a Google Nexus 7 tablet on the yoke with 16 GB, and a Google Nexus 6 phone in my pocket with 64 GB. They all do a good job with Garmin Pilot and FltPlan Go, they have built-in GPS, their Bluetooth is reliable, they've had real multitasking and split screen for most of a decade, and they never overheat.
 
MacFly said:
I wrestled with the iPad Mini vs the 11-inch iPad Pro. If I had been committed to a knee-mounted or yoke-mounted iPad, it would have been the Mini. As it was, I continued to prefer my simple old aluminum kneeboard and pencil on my knee for notes and note-taking. In the Cessna, I Ram-mounted the iPad Pro on the lower-left corner of the windshield and it worked fine. On my RV-9a, it mounts even better on a suction cup on the left side of the panel and is readily accessible. In that application, the Mini would have been too small.

Size-wise, the iPad Pro is small and light, and the screen pretty much fills up the face of the device. Only significant annoyance with the iPad Pro is that the charge connector is a USB-C. A regular Apple USB charger cord won't work, and even the USB -> USB-C cord won't take advantage of the PD-3.0 fast charging feature.
Click to expand...
With the mount on the windshield does the iPad overheat? My iPhone will sometimes say its shutting down because of the heat when I put it on the windshield mount in the summer.
 
“What are you flying with“
-iPad Mini 5, wifi-only with kneeboard holder
-Garmin Pilot, GDL52 (gps, ADS-B In, SiriusXM wx)
-for IFR/wx flying

“recommendations”
-if needed occasionally (on the ground), iPhone hot spot acceptable as connection for Mini 5 without cellular, at slow performance
-if considering iPad mini, overheat/shutdown avoided by keeping device out of prolonged exposure to direct sun
-or if for VFR needs, alternative/economical hardware/software options appear available, with comparable functions
 
I have iPhone X, iPad mini non-cellular (in my bag) and an iPad Pro 11” with cellular in my copilot seat or wife’s lap. That’s entirety too much avgas given to apple...

I have traffic and weather on display on the panel. iPad is more for redundancy, looking ahead, frequency lookups, etc.
 
2018 iPad Pro 11, 256gb cellular. Needed the nits of that screen for my bubble canopy.
 
5th generation full-sized iPad (not the air or pro model). 128 GB, with a cellular chip to give me GPS. It's not on a cellular plan, though I went with an ATT chip as they allow you to pay a day rate and activate for 24 hours. At least they did, I really need to see if that is still an option--I figured it would be pretty handy if I ever got caught out somewhere without a WiFi signal.

To be honest, I would have bought a mini, but at the time, Apple hadn't released a new mini for a few years, the model currently sold was getting long in the tooth, and there was a lot of speculation that Apple wouldn't release any new mini models. Of course they did, less than a year after I bought mine. I would have preferred a yoke mount, but the full size is just too big, so I have it on a kneeboard.

I bought it only to use for Foreflight, but I do find I use it for more things now--still plenty of RAM for my needs now. I use it for all non-work web meetings, as it's handy to move around the house or take outside. It's also pretty handy as a picture/video viewer, when I want to share on a screen larger than my phone.
 
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