Flying Guest Opinion: Transitioning to a Paperless Cockpit

Flying Magazine | The World’s Most Widely Read Aviation Magazine

Until recently, Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs) were typically thought of as large computer devices mounted in the cockpits of high-end jets and airliners. They usually relied on a permanent mounting fixture, and needed to be hard-wired into the aircraft’s electrical system. Once installed, these EFBs provided electronic charts, moving map displays and weather in the cockpit. While they could be adapted to general aviation aircraft, the costs usually outweighed the benefits, and they never really gained widespread popularity. During this time consumer electronics manufacturers sold more affordable, tablet-based computers that could be modified to serve as an EFB, but it took a lot of work on the pilot’s end to load software and string around wires in the cockpit.

Apple changed all of this with the release of the iPad tablet computer in the spring of 2010. The iPad solved many problems found in previous EFBs – it has a 10-hour battery life (no need for aircraft power), slim form factor (easy to mount), inexpensive (starts at $499), stable operating system (reliable) and most importantly, offers an impressive collection of third-party aviation software applications, a.k.a. “apps”. With an app like ForeFlight or Garmin Pilot My-Cast, you can easily access every VFR or IFR chart for the entire United States, and see your aircraft depicted on a large moving map. You can quickly view airport information, look up ATC frequencies and even file flight plans on the ground before a trip.

Because of these impressive features and limited drawbacks, pilots have been buying iPads at an incredible rate. Of all the benefits mentioned above, using the iPad as a paper chart replacement is normally top of the list because of the following reasons:

• weight savings (the iPad weighs only 1.3 lbs)
• cost savings (a typical aviation chart subscription for the entire U.S. is under $100)
• easy chart update process (usually just one button push to update)
• ability to better organize charts for each flight
• geo-referencing options to show your aircraft’s position on the chart (with external GPS)

Before throwing out all your paper charts and running to the Apple Store to buy an iPad, there are several things you’ll want to consider. First, the FAA publishes an Advisory Circular, AC 91-78, which provides guidance to Part 91 VFR & IFR pilots on using an Electronic Flight Bag.

Comments (17) Post a comment

All Comments

Submitted by digbysolo on August 04, 2011.

I've been flying paperless for more than a year and would never go back. I have an auto adapter to use for emergency charges connected to my plane's power source. And for backup I use Foreflight on my Iphone -- not as great a visual but just fine in an emergency.

50%
Good comment?
yes
no

Submitted by towcub on August 04, 2011.

This certainly was my plan until I actually lost my iPad. Don't ask. On hold until I can afford another one ...

50%
Good comment?
yes
no

Submitted by DJ12345 on August 04, 2011.

There needs to be more of a push for better Android phone / tablet flying apps and press. Apple products are too expensive, and too limited/controlled.

50%
Good comment?
yes
no

Submitted by gunman1f16 on August 04, 2011.

I've been using foreflight on an ipad in corporate aircraft and my Mooney. I wouldn't be without it. It's the smartest, most user friendly product on the market, and when I get out of the airplane, I have my iPad's normal uses! The only thing foreflight lacks is the ability to receive weather and rumor has it that wx worx receivers will bluetooth to it in the near future. I can't wait.....

50%
Good comment?
yes
no

Submitted by PalmerWoodrow on August 04, 2011.

There's a glaring flaw with the iPad that makes it unusable by many pilots: Its screen is polarized in the wrong direction. When viewed in the portrait orientation (with the Home button at the bottom, as a kneeboard holds it), the screen is blank when viewed through good (polarized) sunglasses. But it's visible when turned horizontally.

This error by Apple (which has now been repeated with the iPad 2) squanders a great opportunity, for no reason. There's no advantage to the way the screen is currently polarized, so fixing it would open up a huge number of uses and cost essentially nothing.

Gaffes like this make you wonder what kind of testing Apple does on its hardware.

47%
Good comment?
yes
no

Submitted by William Buchanan on August 04, 2011.

There is no flaw in the Apple products. As a pilot you should know that flying with Polarized glasses is not now, nor has it ever, been recommended.

I was taught this 14 years ago even before the advent of glass cockpits.

[quote]From the FAA regarding polarized glasses ....

POLARIZATION. Polarized lenses are not recommended
for use in the aviation environment. While useful for blocking
reflected light from horizontal surfaces such as water or
snow, polarization can reduce or eliminate the visibility of
instruments that incorporate anti-glare filters. Polarized lenses
may also interfere with visibility through an aircraft windscreen
by enhancing striations in laminated materials and mask the
sparkle of light that reflects off shiny surfaces such as another
aircraft’s wing or windscreen, which can reduce the time a pilot
has to react in a “see-and-avoid” traffic situation.[/quote]

As well:

[quote] Polarized sunglasses are probably worse for flying than a $10 gas station pair. here's the hook: while flying against the sun, a momentary glare off another plane will help you notice it, where as with polarized glasses, you wouldn't see that mirror like sparkle. Also, the biggest factor, is that every screen from a Garmin to a 777 glass cockpit already has polarized screens. you would not be able to see those screens with a second polarized lens. in addition, in commercial planes, the windscreen is polarized as well. This may go for newer GA aircraft as well. [/quote]

Respectfully, I would suggest it is time for you to re-think your use of polarized lenses in the cockpit.

Cheers,
Bill

55%
Good comment?
yes
no

Submitted by wwoltosz on August 04, 2011.

My iPad 2 with ForeFlight saved me twice last weekend coming back to southern California from Seattle in the Citation.

ATC loves to give us Garmin 530/430 guys clearances with Victor airways in them . . . after we're climbing out on departure with our original clearance programmed in. You can't program in Victor airways in the 530/430 (dumb - looks like Garmin fixed that in the new series with the touch screens, but upgrading is expen$ive).

With ForeFlight, you see your airplane symbol on Sectional, IFR Low, or IFR High charts in seconds. For $75/year, it's a steal! So it made it easy for me to see what I could use to quickly program the GPS to match the clearance.

And I have about 50 lb of charts, approach/departure/arrival plates, avionics manuals, aircraft manuals, all myL-39 paperwork (operating limitations, program letter, Maintenance Inspection Program, etc.) all in something that weighs ounces and with battery life much longer than a full day. At work, it's my electronic journal, taking the place of spiral-bound notebooks I'd used for decades.

As far as reading it with polarized glasses, all you have to do is rotate it if you wear them - the screnn image rotates automatically. I gave up on polarized sunglasses in the cockpit years ago when I installed the Garmin 530/430/GMX 200 in the Citation. They're even harder to read because you can't rotate them!

If you can't tell, I'm sold on the iPad. It definitely increases safety in my opinion.

50%
Good comment?
yes
no

Submitted by MacFlyer1 on August 04, 2011.

I am saving my pennies until I can swing an iPad. I'm still a bit worried about dropping something on it, or dropping it int he cockpit. Do you carry backup charts?

Marc

50%
Good comment?
yes
no

Submitted by osvolant on August 04, 2011.

I really like Foreflight on my iPad, but I am a little leery of using it as sole source for maps. I had it "temp out" on me a couple of months ago while descending towards my destination. I was using the Bad Elf GPS (I have the internal GPS also, which seems to work just fine) and had it charging from the aux power outlet. Perhaps that increased the internal temp? It was sunny in the cabin but the OAT was only 67F. I have a plastic kneeboard-like device with folding cover which seems to allow air space around the back of the iPad.

I agree with the above comment on polarized sunglasses in the cockpit. I couldn't read my MFD display at all if I wore polarized lenses. For fishing they are great.

50%
Good comment?
yes
no

Submitted by Gmantis on August 05, 2011.

I have been using the iPad and iPhone with ForeFlight and the GNS 5870 MFI Bluetooth GPS receiver for over a year now. I always struggled with managing a lot of paper in the cockpit, so I love having the this awesome tool in the cockpit and I use it on almost every flight. But I really don't use the iPhone in the cockpit, mostly I just use it for planning and filing on the ground when I don't have WiFi available for the iPad. As the article states the upsides to using the iPad are numerous, but there are few things that need to considered, I think most of these have been mentioned already or can be found in the AC but I just wanted to share a few of my experiences.

You absolutely need to have a back up and if you are IFR it should be made out of paper. Some people have mentioned the iPhone as a back up and in an emergency it is better than nothing, but honestly if you are IMC, in chop, in a busy airspace and your iPad decides to take a vacation, do you really want to be fumbling with the iPhone trying glean critical info off it's tiny screen? If you are busy doing that who is flying the plane? Despite having these tools, I still have a subscription for paper charts, plates and AF/Ds and keep current copies tabbed for the flight within arms reach. Maybe that is overkill, but I have always been a belt and suspenders kind of guy when it comes to personal safety. At the very least you should keep a not-to0-out-of-date set of charts and AF/D in the cockpit as a back up. Also I find using the ForeFlight scratch pad and other scratchpad apps not very effective. I still use a pad and pencil for writing down notations and ATC instructions.

As and EFB the iPad is only 99. something % reliable. Just like osvolant's post above, I have had the iPad overheat and shutdown during a flight. If the iPad is working hard it will get hot and if you leave it laying on the right seat in the sun it will get very hot. Steps I would recommend to reduce the chances of this happening: 1) do not run more than the minimal number of apps required during the flight, 2) turn off the WiFi and/or Network connectivity when at altitude. You will not get a reliable signal up there anyway and the iPad and iPhone use a lot of energy searching for a signal. 3) Minimize exposure to direct sunlight, if that is not practical try to point an air vent at the iPad.

Another poster was concerned that the iPad might be too fragile, it isn't. It can take a good deal of abuse, but it's glass and metal construction do tend to make it a bit of a slippery thing. I would recommend you get a case made of a non-slip material or one of the many new iPad knee-boards (some good, some not so much). I actually made a very good homemade knee-board using an original "Apple iPad Case"( the thin one with a felt like finish, that you slide the iPad into). I removed the clip from a cheap $2 clipboard (Staples) and used a rivet gun from home depot to attach it to the front cover where I keep my notepad and pencil. I made a leg strap by attaching two pieces of 8 inch Velcro strapping to the back of the case using the rivet gun. If you do this, pre-drill the holes for the rivets in the case and make sure you insert the rivets so that the flat side ends up on the inside of the case where the iPad is. You can cover them with a piece of foam tape or similar padding to ensure they never scratch your beautiful iPad . Total cost ~$42, not including the rivet gun which I already had. If you have an iPad 2 you will have to figure out what works as Apple has changed the cover design.

Finally, I end this lecture ;-) with the most important advice of all. Fly the airplane not the iPad.

100%
Good comment?
yes
no

Submitted by A EDWARD BRISENO on August 05, 2011.

I typically fly for my reasons less than 100 hours a year. I fly primarily because I enjoy flying. I have no problem with sophisticated equipment, and although I am a CFI Instrument Airplane, I prefer to have paper for my flights. I have certain back ups, including communications and navigation, however I prefer to not toss another electronic device which I consider to be a relatively unstable platform. I also operate my Law Firm with heavy reliance on electronics and have come to conclude that if a device is balky (an maybe its only me but I consider iPads to be balky) you should not trust your life to it. I would rather rely on other devices, including multiple GPS and the old fashioned VISUAL references and the VOR/Ground Based NAVAIDS... An INS would be great but as yet I cannot justify the price tag. but a iPAD? Nonsense. As a Southern California pilot I would rather invest in a portable cooler/Air conditioner..... At least its "RETURNS" are tangible. Finally, I do not appreciate the "PROGRESSIVE" political agenda of the owners of APPLE. I, therefore, will redirect my personal resources elsewhere.

0%
Good comment?
yes
no

Submitted by delta_v on August 05, 2011.

So you don't buy an iPad because you don't agree with the politics of Apple? huh? I feel kind of sorry for you, that you are that hung up on such silliness. It must be rough, having to research the political affiliations of all the companies that supply you with your consumer products.

And it must be horrible having to live in Southern California with all of those dang liberals!

You consider iPads to be balky. After having suggested that you've never used one. Interesting. I use mine all the time (sorry, yeah, I'm one of those progressive iPad users), and never had a problem, in flight or on the ground.

For apps, I see alot of you using Foreflight. I like foreflight, great charts, plates, etc, but my personal favorite is WingXPro. I found WingXPro to be superior to Foreflight, wondering how you other users out there might compare/contrast the two apps.

100%
Good comment?
yes
no

Submitted by Thomas Boyle on August 05, 2011.

delta_v

I doubt that Apple's owners have any particularly "progressive" political bias: they're shareholders, not activists. So I'm with you on that one.

But, politically you're thinking of Northern California. While SoCal does have the People's Republic of Santa Monica and Hollyweird, there's also Santa Barbara, Simi Valley, Beverly Hills, Orange County, the Inland Empire, and San Diego County to consider. Reagan and Nixon both came from SoCal, as did the Governator, and the Democrats' strength in SoCal is largely due to the Republicans' rather foolish anti-immigrant instincts, in a state with a huge immigrant voting population.

A Edward Briseno, on the subject of air conditioners, which tend to be heavy/power hogs/expensive if certificated, there is an interesting potential alternative, which I've never tried: phase change cooling vests. They're a similar idea to those messy evaporative vests and ice vests, but without the wet or the ice. Reportedly they can keep a body cool for hours. They do look a bit goofy, though. Has anyone tried them in SoCal cockpits?

Good comment?
yes
no

Submitted by A EDWARD BRISENO on August 06, 2011.

Funny how folks who have an agenda engage in personal attacks on other folks who voice a dissenting opinion. It seems that some folks, sadly even ostensibly relatively rational aviation users join the tin-foil hat algore man made global warming opinion that dissenting opinions should be censored. what a myopic existence. By the way Thomas I have a cousin with MS. She lives in a relatively hot town, Hemet, California, and she has an Ice Vest, an Ice Lap Blanket, and back up ice packs with Ice Chest for hot days when she might overheat in her hot (although air conditioned) Southern California small SUV. She has never complained about wetness on her vest. I will have to ask her more closely if that is a troublesome issue in using those devices. The vest looks much like my fishing vest with external flap covered pockets. It looks a bit like you are on Safari. Not bad at all.

Good comment?
yes
no

Submitted by delta_v on August 06, 2011.

This wasn't a personal attack, I was merely pushing your buttons. They are very large and hard to miss. I like pushing buttons. Part of the reason I became a pilot! (j/k). Some people get spun up over the most ridiculous things. Sheesh.

I didn't bring up "Algore", you did. I didn't mention tin foil hats, you did. I didn't mention global warming, you did. So who's acting a bit myopic here?

Newsflash: Not everyone has "an agenda". But lot of people get tired of the constant whining about politics and finger pointing....perhaps you could save your personal political and/or religious opinions for a time and place when they are appropriate.

All that being said, have a great weekend!

Good comment?
yes
no

Submitted by Gmantis on August 10, 2011.

I thought we were talking about iPads?

Good comment?
yes
no

Submitted by Gmantis on August 10, 2011.

I thought we were talking about iPads?

Good comment?
yes
no

Top Rated

Your Comment

All submitted comments are subject to the license terms set forth in our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use

All Comments

Top Rated

Newsletter Signup

Tip of the Week

Partner Pages

Member Login

not a member? sign-up now!

Flying Guest Opinion: Transitioning to a Paperless Cockpit

Related Articles

All Comments

Top Rated

Newsletter Signup

Tip of the Week

brought to you by

Partner Pages