I am an aviation professional as well as an Apple certified Apple Expert. I personally believe the new iPad is a jumping off point to some really great forthcoming technology over the next months and years. I think we well see the iPad offer some really neat options and capabilities as this technology evolves like a USB connection, upgraded GPS technology, improved flight planning apps ect..
Right out of the box the iPad supports the use of all 3rd party apps that are currently used on iPhones and the iPod touch and that in itself will prompt 3rd party vendors to up the stakes to build new and better apps in order to respond to iPad users demands which is already a huge market now.
Apps like SkyCharts will become even better now that more pilots will be using them on the iPad's much bigger 9.7-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen Multi-Touch display with IPS technology and 1024-by-768-pixel resolution at 132 pixels per inch (ppi).
With the 3G model pilots will be able to access the internet anywhere there is a cellular signal and thus be able to check weather and make, adjust, or close flight plans via DUATS right in the cockpit or where-ever you are.
I think its only a matter of time before we start seeing approach plates via apps by Jeppensen (and you know they've gotta already be thinking about this) and when this happens then the sky will be the limit in terms of aviation usage!
