Believe it or not, its been only five years next month since the first iPad was released. Even though it sometimes seems the tablet computers were developed for aviation use, its been even less time since they were first used in a cockpit. The fact is many pilots these days cant imagine life without a tablet computer of some sort enhancing their situational awareness or displaying a needed chart. And as more and more performance, capability and convenience were shoehorned into them, it was just a matter of time before they were embraced by avionics manufacturers.
That threshold was crossed some time ago-witness LSAs with no avionics in the panel save an iPad dock-but only recently were tablet computers allowed to connect wirelessly to installed and certified avionics. Beginning in 2012, Aspen Avionics and other companies developed the Connected Panel concept, and last year Garmin began delivering products implementing its Connext communication standard. Both enable wireless communication between a tablet and installed systems, primarily for displaying ADS-B IN traffic and weather. But they also allow flight plan transfers and activation, sort of a remote control for your flivver. How does all this work? Whats necessary to allow a tablet to talk to your panel? And what other capabilities are available?
