There’s no question, using an iPad in the cockpit in place of paper charts and approach plates is better in almost every conceivable way – especially after the flight, when it’s time for chart updates, which with most popular apps from companies like Jeppesen or ForeFlight can be accomplished with just a couple of button presses and a few minutes of upload time.
But if you’re about to make the switch from paper to digital charts, there are a few points to consider before taking the plunge. First, because of the layout of some VFR and IFR chart apps, the chart legends and sidebars are not always included on the iPad screen. The only way to know for sure is to check whether the legends are there, and if they’re not, determine where this information can be found. Likewise, terminal instrument procedure data such as takeoff minima, alternate minima and legends, can take a while to locate in some apps. The same can be said of the Airport/Facilities Directory, especially if you’re looking for the legend information in the front of the book, which in some apps is omitted altogether.
