iPad Navigation article in this month's mag.

[Donald Walker]

The paragraph below seems to suggest that the author is unaware of the SD high contrast feature: (Map Layers > Chart Style > SkyDemon High Contrast). It is an awful colour, but quite effective.

If you have a lot of plexiglass, or worse still a bubble canopy, you are going to struggle to read the screen in bright sunlight (not that we’ve seen much of that of late). There are things you can do, like providing some kind of shade for the iPad or an anti-reflection screen protector, but the bottom line is that a lot of the bespoke aviation hardware out there is easier to read when the clouds finally clear. The other issue that some have reported, although

http://www.lightaircraftassociation.co. ... y/ipad.pdf

[willyflyme?]

I think the inclusion of these georeferenced plates is a retrograde step in aircraft safety.
True they would be of use in IMC conditions if one was groping around, but would probably be illegal but not too many in the circuit, but what if we are approaching an airfield where there is an event on?
I shiver when I think of all these aircraft arriving with heads down in the cockpit trying to follow the exact circuit and not keeping a good lookout

[TRAZZELL]

The article didn't appear to mention that the Aware software is also available for the iPad. I use an iPad mini with a GNS1000 bluetooth GPS and the Aware southern England chart (cost £24.99) which seems to work well as a basic cross check/backup to the paper chart, watch and Mk1 eyeball.

Tony Razzell

[Brian Hope]

Hi guys, thanks for your comments re the iPad article, they all raise interesting points and I am sure there are many other aspects, particularly with apps, which users have found are worthy of note. The article was principally intended to give an overview of the device, and only make very cursory comment regarding the huge range of apps available for it. Whilst the SkyDemon high contrast feature may well be easier to read in some light conditions, the author was pointing out the fact that like many 'glass' screen instruments, iPad does not perform well in direct sunlight and this needs to be considered. I have no experience of iPad but I have used a SkyDemon GPS unit and that is not good in direct sunlight either. Anyone who has used these types of instrument will know of the direct sunlight issue, it is a common problem but it can, to a great extent, be overcome by sensible mounting of the instrument. If you want perfection, you have to pay big bucks for high end hardware with expensively produced complex screen technology.
Perhaps it would have been worthwhile to mention the availability of the Aware for iPad but personally, if I were to invest in the iPad, I would be looking at one of the more comprehensive packages like SkyDemon, which warn also of approaching airspace but also do so much more. The Aware is a great devise and its success is as a very low cost GPS unit with airspace warning. Once you have invested in an expensive iPad you have to some extent moved on from the Aware's primary function of providing a low cost airspace warning device and are able to retain that ability but add considerably more functionality.
That said it is certainly not my place to tell anybody what is best for them, and if the Aware app is satisfying your requirements then that's great.

[mikeblyth]

Tony Francis made a very professional glare cover for his aware and would be happy to provide for a modest fee

[John Clarke]

I have the SkyDemon MD GPS unit and agree that it is not particularly good in direct sunlight with a bubble canopy. However, being able to update maps immediately (unlike my last previous Garmin 296) makes it worthwhile putting up with the minor inconvenience. It's rarely been a problem.

My greater concern is with the iPad's habit of shutting down if it gets slightly too hot. I've had this happen while playing a graphics-intensive game in a fairly cool room. I'm not sure I'd trust it in an aircraft fitted with a bubble canopy in the middle of summer but I'll try mine when we get the glorious summer that is surely coming (he says hopefully) and see what happens.

[TRAZZELL]

Has anyone notice that the iPad has permanent magnets in it? I found a 1p coin sticking to my iPad mini. I realised that 'copper' coins are likely to be copper plated steel, but was surprised that the iPad had the magnets in - thought it was just the Apple screen cover. Guess it would be worth checking to make sure that the compass is not affected.
Tony