By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Travel Radar - Aviation NewsTravel Radar - Aviation News
  • Breaking News
  • Aviation
    • Aircraft
    • Airlines
    • Airshow & Events
    • Careers
    • Manufacturing
  • Travel
    • Airports
    • Points & Loyalty
    • Technology
    • Trip Reviews
  • Newsletters
Reading: How Do Pilots Fly with an iPad?
Share
Sign In
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Font ResizerAa
Travel Radar - Aviation NewsTravel Radar - Aviation News
  • Breaking News
  • Aviation
    • Aircraft
    • Airlines
    • Airshow & Events
    • Careers
    • Manufacturing
  • Travel
    • Airports
    • Points & Loyalty
    • Technology
    • Trip Reviews
  • Newsletters
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
Copyright © Travel Radar Media Ltd. 2024 | All Rights Reserved
Travel Radar - Aviation News > News > How Do Pilots Fly with an iPad?

How Do Pilots Fly with an iPad?

Claudia Mok
Last updated: 23 July 2021 16:39
By Claudia Mok 4 Min Read
Share
SHARE

There are so many functions to an iPad: it’s great for streaming movies, downloading wide-screen games, or facetiming. Whilst we may use an iPad for fun and entertainment, Pilots use it to help them fly a plane.

Summary
Training via the iPadDigital vs PaperBut is the iPad a good Idea?

Training via the iPad

Given that we are in the age of digital, the iPad is a welcome tool for pilots because of its light weight and multifunctionality. Its ability to provide sophisticated flight planning and programmes means that it is used by pilots (beginner and/or advanced) and is highly recommended by training instructors when teaching their students how to fly. With Sporty’s (pilot training school) naming it ‘your digital co-pilot’.

Digital vs Paper

With access to new and technologically attuned applications/apps, the iPad provides pilots access to digital maps, PDF itinerary, weather reports and routes which are great for planning and flying. As recommended by Pilot Stefan Drury, such apps may include Windy used for checking what the temperature is going to be like, cloud patterns, wind patterns etc; Garmin Pilot or AV planner EFB for routes and flight information region (FIR), Rocket Route for filing away planned routes, and providing appropriate briefings and forms upon entering a new region.

When everything is set up in the cockpit, including the route on the iPad, the pilot can fly with it by their side to keep track of their route – without the use of a big, paper map.

flying with the iPad as a pilot
| © Rod Rakic YouTube

Not only does the iPad provide easy access to an array of information but it also reduces a ton of paperwork – making it rather sustainable. This is the key reason why airBaltic opted to replace manuals and reference materials with the iPad for their pilots.

Does this mean that digital planning replaces manual planning for good? Although there is no legal obligation to plan by paper, Sporty’s says that learning to plot a course and calculate time and route is invaluable to a pilot, especially if they are to undertake the FAA exam where digital devices for aid are forbidden.

calculating route and time etc
| © Sporty’s

But is the iPad a good Idea?

There are still many problems for using the iPad as a ‘digital co-pilot’. For instance, the iPad’s battery life typically lasts 4-6 hours during a flight, can often over heat, and older iPads often need replacing for they may not support new updates. Indeed, old iPads may end up in landfill which is something Air Canada via Star Alliance are attempting to solve…

Tech specs aside, there have also been concerns as to how sufficient pilot training can be via an iPad, as seen with the Boeing 737-8 Max crash whereby pilots received only an hour’s worth of training…

But what we can gather is that the iPad is highly useful when it comes to providing fast information without excess weight or pressure. That said, it is super important that they are used correctly, that it does not form a distraction to the pilot at hand and should not be used to skim proper training procedures or process.

Featured image: | © Sporty’s 

What are your thoughts on the iPad? Are you for or against its use for flying? Let us know below.

You Might Also Like

Epic Greenland: Ranking the Best Tourist Destinations

From JFK to Manhattan: Why Private Airport Transfers Are the Smart Traveler’s Choice in 2025

IATA Pushes Back Against Tax Proposal Targeting Premium Travel

Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore Launches the Asia Pacific Sustainable Aviation Centre

Gulf Air returns to U.S flight market

Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Copy Link
What’s your thoughts?
Love0
Sad0
Happy1
Angry0
Claudia Mok
By Claudia Mok
Editor in Chief for Travel Radar: She is experienced at taking creative, analytical approaches to travel, transport and aviation.
Previous Article Virgin Atlantic B747 taking off. Photo by Konstantin von Wedelstaedt Delta and Virgin are Back at Heathrow’s Terminal 3
Next Article Why are Airplanes Designed for Smoking When it is Prohibited?
Leave a comment
Subscribe
Login
Notify of
guest
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Upvoted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Stay Connected

FacebookLike
TwitterFollow
InstagramFollow
YoutubeSubscribe

Trending News

United Express Mesa Airlines Embraer E175
United Airlines Lifts Full-Year Outlook on Travel Rebound, But Newark Woes Cloud Q3 Forecast
Airline Economics Airlines
Jet2 A330-200 in Spain
Jet2 Cancels five routes
Airlines Route Development
Emirates Boeing 777
Emirates flight returns after a month, as the Iranian airspace reopens
Aircraft Airlines Airports Incidents & Accidents
Airbus A350 in air.
Delta Announces New Non-stop Routes from LAX
Airlines Aviation Route Development
Qatar_Airways_Airbus_A350-1000. Qatar Airways to resume flights to Aleppo Syria
Qatar Airways to Resume Flights to Aleppo, Syria
Airlines Aviation Route Development Travel
//

Travel Radar is the leading digital hub for all things aviation and air-travel. Discover our latest aviation news, aviation data, insight and analysis.

Discover

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Careers
  • Press & PR
  • Privacy & Legal

Our Content

  • News
  • Data
  • Images
  • Jobs
  • Subscribe

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

Click here to Signup!

© Travel Radar Media Ltd. 2015-2025 | ISSN #2635-0696 | Trademark #UK00003579704
wpDiscuz
adbanner
AdBlock Detected
Ads help us bring you high-quality, independent journalism for free. Support us by whitelisting us from your ad blocker.
Okay, I'll Whitelist
Welcome to the TR Community!

Sign in to your account

Register Lost your password?