Originally Posted by Cohiba (Post 1602667)

Bucking Bar is sooo right. Delta was a bit late to the game because they didn't want to get locked down with the iPad. At the industry mtg's, several airlines were peeved that Apple isn't open sourced so a company can't just make up their own app--they have pretty rigorous standards ( and we all know how good the airlines are at writing computer code). The FAA was forced to accept the iPad (or other tablet) because American made a stink about it. Now the pilots want these add on's and guess what? Technically the add-on's make the device a flight instrument. Requirements like 35degree viewing angles, HF studies and SARP's apply and the FAA has egg on their face and the pilots are saying "hey...I'm using it on my private plane". This week, we were talking to Volpe (FAA technical Center) and asking about SMGS and their studies on charting. The iPad is 60-70 degrees off center. Volpe never figured this; they thought the device or chart would be attached to the yoke or put on the slide out tray (Airbus). So...they're trying to figure out if they're against a device being used in SMGS ops. No studies have been accomplished. When asked about the Content Locker and accessing manuals during abnormal ops--no studies. They assumed everything was in HTML and not PDF's. The difference is enormous. PDF's require exact words and then every word will be presented. Type in Datalink, New York and nothing comes up. In HTML, it's more tolerant and smart and comes up like a google search. This is going to be a mess for awhile--but they'll get there (on the pilots backs-of course).

Originally Posted by tsquare (Post 1602771)

How are electronic tablets of any kind going to make my life better? I don't have to carry Jepps. I don't have to update Jepps, they are there waiting in my airplane when I get there, and I can use them to go anywhere in the world. NOW.. I will have to carry a $400 device, be responsible for it, don't break it, and make sure it is up to date. How is this better?

Originally Posted by sailingfun (Post 1602814)

It's a great big picture planning tool but pilots can't seem to resist using it in close and that can get you in big trouble.

Originally Posted by Purple Drank (Post 1602823)

We're all big boys and girls.
It's absolutely asinine that a valuable safety-enhancing weather awareness tool is on the bench for the above reason.

Originally Posted by Bucking Bar (Post 1602223)

This nerd suggests picking up a refurb MS Surface Pro (last year's model) for $399.
.

Originally Posted by Purple Drank (Post 1602834)

Now $299 for a 64gb
Refurbished Surface RT Tablets - Microsoft Store - Microsoft Store

Originally Posted by sailingfun (Post 1602814)

The FAA is also very concerned with allowing access to radar data inflight since it is not real time. There have been more then a few tragic accidents by GA pilots using NEXRAD for getting around storms. There is a time stamp on the radar images showing how old in minutes but even that is not accurate. Bottom line is radar data can be up to 30 minutes old. Scott Crossfield lost his life in Georgia relying on data linked radar. It's a great big picture planning tool but pilots can't seem to resist using it in close and that can get you in big trouble.

Originally Posted by sailingfun (Post 1602814)

The FAA is also very concerned with allowing access to radar data inflight since it is not real time. There have been more then a few tragic accidents by GA pilots using NEXRAD for getting around storms. There is a time stamp on the radar images showing how old in minutes but even that is not accurate. Bottom line is radar data can be up to 30 minutes old. Scott Crossfield lost his life in Georgia relying on data linked radar. It's a great big picture planning tool but pilots can't seem to resist using it in close and that can get you in big trouble.

Originally Posted by Dorfman (Post 1602818)

T

I have been using the BYOD for the last month and personally I like it better than paper charts. It will take getting used to but a two benefits off the top.

1. No more opening up a ship set to find someone either put the pages in the wrong place or did not put them back.

2. You can increase/zoom on the page for bigger pictures and letters. Nice for older eyes.

Down in ATL for training I ran into the guy responsible for the surfaces and getting them up to speed for us. First thing he said is that what we get on roll out will not be the final product. They will be doing many upgrades to its features but it will take time. Think of the initial product tablet 1.0

On the other side of the coin I will not be using it for personal use. I will still carry my own tablet or laptop.