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Ipad With ForeFlight App

Old 03-10-2011, 07:01 AM
  #1  
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Default Ipad With ForeFlight App

I was recently given a demo of the iPad with the ForeFlight App. Not much else to say, I had to have it for myself.

I got on eBay early yesterday morning and got a great deal on the 32GB model with Wi-Fi only. Now I'm curious if I should have got the model with 3G also? I have heard that the 3G model has an internal GPS which enhances the useability of the App. I'm curious though if you have to have a data plan through Verizon or AT&T for the GPS to work? I already have a 3G data plan for my phone, do you have to have a seperate plan for a tablet? What is the cost? What will 3G really gain me with ForeFlight?

Can anyone give me the rundown here?
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Old 03-10-2011, 07:16 AM
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I don't know all of the ins and outs because I am still learning myself,
but I fly with 2 guys who LIVE and SWEAR by this App.
One told me that the App download is free but the subscription to the service costs $75/year for the basic and $150/year for the advanced capabilities (which includes the little airplane symbol tracking along the moving, approach plate, airfield diagram, etc...)

I have not yet seen this is practice yet, but I'll be getting his iPad pretty soon and I plan on subscribing to the service myself.

If you find out more details, please share.

USMCFLYR
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Old 03-10-2011, 08:12 AM
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Check this out, I guess you don't have to have a 3G model for GPS.

GPS Add-On ; From Foreflight FAQ

Bad Elf GPS
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Old 03-10-2011, 08:25 AM
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Originally Posted by Jones14 View Post
I was recently given a demo of the iPad with the ForeFlight App. Not much else to say, I had to have it for myself.

I got on eBay early yesterday morning and got a great deal on the 32GB model with Wi-Fi only. Now I'm curious if I should have got the model with 3G also? I have heard that the 3G model has an internal GPS which enhances the useability of the App. I'm curious though if you have to have a data plan through Verizon or AT&T for the GPS to work? I already have a 3G data plan for my phone, do you have to have a seperate plan for a tablet? What is the cost? What will 3G really gain me with ForeFlight?

Can anyone give me the rundown here?
You should also check out skycharts pro, it's just the charts but it's a lot cheaper and pretty user friendly.

FYI:
3G model has AGPS, WiFi does not, heard the bad elf GPS works a lot better!
You do not have to have a data plan for the GPS to work.
Have to have a separate plan from your phone
Cost varies quite a bit between the two carriers on data plans
I Don't use foreflight much (I have SkyCharts) but 3g will get you the ability to file flight plans and get weather without needing a Wi-Fi hot spot.

Also with the first gen iPad 3g you can either use AT&T straight out of the box or you can purchase a Mi-Fi adapter from Verizon to use it with their network. Works on both, but got to carry another device for Verizon.
With the new iPad 2 coming out Friday you choose which carrier you want to use and you get the iPad that only works with that carrier. However in both cases they are pay as you go, no contract data plans.
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Old 03-10-2011, 08:46 AM
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I have foreflight on my iPhone 4 and it is absolutely awesome
I went with the 75$ plan since I'm still a student pilot
but it works great for my needs
lugging an iPad for foreflight is kind of pointless
I have net access on my iPhone either way, so it just works all the time
I use AeroWeather with it too
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Old 03-12-2011, 04:14 AM
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Both a friend and I came to the conclusion that the internal GPS was not worth the extra charge for either the iPad or the recurring charges for a dataplan in addition to the one for my phone (which is a Droid, not an iPhone).

So we both went WiFi only. And both bought an external GPS. He with the Bad-Elf; me with the bluetooth GNS 5780.

We're both pleased with our decisions.
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Old 03-14-2011, 07:30 AM
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I picked up the GNS 5870 for mine as well and absolutely love it. iPad, ForeFlight, & bluetooth GPS together was well worth the cost, IMHO.
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Old 03-14-2011, 08:27 AM
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FYI:

Is Foreflight FAA certified for navigation or for replacement of my aircraft avionics?

No. Geo-referenced airport diagrams and plates can improve situational awareness on the ground, but are not certified for navigation. Pilots should always fly the aircraft using the aircraft's certified avionics. Never make course or altitude changes based on the data given by the device - always fly using your panel instrumentation. Additionally, personal electronic devices such as the iPad and iPhone can take attention away from the most important and demanding task: flying the airplane and arriving safely. Use personal electronic devices in an aircraft only when workload and conditions permit. Always enhance your iOS device's GPS performance by using an external, Apple-approved GPS accessory.
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