pangolin

I think the total airplane mode and no gps use is draconian and misguided.

I do understand where it came from.

iPads with cellular modems have GPS receivers. It was only a few generations of iPad ago that they worked as true gps and not dependent on cellular triangulation. NOW with recent generation iPads you can be in airplane mode and gps will still function.

I think those iPads should be allowed to operate with gps features for increased situational awareness. I also think we should have access to nextad wx through the Wi-Fi.

That said - the briefing the Flight attendants give says, among other things, that the usage of gps devices is prohibited in flight. I wonder why?

calmwinds

GPS are just receivers. The FAA allows use of the GPS for Jepp Charts if the iPad is powered externally and doesn’t rely on the battery. Envoy has a USB port on their 175’s. And, Southwest has a power cord. All these allow the GPS and geo referencing to be used.

pangolin

Maybe it's just a power thing with us - but I still don't grasp why the PAX are briefed that they can't use "Televisions.... and GPS devices". I'm assuming those briefings came from American for us to use. Don't know about the united side.

Idontevenfly

LOL that's great!

pangolin

CURRENT GPS in ipads are just receivers. Prior generations (years ago) were "False" GPS - where the position was triangulated off of cell towers and they DID transmit to get their coordinates and did not work in the air when in airplane mode. Current generations do work. However, the GPS is part of the cellular modem hardware bundle so unless your ipad has the cellular data capability it has no GPS. Position on the non GPS models is based off of wifi and it's highly inaccurate - and not used by GPS aware applications but the browser can claim to know where it is.

greendotplus10

The most recent Jepp software update we got at Republic brought geo-referenced approach plates and airport diagrams. The iPads are company owned, and so all of them have cellular data capability (although use of cellular data is not supported), and thus GPS is built in with that iPad model.

Geo-referencing works without external power, although everyone is issued a 12,000 mAh backup battery which shall be connected when the internal battery reaches 20%. It is rarely needed over the course of a work day. There is no external power in the flight deck. A few of the oldest 170s have 120V receptacles but they have been deactivated by now. Even before deactivation I believe they were only usable on the ground.

Yes. This is a major gripe I have. Nexrad radar (among other inflight weather products) are very helpful tools that we aren't able to access. Instead we're limited to a comparatively narrow and unanimated onboard radar image. From what I've heard it is mainline that doesn't want to allow use of their wifi for inflight weather purposes. This wouldn't be the best option anyway since passengers take up all the bandwidth and it's frequently MEL'd.

But, ADS-B In receivers don't depend on wifi and are subscription free. They're also much less expensive than they used to be.

calmwinds

What is the brand and model of the battery being used? I had heard the FAA would approve ownship with a backup battery but I had never seen it used or heard of anyone using it.

I doubt mainline cares about anything other than costs and bandwidth in keeping the WiFi restricted to paying customers in the back.

greendotplus10

Verbatim Dual USB Powerpack
Model: 98343
12,000 mAh max (Li-ion)

bnkangle

Are there any other apps besides ForeFlight that work with the ADS-B receivers? If not, then a ForeFlight subscription is required.

calmwinds

Besides ForeFlight, Garmin Pilot works with a Garmin ADS-B receiver.