Using an iPad 2 or iPad 3 as an EFB seems like a great thing, and I hear they work well for the purpose. In particular, I could see their value for making more approaches available than paper would allow and more reliable chart currency. I would be interested in hearing from those who are using them in FAA approved applications for their IFR flying, particularly the commercial operators.
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Is the iPad a legal replacement for paper charts?
(S Brown,
AOPA Online, 10/19/12) “The answer is yes! … Asterisk,” said Sporty’s Vice President John Zimmerman in the seminar “iPad 101,” at AOPA Aviation Summit Oct. 11. For normal Part 91 operations, pilots can use the popular tablet in lieu of paper but should use it during an evaluation period first; for those flying Part 121 or Part 135 operations, the answer is probably still “yes,” Zimmerman said, but you may have to fill out some paperwork. Zimmerman offered practical tips for novice iPad users, advising on topics from whether to spend the extra cash for 3G to how to configure it for in-flight use. Thinking of buying an iPad, or turning yours into a flying tool? Check out these five tips from Zimmerman’s presentation...