Thanks ikarus61. Good to know youcan accomodate itsomehow.I note fixing it in thefar end ofmy instrument pannel in a reasonably spacious cockpit renders it almost unreadable, distracting, andvirtually useless. A smaller version from Apple, perhaps would do.

Very Newbytheway

DurhamTeaseAirport

I have a Robin DR400. I fixed the iPad using a RAM Mount stand to instrument panel, on the right of ammeter. It's the only position I find without covering any instrument. It's not comfortable but it works. I use AirNav Pro as secondary navigation software (the first one it's an Aera). I tested also the Ram Mount fixed as knee-board but I prefer the first option.


Massimo Mangia

I-PPL

Absolutely Ikarus61 and nje. I can use an iPad when in the passenger seat (including airliners) and comfortably on the ground. I am yet to devise a practical and safe way of placing it in my cockpit so that it is comfortably visible, within reach yet out of the way of controls & instruments. Is it fair to relegate a Co-Pilot to minding it? I am no so sure. Perhaps after their approval, Apple may decide to contribute towards solving this cockpit ergonomic problem. As you stated nje, I find the optimal screen size of a Pilot-added GPS in the cockpit ranges between 5"-7".

Very Newbytheway

DurhamTeaseAirport

I flew today, weather wasn't up to much but did a bit of general handling while I was up there. My mate brought his ipad and atttached it in the PA28 using  his RAM yoke mount. he was using memory map on it, The clarity of the screen in the bright sunlight was brilliant and that was looking at it from the left seat. But, the size of unit is massive and blocked out quite a few instruments ( he tried it in the left seat as well) and really got in the way.  Sd of course performed well on my 5 inch device but the ipad made it look tiny. A 7 inch ipad would be the ideal for me  with SD on it.

I agree iPad cannot use safely as primary and unique navigation device (stability, over heating, and more), but SD on iPad is very interesting as secondary devices. I hope SD on iPad will be both planning and navigation tool, so to have a unique software for flying.



About multi platforms it's very difficult to develop a unique code for different OS; these are different like their SDK (software development kit). However, working in C++ it's possible to reduce the effort necessary. There are software running on iPad and Android.




Massimo Mangia

I-PPL

Could not agree with you more Orangedam. Unfortunately I do not think I can physically and safely make use of an iPad in my cockpit on a regular basis.

It would be nice if SD were to be made installable on several platforms. This would take time though. While Windows CE/Mobile devices are gradually becoming "protected species" and not so easy to find as previously, recent reports show that Android devices are quickly catching up with Apple's in popularity. One day they may overtake them.

It is very heartening to see the SD Team rethink and change tact as necessary depending on user/market needs. These are the products (and developers) I would like to stick with.

Stevelup: Big thanks for the Keyboard. I still think you deserve a big Champagne bottle for the Season!

Very Newbytheway

DurhamTeaseAirport

Well, it depends...



SD has the great advantage of being able to run smoothly on inexpensive device (on the contrary of the iPAD). Having it on iPAD (which BTW is usually not so easy to place in the cockpit) where other SW are already running would cause confusion in using it. Having the GPS on a dedicated device is a strong advantage. Also avoiding to concentrate many important navigation aids on a single device is important. Plus, on iPAD there are other available solutions (SD is better, for sure, but in this case it could not be alone).



This, of course, is true if a single platform will be choosen (development costs of both so different sw platforms could be a bit high to maintain in the future)



It would be interesting to get some official statement...



Personally, if a iPAD-only future would be announced, I will discard SD as a choice (sadly).

?!

Apple's tablet is one of the best in the market no doubt. The same goes for their other machines. However, Apple is likely to charge for their approval and ultimately it is likely that every one of us will be paying Apple for their monopoly as SD price goes up.

Hence my Apple MacBook Pro has been formatted to make way for Linux.

Very Newbytheway

DurhamTeaseAirport

Nice! Did SD team any announce about availability?



Apple approval is not a so difficult job for a good team as SD.




Massimo Mangia

I-PPL