As mentioned in a different thread, I do a lot of open cockpit flying. I crossed the United States in an open cockpit gyrocopter and fly a lot across Europe. I land at small and big airports. I do a very thorough pre-flight preparation. On my trip across the US I carried a small laptop and portable printer so that I can print out the proper map sections in a format that fits into my kneeboard. I carry the original maps as backup and to satisfy somebody from the authorities in case the do a check on me. I do print out NOTAMs and weather briefings as well as w&b calculations and route planning including frequency planning.

So you see, I know how to play by the rules. However, this is a MAJOR hassle and most of it is totally useless in the kind of flying I do. I would never be able to take out a paper map, unfold it, find the proper region I'm interested in, find an ingeneous way to refold and slide it into my kneeboard. The map would just be torn out of my hands or wind up in my face.

That's why I love SD. It does it all for me, on an iPad, which fits perfectly on my kneeboard. What an elegant solution!

Here is my question, though. What does the legal requirements in your countries say: is it legal to use SD on an iPad and satisfy all pre-flight requirements for a VFR cross country flight? There is a big disclaimer on SD's opening page. I don't think this would go over well with some official checking my planning documents. But, on the other hand, the map data is based on current AIP data and updated on a 28 day cycle. Potentially a lot more current than the once-per-year ICAO map that's often times used as the gold standard in each country.

How about W&B, weather briefing and NOTAMS?

-- Chris.