iPad Mounting

[Joachim Gruber]

Greetings,
I'm having a GTX 345 (with WAAS) transponder installed. I plan on using it in conjunction with ForeFlight on a new (9.7" screen) iPad. I've heard of people mounting the iPad on the yoke or window. Others keep it on their laps. I'd like to hear from members about their personal experiences and recommendations regarding the various options as to where to best place the iPad. I'm trying not to re-invent the wheel.
Thanks in advance.

[Michael Bryant]

We mount our iPad Mini on the yoke where it is part of our scan. You have to be careful it is centered left/right or it will create a turning tendency.

A bigger iPad would seem too big on the yoke IMHO.

[Don Ostergard]

I have my iPad mini mounted on the yoke using what I would call the RAM gripping plate. I feel that the parts built by RAM to adapt the plate to the yoke tube result in a very clunky setup so built my own. My design is pretty simple for anyone with basic workshop skills and equipment. A bit difficult to describe but I have photos and a detailed explanation that I will be pleased to share with you via email.
Send me your email address and I will get the info to you within the next few days.
Don Ostergard ICS 3263
Drumheller AB
c-flhv@magtech.ca

[Joachim Gruber]

Thanks for the responses so far. I ordered the 9.7 inch iPad. It's a bit bigger than a mini (7.9 inch), but smaller than the full sized iPad (12.9 inch). Do you think the 9.7 inch version is too large for a yoke?

[Michael Bryant]

Joachim,

I would not want anything much larger than the iPad Mini, but I have not seen the 9.7' iPad to make a judgement.

If you do not have the iPad in hand yet, cut a cardboard template to hold in front of your yoke to help you decide.

FWIW, we ordered a RAM mount with the Bonanza yoke adapter. I have also used the RAM suction mount with a full size iPad at work. It was a much larger cockpit, so I can't comment on fit for the Comanche. I can say the suction mounts are finicky.

Michael

[Alan Cheak]

[Michael Bryant]

Alan,

I am a bit puzzled. You say you want the iPad for a backup, but then say you have everything you need on your primaries. To me, a backup is there in case you loose the primaries. I think you need to ask yourself what you want to back up to help make a decision.

As far what you need to use Foreflight on an iPad, it depends on which model you purchased. If the iPad you purchased has cellular, it's built-in GPS will provide you with reasonable accuracy inflight with no need for an external GPS or antenna. If the iPad you purchased has Wi-Fi only (read no cellular capabilities), you will need an external GPS such as the Stratus, Stratux, or Bad Elf to provide the iPad with position information. To see ADS-B In information, something has to provide that to the iPad via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Bluetooth will only connect to one device, while Wi-Fi will connect to multiple devices. Which GPS you choose depends on how much back-up you desire, and how many devices will use the output, as some now provide ADS-B In as well as GPS position.

Whether you also need power for the iPad depends on how you will use it. It sounds like you would only use it as a backup, so most likely it would be asleep until needed. In that case, the iPads battery should be sufficient. If you will use it continuously, a panel mount USB charger or a charging brick (spare battery to charge the iPad) would be needed for longer flights. We started with the brick and added panel mount chargers when we added ADS-B out.

For our aircraft, we have a GNC-300XL, an IFR GPS/comm. It has no VHF nav so it is for non-precision GPS approaches only and has a small, black on green moving map display but no way to display Wx or traffic. The moving map is very small and difficult to use in flight. We use the iPad to provide a more usable moving map display. We use the Bluetooth output from our GTX-345 WAAS to display ADS-B In info such as traffic and Wx on the iPad. The GTX-345 also has an AHRS, so we can use the horizon and synthetic features in Foreflight for added situational awareness. Also, we do fly IFR and can use it in an emergency to help keep the recognize a vacuum failure and then clean side up.

To back up the GTX-345 ADS-B In information, we also have a Stratus 2. It has the same GPS, ADS-B In, and AHRS as the GTX-345 providing backup for all the GTX-345 functions except the Mode-S transponder.

We have a Mid-Continent MD-93 digital clock with 2 USB ports on the left side of the panel for charging the iPad and Stratus, because we usually are running both constantly. We also replaced the cigarette lighter on the right side of the panel with a powerport to add 2 more USB chargers (my partner and I both have iPads minis. If we fly together, we like to follow along with our own iPad from the right seat. We can also keep a phone charged. The fact that there are 2 USB ports on the left and right sides of the panel reduces the tangle of wires as well.

Hope that helps.

Michael

[Joachim Gruber]

Thank you for all the responses. I'll try to mount it on the yoke.

Don, I sent you an email a few days ago asking for you to send me more details on your setup.

[Zach Grant L1011jock]

I have found the Pivot mount system to be much more stable than the Ram mounts (doesn't fall off the window at 9000'). I have gone to this and have my mini iPad mounted by the pilots side "A" pillar with the suction cup on the windshield in front of the A pillar and the mount plate set so the iPad then slides in from the right and sits with its back to the pillar trim.

Zach

[Joachim Gruber]

I decided to buy 3 RAM components on Amazon and see how it would fit on the yoke of my friend's Comanche since mine is out of state getting an engine overhaul. the result doesn't interfere with yoke movement and I can see all the instruments. It's a bit large, but definitely seems workable (new 2017 iPad - 9.7 inch screen.

[Gomer Pound]

Zack, Thanks for the Pivot System idea. I have never seen the Pivot before. I am using a RAM mount on the yoke of my PA30, but I will get the Pivot and clamp the Pivot mounting ball in the RAM.
Clear Skies,
Gomer

[Zach Grant L1011jock]

Gomer,
The pivot suction cup mounts are WAY WAY WAY SUPERIOR to the Ram mounts. The Pivot cases are nice and user friendly with their universal mounting plate so that is certainly a step up (yes I bought a new Ipad after I set it on the wing naked and it jumped down to the floor so the requirement to not remove the case is very nice!). We use the Pivot mounts exclusively at the airline now.

Zach

[Bill Casey]

I use an iPad mini with Garmin Pilot. I have a knee board style case that straps it to my leg. My "mini" is the version with Cellular so it also has GPS built in. I have the Garmin Flightstream 210 that connects the iPad Mini to the panel via bluetooth and provides AHRS data to Garmin Pilot for Synthetic Vision.

The iPad with Garmin Pilot is great for flight planning and filing and amazing situational awareness. I used to clip my Jeppesen approach plates to the yoke and I thought I would need the iPad mounted on the yoke as well when flying IFR, but it has not been as issue. A glance down at the knee is all it takes and I don't have the panel view blocked.

I like the ADS-B data feeding to the iPad with traffic and weather from the FlightStream 210, and easy transfer of flight plans and re-routes to/from the panel.

The bad thing is when I exit the plane, take the iPad and set it on the wing while I tie down and unload. Three times over the past year I have had calls from FBO's telling me they found my iPad. Good thing there are so many nice and honest folks out there!

-Bill