Points for Pilots

Diagram taken from Apple iPad2 User Manual When the iPad is used in the cockpit as part of the navigational information system, such as in the iPad + Garmin GDL 39 configuration, the pilot must make sure that the iPad does not get too hot, since it then turns itself off and does not start up again until 15-20 minutes later. According to Murphy's Law, if this event happens, it will likely occur in a critical phase of flight where a waiting time of 15-20 minutes will seem like eternity. How can we avoid that troubling scenario? Here are obvious remedial steps. 1. If the iPad is enclosed in a case, remove it from the case. If you still want to protect the screen, use a light-colored cover such as Apple's iPad Smart Cover with light-gray color option. 2. Turn off the iPad temporarily and have an air vent blow cold air on the aluminum backside. 3. Turn down brightness and delete all processes that are not needed but are running in the background. 4. Shield the scre...

USB plug of connecting cable with ferrite core On long flights where the iPad runs for extended periods in our Garmin GDL 39 + iPad  setup, we must recharge the iPad in flight.  That operation may  cause radio interference. In this post, we analyze that problem and describe a remedy that has worked for us. Initially, we bought a charger with the appropriate connecting cable to be kept permanently in the plane. In the cockpit, the 10W charger was plugged into the 12V receptacle . During the first test flight, we hooked up the iPad to the charger and saw that the iPad was properly charged. We concluded that all was well.  As it turned out, we were quite wrong. Interference Problem The evaluation changed on our first long trip with the Gd L 39 + iPad, where on the first day, coping with significant weather, we were more than 7hr in the air and used the iPad extensively. When the iPad charge became less than 80 %, we decided to hook up the charg...

Dallas - Plainview - Albuquerque - Deming - Andrews - Dallas:  Start at rightmost node and proceed counter clockwise We have tested the iPad + GDL39 equipment installed in our Zenith 601 HDS, N314LB, during three days of cross-country VFR flights along the following route: Dallas, TX - Plainview, TX - Albuquerque, NM - Deming, NM - Andrews, TX - Dallas. The route is displayed in the above screenshot of  the iPad.   Weather on days 1 and 3 was difficult, thus forcing full use of the system. The performance evaluation below consists of four parts: The Good, the Not-so-good, the Unexpected, and Further Thoughts and Recommendations. The Good The Garmin Pilot supplies many useful pieces of data, carries out tasks that previously were difficult or impossible to do, and generally helps to make flight safer. Four aspects stand out for pilots restricted to VFR flight. 1. The Weather option of the map overlays delivers the VRF/MVFR/IFR/LIFR classification for ea...

Sensenich two-blade ground-adjustable propeller The Sensenich  t wo- b lade  c omposite  p ropeller for  Rotax and  Jabiru en g ines is  light-weight, strong, and  very efficient.   For  our Zenith 601HDS plan e with a Rotax 912 engine, the ground-adjustable propeller  de livers  strong take-of f performance as well as good cruise speed . S moothness through out the entire rpm range rivals that of more complicated and less efficient three-blade pro pellers.  The secret to outstanding pe rformance is a very pr ecise setting of the propeller pitch so that the angles of attack of the two blades differ by less than 0.1 degrees.   Such precision can be achieved with a high-quality propeller protractor where accuracy is guaranteed to be +/-0. 05 degrees for each blade, since then total error between blades is +/-0. 1 d egrees.   The same accuracy can be ach ieved with basic workshop tools and parts....