SonexBuilders.net

HI Guys,

I've been distracted from my ECU project since late last year.

Long story short, I've had a Bearhawk project for a long time. I finally came to the conclusion that the project was physically too large for me to finish alone. I didn't want to learn how to paint and do fabric work on an expensive project either. So, I'm getting some builder assist from the guys that have done some of the factory demos. My wife and I are pulling the travel trailer 200 miles south and moving in for a while.

One of the things on my to do list is panel layout. I will have a Dynon panel with an iPad on the right side running ForeFlight.

Any advice you guys can provide concerning which model iPad, memory requirements, size, mount, WiFi, WiFi + cellular, etc., would be appreciated.

Wings Rigged:


Fuse in silver:


The goal:


Thanks for Your Time,

Wes

From what little I know you will need to keep it cool. Lot of easy ways to do that. BTW ... I sent you a PM.

For mounting an iPad, I have used Ram Mounts for multiple applications (including car and aircraft) and they are excellent. Very good build quality, easy to adjust and holds firm. They have a lot of versatility to customize your installation (arm lengths, mounting options, etc.) Not the cheapest option but IMO the best option.

I would suggest 32GB as the BARE minimum if all you're running is Foreflight on the iPad. If you want to load most of the US charts/synthetic vision and use the iPad for more than foreflight, then I would consider 64GB the minimum.

I don't think you need cellular if you have a phone that can act as a hotspot. Can connect the ipad via wifi to your phone's data connection if you need to. Most/all FBO's have wifi.

Ipad mini is the perfect size for a cockpit IMO.

RAM is a great product - but by the time you bolt together the holder and all the "bits" you end up with a couple of pounds of metal. I'm about to experiment with cell phone PopSockets

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DSZQU2K
and
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07P29XQR4

Probably "helped" with some 30lb double sided tape to make sure they stay stuck. Just ounces. AND the iPad Mini is not "wrapped" in a heat insulating RAM holder.

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Phone as a hotspot - yes - but if the budget allows - a basic data plan on the iPad is just more convenient.

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Also - no longer wedded to Foreflight. Between the price increase, the code and feature "bloat" and it being in the Apple ecosystem only - I've just switched to iFly. It's cheaper, cross platform (So my PC, Android phone and iPad - all run it and synch it). Took me a few flights to get used to the new "buttonolgy" - but the bigger screen buttons for fat fingers is a real plus in turbulence.

YMMV

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the replies.

I'll get the rest of the panel laid out and take some precise measurements to see exactly what will fit. I was kind'a hoping that someone had come out with a mount, with built in cooling, that everyone had settled on.

As for the iPad, I suppose I'll go ahead and spring for WiFi + Cellular. I'll probably go with ForeFlight, at least at first, since that's what my flight instructor is familiar with. Too many choices :-)

Wes

P.S. I just pulled out the Bearhawk folder. I purchased the kit in 2007. Definitely (past) time to get'er done.

Only the cellular versions have the GPS built in, so if you want to show updated positioning, hot spotting from a phone wont achieve that unless it's the cellular version.

Hi Murray,

Murray Parr wrote:Only the cellular versions have the GPS built in

Thanks for that. That's the kind of stuff I need to know.

Wes

The Bearhawk has a pretty big panel. You can fit 2 Dynon HDX or Skyview units. I use the same setup. Ipad on the right and HDX on the left. The last Sonex used an Ipad Mini in a Guardian Avionics flush mount holder. I used the mini because the Sonex panel, even the B model, is smaller than most.

I am using a 10.2-inch Ipad in the RV7A this time around, also fitted into a Guardian Avionics flush mount holder. The bigger your Ipad screen, the better. I suggest that you use the largest Ipad you can fit. If you are only going to use it for Foreflight or similar, you don't need so much memory. If you are also going to use it as an Ipad for the rest of the things an IPad can do, you will need more memory.

I don't buy the Ipads with Cellular. I have an iPhone for that and can use the phone's hotspot if needed. I would spend that money on memory rather than Cellular wi-fi ability.

Murray Parr wrote:Only the cellular versions have the GPS built in, so if you want to show updated positioning, hot spotting from a phone wont achieve that unless it's the cellular version.

BUT if you are using an EchoUAT for ADSB - it WiFI's the ADSB information - including GOS position - into the iPad.

Yes you will need to keep your iPad cool or put up with the occasional "black out".

On my last aircraft, I went to the trouble of fitting a dedicated mini eyeball vent just to keep the iPad cool - worked well. I found out later that keeping the iPad on charge all during the flight adds to the heat load. Might have been cheaper to just use the charger when needed.

I have used RAM products to great effect. I would recommend to anyone doing a retro fit. The range of mounting options is staggering - do the research to find the best for you.

My new project has come with an iPad mini docking station built in to the panel. It wont be as individually ergonomic as my RAM BUT does come with a built in cooling fan - yet to be tested in flight.