cattflight
Well-Known Member
So I see the proliferation of iPad apps for managing flight plans, moving maps, Wx, even system monitoring & management, but I have yet to see anyone present an application that mimics (or better yet, improves) the in-panel nav/comm/transponder functions that currently require hardware eating up so much space in the panel. I know a few of the EFIS manufacturers are offering remote control of their embedded radio functions from iPad, but I would love to see a remote mounted chassis with nav/comm/txpndr-alt encoder functions controlled from the iPad (ideally wirelessly).
Why you ask? Because the notion of having a radio stack in the panel that is interfaced to very rarely during the course of a flight, seems wasteful. I would much rather have my moving map, Wx and flight plan info up full time on the iPad, and the radio controls minimized until I need them. Plus I have to imagine removing all the tactile controls from an in-panel radio would make it less expensive. Those wanting the version with the controls can buy the "optional control panel face" and install traditionally while the rest of us use the panel space for more full-time functions....like in flight movies for the Mrs. or checking our Fantasy Football standings!
Thoughts?
Why you ask? Because the notion of having a radio stack in the panel that is interfaced to very rarely during the course of a flight, seems wasteful. I would much rather have my moving map, Wx and flight plan info up full time on the iPad, and the radio controls minimized until I need them. Plus I have to imagine removing all the tactile controls from an in-panel radio would make it less expensive. Those wanting the version with the controls can buy the "optional control panel face" and install traditionally while the rest of us use the panel space for more full-time functions....like in flight movies for the Mrs. or checking our Fantasy Football standings!
Thoughts?