iPad and ForeFlight Recommendations

By Jim Juhl | August 2, 2024

iPad Recommendations

I recommend the iPad Mini 6 with WiFi + Cellular and 256GB of storage. Most cockpits are already crowded enough and even with my older eyesight, ForeFlight on the Mini is readable.
The Pivot case has a mount that’s easy to remove and attach. This makes it easy to remove the iPad from it’s mount and hold it up to include in your instrument scan.
I used a Ram yoke mount for several years. The Mini fits well between most yokes and it’s easy to glance down. It can be a problem when you’re taxiing and positioning the controls for the wind.
I switched to a leg mount which I find is less cumbersome and takes up less cockpit real estate.
ForeFlight – iPad Buying Guide for Pilots

$799 Apple or $769 Amazon
256GB gives you plenty of storage and the mini is only offered with 64GB and 256GB of storage
The Cellular version has built in GPS which allows Foreflight to track your position if you don’t have another GPS device.

Flight Gear Bi-Fold Kneeboard $30
This kneeboad is sized for the iPad mini and has four elastic straps that hold the corners of the iPad.
Even though I use the iPad Pivot case, I use this on cross country flights to write down frequencies and clearances.

Basic Plus $120/year is all you need when you start training
Pro Plus $240/year adds other features but the one I find most useful is geo-referenced taxi plates which help with situational awareness at unfamiliar airports
Performance Plus $360/year adds performance profiles for many aircraft; useful if you fly more than a few different planes.
SAFE Pilots $45/year and NAFI $60/year both offer a 33% discount on ForeFlight which works financially for the $240 and $360 subscriptions. You also get all the resources of great aviation training organizations. I’m a member of both and you don’t need to be an instructor to join.
Which ForeFlight subscription plan is right for me? – iPad Pilot News

An ADS-B receiver gives you GPS along with in-flight weather radar, airport weather and traffic for ForeFlight. I built a Stratux out of a Raspberry Pi 4. If you fly in N6477S you can use my ADS-B receiver.
Stratux ADS-B | Stratux ADS-B – DIY/Low-cost Portable ADS-B
or you can buy a completed Stratux with battery on Amazon for $370
Stratux ADS-B Receiver Aviation Weather and Traffic – Internal GPS – Crew Dog Electronics