Guys

I'm driving along in middle of nothing in Wyoming.  Got to
thinking.  My
Goggle Maps Navigation on my Droid phone is way better than my Garmin
GPS on my window. Goggle updates its maps automatically for free and
also more accurate and talks the directions on Droid (wont talk on
apple
phone).  You can watch short utubes on each goggle navigation feature.

So why don't one of you figure out a way to use goggle maps
inconnectuon
with ipad type device (Droid or apple) and make a navagation system
for
airplanes to replace those expensive Garmins.

Snowing now so have to stop email.

Van

As I recall there is a rule against using a cell phone in an airplane.
It works of course. The cell transmissions cut down the gain
on the aircraft radio. I did it years ago when a cell phone weighed
5 pounds and had a separate hand set :)

Paul Lamar


It's GoOgle..  Not GoGgle. Did your Android device do your
spellchecking?  ;)

Apple can do turn by turn directions, but not for free. Or at least
not natively.

There are big swaths of the western US without cell coverage.  That
means you have to store the nav data on board the device. That's one
of the expenses covered when you buy a Garmin.

The Google data isn't monitored.  For some kinds of things
(instrument approaches), I'll pay to have someone make sure the data
isn't wrong. Jeppesen.

I've used a couple of cell phones in light airplanes. Many times
they don't work, even if I'm over a relatively populated area. I
believe it may have something to do with the antenna design on the
towers. Or with logic on the towers rejecting devices that connect
to too many towers at once. Or devices that are switching towers too
quickly. Not sure. But, I know it's not a reliable connection - even
when I have plenty of bars of signal strength.


Matt-



Van,

In my limited experience, I agree with Matt:  just bought an iPad2
just so I could
run Foreflight.  Luckily my plane also had an aviation GPS because for
a while I
seemed to have lost the signal.  It slooowwly came back after a while,
but it was
very disconcerting.  I was only at 3500 feet, and never more than a
few miles from
a small town which should have had at least one cell tower in it.  I
was very
disappointed to say the least.  The Garmin ads talk about lost signals
and I thought
it was just advertising hype.

Gene Kahn



Not all iPads have actual GPS capability ... some have location
ability dependent on a database of known WiFi locations ONLY!  They
will not be able to determine position unless they are within range
of a WiFi source!

High end iPads with 3G have a GPS receiver chip and can do true GPS
satellite position determination.  They can also assist the GPS
receiver if they are in range of some WiFi locations that the Apple
database knows about to determine initial position fix.  I have also
seen advertisements for independent GPS receivers that submit
location data to an iPad via Bluetooth.

There is a third location method used by cellular carriers to comply
with 9/11 call requirements.  It works by determining position via
triangulation with cell towers.  This clearly only works if there are
enough cell towers around.  I do not know of any land or air
navigation applications that use this method.

I have also read about a means to have a non-GPS iPad get location
data from an iPhone that has GPS capability using a Bluetooth
connection to the iPhone.

Be careful to understand which model you have and what capability it has!

SD

Look up a device called Bad Elf ($100). I've been told that it is an antenna
that inserts into a iPad that uses satellites for navigation.

Sandy


I see an ad for the "Bad Elf GPS for iPad and iPhone" in the new
Sporty's catalog on page 4.  Here is the ad text:  "Now you can add
accurate, reliable GPS information to your favorite aviation apps
with this 66-channel WAAS GPS.  Just plug it into the bottom of your
iPad or iPhone--the Bad Elf locks on fast and keeps itself charged.
Uses the iOS device's standard 30-pin dock connector, so it won't
interfere with most cases.  With the included micro USB port, you can
even charge and sync your iPad while using the Bad Elf.  Works with
all iOS devices, including iPad 1/2, iPhone/3G/3GS/4, and all iPod
Touch models.  Includes detachable lanyard.  $99."
I am going to get this and try it.  If anyone would like to know how
well it works, my email is gk7@earthlink.net.  I am still a student
pilot and don't fly that often, but in a few weeks I may have some-
thing to report if anyone is interested.  This device looks like a
1.5 X 1.5 X 0.5 inch black box that plugs directly into the pin
connector.

Gene Kahn