63 articles in the archive
Validating French long-stay visitor visas (VLS-TS Visiteur) in 2022
Paris (2021)
Acquiring French long-stay visitor visas (VLS-TS Visiteur) in 2021
Reno Air Races (2016)
Greek ruins (2008)
Paris (2018)
Iceland (2012)
Cappadocia (2014)
New Orleans (2018)
Sweden & Denmark (2015)
RAF Duxford (2018)
Washington State (2020)
Greece pt. 2 (2017)
New Zealand pt. 2 (2019)
Kauai (2020)
Scotland (2019)
Fallingwater (2019)
Essential iPad apps
I've been using iPads for years, initially for aviation and over time adding in photo editing, writing, and coding.
Today, I'm using a 2018 iPad Pro 11" that I picked up in early 2019, along with the Apple Magic Keyboard case, and a pencil. The same model is now available (refurbished) on Amazon for just over $600.
Before the iPadOS 13.4 update and the release of the Magic Keyboard, I used the Apple Smart Keyboard Folio, which is good. The Magic Keyboard, on the other hand, is outstanding -- it's more expensive, but it turns the iPad into a laptop I actually want to own, as it lets me do basically everything from one computer: programming and web development, photo editing, writing, and an electronic flight bag for aviating.
This is an opinionated list that lays out how I've set up my iPad for every day use.
Greece (2017)
Japan (2017)
Australia (2016)
London (2019)
New Zealand (2019)
Italy (2016)
Reno Air Races (2018)
Building and Flying with Stratux ADS-B In, part 2
Over a year ago I wrote about my initial experiences building and testing out the open-source Stratux ADS-B In receiver. I've gotten more involved with the project since then, testing out new hardware and changing my existing build. I've also had the chance to use some competing hardware!
TL;DR: build yourself this $140 Stratux
Cost | Description |
---|---|
$ 37.20 | Raspberry Pi 3 to run the whole show |
$ 14.99 | 8GB SD card with Stratux installed |
$ 39.99 | Tuned antennas and radios for receiving weather and two traffic channels |
$ 14.99 | GPS receiver for integrated position data |
$ 14.99 | ABS plastic case, designed by /u/helno of Reddit |
$ 12.99 | Anker 24W 12VDC charger can run both an iPad and your Stratux |
$ 6.99 | Anker 10' USB cable lets you position the Stratux anywhere in the cockpit |
$142.14 | total price |
If you're a pilot without existing access to ADS-B In weather and traffic, build this list. The same results cost $233 a year ago, and the software has matured while the hardware has improved. For under $150, you can get dual-band ADS-B In traffic and weather with WAAS position data. It's fantastic.
Building (and flying with) Stratux homebuilt ADS-B In
UPDATE: new writeup 17 July 2017, with a new $140 parts list
I first heard about the Stratux project a few months back, in a subreddit that described how to build your own ADS-B In receiver for under $120. It uses software-defined radios to pick up ADS-B data, then processes it using open-source software. As a pilot who's dabbled with the idea of plunking down around $1000 on the Stratus 2S, this was a pretty attractive idea: less than $200 for traffic and weather on my iPad? Heck, I could build a receiver and order a new iPad for less than the list price of the Stratus.
I took the plunge, ordered the parts, and tried it out.
The verdict? It works brilliantly.
Plan of Action: Flight Review
Plan of Action: Instrument Proficiency Check
Flight-seeing in Iceland
Flying in Iceland
Reinventing Email at Redfin
Flight Instruments
After this ~40 minute briefing, the student should have a working knowledge of the pitot-static and gyroscopic flight instruments. In order…
RMI and HSI Navigation
After this briefing, the student should have a reasonable understanding of navigating with the Radio Magnetic Indicator (RMI) and Horizontal…
Instrument rating knowledge areas
This is a rough overview of the FAA requirements for an instrument rating - what must be part of the checkride - and some of the areas that…
Flight by reference to instruments
The student should gain a working knowledge of instrument flight maneuvers and unusual attitude recovery, and understand the techniques and…
Instrument approaches
The student should be able to apply previous lessons about approach components to an instrument approach chart, and be prepared to fly an…
Private Pilot question bank
These are sample questions for private pilot candidates that will hopefully allow them to demonstrate some level of correlation-level…
Flying for Fun
That's the ultimate standard for success, right? Take something that you enjoy, then find a way to get paid for it. So far, I think I'm…
Checkride season
Steep spirals
Develop the student’s ability to plan and execute a steep spiral, improving options in an emergency situation.
Elements
- altitude considerations
- setup
- execution
- standards …
Steep turns
Air Traffic Control Clearances
ILS & DME systems
The student should gain an understanding of DME operation and the instrument landing system, and be able to apply that knowledge to flight…
IFR cross-country planning and regulations
Departure and arrival procedures & clearances
The student should gain an understanding of departure and arrival procedures and clearances, as well as a basic ability to read enroute and…
National Airspace System
The student should have an understanding of the national airspace system, and be able to apply it to a cross-country flight or sectional…
Weather Products
Visual maneuvering
The student should gain an understanding of straight-in and circling approaches and be able to apply that knowledge to several landing…
Aeronautical Decision Making
Holding procedures
Instrument Cockpit Check
At the conclusion of this briefing, the student should be able to explain the execution of (and reasons for) the instrument cockpit check.
…
Weight & Balance
The student should gain a working understanding of aircraft weight and balance, including methods for calculation and aircraft limits for…
Basic instrument flight
Chandelles
This briefing should develop the student’s understanding of the setup, procedures, and execution of chandelles to improve control smoothness…
Fundamentals of Flight
Proficiency Stalls
This lesson should establish the student's familiarity with situations leading to (and the execution of) stalls, while explaining the danger…
Spins and Spin Awareness
This briefing reviews stalls and introduces spin aerodynamics, as well as the procedures required for the successful avoidance of and…
Slow flight
The student should become familiar with the behavior of the aircraft in slow flight, gaining an understanding of the inputs and procedures…
Short field takeoff & landing
Demonstration Stalls
This lesson should establish the student's familiarity with situations leading to (and the execution of) the more complex and dangerous…
VFR Navigation and Flight Planning
The student should gain a working understanding of flight planning and the basics of navigation, including aeronautical charts and radio…