A Geek Goes Flying

[work in progress] I have an old Android Nexus tablet that was collecting dust. Thought I’d see what was available that might serve as a backup to my iPad/Stratus setup (the Nexus has a built-in GPS and more screen real estate than my iPhone, and it was sitting in a drawer unused, so why not?). This isn’t a comprehensive review of the platforms. I’m not going to use an Android app to plan a flight, file a flight plan, get a DUATS briefing, check weather, etc. I’m very comfortable with ForeFlight for that, and don’t have a reason to change. My focus is on the apps generally, how usable they are if, say, I was being vectored for an approach and my iPad and G430 failed suddenly. (By the hand of a DPE, say.) If I was going to grab the Nexus from my flight bag and fire it up, how useful would it be to (re)acquire situational awareness, find and brief the appropriate approach plate, etc. Just for the sake of completeness, I also downloaded Garmin Pilot , which has a 30 day free tri

Just a few updates... I ended up getting the new RAM claw for yoke mounting ( RAP-B-400U , $26), and it's a lot less cumbersome both in the cockpit and in my flight bag. Meanwhile, I also got a suction cup base ( RAM-B-224-1U , $16) for use in the Cirrus: I also got my complex endorsement, and have been racking up time in a PA28R-200 Arrow II. My first landing after my insurance-mandated 5 hours with a CFI: