OVERHEATING iPAD
I read the iPad cooling system article in the September 2022 issue of Aviation Consumer and wonder if you can tell me why my iPad (without a cooling case) has never thermally shut down in four years using the WingX Pro program. But, during the one year I tried the ForeFlight app it would overheat and shut down at least once on any flight over an hour in duration.
I have not been able to find any definitive information on this issue and wonder if anyone else has had a similar experience. As soon as the ForeFlight’s one-year subscription ended, I went back to WingX. It’s now 1.7 years later, with no further shutdowns. Somewhere within that time span I got a new iPad that I’m still using, but I don’t think the issue is a function of the particular iPad age or model. I’ve been a subscriber to your great magazine for longer than I can remember—decades certainly—keep up the good work!
Bill Radzelovage – via email
We reached out to WingX but were unsuccessful in getting a response. So without any guidance from their technical support, we have to think that WingX is less processor intensive than ForeFlight. Perhaps they have more efficient algorithms, using less CPU processing. Heat is generated by many factors in an iPad, but CPU utilization is up there. Also the age of the iPad and the version of iOS will make a difference. As software manufacturers (including Apple) add more functionality to their apps, more CPU and GPU processing will be utilized. Older iPads (with slower processors) will utilize more processing resources (and generate more heat) than current iPads with the latest and faster CPUs.
BEECH DUKE
Adding to the December 2022 Aviation Consumer Used Aircraft Guide on the Beech Duke is the short-body (three windows per side) and unpressurized Beech Baron 56TC. These are relatively rare airplanes (with less than 100 in service) that were built between 1967 and 1971.
The 56TC had the same 380-HP turbocharged Lycoming engines as its bigger brother, the Beech Duke. In fact, the Baron 56TC was the test bed for the engines. I wonder how the 56TC compares performance and cost with the pressurized Duke?
Luca Bencini – via email
We used to work on a Beech 56TC and remember it being faster than a stock Duke, which is no surprise since those big Lycomings were bolted on to the light D-model Baron airframe. While it could fly over 30,000 feet, even down low it scorched along at around 300 MPH true at 20,000 feet with the power up, even though the airframe was restricted to lower speeds.
Incidentally, Aircraft Bluebook says a 1970 A56TC has an average retail of $180,000 and a 1967 56TC is around $165,000.
RED BOX GPU FEEDBACK
I read your ground power article in the January 2023 Aviation Consumer and can weigh in on Red Box Aviation’s customer service. I had great support from the tech support department, which checked out my unit when I thought it wasn’t working properly. They gave me insight on its proper use and even sent me instructions, which were missing when it initially shipped.
Randolph H Chekouras – via email
Thanks for the feedback—we like hearing reports about favorable customer service and product support.
WHICH SENTRY ADS-B?
Thanks for your thorough and money-saving review of the Sentry and Sentry Plus ADS-B receivers in the January 2023 Aviation Consumer—it was exactly what I wanted to see. Your report confirmed my thoughts that the smaller Sentry was the better choice for me. When I’m not in my Malibu, I use it in my Cub and it’s the perfect size to stash on the side of the tiny panel. The Sentry Plus would simply be too big. After roughly 20 hours of flying, it works great and has enough battery life. Thanks for a great magazine.
Pat Demers – via email
