After giving a presentation to a bunch of homebuilders on ways to choose an avionics suite, more than one kit builder told me he was holding out on buying any avionics for a few years because by the time his project is ready for the electronics, iPads will dominate the panel-mount avionics market. Eh, I’m not sure that will be the case even in the experimental world where pretty much anything goes. We know what can happen. iPads run on self-contained batteries, they can overheat and shut down, plus the I/O potential between the iPad and other systems has a long way to go for IFR reliability. But check out that panel above—it’s what an iPad suite looks like on a Cessna 172. The install comes from Guardian Avionics, and sports no fewer than four Apple devices in the mix. It’s called the smartPlane interface and it doesn’t get the attention it deserves.
Guardian says it’s the first and only iPad suite approved for installation in Part 23 aircraft under the FAA’s NORSEE (Non-required Safety Enhancing Equipment), which is considered a minor alteration. Get an A&P or FAA repair station to sign it off with a logbook entry. That’s all good, inexpensive and capable, but the panel here is also backed up with a lot of certified gear. As we say in the music world, let’s break it down. Starting at the far left there’s an STC’d Garmin G5 electronic flight instrument and dual Garmin GI 275 TSO’d flight instruments. There is also a Garmin IFR GPS navigator, making the airplane well-equipped for IFR flying. Add the Apple stuff and there’s more belt-and-suspender backup than anyone needs. But Guardian, with its smartPlane interface, has an interesting approach to building an iPad panel network with third-party avionics equipment. I think interfaces like it (maybe with fewer iPads) will grow in popularity.