Why make it complicated? The easiest and cheapest way to connect an iPad with panel avionics is to create a portable, plug-in WiFi network. That’s precisely what Dynon has done with its $35 miniature WiFi adapter.
Garmin, Aspen, FreeFlight and others have wireless interfaces, but they all require FAA-certified wired transmitters that mount in the bowels of the aircraft. That can’t be done for $35, but Dynon can by using its secure WPA2-protected WiFi link. The thumb drive-sized device has an integral wireless transmitter, while new operating software enables connectivity with ForeFlight’s Mobile iPad navigation app.
How it works
The WiFi interface is compatible with all SkyView and SkyView Touch systems that have the current version 12.0 operating system. One WiFi adapter is required for each SkyView display in the aircraft.
Each adapter plugs directly into an existing SkyView USB port, usually installed on the instrument panel— the same port used for software updates and system configuration. The adapter must be installed before powering up the SkyView and remain in place throughout the flight.
The interface is compatible with ForeFlight Mobile version 6.7, and requires a $174.99 ForeFlight Mobile Pro-level subscription. Connectivity between the iPad (or iPhone) and the SkyView is established exactly as it does with any WiFi network. Simply look for an select the Dynon network in the iOS WiFi Settings page.
ForeFlight receives SkyView’s WAAS-enabled GPS position, in addition to ADAHRS-based attitude data for flight instrument overlay. If the ForeFlight subscription includes synthetic vision, it too can be overlaid on the Dynon’s ADAHRS data. The GPS data can be used as a position source for an iPad without internal GPS, eliminating the need for an external GPS receiver.
Flight plan data is transferred from the app into the Dynon display by opening the ForeFlight nav log, and then touching the Send To and Panel icons. SkyView automatically refreshes the active leg, syncing the two systems together.
The interface uses the ForeFlight Connect wireless function, which also connects the app to the popular Stratus 2 ADS-B receiver. If you fly with the Stratus 2, you’ll have to choose which system you want to display because the iPad is limited to one network connection at a time.
Unless you have two tablets, you will have to swap between networks (Dynon and Stratus) to display ADS-B traffic and weather on the iPad.
What is missing is an interface between Dynon’s SV-ADSB-470 ADS-B system and the ForeFlight app.
Contact Dynon at www.dynonavionics.com, 425-402-0433 and ForeFlight, www.foreflight.com.
