diamondaviators.net

Incidentally, I also use a cable with a right-angle lightning connector to keep the iPad charged. That way I don't have concerns about stressing the cable when pulling the stick all the way back. These are widely available.

Today I was fiddling with cables, charging rates and Stratus GPS/ADS-B antenna locations in the plane.

Inside the steel hangar with the door cracked maybe 4 ft. wide, I got 5-6 satellites and the FF had me properly located the whole time. I could also watch on FF as planes flew patterns around the airport, so ADS-B - direct was also fine.

I also tested out a new feature of Foreflight. If you are connected via Wifi to Stratus (and I think the new "Sentry" device) with a device that has cellular capability you still have access to the cellular network for internet, so emails, flight plan updates and whatnot. Works with my old Stratus 2 and new Stratus 3.

With the Stratus beneath the instrument panel, the remote GPS antenna is a must and remote ADS-B antenna is recommended.

After confirming it wouldn't affect the magnetic compass, I figured the best place for the GPS antenna is mounted on the instrument panel cover. But you also need to be able to remove it when removing the cover for access to the electronics. This antenna has a magnetic base, but the challenge is how to use this magnet, since the cover has no ferromagnetic materials. I used a snippet of automotive trim tape (very thin double-sided stuff) which sticks great (unlike velcro) to the upper surface of the cover, a steel washer of appropriate size on the upper surface of the tape and Bob's yer uncle: GPS antenna held nicely in place by its magnet, with the lead dropping through the gap where the left canopy arm goes through and the (ample) excess cable coiled down in the instrument cavity, above the blind encoder. When removing the instrument cover, the GPS antenna can be parked temporarily on the flat surface of the upper bracket of steel canopy arm.

The ADS-B antenna is mounted vertically on the inside of fuselage between the front and rear canopies, using one of these clamped to the body of the antenna to hold it:

Here's the mounting stuff as of right now. I still need to get the permanent power set up. For now it's off the original accessory plug. One USB cable to the Stratus 3 and the other for the iPad mounted on the stick. Not shown is the suction-cup RAM mount on the right side of the canopy for wifey's iPad. No power lead set up for that unit.

Added the Stratus USB adapter in February:
It's driven off the avionics bus and powers the Stratus 3 and my iPad.

I've been pondering a larger iPad than the mini. But all the larger ones dictate that I mount it elsewhere due to the large screen size blocking panel visibility and inhibiting stick movement. Though I know others will disagree I consider all the elsewheres I can come up with inferior to what I have.

The current mount location for the mini integrates its visibility into the other instruments and electronics without blocking the view of any. It falls readily to hand when manipulating the screen, obscures no part of the outside view through the canopy and is in no danger of being overheated by the sun.

iPad Pro 11"

Rich wrote: ↑Tue Jul 30, 2019 10:04 pm iPad Pro 11"

IMG_0164.jpg

This thing won't work with my approach for mounting an iPad Mini on the stick. It's just a bit too large (1.75" taller and wider than a mini). So I had to come up with another approach. Mounting to the canopy works, but a bit clumsy setting it up for a flight and removing afterward. I came up with this, using stuff I already had (plus the Ram mount made for this size iPad):
When in position it sits just off to the right and above the stick and doesn't interfere with stick movement, access to any controls or visibility of the flight instruments.

Rich would you be able to elaborate on how the flex rod is mounted to the base of the seat?

Same question.

This is my present setting. I use two adhesive RAM bases. Everything is out of the way and I can grab the iPad mini out of its support if I want to read an approach plate closer e.g.
I can still use my paper pad on the knee.