Foreflight and Gen 1 iPads

[Scotsman58]

Foreflight has announced that its app will "cease to function" on first-generation iPads, starting in early January 2017. Which leaves me with a dilemma. I have a first generation iPad mini (and yes, I have been thinking of upgrading, as Foreflight and other updated apps are running awfully slow). I could go out and get a Mini 4 -- but all the indications are that Apple is going to release the Mini 5 (presumably with the much faster A9x processor, and also with much faster graphics) sometime in early to mid 2017. I would feel stupid buying the Mini 4 a few months before the 5 comes out. Anyone else facing this one? It seems like the choices are: (1) buy the Mini 4, and live with it; (2) go without Foreflight for a while (at least it works on my phone), and wait for the 5; and (3) buy a larger iPad Pro, which already has the A9x (and also works with the Apple pencil, which I think is much better than other styluses, at least for handwriting).

Anyone using a regular-sized iPad in the DA40 cockpit? I don't like suction mounts, so I use a kneepad. Seems like the regular size wouldn't live well on my leg in the DA40. Maybe without a case and a simple knee mount (like the My-Clip that Sportys carries) it wouldn't be too bad.

[Charles]

Try FltPlan Go for a few months while you wait for the Mini 5. I'll admit it's not as sexy as ForeFlight but it does everything I need... for free.

I use a regular iPad and just set it on my lap, no knee-board or strap of any kind. When's the last time you had enough turbulence to send an iPad flying? It only happened once to me in 5 years.

[Rich]

Where did you see that notice? I don't see it on their site. And this might not apply to iPad mini. The 1st gen iPad was non-mini and has long been out of support by Apple (no SW updates, e.g.). I have a 1st gen mini iPad and continue to get updates on this and the 2nd gen mini that my wife uses when we fly together.

[Scotsman58]

Here you go:

http://news.foreflight.com/t/y-EC23E0884B51245C

There's also an Avweb article here:

http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Fo ... 007-1.html

This seems to indicate that you're going to need at least a Mini 2.

[Colin]

Exactly what Rich said.

I have also had really good luck putting my older Apple hardware on eBay when I replace it.

[Rich]

I just checked with Foreflight and FF will continue to work on the gen1 minis. But they recommend going with newer ones because of better performance of the devices. I have noticed that map updates and such are slower on my gen1 than the gen2. But still completely usable.