With more and more handheld devices being part of our lives, the need to protect them and keep them securely in place grows bigger. The same can be said when it comes to aviation. Although being a pilot hasn't always meant that you need o be using a tablet, in today's day and age it most certainly is. Therefore being able to use one mid-flight means having it mounted and what better way to do so than with a RAM mount?
This manufacturer of mounting solutions has been in the business for more than 20 years now. They produce mounts that can be used in many different applications and for different devices. But being in aviation, you need something to keep your iPad firmly in place.
Types of iPad Ram Mounts
Glare Shield
With a maximum clamp range of 1.6 cm and a weight capacity of 900 g, the Glare Shield is RAM's solution to mounting either a glare shield or your iPad. This is what makes this RAM mount for iPad so versatile as it allows you to clamp any item no thicker than its max clam range thanks to its composite thumb screws and rubber caps.
Twist-Lock
The twist-lock dual pivot suction cup mount is what you should get if you want to mount your iPad on a curved surface. Thanks to the design of this RAM iPad mount you can attach it to non-porous surfaces with ease. Just make sure you don't go over its weight capacity of 900 kg.
Handlebar U-Bolt
RAM's Handlebar U-bolt RAM iPad holder is made to fit any round surface thanks to its double socket arm and round base adapter. Thanks to its AMPS hole pattern, the RAM Handlebar is able to accommodate industry standard rails which can hold a phone or a tablet all together with a weight of around 900 g.
Double Socket Arm
You can also get a RAM iPad mount with a double socket arm and a round plate from RAM. This type of RAM iPad holder is able to work with 2.5 cm ball bases as it comes with pre-drilled holes and, of course, the standard AMPS hole pattern. Thanks to the twisting motion of the arm knob you can position your RAM mount for iPad however you like to get the best viewing angle.
Why Use an iPad in Your Cockpit
Info
The main reason why you'd want to make use of an iPad in your cabin is the information it provides about your flight. You can also get information about the weather and thus plan your routes accordingly. While you can use your phone for this, nothing beats a tablet.
Screen
One reason you should go with an iPad instead of a phone is its screen. Not only is it bigger, but it is often brighter which means you can view information even in direct sunlight. Also, since there is more screen real estate you can view more information about different things without switching apps or scrolling up or down.
Convenient
What makes an iPad such a convenient solution, especially during a flight is its portability and readability put together. At a glance, you can get info on whatever you need. You may need to use it from time to time but even that's not going to be something difficult since its big screen and haptic feedback doesn't let you make mistakes as easily as you think you would.
Tips on Using an iPad in the Cockpit
Battery Life
While people will tell you to close off apps you don't use, that is not true since the OS of your iPad doesn't work that way. The apps you see in the app drawer are not working in the background instead they're just your recently used apps. If you want to really extend the battery life of your iPad make sure to do regular charges at regular intervals and to turn off features such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and cellular data when you don't need them.
Spares
Since the battery life of an iPad can diminish rather quickly when used heavily, it's important to bring external power sources with you. These can be in the form of a power bank or a case that comes with an integrated battery pack. Just make sure that the case works with your RAM iPad mount.
Check
Make sure to maximise the use of your iPad not only during the flight but also before you're airborne. This includes making a checklist of all the things you need to do before takeoff. This way you won't need to search for the piece of paper you have had in your cockpit for months.
Download
Also, before takeoff, you should have all the current charts downloaded on your iPad. You should also check if you have the latest charts before you get in the air as well as that they load up properly with both Wi-Fi and cellular data turned off since this is how you'll need to view them once in the air.
Overheating
One major issue that can cause your iPad to shut down is overheating. Being too cold can make it lag but when it's too hot you can even cause damage to its internals. So, how do you avoid this? Well, it's important not to leave your iPad in a hot cockpit. Make sure to take off the case if the weather is too hot or if your iPad is starting to warm up. Make sure to also find a mounting location that will not have your iPad exposed to direct sunlight.
