A tablet running ForeFlight or Garmin Pilot replaces paper charts, provides moving map navigation, and gives you in-flight weather. Here's what to buy and what to skip.
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Not immediately — but before you start cross-country training, yes. An EFB (Electronic Flight Bag) app on a tablet replaces paper sectional charts, provides a GPS moving map so you always know where you are, shows real-time weather overlays, and integrates NOTAMs, TFRs, and ATC frequencies in one place.
Virtually every student pilot today uses a tablet. Your CFI almost certainly uses one. The investment in a used iPad and a year of ForeFlight pays for itself in reduced stress and better situational awareness within your first cross-country flight.
You still need to know how to read a paper sectional chart for your checkride. An EFB does not replace that skill — your DPE will test you on sectional chart reading during the oral and flight exam. Use both.
You do not need a new iPad. A refurbished or used iPad from 2–4 years ago runs both ForeFlight and Garmin Pilot flawlessly and costs $150–250 instead of $400–600 for a new one.
The iPad Mini fits on a kneeboard, on most yoke mounts, and in the side pocket of most flight bags. It's the most popular choice among pilots for good reason. Look for a 6th or 7th generation iPad Mini — both run the current iOS and all EFB apps without issues. Expect to pay $200–280 for a used or refurbished unit in good condition.
The standard 10.2" or 10.9" iPad has a larger screen which is easier to read but takes more cockpit space. It won't fit in most kneeboard slots. Good for preflight planning; slightly less practical in the cockpit. A used 9th or 10th generation iPad runs $180–250 refurbished.
Buy refurbished from Apple directly at apple.com/shop/refurbished — you get a device with a new battery, full warranty, and original packaging at a significant discount. This is the safest used iPad source.
EFB apps use GPS for positioning and need data for weather. You have two options:
Cellular iPad: Has built-in GPS and can download weather in-flight via cell data (coverage permitting). Requires an active cell plan (~$10–15/month). Convenient but coverage drops in rural areas.
Wi-Fi iPad + ADS-B receiver: Wi-Fi iPads have no built-in GPS and no cellular. You pair them with a portable ADS-B receiver (Stratus, SkyEcho, Garmin GDL 52) that provides GPS positioning and free FAA weather datalink in-flight. The Stratus 3 (~$199) is the most popular choice. This approach gives you better weather products than cellular and doesn't depend on cell coverage.
For most student pilots: a used Wi-Fi iPad Mini + Stratus 3 receiver gives the best in-flight experience. For simplicity and lower upfront cost: a cellular iPad with a data plan is easier to set up.
You need a way to secure the tablet where you can see it without holding it. Options:
| Setup | Upfront cost | Monthly cost | In-flight weather | GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Used iPad Mini (Wi-Fi) + Stratus 3 + ForeFlight | ~$475 | ~$8 | ✓ ADS-B | ✓ via Stratus |
| Used iPad Mini (Cellular) + ForeFlight | ~$310 | ~$20 | ✓ cellular | ✓ built-in |
| New iPad (Wi-Fi) + Stratus + ForeFlight | ~$700 | ~$8 | ✓ ADS-B | ✓ via Stratus |