This is our setup in flight. The classic analog pack has been enhanced with 2 Garmin GI275. The top one in AI mode and the bottom one in HSI/MAP mode.
The main GPS is an Avidyne IFD540. It is a fantastic NAV/COM unit with advanced FMS functions, very powerful for IFR operations.
The autopilot is the Garmin GFC500, installed as 2-axis, connected to the flight director. It does fantastic in the Mooney and controls with finesse as the servos are connected to rigid control rods.
The transpondeur is the Avidyne AXP340, an 1090ES ADSB-out unit, which makes us legal in all ADS-B required control zones.
Equipment on-board
Being able to receive almost real-time weather and traffic data brings an extra level of safety that has become more affordable and easier. For long cross-country flights, I would almost argue it has become a necessity. ForeFlight then has been the perfect tool for me to integrate and visualize all of this data.
GDL51 XM-Weather receiver
The Garmin GDL51 boasts impressive weather information capabilities, offering pilots access to a comprehensive array of real-time weather data to enhance flight safety and planning. Data can be broadcasted to your preferred navigation software like ForeFlight or Garmin Pilot. This helps adjust navogation during the filght based on almost real-time data. The value of the XM-Weather data is also in the geographical coverage which extends beyond the USA FIS-B coverage areas.
GDL51 XM-Weather receiver
The Garmin GDL51 boasts impressive weather information capabilities, offering pilots access to a comprehensive array of real-time weather data to enhance flight safety and planning. Data can be broadcasted to your preferred navigation software like ForeFlight or Garmin Pilot. This helps adjust navogation during the filght based on almost real-time data. The value of the XM-Weather data is also in the geographical coverage which extends beyond the USA FIS-B coverage areas.
Stratus 3 (ADS-B In)
The Stratus 3 ADS-B receiver is an essential tool for pilots in North-America, delivering real-time traffic and subscription-free weather data to elevate safety and situational awareness during flights. With its compact design and seamless connectivity to electronic flight bag apps, you can get NEXRAD radar, METARs, TAFs directly on your iPad.
Iridium Go!
Well, if you’re planning to fly beyond range of cell phone coverage and even north of the XM-Weather radar coverage, Iridium connectivity is what you need to access weather information (see the ADLConnect section below). The Iridium Go! unit lets you connect your iPad & cell phone to it on Wi-Fi and then you can send & receive text messages, make phone calls and if needed send SOS message and activate SAR services. Hopefully data plans will soon become more affordable, however, it is now an essential tool when you fly for several hours in remote areas where weather can rapidly change.
Iridium Go!
Well, if you’re planning to fly beyond range of cell phone coverage and even north of the XM-Weather radar coverage, Iridium connectivity is what you need to access weather information (see the ADLConnect section below). The Iridium Go! unit lets you connect your iPad & cell phone to it on Wi-Fi and then you can send & receive text messages, make phone calls and if needed send SOS message and activate SAR services. Hopefully data plans will soon become more affordable, however, it is now an essential tool when you fly for several hours in remote areas where weather can rapidly change.
Additional tools for weather
We naturally use the traditional national observation and forecast data streams, including for exemple in Canada the GFAs, SIGMET charts, METAR/TAFs, etc. However, for long cross-country flights and as we head North, we have expanded our sources and rapidly present them below. Feel free to reach out if you want more details.
Autorouter (pre-flight)
Autorouter.aero is fantastic and free. You can create your own account and either from the web, or from your cell phone via the Telegram messaging app, you have access to worldwide graphical weather mapping along the route you set. For pre-planning purpose, you actually can get the weather profile for days in advance.
Autorouter (pre-flight)
Autorouter.aero is fantastic and free. You can create your own account and either from the web, or from your cell phone via the Telegram messaging app, you have access to worldwide graphical weather mapping along the route you set. For pre-planning purpose, you actually can get the weather profile for days in advance.
Windy (pre-flight)
Windy is very well known for all outdoor activities, should they be on land, on the sea or in the air. You can get access to multiple layers of data days in advance of your planned trip amd then refine as departure approaches. I strongly recommend the Premium account that enables many new layers and new models. Additionally, recently added, you can get a cross section along a flight path that you have defined, like on the picture here. In particular for our lower altitude GA operations, the ´VFR’ setting is very appreciated.
ADLConnect (In-flight)
The application ADL Connect from Golze Engineering runs on an iPad/iPhone and can display weather (precipitation, infrared, lightning strikes, wind/temperature profiles as well as METAR/TAF along your route. On C-GJDP, the data is sourced from the Iridium satellites via our Iridium Go! unit connected to an external dedicated antenna. Golze engineering sell their own Iridium units and data plans if you want to check other options.
ADLConnect then broadcasts to other units connected on same WiFi network via the GDL90 protocol so that we can display info on ForeFlight or our Avidyne GPS also.
ADLConnect (In-flight)
The application ADL Connect from Golze Engineering runs on an iPad/iPhone and can display weather (precipitation, infrared, lightning strikes, wind/temperature profiles as well as METAR/TAF along your route. On C-GJDP, the data is sourced from the Iridium satellites via our Iridium Go! unit connected to an external dedicated antenna. Golze engineering sell their own Iridium units and data plans if you want to check other options.
ADLConnect then broadcasts to other units connected on same WiFi network via the GDL90 protocol so that we can display info on ForeFlight or our Avidyne GPS also.
EzWxBrief (pre-flight)
EzWxbrief is a subscription-based advanced weather briefing tool offering precise and comprehensive weather information to enhance flight safety and planning. Its user-friendly interface allows pilots to quickly assess current conditions and anticipate potential weather-related challenges. Key features include customized alerts, route-specific weather analyses, and access to historical weather data, making EzWxbrief an essential tool for informed decision-making in aviation.
The features I favor the most are #1 the airport forecast diagram where you can graphically access forecast for cloud coverage, temperature & dew point, wind, ceiling, visibility, precipitation potential and convection potential and #2 the route planner and its very user-friendly departure advisor tool where you can decide when is the best moment to fly your route after you have set your own personal minimums.
I just wish EzWxBrief would work globally as currently coverage is CONUS and Canada up to approximately 55N latitude.
To make justice to the tool as it’s so much powerful, you can visit their website or view this description video.
Skew-T diagrams (Pre-flight)
Now, I’m talking to weather-geek pilots! A Skew-T (also named Skew-T log-P) diagram is a meteorological tool used to display and analyze atmospheric soundings, which include temperature, humidity, and pressure at various altitudes. The diagram features skewed temperature lines, allowing for easier interpretation of data. It helps assess atmospheric stability, identify moisture layers, and predict weather phenomena such as thunderstorms and turbulence, making it essential for weather forecasting and aviation safety.
It takes a bit of training and reading before you can interpret these diagrams, but once passed this initial phase, you can build your own mental picture of the atmosphere of where you intend to fly. You can select from several weather models, including some that have global geographical coverage.
Skew-T diagrams (Pre-flight)
Now, I’m talking to weather-geek pilots! A Skew-T (also named Skew-T log-P) diagram is a meteorological tool used to display and analyze atmospheric soundings, which include temperature, humidity, and pressure at various altitudes. The diagram features skewed temperature lines, allowing for easier interpretation of data. It helps assess atmospheric stability, identify moisture layers, and predict weather phenomena such as thunderstorms and turbulence, making it essential for weather forecasting and aviation safety.
It takes a bit of training and reading before you can interpret these diagrams, but once passed this initial phase, you can build your own mental picture of the atmosphere of where you intend to fly. You can select from several weather models, including some that have global geographical coverage.