20 July 2021
The CAA has issued a warning to General Aviation pilots about the current heatwave affecting the UK causing tablets and smartphones to shut down when operating a moving map navigation app.
“Summer is with us and we’ve had reports of tablets and mobiles overheating in the cockpit and shutting down leading to a rise in airspace infringements,” said a CAA Skywise alert.
“We recommend that you have a back-up plan in place that works for you in case you lose your VFR Moving Map in flight.”
The CAA goes on to say that a backup tablet may succumb to the same problem and puts forward these suggestions:
“Have your radio set to a relevant ATC frequency and call for navigational assistance if you are unsure of your exact location,” adds the CAA.
“ATC is there to help. If in doubt call D&D on 121.500 MHZ (callsign London Centre).”
6 comments
It might be useful to all to capture info as to whether the anecdotal indications that Android tablets/phones initial response to high temperatures is to suspend charging, whereas iPads and iPhones will shut down.
As a data point, my Samsung phone (S9) and tablet (Galaxy Tab S2) don’t shut down as the initial response but they do alert that they will no longer charge.
My old A4 and new S10 perform the same.
My IPad mini wi shut down without warning if it gets too hot. I always remove it from the case if flying, and hold near an air vent to keep it cool.
I use an i pad mini 4 with no problems at all even on these very hot days but I have it mounted in a fan cooled mounting frame
Available at most aviation suppliers not cheap
but I anticipated this overheating problem as basically they are all just giant I phones which always overheat in cars.
I also run twin Dynon Skyvew 10″ displays and I have fitted extra cooling fans in the panel top with vents under again no problem.
These fans also cover my Garmin 795 mounted between the Dynons for backup only
Again no problems.
Amazon is full of stick on fans that charge via USB. Keeps the iPad cool on hot days.
I’ve been using one fir a few years (£9.99)
iPad mini always shut down until I relocated it by one of the fascia vents to get the airflow over the back. Android phone or old GPSMAP 296 never, so they’re the backup.