Using iPad audio to make your flying safer

iPad runway advisor copy
The ForeFlight runway advisor feature provides audio alerts when approaching a runway.

The iPad is an engaging visual tool, but many pilots forget about its many audio uses. Especially for those pilots who worry about spending too much “heads-down” time with the iPad, it’s worth understanding how apps use audio to make flying more efficient and safe. Let’s look at some of the options, and how to set up an audio connection to your headset.

ForeFlight is able to display a number of pop-up alerts to provide you with time-sensitive, location-based information. These alerts include runway proximitytraffic (when your airplane is ADS-B Out equipped), cabin altitude, TFRs and low altitude. There’s even an alert for weight and balance when your center of gravity is out of limits. What many pilots may not realize though, is that ForeFlight also provides audio alerts with these notifications.

Garmin Pilot doesn’t have quite as many audio notifications, but there is an option for helpful traffic alerts when connected to a GDL 39 ADS-B Receiver. WingX provides helpful runway advisories via audio, as well.

Besides the big EFB apps, there is another audio app worth trying. Lightspeed’s FlightLink app is a free download in the iTunes App Store, and offers two main benefits. First, it is an automatic audio recorder, so you can store all inbound and outbound transmissions and play them back when needed. This is ideal for student pilots learning communications – you can play back audio segments (stored on your iPad or iPhone) during the debrief portion of the lesson when there is less going on. It’s also helpful for instrument pilots, since you can copy down a clearance or ATIS broadcast in the app, and instantly replay any audio you missed. It sure beats “say again” on a busy frequency.

Lightspeed FlightLink app
Lightspeed’s FlightLink app offers a number of helpful audio features.

If you’re flying with Lightspeed’s top of the line Zulu PFX headset, you can also use FlightLink to fine tune personal preferences. This includes individual bass and treble levels (invaluable for pilots with hearing loss), auto shutoff settings and aux audio input levels. It really unlocks the full potential of this high-tech headset.

All of these alerts are a real benefit for pilots – no matter what you’re doing or what screen the app is on, you get important notifications when you need them. What can be problematic, though, is that the sounds coming from the iPad’s small speaker are typically drowned out by your airplane’s engine noise.

Fortunately, most modern aviation headsets have audio inputs allowing you to route audio alerts directly into them to help get your attention. If you have a headset that offers Bluetooth audio compatibility, like the updated Bose A20, all Lightspeed headsets, the AKG AV100 or the David Clark Pro-X, you can wirelessly connect it to your iPad. Passengers love this feature for music, but it’s valuable for pilots too.

To do this, first activate the Bluetooth pairing function on the control module (usually using the button with the Bluetooth “B” symbol on it), and you’ll see a status light flash on the headset control module. Next, go to the Settings app on your iPad, select Bluetooth from the list at the top left, and set the switch to on. You’ll soon see the name of your headset in the devices list–tap it, and your headset will “pair” with your iPad and establish the wireless connection. The term pair here is important because you can only connect one headset to your iPad at a time. Now all the audio that you would normally hear through the iPad speaker will play through your headset.

Headsets like the Bose A20 allow you to wirelessly receive audio from your iPad.
Headsets like the Bose A20 allow you to wirelessly receive music and alerts from your iPad apps.

You still have options if your headset is lacking a Bluetooth music interface. Many still feature an auxiliary audio input that allows you to connect an audio cable to the headphone jack on your iPad, like the new line of Faro Stealth headsets. You can also add a small Bluetooth adapter to the audio input of your headset to add the wireless capability. And keep in mind that many audio panels also include auxiliary inputs that allow you to connect your iPad or other audio sources directly into your intercom.

One last note here–not all Bluetooth is created equal. You will see some headsets (like older Bose A20 and X models) advertise a Bluetooth cell phone interface, but unfortunately this is only designed for voice cell phone calls and will not pass through music or other audio effects from the iPad.


  1. If you are using the Ipad Bluetooth paired to an external GPS receiver like the Dual, I assume you can’t then Bluetooth your Headset as well to get Audio alerts.
    Am I correct?

    • You can. (Or should be able to) If you have trouble connecting the dual and your headset try pairing them in a different order.(headset, then your dual gps)

  2. Can the new Bose A20 be paired to and iPad for alerts from Forflight and a iPhone for talking on the phone (to get clearances) at the same time?