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News & Media Review: Flight Outfitters iPad Mini Kneeboard

Review: Flight Outfitters iPad Mini Kneeboard

July 3, 2018 By David Tulis

Flight Outfitters tackled the issue of where and how to stow portable electronic devices by designing the clever iPad Mini Kneeboard with a turntable that allows vertical or horizontal viewing; a side notepad pocket "desk"; and an accessory pouch for charging cords, sunglasses, or other small items.

Flight Outfitters designed the iPad Mini Kneeboard with a turntable that allows vertical or horizontal viewing, a side notepad pocket desk, and an accessory pouch for charging cords, sunglasses, or other small items. Photo courtesy of Flight Outfitters.
Flight Outfitters designed the iPad Mini Kneeboard with a turntable that allows vertical or horizontal viewing, a side notepad pocket desk, and an accessory pouch for charging cords, sunglasses, or other small items. Photo courtesy of Flight Outfitters.

The kneeboard straps to a pilot's thigh with a beefy strap, and elastic corner brackets cradle the portable electronic device. A pair of padded rails stabilizes the system.

During a Cessna 182 flight from AOPA's headquarters in Frederick, Maryland, to Fredericksburg, Virginia, I found the "desk” to be a welcome help for scribbling down weather reports and frequency changes. The Skylane's yoke stayed clear of the device even when I applied ample back pressure during landing.

The kneeboard also worked well during a Super Cub flight and didn’t interfere with either the stick or the flap handle.

If there's one beef, it's that the kneeboard doesn't cover the iPad Mini's screen when not in use. The electronic device could be damaged if it slips or falls while in use or in transit.

All in all, the $59.95 iPad Mini Kneeboard (a full-size iPad Kneeboard is $69.96) functioned as intended and there was never a question of where I stashed my iPad Mini.

David Tulis
David Tulis
Senior Photographer
Senior Photographer David Tulis joined AOPA in 2015 and is a private pilot with single-engine land and sea ratings and a tailwheel endorsement. He is also a certificated remote pilot and co-host of the award-wining AOPA Hangar Talk podcast. David enjoys vintage aircraft and photography.
Go to David Tulis's Profile
Topics: Gear, Flight Bags, EFB

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