Apple’s new iPad Air, which is thinner and weighs 20 percent less than the previous-generation iPad, has passed rapid decompression testing conducted by Jeppesen. The company tested the iPad Air to 51,000 feet, similar to tests conducted on all previous iPad versions. “No anomalies were detected during testing of any of the iPad models,” according to Jeppesen, which makes the Mobile FliteDeck and FliteDeck VFR apps for the iPad.

The new iPad Air is powered by Apple’s 64-bit A7 chip and a separate M7 motion coprocessor, the latter fed information by sensors such as the three-axis gyro and accelerometer. The M7 coprocessor could lead to new aviation app capabilities, although none has yet been announced.

Jeppesen’s Mobile FliteDeck recently added geo-referenced approach charts, which display own-ship position on the chart. During AIN’s recent test of the new feature using an iPad mini with an external Dual XGPS150 GPS receiver, the own-ship display on Mobile FliteDeck was rock solid throughout the approach procedure. After landing, Mobile FliteDeck automatically displays the airport chart.

Mobile FliteDeck is a free download from the App Store, but users will need a JeppView or Express JeppView subscription to download current charts.