Q2 Newsletter: Celebrating the Hybrid Cockpit and a Milestone Q1
Welcome to the Q2 Newsletter: The State of the Hybrid Cockpit
Welcome to our second quarterly newsletter of 2026! Before we dive into our recent updates, I want to take a moment to say a heartfelt thank you to every single member of our community.
Whether you’ve been with us since the beginning or just joined recently, you are part of a growing movement of “Hybrid Cockpit” practitioners. We believe that the best way to fly is by combining the information density of modern tablets with the tactile, high-reliability foundation of a physical kneeboard. Your feedback, stories, and passion for safe flying are what drive “better kneeboards for safer pilots” forward every single day.
1. Updates and Features: A Look Back at Q1
The first quarter of 2026 was one of our most productive yet. Out of 12 new features released in Q1, we’ve picked the following three as the most significant improvements to your GA Kneeboard experience.
VFR Departure Mode
Weather, taxi, and takeoff instructions must be right the first time. Our new VFR Departure Mode for the VFR Tile was designed to organize this data flow.
Support for Departure Plates (v6.12.0)
The Airport Tile is now listing Departure Plates along other airport documents. This is the third dot on the Airport Tile “PAPI”. Very handy to get important PDF in one click.
Risk Mitigation Mode (v6.10.6)
Better Kneeboard for Safer Pilots is our motto. In v6.10.6, we released the Emergency Tile which is a perfect addition to a reference card under your notes page. Click on the PAPI dots to navigate different modes.
2. GA Kneeboard in the News: Telling Our Story
We had a very special moment this quarter that we are incredibly proud of. GA Kneeboard was recently featured in General Aviation News!
In the article, “The Hybrid Cockpit”, I had the opportunity to tell the story of why we started this journey. We talked about the philosophy of bridging digital efficiency with physical reliability—a topic that resonates with so many of you who have felt the frustration of an iPad overheating or a complex menu system failing at the worst possible moment.
I am grateful to General Aviation News for helping us tell our story. This milestone reinforces our mission: helping pilots stay safer and more organized in the cockpit for years to come as we continue to influence modern flight deck habits.
3. Opinion: Tying Everything Together
The Orcas Island Flight
I recently had a flight that really brought home why we do this. In my latest personal post, “Tying Everything Together”, I reflect on a short IFR flight to Orcas Island.
This flight was a perfect example of the “Hybrid Cockpit” in action. Between managing a high-performance aircraft, filing IFR, and executing an approach to minimums in actual conditions, it was a flight that demanded every skill I’ve painstakingly acquired over the years. But more than the technical challenge, it was the rewarding experience of sharing that smooth, organized cockpit with my family that made it special. It’s a reminder that at the end of the day, all our training, all our new features, and all our “Risk Mitigation” modes are there to enable these unforgettable moments safely.
When everything “ties together”—the training, the tools, and the experience—that’s when GA really shines. I encourage you to read the full account of that flight; it was one of those rare moments where the hours of practice and the investment in our tools paid off in purely emotional dividends.
Recommendation: Airplane Academy Pilot Flashcards
On the topic of staying sharp outside the cockpit, I want to give a huge shout-out to Charlie over at Airplane Academy. His Private Pilot Flashcards are an excellent tool for anyone currently in training or looking to refresh their knowledge.
The physical form factor of these cards is perfect for quick study sessions away from the screen. Whether you’re prepping for a checkride or quiz sessions with friends, these cards are the best way to sharpen your “ground school brain” and I can’t recommend them enough.
What’s Next?
As we head into Q2, we are (always) making the utility simpler and more convenient. Are you doing something manually today that could use automation? Let us know! We love hearing from you.
Until then, fly safe and stay organized!
Blue skies and tailwinds,
JC and the GA Kneeboard Team