The right iPad cockpit mount holds the tablet secure in turbulence, clear of the flight controls, and readable at eye level — and its approval basis has to match your aircraft.
For the full breakdown, see our best Aircraft iPad Mount guide.
A tablet that slides loose in a steep turn is a distraction at the worst moment. Mount choice comes down to four things: aircraft compatibility, pilot visibility, control clearance, and regulatory status. For most Part 91 operators, the practical question is simple — is the device securely mounted, and does it stay clear of the controls and required instruments?
What Makes A Cockpit Mount Airworthy
Airworthiness depends on whether the mount obstructs anything you must see or touch, and whether the installation is legally documented. FAA acceptance letters for panel mounts allow installation as a minor alteration only when the mount does not detrimentally obstruct the pilot’s view of required instrumentation and meets applicable maintenance and regulatory requirements. A clamp that pinches the yoke boot or a bracket that crowds the fuel selector fails no matter how clean it looks. FAA safety material on iPads takes the same line: secure the tablet to your leg or use a cockpit mount, placed so it does not interfere with the cockpit.
Two routes exist and they are not the same. A portable EFB accessory is a removable convenience item. A certified or approved installed component is a permanent change carrying logbook and maintenance implications. Confusing the two is a common and costly mistake.
Matching The Mount Type To Your Aircraft
Mount style follows cockpit geometry: yoke mounts suit control-yoke aircraft, suction mounts suit side-window use, and panel mounts replace the question with an approved installation.
- Yoke mounts: the FAA notes these can work in Cessna and Piper aircraft, clamping the tablet where your hands already rest.
- Suction mounts: suited to side-window use in side-stick aircraft such as Cirrus or Cessna Corvalis, where a yoke mount has nothing to grip.
- Panel mounts: a flush-mounting system integrating the device into the instrument panel, where the approval question becomes unavoidable.
Mount any type near your normal scan so you are not forcing your head down and away from the outside view.
Approval Rules For Installed Panel Mounts
An installed panel mount needs an approval basis tied to your aircraft category — a portable accessory does not. Several products are marketed as approved for Part 23 aircraft and Part 27/29 helicopters under FAA NORSEE. Model-specific compatibility is where buyers get burned: an FAA acceptance letter for UltraThin iPad panel mounts lists specific part numbers, including MNT-2020 for the iPad mini 4 and MNT-2025 for the iPad Air 2 and Pro 9.7, showing approved solutions are built around exact tablet generations.
| Mount Type | Best Fit | Approval Status |
|---|---|---|
| Yoke mount | Cessna and Piper control-yoke cockpits | Portable EFB accessory, removable |
| Suction mount | Side-window use in Cirrus or Corvalis | Portable EFB accessory, removable |
| Leg strap | Any cockpit as a secure fallback | Portable EFB accessory, removable |
| Panel flush mount | Permanent integration in certified aircraft | Needs NORSEE or manufacturer documentation |
| Part 23 panel mount | U.S. certified fixed-wing aircraft | Marketed under FAA NORSEE |
| Part 27/29 panel mount | Certified rotorcraft | Marketed under FAA NORSEE |
| Model-specific bracket | One exact iPad generation only | Covered by FAA acceptance letter |
For a permanent installation, look for FAA NORSEE language or equivalent official approval documentation tied to your aircraft category. The FAA acceptance letter for iPad panel mounts spells out the conditions that keep an installation inside the minor-alteration lane.
Portable EFB Rules Under Part 91
Under Part 91, the decision to use an EFB in flight rests with the operator and pilot in command, provided the information is current and functionally equivalent to paper references. The FAA treats iPads as portable or mounted EFBs, and this guidance applies to VFR and IFR operations unless another rule prohibits the use. The legal bar for a removable mount is lighter than for a panel installation — but the physical bar is not. A suction mount that pops off in a climb is not safer than a bolted bracket just because it avoids paperwork. If comparing specific units, our tested roundup of the best aircraft iPad mount options puts the models side by side on real cockpits. Before buying, verify the exact iPad model and case dimensions the mount supports, then walk the cockpit and confirm it clears the yoke, throttles, trim, flaps, switches, and required displays.
References & Sources
- Federal Aviation Administration. “FAA Acceptance Letter — iPad Panel Mounts (NORSEE).” Source for minor-alteration conditions, required-instrument visibility, and listed part numbers.
- FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam). “Top 12 iPad Tips.” Source for securing the iPad to your leg or using a cockpit mount, and yoke-mount aircraft examples.
- Aviation Consumer. “iPad Panel Mounts: They Beat Kneeboards.” Editorial coverage of panel-mount products.