# Pilot Display — ARS and ION companion app

> Companion app for ARS/ION devices providing flight navigation and live video. (iPhone/iPad app by Earthscape.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pilot-display/id982944211 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Earthscape](https://appshunter.io/developer/288154063)
- Category: Navigation, Utilities
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings · 1 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.0 · 3 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2015-06-11
- Data updated: 2026-06-11
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pilot-display/id982944211/reviews.md

## What is Pilot Display?

Pilot Display is the iOS companion application for the Shotover Systems ARS and ION devices. Pilot Display is designed to be viewed by the pilot to provide a navigational aid when flying to a location, or a search pattern. The application can also be used by any passengers or crew who may be interested in information about the aircraft or viewing live video.

Pilot Display supports live streaming video for up to three channels. You can view what the cameras are recording or what the ARS screen is displaying all in real-time. Flick up or down on the video to switch channels. Tap the screen to show the settings option and configure Pilot Display. Flick left and right to change the view.

Video can be turned on or off at any time and viewed in three different layouts:
- Thumbnail Video
- Full Screen Video
- Full Screen Video with Overlays

Pilot Display provides lots of data overlays. Over 20 different data fields are available depending on the current system mode.

Gimbal Mode provides information about the gimbal and camera:
- Aircraft Absolute Heading
- Camera Field of View
- Camera Slant Range
- Camera Target Absolute Heading
- Camera Target Relative Heading
- Camera Elevation Absolute Angle
- Aircraft Altitude (AMSL / AGL)
- Aircraft Speed
- Orbit Helper Radius
- TGT Coordinates

Marker Mode provides information about a specific point of interest in addition to all of the Gimbal Mode information:
- Marker Address
- Marker Absolute Heading
- Marker Relative Heading
- Marker Estimated Time to Arrival
- Marker Estimated Time Enroute
- Marker Ground Distance
- Marker Coordinates


Vehicle Follow Mode provides information about a search pattern, plus most of the Gimbal Mode  information:
- Offset shows how far left or right of the ideal search pattern the aircraft is
- Next Waypoint Estimated Time To Arrival
- Next Waypoint Estimated Time Enroute
- Distance Remaining in Search Pattern
- Distance Completed in Search Pattern
- Distance to next waypoint


Camera Follow Mode provides information about a camera search pattern including most information from the Gimbal and Vehicle Follow Modes. No offset is provided in this mode.

All fields are user reconfigurable - just tap and select to customize your layout. You can even select the color of the text for enhanced visibility. Fields can be viewed in several measurement units.

Your mission system will need to be configured to use a WIFI access point if not already installed. Please contact your support representative to discuss updating and enabling the Pilot Display feature.

Please note that ION support will require software version 2.X or above.

## Key features

- Live streaming video (up to 3 channels)
- Customizable data overlays (over 20 fields)
- Multiple video layout options
- Gimbal, Marker, Vehicle Follow, and Camera Follow modes
- User-configurable display fields and text color
- Support for various measurement units

## Recent user reviews (1 of 1)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pilot-display/id982944211/reviews.md

### 4/5 — Helpful app for pilots

*2016-02-23*

This app is helpful for pilots who are flying technicians in the back of aircraft and who can't see their video displays.  Makes communication between pilot and camera operator much easier.  Would like to see a few additions to be even better including easy displays of groundspeed, altitude in AGL, and lateral offset from a transect line.

## Frequently asked questions about Pilot Display

### What is Pilot Display?

Pilot Display is an iOS companion application designed for Shotover Systems ARS and ION devices. It provides pilots with navigational aid and allows passengers and crew to view live video and aircraft data.

### Does Pilot Display have ads?

No, Pilot Display is ad-free, allowing for an uninterrupted user experience.

### What devices does Pilot Display support?

Pilot Display is available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices.

### How do I switch video channels in Pilot Display?

You can switch between up to three live video channels by flicking up or down on the video display within the app.

### Can I customize the data shown in Pilot Display?

Yes, all data fields are user-reconfigurable. You can tap and select to customize your layout and even choose the text color for enhanced visibility.

### What are the different modes available in Pilot Display?

Pilot Display offers Gimbal Mode, Marker Mode, Vehicle Follow Mode, and Camera Follow Mode, each providing specific data and navigational information relevant to your flight.

### Is Pilot Display free to download?

Yes, Pilot Display is available for free download on the App Store.

### How often is Pilot Display updated?

The app was last updated on November 29, 2023, indicating regular maintenance and potential feature additions.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.5 — 2023-11-29

- Added new customizable crosshair
- Added video crop mode selector

### 1.4 — 2021-04-28

- Added options to display coordinates for target and waypoint.
- More granularity in units for speed and waypoint.
- For systems with more than one pilot display server: reconnect to preferred server with timeout added.
- IOS 14+ permissions for accessing the local network.

### 1.3 — 2020-02-06

Major:
- Rewrote video playback for faster & more reliable video

Other additions:
- UI tweaks to make sure newer IPhones look good
- Nautical miles now available as measurement
- AGL for aircraft altitude now available with version 3.28 or higher of ARS
- Field selection now more configurable and reliable
- Disable IOS sleep when connected to ARS
- Resuming app from background no longer requires a reconnect

### 1.2.1 — 2019-04-23

-Fix for video not working in IOS 12.2
-Fullscreen mode by tapping screen
-Fonts are outlined for easier readability
-Feedback when switching video streams (swipe up/down to switch)
-Last screen mode is saved so the Pilot Display will start up in the last display mode

### 1.2.0 — 2017-10-21

An orbit helper has been added. This will aid in setting up orbits based off either a fixed distance, or an ideal distance based off a desired camera angle.
Support for ION streaming.
Flick up or down on the video to switch between streams.
Add option for separate altitude units from other units.
The "video off" display will no longer pulse.
Minor tweaks and bug fixes.

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-11.*
