Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 51; Flight Crew Total 191; Flight Crew Type 45
Human-Machine Interface; Training / Qualification; Fatigue; Workload; Distraction
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Chart Or Publication; Aircraft
During a routine IFR training flight; I was unable to access my approach plates on my ForeFlight application in my iPad.Before departure; I did my typical run-up procedures; instrument checks; etc. and got set up with my Garmin 650 GPS for the LOC Runway 2 approach into WVI. I did this on the ground to reduce my workload in the air for this lesson. After completing all my tasks; I then took off and departed downwind and began my set up for the approach. I have an XGPS 160 that links with my iPad (wifi only) so that I can see my position inflight and record my progress. As I was starting my approach briefing and setup; demonstrating to my CFII; my iPad was not allowing me to activate my approach plates. This was discovered midflight upon reaching my cruising altitude of 4;500 feet. We were going to be getting Pop-Up IFR clearance since we were approaching MVFR to IMC conditions due to the marine layer coming inFrom my interpretation; I had believed all maps and charts would not be up to date since they changed the day before. It appeared that the maps that I thought had been updated overnight had actually not been downloaded on my iPad and my maps; approaches; and terminal procedures were all inaccessible. I should add this in my preflight check.After this was discovered; I didn't say anything to my CFII and instead decided to remove the iPad from my yoke mount and throw it in the back; it was no longer useful to me.Since I am getting ready for my check ride soon; I decided to treat myself as if it were me solo in an IFR flight and grabbed a spare set of instrument charts in a Terminal Procedure book I had in hand in case of this very situation. I also had a paper enroute chart and all the charts downloaded on my iPhone as a worst case scenario.To give myself more time with the paper charts and to still maintain my flight I just powered back to 55% power to not rush and handle the situation.After I had the paper charts; I was able to successfully shoot 3 instrument approaches at night and luckily get some good practice basically simulation being alone in IFR condition. ATC was not notified since the issue was resolved with the paper charts.This isn't the first situation where this sort of event happened; another time happened when the temperature was 100+ and my iPad shutdown midflight during an ILS approach. Again; paper charts are always a good resort.Human Factors-less critical issue-human error-workload increase-fatigue-had a CFII as back up; didn't need to use
C172 pilot reported his iPad failed to load the needed approach charts during a practice approach.