We always thought products from Colorado-based MyGoFlight are made well, have smart features, and are backed by decent field support. And because cockpit tablets have replaced nearly all the paper we fly with, we were anxious to try the company’s SkyFolio kneeboard—a sturdy device that firmly secures most small- to medium-sized tablets.
With a couple of iPads and test aircraft, we put the $199 SkyFolio kneeboard through the wringer.
Protection Needed: SkyFolio up to the Task
Because the iPad and other tablets are so central to flying today, protecting them matters. In aviation, everything gets protected—from headsets to window shades to flight bags—because protection is always cheaper than replacement. That said, every pilot has a different philosophy on how much protection is enough. We generally prefer a minimalist approach and for our iPads, we want the lightest case with the least bulk possible. Not everyone’s workflow is the same, though, and plenty of pilots still want the traditional organization of a kneeboard.
The SkyFolio is marketed as a high-end kneeboard that includes an iPad holder, clipboard, and more. As with many MyGoFlight products, our initial reaction was that it looks and feels like a premium product. The materials are high-quality, the stitching is clean, and the design incorporates thoughtful features like a 360-degree rotating mount, a magnetic clipboard, and a well-fitted knee strap that hides its hardware behind the iPad. The craftsmanship is exactly what MyGoFlight is known for.
However, there’s no getting around the weight. On the kitchen scale, the SkyFolio came in at just under 2 pounds. For reference, our test iPad Pro 11-inch weighs just under a pound (and an earlier iPad we use makes it even heavier), so once the case is added, the total package approaches 3 pounds or more—immediately noticeable. In hand, it feels luxurious, but it also feels heavier and bulkier than we think many pilots will want—especially in tighter cockpits. Strapped to the right leg in one of the planes we tried—a Van’s RV-12—we couldn’t even come close to manipulating the control stick with the SkyFolio fully opened. No way is it going to work there. It wasn’t a lot better in the Cessna 310 we tried it in. Still, we soldiered on with our trial.
Preflight Planning vs. Cockpit Reality
Using the SkyFolio for preflight planning was straightforward. The stand works well, the viewing angles are comfortable, and the magnetic clipboard makes it easy to hold a checklist or jot quick notes. For briefing weather or flight plans, the SkyFolio does everything MyGoFlight advertises, and it just feels good.
But the moment we settled into the left seat of the Cessna T310R, the limitations became clear. One tester is fairly tall, and the space between his lap and the yoke in the 310 is tight. Some airplanes have vast amounts of clearance between the pilot’s lap and the yoke, and some simply do not. With the SkyFolio strapped to the knee, we didn’t have adequate room to manipulate the controls safely. In a spacious cockpit, we’d expect the kneeboard would be far more usable. But in smaller GA aircraft with tight geometry, the size and thickness of the Folio becomes a limiting factor. Moreover, it would likely work well in a Cirrus or Columbia (as two examples) that have displaced control yokes. Did MyGoFlight design this thing specifically for these aircraft? We’d hope not.
When Presentation Matters
As we worked through who would benefit most from this product, we kept coming back to pilots on checkrides. No matter how digital aviation becomes, first impressions during a checkride still matter, and that holds true to the first and last airline job. A CFI drilled that into us before the very first private pilot checkride: Wear slacks, a button-down shirt, a tie, be organized, and nail the first five questions. Start strong, because examiners notice professionalism instantly. The advice hasn’t faltered.
In the old days, showing up organized meant neatly laid-out paper charts, weight and balance sheets, and a carefully arranged kneeboard. Today, applicants usually pull out an iPad. It’s fine until you find yourself digging through your flight bag trying to find loose documents. The SkyFolio solves that problem because it presents the iPad in a clean, structured, professional way. Everything is in its place. Nothing looks sloppy. And when the examiner is watching your organization and workflow from the moment you sit down, the SkyFolio contributes to making a strong first impression. Might that alone justify the purchase? Maybe.
The Price and Durability
The SkyFolio retails for $199, placing it at the high end of kneeboard pricing. MyGoFlight has always positioned their products as premium, and the SkyFolio fits that mold. In terms of durability, it exceeds expectations. We had concerns about the plastics used to secure the knee strap to the back of the case, so we soaked it in water and froze it for 72 hours to test the material. We were unable to crack the plastic or distort any features. The case is undeniably robust, though one pilot who tried the case questioned whether the seams in the case’s fold would crack over time. Only time will tell.
For sure, premium design and durability comes at a cost—both financial and physical. The weight and size will matter more to some pilots than others (though we think the majority of pilots are about saving money), and those trade-offs are part of the decision.
Parting Thoughts
The iPad still holds a vital role in our flying, whether as a backup to advanced avionics, a primary planning tool, or a central part of a workflow. It deserves protection, and the SkyFolio provides that protection at a truly premium level.
But it isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. For pilots who fly tight cockpits, prefer minimalism, or rarely need the iPad strapped to their knee, the SkyFolio may feel way too heavy and too bulky. For pilots who value organization, durability, and especially a polished presentation during checkrides, it delivers on presentation.
Like most things in aviation, the right answer depends entirely on the mission. For some pilots, the SkyFolio could be the perfect fit. For others, a lighter, simpler, and cheaper case will suffice.
This field report was prepared by the Smart Aviator staff.
For > 10 years I’ve used a Cygnet flight desk to hold my iPad. Before that, the same flight desk would hold my paper approach plates. It’s a great place for it. Very readable still, but also out of the way compared to sitting on one’s lap. My iPad never moves, even in turbulence on the flight desk. It also stays cool. I have a piece of kitchen drawer liner underneath it that adds some friction between the iPad and flight desk. It can be used on Bonanza throw over yokes as well as the Bonanze/Baron dual yoke. Very nicely built. The flight desk is held in place by screws that go into pre-existing holes in the center column.
https://www.cygnet-aero.com/beech-flight-desk-ca35-236