It means that we have one-way data from our panels to the iPad and probably other pads later.   It means developers can access the nav, fuel, ils, autopilot and other data and make recommendations to a pilot or log events with apps or programs that can get changed or updated without expensive certification.   It means, for example, I could have the iPad provide a more comprehensive fuel estimate for a turbine using descent profiles and expected times at altitudes versus the normal time-and-distance calculations that comes off a panel box today.

I think this is where we could go:   Picture a Lancair with a Tru-Trak and a simple WAAS GPS built in.  The [iPad or whatever] brings in the charts, nav data, routing, weather and all the current external data to complete the flight.  The [iPad] snaps into the panel before flight and automagically loads the panel with nav and radio data much like the G696 can upload flightplans to the GNS boxes today.  It loads the tru-Trak GPS with the [iPad] flight plan.   The tru-trak flies, navigates but the [iPad] displays all the charts, freqs and nav logs and even autoloads the radios with frequencies.  My backup is my primary instrumentation [6-pack, GNS, whatever is currently installed].   

I think its reasonable because we're able to bring those charts and data into the cockpit on that device today and its legal.   If we can ever communicate into the panel that will be the ultimate goal.  It would remove the need for a GNS430, GTN-xxx or whatever certified box we have in our uncertified airplanes.  You would just need a WAAS gps module somewhere in the loop (or two or three since they would be cheap).  Garmin might even come out with a single uncertified radio that combines all those features and is capable of accepting uploads.   It might also mean paying a silly price for data could be going away since we bring it in fresh every flight.  We no longer need to load and store expensive navdata on every Garmin or Chelton.

The primary pilot interface might be an inexpensive and highly capable device leaving us with radios and autopilots as they are today to actually fly and communicate.  Our backups might also be inexpensive and highly reliable devices as well.