iPad EFB Mounting Info

[Lotus Eater]

Hello all,

I'm on a project team of a major North American airline that is tasked with bringing a iPad EFB to our flight decks. I'm looking for comments/info on iPad mounting systems that are currently in use at other airlines.

Thanks in advance to anyone that might be able to help me out!

[ImbracableCrunk]

I use the RAM mount. It's bulky and in the 737 it's difficult to find a position that is a comfortable viewing distance yet out of the way of your arm and the window latch.

[PT6A]

Drop an email to easyJet they are testing the iPad EFB on two aircraft at present, they might be willing to give you some info.

Try Matthew North.

[lederhosen]

If you have the standard apple cover and buy a piece of plastic slightly wider than the cover (width of a ruler) you will find you can hang it perfectly well between the window frame and the map holder on the 737. I am probably not explaining this very well, but trust me it works a treat for vitually nil cost, so worth figuring out.

[proxus]

If you have the standard apple cover and buy a piece of plastic slightly wider than the cover (width of a ruler) you will find you can hang it perfectly well between the window frame and the map holder on the 737. I am probably not explaining this very well, but trust me it works a treat for vitually nil cost, so worth figuring out.

I would assume that a major North American airline is looking for something less "homemade" and more official solution for their iPads. :)

[Shunanny]

Try Fokker Services
They provide an iPad EFB solution

[Denti]

As far as i know Navaero has some iPad solution within its existing EFB STCs, including mounting technology and aircraft connectivity. As we only use their own EFB systems i do not know exactly, just check out their website.

[FlightPathOBN]

Lotus Eater, what type of aircraft?

IF you decide NOT to mount it, the approval is straight forward and minimal.

IF you decide to mount it, it will be a custom for each aircraft type, with approval process for each type. I think you will find very, very few airlines/aircraft that have FAA approved mounts (Americans mounts are proprietary, and only for a few ac types...)

IF you want to use it for all phases of flight..well..good luck.

[Lotus Eater]

We are considering Class 1 vs 2 at this point. We need to get clarification from the regulator as to what exactly constitutes a mounted unit, as the Canadian AC is not entirely clear on the definition whereas the US AC is. Are we talking screwed into the aircraft or is a velcro attachment to the existing approach plate holder also considered mounted?

Ideally, we'd like something fairly simple like a suction (RAM) mount, but any solution, simple or complicated, will be considered in the business analysis.

The solution will have to be common and work for a variety jet transport category aircraft.

Thanks to everyone for the info provided thus far.

[j3cubcapt]

Lotus, are you looking for class 1 "Secured"
Or
Class 2 "Mounted"?

Here are a couple off of my head....

Class 1 options....
NPI RAM suction cup
Panavise suction cup
Flytabtray
IPadDeckMount


Class 2 options...
Carlisle ECS
Chipewaw Aviation
ASIG

[FlightPathOBN]

Will,

I am interested in how the suction cup type of mounts do with the rapid decompression test....

Here is a charger for the flight deck...

Global Navigation Sciences (http://www.globalnavigationsciences.com/products.html)

[lederhosen]

I am amazed by everyone's determination to go for the complicated solution. The 737 (at least) has a perfectly good map holder. Anyone who has an ipad will have tried mounting it in that obvious place and discovered the clamp will not hold it. If the company provides everyone with a dollar piece of plastic the right length then your problem may well be solved.

It certainly holds more reliably than suction cups etc. One end wedges solidly against the window frame and the other in the clamp. This is the kind of thinking that has got most of our employers in serious financial difficulty. At least add it to your list of things to trial before you rubbish the idea.

[AvChappy]

Just started installing the EFB system and mounts to our aircraft over the last few months. Done under an SB from the manufacturer using the RAM mounts and some serious sheetmetal work to the airframe. Apparently ipads are heavy (??) Wiring for a power converter and usb connectors aswell, so it'll power anything that uses usb :ok:

[Capn Bloggs]

IF you decide NOT to mount it, the approval is straight forward and minimal.
And that approval would allow you to do what exactly?

[ImbracableCrunk]

Lederhosen - simple and legal may not be the same thing. We couldn't use our iPads below 10,000' if they weren't mounted on something the FAA likes.

I think your (and many others) solution is great, but the Feds won't like it.

[lederhosen]

Our current toughbook efb solution also cannot be used for takeoff and landing and is rather less use than the semi official ipads most of us use. I think I saw United have some kind of robust cover on their ipads, but they too did not seem to be mounted. The FAA may not like the kiss (keep it simple solution) but for the vast majority of time in flight it works fine.

[PT6A]

What about the EFB that SWISS use? It is not mounted and it appears they are not using paper charts below 10k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vn7V_yvl4w

[FE Hoppy]

@PT6A

It has a fixed mount and is removable.

[PT6A]

Thanks FE,

I have only seen them in that video, and it did not appear they were using the mount.

So SWISS are using a mount similar to the ones at LH then I guess?

[FlightPathOBN]

And that approval would allow you to do what exactly?

Bloggs, it allows for it to sit in your lap, and stow it during the critical phases of flight. (very useful)

I for one think that it should have voice navigation, just like the car units...

"turn left to heading 160 and descend to 10 thousand feet" or "left turn ahead to taxiway 16L in 200 meters"

wouldnt that be great!

The American unit looks like its velcro'd on...
http://www.aircraftit.com/Uploads/ContentPages/CMS/Images/Image%207.png

http://www.aircraftit.com/Uploads/ContentPages/CMS/Images/Image%204.png

[robdean]

I can offer no solution to the core question of mounting the iPads, but I have found that the Griffin Airstrap (http://store.griffintechnology.com/airstrap) is a uniquely practical addition to a handheld iPad - I've never found anything even remotely equivalent. It gives a safe one-handed grip on any edge of the tablet, and an ultra-secure ergonomic one handed option if you slip your fingers under the rear strap. And no, I'm not suggesting this as an alternative to a mounting, rather it's just a BTW!

[Capn Bloggs]

"ipad deck mount": can't mount portrait = no good. :ouch:

[Garnitur]

@PT6A

The EFBs in the video are the old ones, now obsolete. Current solution on the AVROs is as FE has mentioned, on the Airbus fleet there are now Toughbooks in use which can be put in the checklist storage box so you can use them below 10000ft, back then you had to have the the paper charts readily available, whatever that meant...

[Agent86]

Have a look at The Wallee (http://www.studioproper.com.au/products/ipad-3-wall-mount)

All you need is the engineering to add a wall mount in a suitable position.

Easy mount/remove ..works in Landscape/Portrait.

Can use with smart covers.

[raastro]

For the Class 1 EFB list that you had, I think that you mean FlyPad Tray. This is being evaluated by several US carriers, and is about to receive FAA Authorization from one of them.

[ehwatezedoing]

Sorry, I'm arriving 6 months after the battle question.

We just use iPad knee board.
A bit bulky at first but you get used to it.
Then we will soon switch for the iPad mini which is even better size wise!

The only modification done to the airframes is compatible plugs each side of the cockpit. To be able to charge our units in flight.

[Dunga]

The iPad Deck Mount is a mount that can be used with your cover and is an easy to install and remove mount.
They have mounts for many different airplanes.

[keesje]

I know Fokker Services certified IPad FB on many different aircraft types during the last few yrs and is shipping the kits in large numbers all over the world, but there are more providers.

Fokker Services - iPad EFB (http://www.fokkerservices.com/iPad-EFB)

[Dunga]

FYI On the B-737 portrait mode is not an ideal viewing mode. Physically not enough clearance with your arm is resting on the arm erstwhile flying and hinders using tiller on Capt side.
the iPad Deck mount takes this in consideration.

[keesje]

There seem to be multiple STC's and providers for virtually all aircraft types these days.

https://www.modstore.aero/UploadedImages/screensaver%20visual.jpg

All FAA / EASA STC's including 2013 can be found on ModStore. If you become visitor member you get STC and STC owner / supplier details.

https://www.modstore.aero/modifications?query=EFB

[ray cosmic]

Try The iPad holder for a Boeing, Airbus. CRJ, ERJ, Dash 8, ATR, DC10, MD11 (http://www.planeholder.com)

[Dunga]

USAirways is using the iPad Deck Mount.
The Ram Mount will fall off the window...

[Capn Bloggs]

ipad deck mount $84. Must be aviation... :=

[Flying Wild]

Jet2 has a hard mount built into the window frame for the 737. This involves a trip to the hangar to install the new windows. Also fitting all aircraft with power supplies to enable USB charging in flight. The 737NG fleet is pretty much all EFB. The 737 Classic fleet are working towards getting rid of paper as well as the 757 fleet.
EFB provides Perf calc, LIDO charts, journey logs, ops manuals, etc.

[flying apple]

captain bloggs: or just apple :}

haven't seen it yet but we will start flying with ipad mini's in the near future and for now they will be mounted with a suction cup on the windshield

[Dunga]

Having terrible luck with suction cup mounts.. Blocks view and falls off window with no warning...would stay away from them.

[listeningwatch]

For those who mentioned in-flight charging - What authorities have approved this? AFAIK this is can a bit of a sticking point when gaining approval

[Denti]

Why would it? We can charge our aircraft mobile phone in flight as well as our windows based EFBs.

[listeningwatch]

What authority is that with Denti? My post is more for the lithium battery contained in the iPad. Risk of thermal runaway, overvoltage, overheating and fire is greater when charging lithium batteries. Therefore authorities are shy to approve flight deck in-flight charging.

[Flying Wild]

Having terrible luck with suction cup mounts.. Blocks view and falls off window with no warning...would stay away from them.

Not a surprise if it's a heated window. Is a laminated window even rated for a suction cup capable of taking the weight of an iPad?

[Jumpjim]

I'm working for a major UK airline.

We are using RAM mounts and just doing final testing before implementing across all fleets. The initial model fell off at 21300' every time so RAM have modified the design with smaller suction cups. The mounts are now completely solid throughout the envelope and certified to 12G.

No issues with the windows as long as you don't put it over the window heat elements at the top of the screen.