Electronic Flight Bags

[fokkerjet]

I've been tasked to gather some information on EFB's, and would like to get some input from crews that use these devices on a regular basis. On the GA side of the fence, Flight Option's seem to have jumped right into it, and now TAG seems to be following suit. Do any of these crews wish to comment how "how's it working out" or crews from any other operator who uses EFB's? Any input is greatly welcomed.:D

[nasib]

I was hoping someone would answer so I don't show my ignorance.

What IS an Electronic Flight Bag?

[Paterbrat]

Was looking at a 604 in Farnborough and saw a 'Fujitsi', I think, computer tablet in the cockpit that the pilot briefly showed me. Uses Jepview discs and seemed pretty handy. I was interested and would like to know more as we use Jepview but print the charts out which can be a bit of a pain.
EFB by Gulfstream sound interesting.

[Narada]

If you are still looking, please see

the DoT (US) site. (http://www.volpe.dot.gov/opsad/efb/)

This is an on-going activity, so it is worth a telephone call or e-mail to them for the latest operational input from pilots.

[Vsf]

Oh yeah, I've seen them mentioned in magazines nowadays. Good grief, yet another electronic device to have to learn? And you can't swat bees with it in the cockpit? Hmm.

[Narada]

Vsf...the flyswatter is part of the second service bulletin. :D

You might like the electronic moving map of the airport surface on a dark rainy windy night when you can hardly see any B on the side of the taxiway.

[Justin Case]

Hi,
I have used the fujitsu's for a year and a half, and I like them. They use the Jeppview program that you may be familiar with already and are basically a small computer with the Jeppview installed. You can use other programs on it, too. like performance or SOP or whatever. The great part is that updating the Jepps is so much easier...load the new disk in and wait about five to ten minutes and that is all. Another benefit is that you are able to maximize the screen to read the small print. The only complaint I have is that in bright daylight it can be hard to read (maybe newer models are brighter?). You may have to make a shadow on the screen to read it easily. Sometimes they crash, just like any computer, but can usually be restarted. I would definitely recommend having two units onboard. It is nice to not have to carry all those paper volumes all over the place. Much more organized and they need so much less space. Hope this was helpful.

[PPRuNe Towers]

Fujitsu generally are the flavour of the month but there are a few wrinkles to be considered.

The tablets come in two flavours: The 3500 and the 3600. The latter is a nicer package but with default settings a Jepp plate loses either the top lines of info or the bottom. This requirement for some limited scrolling doesn't seem to be needed for the 3500 model.

Next on the agenda : Screens - each of the two models comes with 3 potential screen options. Indoor, outdoor or mixed lighting. They're entirely different and the unit has a different suffix to indicate which is fitted. Most seem to opt for the mixed but specialist flightbag suppliers seem confused as to the difference or even existence of these options.

Final point: It might, just might, be the time to hold fast on buying units. The final beta is out for Mr Gates' wonder tablet operating system and the Taiwanese manufacturers are hurling out demo units of their tablets at a ferocious rate of knots. Whether or not general consumers take to the tablet operating system is a deliciously moot point. There will, however, be an immense shake up in tablet specs and pricing during Q4 this year and Q1 next year.

Rob

[mutt]

Excellent news Rob and just in time for when we take delivery of our first BBJ next spring.......


Mutt.

[Bobby Johnson]

Does the jepp have the text section on the tablet. We have held off on buying this equipment as I understand there is another bit of kit emerging that links to the GPS as well.