EFB

[soloviev]

Hi. Just wondering if someone is able to clarify my doubt on EFBs under the EASA system.
Is one of those iPad based ATLs considered as EFBs?
Not to my understanding as the iPad is shut before the flight, ATL have no need to be used in flight.
I do understand there are some different opinions although.
Thanks

[Ian W]

Originally Posted by soloviev

Hi. Just wondering if someone is able to clarify my doubt on EFBs under the EASA system.
Is one of those iPad based ATLs considered as EFBs?
Not to my understanding as the iPad is shut before the flight, ATL have no need to be used in flight.
I do understand there are some different opinions although.
Thanks

I can't help you directly. But the current thinking on new concepts is that EFB's would be used continually during the flight for negotiating trajectories/flight plans and receiving weather and NOTAM information. They are also expected to replace whatever is used for chat back to dispatch and probably allow some level of 'negotiation' chat with ATC. Some research implementations even allow the flight crew to look at other traffic/trajectories around them on the EFB.

[First.officer]

If your talking EFB (electronic flight bag) and ATL (Aircraft Technical Log?), then in EASA-land, your best bet would be to chat with your FOI and NAA to see what they ideally are looking for. The ATL would most likely form a Type 'B' software application on the chosen device. Assuming you already have an approval for iPad devices, this would be an approval of the application itself, and inclusion in to your current EFB set-up (Training, Manuals, Policy & Procedures, Audit Schedule, , RA's, Outside Auditing Schedules etc. etc.) - it's a bit of work for sure and not an easy process, and an external agency will likely be able to assist but at a high premium i'm sure (likely 5-figure depending on level of assistance needed!). Also, I would highly recommend contacting the company supplying the software - as if its a dedicated software application, it's highly likely they have a subject matter expert on approvals such as the one i think your looking for, and also will likely hold software conformity certificates, EASA operational evaluation reports, RA's (maybe) etc. - oh, and then there is the Engineering input and required items there that need to be considered, so key to get them on-board and contributing.

https://www.easa.europa.eu/document-...air-operations

The above link takes you to EASA's Easy Access for Air Operations, and all the relevant (current) EDs, AMC's GM, Regs. etc. are all contained within the publication i think you'll find.

If you don't hold an iPad approval, or are about to embark on using a dedicated device that differs from that currently in use, then its basically a new application from the start and then incorporating in to your existing programme alongside the current devices in use IMHO.