Good New Electronic Charts V’s Paper
The future is not paper, the future are integrated systems with a file server and approach charts and enroute maps on an aircraft display.
Connected to the FMS they give the departure, destination and alternate airport charts pre-selected by FMS flight plan.
With FMS approach selection the corresponding approach charts are pre-selected as well.
Finally the charts are less used as the frequencies are auto tuned; the inbound course is auto set. The ATIS is pre-selected by FMS. And the restricting altitudes/speeds are listed in the FMS and on screens (if chosen to show up)
This includes holdings and missed approaches.
And on some systems all is displayed as a 3D graphic with underlying terrain information from a database.
If aviation would not be extremely conservative the charts as we know them would be obsolete by now. We need the data and information but not the chart (regardless if paper or on display) But until then we use it in the traditional form.
Now when selecting electronic charts the own ship position is given.
This greatly simplifies taxi, avoids runway incursions and increases situational awareness on the ground and in the air. Paper can never offer this.
For a single file server backup can be via a portable device, EFB, Laptop or Tablet PC. All of them can run on aircraft power and have a battery for stand by.
If you are flying an older aircraft without this integrated solution one can invest in an EFB II or better EFB III system that offers nearly the same in a semi portable or fixed arrangement.
Check out FAA AC 120 (something) it gives all the requirements.
Hardware cost are 10000$-20000$ . This will include ship power supply and standby batt, 2 screens (one for each pilot) displaying the charts (cross loading possible)
It will add WX weather, one can have an internet connection, it offers a standby PFD based on an additional AHRS and offers synthetic vision (ok none certified) and many more options.
To make the cockpit paperless the POH, SOP’s and MX manuals are availed in digital format as well. And one can run aircraft performance software.
Did I miss something?
Maybe the MS flight sim for the PNF.
And to answer the questions:
Coming from an operation where we use paper jeppesen charts I would like to [b]start the debate on wheather electronic charts really are a better solution.
Cost issue, does the expense of purchasing the hardware such as a tablet PC as well as the subscription to jepview and worldwide area updates justify itself.
Price is very similar for both as Jeppesen is not charging what it cost but what they can get. If you include the cost of time for paper revision electronic wins.
Ease of use, do you find that the tablet pc or other electronic shart solutions are easy to use in the cockpit. eg if you get a late change of runway/approach are they that simple to use, is it easy to pull the relavent charts in a hurry.
Using a fully integrated chart viewer with FMS support a runway change is done in no time, nothing is faster. (if you know how to push the buttons)
The Jepp software is not great but can be learned and charts can be pre-selected.
No advantage for ether. (but the computer has to be learned in a same way as one learned how to get charts out of a binder and stack them up. )
Is the hardware robust enough???
Use two systems both with ship power and own battery constantly charged . Only a EMP will make look paper great.
Having never used any electronic version I ask for your opinions. I'm open to any suggestions comments etc.
What are the best standalone options out there in the market today.
You can rely on a physical piece of paper. Can you 100% rely on the electronic options around.
Nothing is 100% sure ! drop 500 charts when the binder opens and good luck to find the right one for the coming approach.