Bluetooth GPS in B787 cockpit?
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I can’t help with the 787 question.
But it is interesting to note that our B737 Company iPad EFB’s have no problem getting GPS position when mounted in the bracket on the lower sill of the side window. It is very useful for ownship position on the Jepp App - particularly on the airport moving map during taxi. I guess the 787 has more shielding.
The iPad tends to lose GPS if you remove it from the bracket and place it on your lap.
Also, our Company is in the process of installing a feed from the Aircraft GPS (or perhaps FMC) position to the iPad for the same purpose. I think that connection will be via a USB charge port cable, although it could be Bluetooth - not sure. I haven’t seen one in service yet.
But it is interesting to note that our B737 Company iPad EFB’s have no problem getting GPS position when mounted in the bracket on the lower sill of the side window. It is very useful for ownship position on the Jepp App - particularly on the airport moving map during taxi. I guess the 787 has more shielding.
The iPad tends to lose GPS if you remove it from the bracket and place it on your lap.
Also, our Company is in the process of installing a feed from the Aircraft GPS (or perhaps FMC) position to the iPad for the same purpose. I think that connection will be via a USB charge port cable, although it could be Bluetooth - not sure. I haven’t seen one in service yet.
Hi BluSdUp the aviation one has a bubble of some sort and works without a horizon. Having said that, could not find one in working condition anywhere. Not that I really need it, just for fun.
This bloke says he has a few ready to go. $800 US.
You might need the tripod he is offering too, no idea if they can be hand held. I once saw one in use in a darkened aircraft interior and it appeared to be mounted in the dome.
Search for bubble sextants.
There are loads of cheap ones but the sellers probably have no way to figure out if they are working.
Anyhow the Bad Elf units work well in the 787 when placed in the overhead doorway, where there is less shielding.
The following is from the Bad ELf website:-
"For Part 121 and Part 135 operators, our Bluetooth GPS receivers have been successfully tested, approved, and deployed under FAA AC120-76C for own-ship AMM display during taxi operations. At this time, the FAA does not allow own-ship display on portable devices while en-route. However, EFB apps can display range rings and provide map-centering features using Bad Elf GPS receivers while in-flight.
For Part 91 pilots and operators, Bad Elf GPS units can be used during all phases of flight.
For military pilots, all Bad Elf GPS units successfully passed EMI certification and are listed on the USAF Approved Carry-on Equipment List (as of October 6, 2014) for portable electronics. Our receivers are used worldwide by pilots and ground personnel from every branch of the military."
and if you take a look their site...
https://bad-elf.com/pages/airlines#airlineexplore
You will see they are in use in about 50 airlines and by the US military.
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Also, our Company is in the process of installing a feed from the Aircraft GPS (or perhaps FMC) position to the iPad for the same purpose. I think that connection will be via a USB charge port cable, although it could be Bluetooth - not sure. I haven’t seen one in service yet.
At this time, the FAA does not allow own-ship display on portable devices while en-route.
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https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/A-10A-Air...e/322437635103
This bloke says he has a few ready to go. $800 US.
You might need the tripod he is offering too, no idea if they can be hand held. I once saw one in use in a darkened aircraft interior and it appeared to be mounted in the dome.
Search for bubble sextants.
There are loads of cheap ones but the sellers probably have no way to figure out if they are working.
This bloke says he has a few ready to go. $800 US.
You might need the tripod he is offering too, no idea if they can be hand held. I once saw one in use in a darkened aircraft interior and it appeared to be mounted in the dome.
Search for bubble sextants.
There are loads of cheap ones but the sellers probably have no way to figure out if they are working.
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I hope the pro's won't mind an SLF question here. Sorry if I'm being a dolt but I'm still not clear why a professional airline pilot would buy a GPS to use in his/her company's 787 flight deck. Don't 787's come with lots of super-duper state of the art nav equipment already fitted as standard?
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I wrote it above, but will write it again. It’s not for navigation, but for orientation on electronic maps/charts that are becoming more and more common with portable EFB computers such as iPads etc.
Most companies issue those to pilots, even if the airplane itself has an $1million built in EFB (which is cr@p BTW).
Having a GPS, which displays ownship position is not crucial, but still a‘nice to have’ feature, enabling better orientation on the map and doing eg. electronic plotting on oceanic flights.
My airline is now in the process of enabling the GPS on our EFB tablets, even though the airplane itself has an impressive combo of NAV sensors, including a dual GPS receiver.
Most companies issue those to pilots, even if the airplane itself has an $1million built in EFB (which is cr@p BTW).
Having a GPS, which displays ownship position is not crucial, but still a‘nice to have’ feature, enabling better orientation on the map and doing eg. electronic plotting on oceanic flights.
My airline is now in the process of enabling the GPS on our EFB tablets, even though the airplane itself has an impressive combo of NAV sensors, including a dual GPS receiver.
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Thanks for reply Bloggs but I don't understand that post. Something to with the fact EFB apps don't show your position on the ground movement charts so you buy your own GPS to add that functionality??? Just answer yes or no and I'll take it up elsewhere if necessary as I don't want to hog the thread.
EDIT - think S n R answered my question as I was typing. Thanks.
EDIT - think S n R answered my question as I was typing. Thanks.
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I haven't been in the cockpit of a 787 yet, but back in the self-loading freight hold the windows are thoroughly GPS-opaque. Yet they are never thoroughly sun-opaque, so they have two deficiencies. Going back to the passenger cabin for a break to let the GPS sync up is probably not an option.
Originally Posted by Midland63
Something to with the fact EFB apps don't show your position on the ground movement charts so you buy your own GPS to add that functionality???
I don't think these aeroplanes have topo maps (mine certainly doesn't) so I use(d) the external GPS for positioning for my tablet so I can see where I am on Memory Map/Maps.me etc. Good for when the pax ask "what's that lake over there?".
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Other iPad apps
We use an array of iOS apps (LIDO mPilot, eWas for example) that greatly benefit from having a GPS information sent to them.
As sad as it is, the 787's built-in EFB is a disgrace to both Technology (poor quality touch screen, very sluggish processor) and Ergonomy (very poor placement, way out of sight and reach).
I did find a sweet spot where signal is acquired :
Bottom left of captain's side window, rearest area of the indentation, top of the climbing slope.
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These are good, even have ADS-B receiver versions https://gps.dualav.com/