Location
Mojave West
Topic Area
GENERAL AVIATION
Abstract
Over the last 20 years, Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs) have developed from flight
publication storage devices hosted on modified laptop computers into fully interactive near-avionics-quality navigation equipment based on consumer-grade tablet computers. Broadly speaking, the Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) 14 regulates the use of this type of equipment for commercial airlines, commuter operations, and fractional ownership operators, but not for General Aviation (GA). Due, in part, to this lack of governance, little is known about EFB use in GA. Using an internet-based survey, this study found strong correlation between tablet EFB use and flight type, e.g. Visual Flight Rules, multi-leg Instrument Flight Rules, among GA pilots. Further, survey data reveal which EFB capabilities are desired by GA pilots and their perceptions of EFB usability compared to paper flight publications. Analysis of these results led to recommendations for GA stakeholders, including the National Transportation Safety Board and tablet computer manufacturers.
Start Date
17-1-2014 3:15 PM
Scholarly Commons Citation
Ohme, Marty, "Use of Tablet Computers as Electronic Flight Bags in General Aviation" (2014). Aviation / Aeronautics / Aerospace International Research Conference. 37.
https://commons.erau.edu/aircon/2014_Challenges_Facing_our_Industry/january-17-2014/37
Use of Tablet Computers as Electronic Flight Bags in General Aviation
Mojave West
Over the last 20 years, Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs) have developed from flight
publication storage devices hosted on modified laptop computers into fully interactive near-avionics-quality navigation equipment based on consumer-grade tablet computers. Broadly speaking, the Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) 14 regulates the use of this type of equipment for commercial airlines, commuter operations, and fractional ownership operators, but not for General Aviation (GA). Due, in part, to this lack of governance, little is known about EFB use in GA. Using an internet-based survey, this study found strong correlation between tablet EFB use and flight type, e.g. Visual Flight Rules, multi-leg Instrument Flight Rules, among GA pilots. Further, survey data reveal which EFB capabilities are desired by GA pilots and their perceptions of EFB usability compared to paper flight publications. Analysis of these results led to recommendations for GA stakeholders, including the National Transportation Safety Board and tablet computer manufacturers.