Originally Posted by
Cohiba
I think we'll see the turb, wx, moving map, flt plan and some other cool things. Jepp has it but DAL isn't even begun the testing phase yet. Actually we're doing something nobody else is doing... introducing 2 different devices at the same time and doing dual certificate testing. I think the add-on's layer on too much complexity to the initial testing. In actuality, there are several airlines very excited to move to the Microsoft system and Windows 8. For a corporation, it's much easier to support one OS than several different (just look at how amicable DAL is to MAC users--I can't even get Safari to load DL NET). Once the test is over and all the fleets move to the Surface, I suspect the add-on's will be turned on (maybe not all at once though).
GEO referenced charts and a link to weather are not limitations from the Surface 2 or the software. These limitations are result of the FAA being uncomfortable with the device being used to supplement or to replace certificated systems on board the aircraft.
Yes, an iPad, a Surface 2 and even my hooptie it up Android have these capabilities of the box.
The non LTE Surface 2 lacks an onboard GPS. We will see if the FAA makes them turn off GEO Referencing (aka moving map) inside the Jepp software. If they leave the software functional then a moving map will be as easy as buying a GPS receiver and turning it on 😁