EFBs
 

Anyone had to chance to try them out in the airplane yet?

We've demoed a few models and recently started the purchasing process for a set for our aircraft. The ones we're ordering will be self-standing removable equipment (Class 2 EFBs)

Our parent company has fully integrated hard mounted EFBs (Class 3)... I've played around a bit with them. Nice to have, but the equipment is a bit out dated since they had them installed about two years ago.

Have any specific questions?

What's an EFB?

EFB = Electronic Flight Bag. Essentially a computer of some sort that provides electronic replacement (in whole or part) of traditional "flight bag" stuff, such as manuals, charts, etc.

Some newer aircraft have "integrated" EFBs such as those that have the Collins Pro Line system and can display Jepp Charts right on the MFD.

It stands for 'Electronic FLight Bag'. Screens mounted by each pilot seat with all the required charts, both enroute and approach.

Sorry, should have been more specific.

I was curious about our new installation at Fedex. We have one MD-11 with the EFB installed for our flight test, and there are a few "cadre" guys qualified to use it. Those of the rest of us who might happen to be crewed on that airplane with one of those guys would have the opportunity to use it as well.

Just curious if Lido is any more palatable in the electronic format, as advertised.

SC

Thanks guys for the answer. With only 11 hours in my little logbook, an EFB is the least of my concerns right now! hee hee.

I had it in an MD-10 a week or so ago. We played with it but did not officially "use" it. I.e., paper LIDO was out at all times. Pretty nice IMHO. I had forgotten everything in the CBT about EFB and never looked at the DVD but it was very intuitive to set up and use. The sync and send functions are pretty nice. The trick seems to be using your fingernail vice fingerpad to drag and select. The day/night feature works well too. Overall, much better than paper LIDO.

havent seen then yet but want to try. flew a md-10 the other day with the swivel arm and powre plug. I figured the md-11 would be first but what do I know

We (UPS) are getting the Boeing Class III EFB's for our 757/767 and 747-400 fleet.

Surface and Merging and Spacing Applications installed (see last weeks Aviation Week).

I just jumpseated out the night before and Scott Thumser was giving demos on a EFB there in AOC. I had a chance to use it and it's going to be the bomb!

FYI, at the present time there is no interlink between the FMS and the EFB. In other words you can't load up the FMS, then send the info to the EFB and have it all magically appear on the EFB. He said that what will probably happen is that when FO's are twitling they're thumbs waiting on the "boss" to finish loading the FMS, FO's should be loading the EFB's that way we'll have all the maps that are appropriate for the flight ready. Also, another interesting thing, since there is no FMS interconnect (at this time) then the maps won't auto update as the flight progresses. You'll have to scroll throught the appropriate maps on the EFB, just like taking out the paper ones now. Hope that wasn't too confusing. Apparently Honeywell is now on board on creating an interconnect between the FMS and the EFB.

Another FYI, don't expect any more "formal" training on the EFB. I was told that if it's on the plane, start "practicing/using" with it. I think after the first few times of usage, you'll see it's the way to go. It's just like how CPDLC has made life much nicer on certain routes.

Hope this helps
Z:)

Z,

Does this supercede FCIF 06-0585 (MD11/10), titled "EFB Installation and Testing"? or did we miss this one?

-Frater

Frater...

No,
cause I asked about that. You are referring to the one about the EFB in 569? or maybe it was 579? what ever the case, as of the first of the yr. if you have re-current training at the planet you can expect to start using the EFB in the sim. Apparently "professionals" will start giving a 15min blurb on usage as part of recurrent. I don't remember if thats for PT's or PC's? or what ever it's called now. Anyway's if it's on the plane, it's ok to start practicing. At least that's the way I heard it, as well as a couple of other guys who were there at the EFB session heard it. I'm sure we'll probably get some FCIF about it at a later date.
Z

The FCIF I referenced is about the EFB in N569FE. It states that line crews may use the EFB ONLY if a member of the testing cadre is part of the crew... otherwise using the EFB is prohibited. This in effect until the testing period is complete (estimated at several weeks from 7 Nov '06.) It doesn't say anything about recurrent training. There isn't a superceding FCIF on the website.

You could go read it yourself. You can Ask Tony. Or you can go with "at least that's the way I heard it". Your call.

You could go read it yourself. You can Ask Tony. Or you can go with "at least that's the way I heard it". Your call.[/QUOTE]

I like the last 2 options myself.

CPDLC, EFB, ...... no F'ing 40 lb Jepp bag to carry around.

Definitely, "the way to go" in 2006.

Same goes for "slingbox" and "mypc" and almost forgot "Skype"

Yea, now uninterupted movies! ;)

Dont throw the Flight Bag away yet. Did anyone know that Boeing actually owns Jeppesen? Last week, Boeing told FedEx that only Jepp chart info will be loaded in the 757 and 777 EFB's. Can you say hello Jepps again. Say it isnt so.......

Who cares, as long as it is electronic and you don't have to tote around the 50 pound bag?

What would you expect Boeing to say? The planes don't show up for 3 years, so that's plenty of time for them to posture. While it would be nice if they had an option for any vendor's EFB like Airbus, the solution is easy enough. Either opt out of Boeing's unit and use the same unit that is going into the rest of the planes, or use the next 3 years to find and aftermarket mod to Boeing's system. By 2009, shouldn't most FDX planes have the EFB on board? Why change the system based on Boeing getting grumpy about 15 airplanes?

The EFB can be added after market just like in the md11