Use of Electronic Flight Bags

1 PURPOSE OF THIS ADVISORY CIRCULAR (AC)

This AC provides operational guidance to aircraft owners, operators, and pilots operating aircraft under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 91 who want to replace required paper information and/or utilize hosted database and software applications as part of Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) functionality. This AC is not mandatory and does not constitute a regulation. This AC describes an acceptable means, but not the only means, to replace required paper information and/or utilize hosted database and software applications as part of EFB functionality. However, if you use the means described in the AC, you must follow it in all important respects. The contents of this document do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public in any way, and the document is intended only to provide information to the public regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies.

2 AUDIENCE

The primary audience for this AC is all owners, operators, and pilots of aircraft conducting instrument flight rules (IFR) or visual flight rules (VFR) preflight, flight, and postflight operations conducted under part 91, unless prohibited by a specific section of 14 CFR Chapter I, Subchapter F.

3 WHERE YOU CAN FIND THIS AC

You can find this AC on the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) website at https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/advisory_cir culars and the Dynamic Regulatory System (DRS) at https://drs.faa.gov.

4 WHAT THIS AC CANCELS

AC 91-78, Use of Class 1 or Class 2 Electronic Flight Bag (EFB), dated July 20, 2007, is canceled.

5 RELATED REGULATIONS

Part 91:

6 RELATED READING MATERIALS (current editions)

Note: European Organization for Civil Aviation Equipment (EUROCAE), ED-76A, Standards for Processing Aeronautical Data, is equivalent to RTCA DO-200B.

7 DEFINITIONS

The following definitions are specific to this AC and may differ with those definitions contained in other published references.

7.1 Electronic Flight Bag (EFB)

An electronic display system intended primarily for flight deck or cabin use. A portable or installed EFB can display a variety of traditional paper information (e.g., checklists, aeronautical charts, and pilot’s operating handbooks (POH)) and/or complete algorithmic functions (e.g., deice holdover times, Weight and Balance (W&B), performance, and fuel calculations). The scope of the EFB system functionality may also include various other hosted databases and applications. Physical EFB displays may be portable, attached to a mounting device, or built into the aircraft.

7.2 Portable Electronic Device (PED)

These devices are typically consumer commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) electronic devices functionally capable of communications, data processing, and/or utility (refer to the PED Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) Report, September 2013). Compliance with PED regulations is further explained in AC 91.21-1. The use of any PED in an aircraft is subject to compliance with PED regulations (§ 91.21) and must be evaluated by the user or operator prior to use to ensure the PED will not interfere in any way with the operation of aircraft. The definition of a PED includes Transmitting Portable Electronic Devices (T-PED).

8 BACKGROUND

Operators have long recognized the benefits of using COTS PEDs (e.g., tablets and laptops) to perform a variety of functions traditionally accomplished using paper references. EFB systems may be used in conjunction with, or to replace, the paper reference material that pilots typically carry in the flight deck. EFBs can electronically store and retrieve information required for flight operations, such as the POH and supplements, minimum equipment lists (MEL), W&B calculations, aeronautical charts, and terminal procedures. EFB systems are being developed to support functions during all phases of flight operations.

9 REMOVAL OF PAPER FROM THE FLIGHT DECK FOR OPERATIONS UNDER PART 91

9.1 Criteria

EFBs can be used during all phases of flight operations in lieu of paper reference material when the information displayed meets the following criteria:

9.2 In-Flight Use of EFBs

The in-flight use of EFB systems to depict images in lieu of paper reference material is the decision of the aircraft operator and the pilot in command (PIC). Any Type A or Type B EFB application, as defined in AC 120-76, may be substituted for the paper equivalent. It requires no formal operational approval as long as the guidelines of this AC are followed.

10 SPECIFIC CONSIDERATIONS

The operator ensures the following for carriage and acceptable use of specific EFBs:

10.1 Portable EFBs

These are:

10.2 Installed EFBs

These may:

11 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPLEMENTATION

11.1 Assessments

The operator should carry out an assessment of the human-machine interface and aspects governing Crew Resource Management (CRM) when using the EFB. General considerations for the assessment include workload, integration of the EFB into the flight deck, display and lighting issues, system shutdown, and system failures. Attention must be given to the physical EFB. Some items to consider are placement issues such as stowage during takeoff or landing, and the operation of an unsecured EFB. Use of the controls and input devices may become more demanding in flight.

11.2 Training

Training should include preflight checks of the system, the use of each operational function on the EFB, the conditions (including phases of flight) under which the EFB should not be used (if applicable), and procedures for cross-checking data entry and computed information.

11.3 Security Procedures

Refer to AC 120-76, paragraph 12.5, for information on EFB security.

12 REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

For additional information please contact the General Aviation and Commercial Division at 202-267-1100.

13 AC FEEDBACK FORM

For your convenience, the AC Feedback Form is the last page of this AC. Note any deficiencies found, clarifications needed, or suggested improvements regarding the contents of this AC on the Feedback Form.

Wesley L. Mooty Deputy Executive Director, Flight Standards Service

Advisory Circular Feedback Form

If you find an error in this AC, have recommendations for improving it, or have suggestions for new items/subjects to be added, you may let us know by contacting the General Aviation and Commercial Division at 9-AFS-800-Correspondence@faa.gov or the Flight Standards Directives Management Officer at 9-AWA-AFB-120-Directives@faa.gov.

Subject: AC 91-78A, Use of Electronic Flight Bags

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