What is an EFB?
An EFB is any device, or combination of devices, actively displaying EFB applications. EFBs are characterized by the following:
- An EFB hosts applications, which are generally replacing conventional paper products and tools traditionally carried in the pilot's flight bag.
- EFB applications include natural extensions of traditional flight bag contents, such as replacing paper copies of weather with access to near-real-time weather information.
- To qualify as an EFB application, the failure effect must be considered a minor hazard or have no safety effect.
- Acceptable EFB applications are listed in Appendices A and B. These EFB applications may be overlaid or integrated.
- EFBs cannot replace any installed equipment required by operational or airworthiness regulations.
- EFB applications have no certification requirements for installation under aircraft type design (refer to AC 20-173).
Electronic Recordkeeping Systems
There are 2 categories of FAA required pilot records:
Permanent Records
- Airman Certificates
- Medical records
- Initial training records and qualification
Current Qualification Records
- Current qualification, like check airman training and checking
- 135.293, 135.297, and 135.299 checks
- Currency, 90 day take-off and landing
Part 135 operators must also save the records for PRIA reporting with different retention period requirements. For more details refer to the FAA inspectors handbook 8900.1 Section 3.
Electronic Manual System
To get your electronic manual system FAA approved you must comply with Advisory Circular 120-76D. Setup includes:
Setup Process
- Create a list of manuals that will be electronic (typically in PDF format)
- Develop a Master Contents and Program Catalog (example)
- Describe how manuals will be updated, distributed, and who will be responsible
Distribution Workflow
- Organize manuals into directories (folders) like Company Manuals, Operations Specifications, etc.
- Upload manuals and assign to users
- Users receive email notifications with download links
- Automatic notifications when manuals are updated