FAA Authorization Allows for Use of Jeppesen Charts on
iPad
Jeppesen has announced that Executive Jet Management has
received authorization from the FAA to use the Jeppesen Mobile TC
App for iPad as an alternative to paper aeronautical charts. The
authorization allows Executive Jet Management to use iPad and the
Jeppesen Mobile TC App as the sole reference for electronic charts,
even during taxi, takeoff and landing. Executive Jet Management, a
wholly owned subsidiary of NetJets Inc., is a leading provider of
worldwide jet charter and aircraft management services.
This announcement is a result of a three-month extensive
in-flight evaluation managed by Executive Jet Management and
Jeppesen with regular engagement of the FAA (including local and
national Electronic Flight Bag authorization authorities). The
cross-industry collaboration sets an important precedent for the
aviation community. Lessons learned, processes established, and
templates developed during this project may benefit other companies
seeking to deploy EFB solutions on iPad.
"The exceptional collaboration between operator, supplier and
the FAA was remarkable," said Mark Van Tine, Jeppesen president and
chief executive officer.
"This serves as a model for how the FAA can be engaged in
working through a challenge and defining a solution that moves the
industry forward safely and efficiently. Executive Jet Management's
role was critical to the success of this project. They possess the
necessary skills, credibility and EFB experience to help all
parties understand, from an operator's perspective, the unique
issues and benefits related to using iPad in flight."
The Jeppesen Mobile TC App and iPad were thoroughly evaluated by
Executive Jet Management pilots who logged more than 250 flight
segments. Pilots participating in the evaluation reported that they
were particularly pleased with the App's ease of use, simplicity to
manage, speed and display clarity. As a result of the full
analysis, enhancements to crew procedures, training updates and
software improvements were included in the Jeppesen Mobile TC App
version 1.2, released last month.
The authorized EFB configuration is a Class 1 portable,
kneeboard EFB solution that is secured and viewable during critical
phases of flight as defined in FAA Order 8900.1. Information
obtained from this evaluation will also be useful in gaining future
authorization for Class 2 mounted configurations utilizing
iPad.
"Executive Jet Management was pleased to collaborate with
Jeppesen and the FAA on this leading-edge iPad EFB solution and to
support the introduction of this technology to the industry," said
Executive Jet Management President Robert Garrymore. "The
collaboration with Jeppesen and the FAA was key in making this
innovation possible and we are proud to be a part of it."
In support of the authorization effort:
- A total of 55 pilots and 10 different aircraft types from the
Executive Jet Management fleet were involved in 250 flight segments
to ensure a broad scope of feedback
- Jeppesen commissioned a successful rapid decompression test on
iPad to 51,000 feet in altitude
- Executive Jet Management completed successful non-interference
testing on the evaluation aircraft
- The project followed established FAA EFB authorization
requirements applicable to an air carrier