Paper Chart Nostalgia: EFB Domination and Updates

Time to update your paper nautical charts…

Those words could send shivers down a pilot's spine, knowing the tedious task of updating paper charts is an endless chore. But the pilots flying in the industry now can look back on this task with nostalgia. Your Jeppesen paper charts will officially become a piece of aviation history in 2026 when the last of the paper charts come off the printing press, and NOAA expects to have cancelled all their paper charts by January 2025. The expired charts still work great as gift wrapping and aircraft window shades.

As with any new technology comes new questions about authority and obligations. Today's Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs) are now capable of storing all the aeronautical charts for the entire world on a single light-weight computer, along with electronic operating procedures, flight operations and management information, aircraft performance, weight and balance calculations, etc. After decades of paper charting, the EFB has now taken over the majority of pilots' paper carry-on flight bag, but there still hasn't been clear confirmation from the FAA as to the extent of paper replacement and the difference in use between Parts 91 and 135.

EFB Use Under FAR 91 vs 135

FAR Part 91 Operators can use their Pilot-in-Command authority to approve the use of EFBs, but Part 135 Operators must still seek operational approval through the Operation Specifications (A061) process.

Along with this authorization comes the requirement to set up process and procedure standardization for each operator. This authorization also requires training and compliance with the procedures, restrictions, limitations, policies, and recommendations described in the Ops Specs and in the operator's manual. But don't worry, there's a training module for that!

Advanced Aircrew Academy’s Business Aviation Subject Matter Experts are employed in the industry and might be sitting next to you right now in the pilot lounge. They are constantly updating our courseware, so each module contains the most current industry rules and standards.

The most recent EFB module update is a result of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Advisory Circular 91-78A and its information has already been incorporated and updated in our 91 and 135 Electronic Flight Bag / iPad eLearning modules.

NEW AC 91-78A Clarification

It's been ten years since the FAA provided EFB guidance, so the new Advisory Circular 91-78A confirms and clarifies what the aviation industry has already been doing; it clears the way for pilots and aircraft owner to use full EFB digitization in the aircraft to replace most any previous paper documentation including aircraft manuals, weight and balance calculations and documentation, and associated aircraft performance reference materials.

It also includes updated preflight checks and new training requirements. The caveat is that the digitized version is functionally equivalent to the original paper document, it is up to date, and doesn't interfere with the flight or controls. The details of all the changes are in the EFB training module.

Because each operator has their own unique SOPs, our FAST+ customers can also customize the eLearning module training to include specific software and procedures unique to their flight department.

For Our Part 135 Operators, Advanced Aircrew Academy's EFB/iPad module complies with Ops Spec A061 training requirements and is designed to meet Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Order 8900.1, Volume 3, Chapter 19, Training Programs and Airman Qualifications and FAA Order 8900.1 Volume 4, Chapter 15.

For Our Part 91 Operators, our module complies with the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) training requirement for electronic flight bags defined in Chapter 8 of IS-BAO. The standard is Initial and recurrent training on the use of an EFB. The Business Aviation Safety Consortium (BASC) standard NX6 2.4.17.2.2 requires EFB training.

The module content overview includes the following:

• Applications
• Authorizations
• Battery
• Charging Procedures
• Company Guidance, Process, and Procedures
• Failure
• Functions
• Hardware Orientation
• Human Factor Considerations
• Redundancy
• Settings
• Updates

If you have any questions or would like to include customized information in your eLearning training, reach out to info@aircrewacademy.com or check out Advanced Aircrew Academy's website.