A Guide to EFBs

EFBs (Electronic Flight Bags) are great tools, and I also enjoy using them.  When used properly, they make planning and flying cross country flights way more enjoyable.  They can also lead you down a road of false security and possibly a very preventable disapproval.

First off, I encourage you to bring an EFB to your exam.  I like technology if it’s useful and you are proficient with its use.  If you bring paper charts or hand spun flight plans with a whiz wheel, that’s fine as well since I began my military career as a USAF Navigator and am well versed in thier use.  Whatever you bring to the exam, make sure you know how to use it and where to find the information you need.  Let’s look at a few examples of where an EFB can trip an applicant unexpectedly on an exam.

I’m a big ForeFlight user, so to keep this simple, I will discuss common ForeFlight options.  These same concepts transfer to any EFB software you may use.

Task I.D Cross-Country Flight Planning (Private and Commercial)

-              Both the Private and Commercial Airplane ACS documents say that EFB usage and knowledge is fair game for an exam.  Be prepared to discuss how to prepare your EFB for flight, what documents you should have available in flight, suitable backup options if the EFB dies or overheats (I’ve actually seen this on an exam…), and be familiar with how to use it to meet 91.103.

-              You must be able to calculate and present a flight log.  Do not fall for the trap of the “Nav Log” on the Maps page.  This is a dynamic log and not suitable for planning or meeting the requirements of the ACS.  You will need to know how to produce a flight log just like you would have in the old days of paper.  Yes, ForeFlight does this, and your CFI should be familiar with this function. Hint… it’s on the “Flights” page.

-              Awesome!  You have a log.  However… is it accurate?  Did you setup your aircraft properly?  Be sure your aircraft type and performance information is correct in foreflight.  Did you set up your reserve fuel?  Do you know what your unusable fuel is for this aircraft?  These are all very important pieces of information you should have available on your EFB log when I ask “How much fuel do you need today?”

-              Sweet! We have the aircraft performance data entered.  Now, how do you file a flight plan?  Have you loaded the aircraft ICAO surveillance and navigation data into ForeFlight?  Do you know how to file, activate, and close your flight plan using your EFB?  

Don’t worry if this sounds new.  A lot of folks fly around with incomplete EFB data and use it as a very expensive “where am I” device.  But those people are not trying to demonstrate mastery of the EFB for an FAA exam.  If this discussion initiated questions about your software, I suggest you look at the support information and videos available for your EFB software and discuss those questions with your CFI.  Links are below.

ForeFlight: https://foreflight.com/support/video-library/

Garmin Pilot EFB: https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=ww5KSeI2II2XDr59JsoHd5

FlyQ EFB: https://sat.seattleavionics.com/support/

Task I.C Weather Information

-              Next, be sure you know how to procure a weather briefing on your EFB.  You can use the briefing function in ForeFlight, or you can self-brief.  Be sure to understand AC 91-92 and FAA-H-8083-28 in either case.  I’m a weather nerd, but I don’t stray far from these two documents on an FAA exam. 

-              If you tell me, “I just use 1-800-WX-BRIEF” then that is fantastic and a viable technique.  I use them also when the weather is more complex.  However, be prepared to discuss NWS Aviation imagery options and where to find them.  There are specific knowledge topics that need imagery for the exam.  

-              Also, be prepared to discuss how you will gather weather updates enroute.  Yes, ForeFlight can do that (sometimes).  However, what other options do you have?

Task VI.A Pilotage and Dead Reckoning & Task VI.C Diversion

-              Using your EFB for enroute navigation is somewhat simple and has made modern travel way easier and more enjoyable.  However, you must know the basics as well.

-              To test Pilotage and Dead Reckoning, I will instruct you to disable your ownship function.  Universally, this can be done through an iPad by using Settings, Privacy, Location Services, Disable.  I only do this for the Pilotage and Dead reckoning portion.  You may turn this service back on as soon as we have completed this portion of the exam.

-              Your plan will need to have selected waypoints that are logical and useful for navigation.  They also need to be annotated on the chart.  You can draw these onto the chart, or you can create user points.  Also, be sure you keep track of your time.  You can use timer functions, clocks, or watches, etc.  Just be prepared to discuss time along your route.  FYI… the dynamic “Nav Log” on the maps page of ForeFlight will not work for this exercise.

-              Be sure you can use your EFB to determine a suitable alternate and be able to determine time and fuel enroute to your alternate.  There are many techniques for this, so be sure to ask your CFI about different options for this.

Again, these are a few areas where you should really know how to use your EFB.  Being confident in your skills and understanding the tools you will use on your exam go a long way to making your exam a better experience. Fly safe!