Title:

Evaluate an Electronic Flight Bag (EFB)

Number:

4.1.210

Validation Date: 05/09/08

Approval Date: 6/26/2008

Comments:

This JTA is used whenever the AEG determines the need to conduct and operational evaluation of an Electronic Flight Bag (EFB). Operational evaluation of Class 3 EFBs is conducted in conjunction with AEG functions in aircraft certification projects. Operational evaluation of Class 1 or 2 EFBs is at AEG discretion. The need for the AEG to evaluate Class 1 or 2 EFBs is normally prompted by new or novel EFB hardware or software functions.

Job Task Sponsor:

AFS-200

Job Series:

1825 Aviation Safety Inspector (Operations)

Function: 

4.0 General Technical

Duty:  

4.1 Aircraft Evaluation

Rating and Ranking

Difficulty:

Moderate

Importance:

Semi-Critical

Time to Accomplish:

Variable

Specialty

Frequency

Ops

On Demand

Course Numbers

none

 

 

 

 

PTRS Activity Codes

SAI

EPI

none

 

 

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

 

 

Regulatory Requirements

14 CFR 91.9

14 CFR 91.21

14 CFR 91.103

14 CFR 91.503

14 CFR 91.605

14 CFR 91.611

 

14 CFR 135.21

14 CFR 135.23

14 CFR 135.63

14 CFR 135.81

14 CFR 135.83

14 CFR 135.144

14 CFR 135.179

14 CFR 135.293

14 CFR 125.23

14 CFR 125.71

14 CFR 125.73

14 CFR 125.75

14 CFR 125.204

14 CFR 125.215

14 CFR 125.323

14 CFR 125.327

14 CFR 125.383

14 CFR 125.403

14 CFR 125.405

14 CFR 125.407

14 CFR 125.411

 

14 CFR 121.97

14 CFR 121.133

14 CFR 121.135

14 CFR 121.137

14 CFR 121.139

14 CFR 121.141

14 CFR 121.306

14 CFR 121.549

14 CFR 121.565

14 CFR 121.571

14 CFR 121.681

14 CFR 121.683

14 CFR 121.687

14 CFR 121.689

14 CFR 121.693

14 CFR 121.695

14 CFR 121.701

14 CFR 121.709

 

 

Forms

none

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Job Aids

AC 120-76 (as amended)         “Guidelines for the Certification, Airworthiness, and                                                                   Operational Approval of Electronic Flight Bag Computing                                                                     Devices”

AC 91-78                                “Use of Class 1 or Class 2 Electronic Flight Bag (EFB)”

N 8900.17                               “Electronic Flight Bag Systems Used in Aircraft Operated Under 14                 CFR Part 91”

FAA Order 8900.1                  Flight Standards Information Management System (FSIMS), Vol.                                             3, Chap. 18 Operations Specifications, Paragraph
                                    3-737 Part A Operations and Management Specifications
                                    Paragraphs, OPSPEC/MSPEC A061

MMEL Policy Letter 121         “Electronic Flight Bag”

DOT-VNTCS-FAA-03-07    “Human Factors Considerations in the Design and Evaluation of
Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs)”, September 2003

DOT-VNTSC-FAA-06-21    “A Tool Kit for Evaluating Electronic Flight Bags”, September    2006

FAA-H-8261-1A                   “Instrument Procedures Handbook”

AC 120-53                             “Crew Qualification and Pilot Type Rating Requirements”

 

NOTE: Ensure you are using the most current information.  The Flight Standards Information Management System (FSIMS), or current equivalent, may be used to obtain current guidance.

 

 

TASK DESCRIPTION:

Evaluate an Electronic Flight Bag (EFB)

 

 

SUBTASK 1:

 

Identify Need for EFB Evaluation

Objective / Skill:

Performance:

For a Class 3 EFB certification project the AEG is responsible for operational evaluation. For Class 1 or 2 EFBs, review requests for evaluation or identify a need for evaluation of an EFB and determine if Operational Evaluation of the EFB by the AEG is warranted.

Conditions:

AC 120-76A, AC 91-78, N8900.17

Standards:

Accurate determination of when an EFB Operational Evaluation is needed.

Knowledge:

 

Knowledge of current FAA guidance regarding Operational Evaluation of Electronic Flight Bags.

 

 

SUBTASK 2:

 

Create AEG office project record.

Objective / Skill:

Performance: 

1. Create AEG Central project record, and

2. Create file folders (if applicable).

Conditions:

AEG Central and office files.

Standards:

IAW office practices for use of AEG Central and filing.

Knowledge:

 

Office practices for use of AEG Central and filing.

 

 

SUBTASK 3:

 

Application Information

Objective / Skill:

Performance:

Communicate the application requirements and evaluation process to the applicant (include PI if Class 1 or 2 EFB). Ensure the applicant develops complete application information package.

Conditions:

AC 120-76A, AEG Office Procedures

Standards:

Applicant and PI understand EFB Evaluation Process and each deliver on their required items.

Knowledge:

 

Knowledge of the application information required for EFB evaluation and ability to communicate to parties their respective obligations to complete tasks.

 

 

ELEMENT 3.1:

 

If applicable, coordinate with Principal Inspector (PI)

Objective / Skill:

Performance:

For evaluations of Class 1 or 2 EFBs it is necessary to coordinate with the applicant’s Principal Inspector(s) for application information and review of applicant procedures (Application information should come through the PI to the AEG).

Conditions:

AC 120-76A, AEG Office Procedures

Standards:

AEG and PI concur on the review of application information.

Knowledge:

 

Knowledge of the Application Information required for EFB evaluation and awareness of AEG and PI responsibilities.

 

 

ELEMENT 3.2:

 

Research existing EFB evaluation information

Objective / Skill:

Performance:

Research existing EFB Operational Suitability Reports (OSR) and FSB Reports for similar EFB’s. Review latest FAA guidance regarding EFB operational evaluation requirements.

Conditions:

AEG Central Database, Opspecs Website for FSB reports, FSIMS for latest FAA guidance.

Standards:

Locate any similar or identical EFB reports (OSR or FSB) and verify use of latest FAA guidance.

Knowledge:

 

Knowledge of AEG report publication procedures and ability to research FAA guidance.

 

 

SUBTASK 4:

 

Conduct Evaluation of EFB.

Objective / Skill:

Performance:

Conduct operational evaluation of the EFB in accordance with EFB guidance.

Conditions:

AEG Office, simulator and/or aircraft (as appropriate)
Tools: DOT-VNTCS-FAA-03-07, DOT-VNTSC-FAA-06-21.

Standards:

IAW: AC 120-76A

Knowledge:

 

Knowledge of the FAA guidance for evaluation criteria and procedures for EFBs.

 

 

ELEMENT 4.1:

 

Review EFB documentation and procedures

Objective / Skill:

Performance:

Review documentation to determine all applicable testing has been accomplished for the EFB. Review procedures for the EFB to determine all issues identified in FAA guidance have been addressed.

Conditions:

AEG Office/workstation using AC 120-76A.

Standards:

Accurate determination that appropriate testing has been done and procedures developed for EFB operation

Knowledge:

 

Knowledge of FAA guidance for required testing and procedures for operational use of an EFB.

 

 

SUB-ELEMENT 4.1.1:

Respond to deficiencies to be corrected prior to completion of Operational Evaluation.

Objective / Skill:

Performance:

Incomplete documentation or inadequate procedures are identified and corrected prior to continuation of the operational evaluation.

Conditions:

AEG Office/workstation

Standards:

Deficiencies are identified and communicated to responsible parties for correction prior to continuation of the operational evaluation.

Knowledge:

 

Ability to identify and communicate deficiencies so that effective corrective actions result in an adequate finished product.

 

 

ELEMENT 4.2:

 

Complete Operational Evaluation of EFB

Objective / Skill:

Performance:

Complete evaluation of “hands-on” demonstration to determine operational suitability of EFB.

Conditions:

At a facility, in simulator and/or aircraft (as appropriate) IAW AC 120-76A.

Standards:

Comprehensive evaluation of EFB operation in accordance with FAA guidance for EFB evaluation.

Knowledge:

 

Knowledge of evaluation procedures for EFBs.

 

 

SUB-ELEMENT 4.2.1:

Coordinate Schedule for Operational Evaluation.

Objective / Skill:

Performance:

Establish schedule of events for ground and flight demonstration of EFB as applicable.

Conditions:

AEG Office/workstation

Standards:

Coordinated schedule with all parties.

Knowledge:

 

Knowledge of necessary participants and time / facilities / resources required to complete Operational Evaluation.

 

 

SUBTASK  5.0:

Write DRAFT Report

Objective / Skill:

Performance:

Document the findings from the operational evaluation in the applicable FSB Report for Class 3 EFBs or in an Operational Suitability Report for Class 1 or 2 EFBs.

Conditions:

AEG Office/workstation

Standards:

A report document in standardized format that effectively communicates the operational suitability requirements for a given EFB in DRAFT form.

Knowledge:

 

Knowledge of FAA correspondence specifications and AEG procedures for report writing and formatting.

 

 

ELEMENT 5.1:

Post DRAFT Report for comment

Objective / Skill:

Performance:

Reports are posted on the Internet for comment in DRAFT form IAW AEG procedures.

Conditions:

AEG Office/workstation

Standards:

IAW AEG Office procedures.

Knowledge:

 

AEG Office procedures for posting of DRAFT reports for public comment.

 

 

SUBTASK  6:

Validation Testing

Objective / Skill:

Performance:

1) AEG should monitor and obtain data collected from validation testing to ensure data confirms operational suitability.
2) Analyze Validation Test Report to ensure data supports operational suitability of the EFB reliability.

Conditions:

AEG Office/workstation

Standards:

IAW AC 120-76

Knowledge:

 

EFB validation process and awareness of need to review validation data to confirm operational suitability.

 

 

SUBTASK 7:

Write FINAL Report

Objective / Skill:

Performance:

Document the findings from the operational evaluation and validation testing in the applicable FSB Report for Class 3 EFBs or in an Operational Suitability Report for Class 1 or 2 EFBs.

Conditions:

AEG Office/workstation

Standards:

A report document in standardized FINAL format that effectively communicates the operational suitability determination for a given EFB.

Knowledge:

 

AEG procedures for report writing and formatting.

 

 

ELEMENT 7.1:

Post FINAL Report

Objective / Skill:

Performance:

Reports are posted on the Internet in FINAL form IAW AEG procedures.

Conditions:

AEG Office/workstation

Standards:

AEG Office procedures.

Knowledge:

 

AEG Office procedures for posting of Final reports.

 

SUBTASK 8:

 

Close AEG office project record.

Objective / Skill:

Performance: 

1. Close AEG Central project record, and

2. Close file folders (if applicable).

Conditions:

AEG Central and office files.

Standards:

IAW office practices for use of AEG Central and filing.

Knowledge:

 

Office practices for use of AEG Central and filing.