Electronic Flight bag

[beoingrocks 0]

I was reading the PMDG manual for the 737 NGX , it says that the 737 NG can use electronic flight bag. will pmdg add this feature in sp1 or sp2

[Gazzareth 808]

It certainly hasn't been mentioned for SP1 so I think it will definitely not be in that. As for SP2 - who knows.. .. .. Would be a great feature to have... G

[NoahBryant 26]

I seriously doubt this will happen. It's a bit beyond the scope of what PMDG does to maintain tens of thousands of aviation charts updated every 28 days to be displayed in a plane that is already hard on frames. Plus you have to pay for the charts almost everywhere else I'm sure PMDG wouldn't give that out for free.

[Ken737 1]

I use my iPad hodge podged put together to be sort of an EFB. It's not that hard.

[wildtrout1 0]

You might want to look at "d-TPP" in DVD format that is put out by the FAA. It Installs a small app that allows a quick scan of all SIDs, STARs, & IAPs for airports within a coverage area including the United States (with Alaska and Hawaii), Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands and Pacific Territories (http://aeronav.faa.g...s/digital/d_tpp).

[Gazzareth 808]

I seriously doubt this will happen. It's a bit beyond the scope of what PMDG does to maintain tens of thousands of aviation charts updated every 28 days to be displayed in a plane that is already hard on frames. Plus you have to pay for the charts almost everywhere else I'm sure PMDG wouldn't give that out for free.

I would assume for the purposes of the sim the charts would be derived from the NAVDATA and FSX itself, the same way EFB or FSC does it...I am sure I saw posts suggesting this would be a feature on the 777, although not sure if that was official or not...G

[sheepfu 3]

The EFB's are not modeled in the VC. It is not like they are just a display mode of an existing EDU. A quick search of A-net shows the EFB's off to the side of both the pilot and co-pilot. Newer airliners are coming with EFB systems integrated into FMC systems. These are often also capable of displaying external and internal cameras. However most airlines still receiving older tech jets: A320, B737, CRJ, and ERJ are issuing EFB's in a different way. I have a friend who was just upgraded from Dash-8 to CRJ. When he arrived for training he was issued an FAA certified Ipad with EFB software. While still required to have paper backups, the EFB must be synced with some airline system that prints a report for the FAA which proves update compliance. I can't wait to see it.

[Guest]

It would be a classy addition the EFB....... I bet that an expansion pack could bring it smoothly, not anyway into SP1 or SP2. Aivla one seems to be the best on the market even if it is very expensive.

[scandinavian13 5,192]

I really don't understand the following: 1 - People's enfatuation with this EFB idea.It's simply a book that they've put on an e-reader, or similar device. They take charts and put them on an iPad. Why would you put a simulated touch screen device in a simulated flight deck so that I could flip through simulated charts? It just doesn't make any sense. Imagine trying to keep that thing updated! If you really want to know, come watch me update my Jepps. I'm sure the e-version is a lot easier to update, but still, it has to be updated. Some people here can't even understand the concept of updating the nav data ("Why does my FMC say NAV DATA OUT OF DATE?!?!?!"). 2 - People's thought that now will be different from the past.We didn't get virtual printed chart books in the virtual flight decks, why would we get virtual iPads (or similar) now? 3 - People's lack of understanding of what the product really is.If you really want an EFB, go buy an iPad, buy an app, and have at it. If you want a cheaper one, get a cheaper version of an iPad, and download the PDFs from AirNav (it really is the same thing!). If you want an even cheaper version, and you have two monitors, have AirNav up on the other monitor. All it really does is replace paper charts, and may in some cases have specific (often proprietary and company-created) software along the lines of fuel calculators. 4 - People's lack of understanding of what the cost would be.As an example, a single book of charts for my local area is about $6 every 28 days. An iPad subscription for a full year, for the full United States is about $50. You can certainly go get free versions at AirNav.com, since you're not actually flying, but they don't provide batch downloads, so good luck downloading them one by one, for each airport you need. I really don't understand why this question comes up so much. You have a computer connected to the internet that you sim from, most likely. It can very easily fetch charts. The reason you have EFBs in cockpits is because we don't have the internet up there, laptops would be too clunky, and it's easier to use electronic charts over printed, in general. The computer in front of you doesn't have that issue.

[kevin7898 3]

i run the aivlasoft efb on my forth monitor, best solution i have found in a long time., follows your air craft, auto switches to the ground chart upon landing.

[DaveCT2003 1,820]

There is a little program called "Desk Pins" that allows you to run and keep your web browser on top of your FSX cockpit, and of course you can re-size it as you wish. With this, you can pull up AirNav/Sky Vector, the PMDG manual, etc. Really nice. No moving map for your aircraft on the charts, but well, very nice. Be well, and fly lots!

[N426T 0]

Man, some people are certainly full of themselves. Thanks for the lecture. Flight Sim is a hobby. Lighten up. Yes, and go ahead and light me up if it makes you feel better. Jim Parish

[Scott434 12]

I really don't understand the following: 1 - People's enfatuation with this EFB idea.

Kyle, what is more of a mystery is why you would think that anyone but yourself would really care what you do or do not understand about other peoples preferences. The OP asked a question and you turned it into a bashing of those who like EFB functionality. Live and let live brother!

[ZKOKQ 984]

Kyle, what is more of a mystery is why you would think that anyone but yourself would really care what you do or do not understand about other peoples preferences. The OP asked a question and you turned it into a bashing of those who like EFB functionality. Live and let live brother!

I find these kind of threads very interesting. Sometimes you find out something you never new, or about a product that might be useful, like Avilasoft EFB as an example. so I find your comment quite valid Scott.

[Guest]

I really don't understand the following: 1 - People's enfatuation with this EFB idea.It's simply a book that they've put on an e-reader, or similar device. They take charts and put them on an iPad. Why would you put a simulated touch screen device in a simulated flight deck so that I could flip through simulated charts? It just doesn't make any sense. Imagine trying to keep that thing updated! If you really want to know, come watch me update my Jepps. I'm sure the e-version is a lot easier to update, but still, it has to be updated. Some people here can't even understand the concept of updating the nav data ("Why does my FMC say NAV DATA OUT OF DATE?!?!?!"). 2 - People's thought that now will be different from the past.We didn't get virtual printed chart books in the virtual flight decks, why would we get virtual iPads (or similar) now? 3 - People's lack of understanding of what the product really is.If you really want an EFB, go buy an iPad, buy an app, and have at it. If you want a cheaper one, get a cheaper version of an iPad, and download the PDFs from AirNav (it really is the same thing!). If you want an even cheaper version, and you have two monitors, have AirNav up on the other monitor. All it really does is replace paper charts, and may in some cases have specific (often proprietary and company-created) software along the lines of fuel calculators. 4 - People's lack of understanding of what the cost would be.As an example, a single book of charts for my local area is about $6 every 28 days. An iPad subscription for a full year, for the full United States is about $50. You can certainly go get free versions at AirNav.com, since you're not actually flying, but they don't provide batch downloads, so good luck downloading them one by one, for each airport you need. I really don't understand why this question comes up so much. You have a computer connected to the internet that you sim from, most likely. It can very easily fetch charts. The reason you have EFBs in cockpits is because we don't have the internet up there, laptops would be too clunky, and it's easier to use electronic charts over printed, in general. The computer in front of you doesn't have that issue.

I summarize the answer. If there was a professional aviation charts site like there are many for USA the EFB would be a optional feature I agree. The reality is different, many of us like to fly over our own countries but there is no web site containing decent charts of these countries. Europe, Asia, Africa etc.. If I look to a USA aviation charts website I see it is plenty of professional ,upgraded and multicolored charts...a pleasure to see. If I look to some european, asian or african web site about aviation charts it is impossible to download charts, they simply do no exist. When you are lucky enough you find some ancient WWII aviation chart but they are useless nowdays. Being you, I guess, from one of the most progressive country in Europe I bet Norwegian and Swedish or Finland aviation web sites are plenty of gorgeous aviation charts, super upgraded and multicolored. There are also countries in Europe who are still set on medieval ages...like the one where I live f.i. We have just discovered coal so aviation charts are still unknown. Remember, the reality is always different from the theory.