The charts are more like IFR enroute charts than sectionals. Although EFB can easily be used for VFR flying I find it's main strength is in IFR work.

 

It comes with a Navigraph airac cycle installed - you can just stay with that or add others as you see fit.

 

I really like the airport ground charts - so easy to get to the runway with their layout.

 

Vic

I have been looking at the Aivlasoft EFB, but a few things are not completely clear to me. I would appreciate hearing from some Aivlasoft EFB users. At least initially, I'd be using the EFB with FSX on a Win7/64 system with 8GB memory and a single screen.

- Does the EFB provide world-wide approach charts, and if so in what form? I get the impression the EFB provides its own version of approach charts vice copies of actual charts like SkyVector does. Are these charts sufficient for hand flying an approach?

- I assume the approach charts provided by the EFB are based on the Navigraph data. Do you have to have a yearlong subscription with Navigraph in order to get the approach charts info for the EFB, or can you just choose to update the AIRAC cycle when you think you need to do so, perhaps a few times a year in my case, like you can for the PMDG 737NGX, etc?

- Given the FMC capability and displays in an a/c like the 737NGX, do you still find the EFB useful during the flight, or is it mainly useful for planning purposes?

- Have you seen a significant FPS hit in flight with the EFB?

Thanks for any input,

Al

EFB generates/draws airport diagrams and approaches from your airport sceney and your Navigraph data.

 

EFB comes with one set of Navigraph data and there is no need to have a subscription unless you want to be up to date with RW. Having said that, I buy one set of Navigraph data once or twice a year, so I have all my aircraft and add-ons (PFPX, EFB) using the same set of data. Gets confusing otherwise.

 

EFB in my opinion is for in-flight use, not flight planning. And it's quite useful at that, selecting STARs and approaches.

 

I don't believe it's affecting my FPS.

Vic, Gunther -- thanks very much for the feedback. If I understand correctly, approach plates, such as a VOR/DME or ILS approach, are drawn by the EFB based on the Navigraph and FSX airport data and are adequate for flying the approach.

Thx,

Al

I actually bought it now. I just couldn't live without it. I love having all the charts at my fingertips.

EFB frequently has missing information on their charts, like crossing restrictions. It's nice software but almost $100 for a moving map is a bit nuts.

I bought FS Kneeboard 2 for iOS. One of the best purchases I've made for flight simming.

If you have an ipad I highly recommend it.

ajpongress said: "EFB frequently has missing information on their charts, like crossing restrictions".

 

That's a serious problem for me since my main interest in the EFB was having access to SIDs, STARS and approach plates, especially for flying outside of the US. If I still have to search for the applicable maps to check the EFB, it defeats the purpose.

 

Thanks for the input.

 

Al

 

 

ajpongress said: "EFB frequently has missing information on their charts, like crossing restrictions".[/size]

 

That's a serious problem for me since my main interest in the EFB was having access to SIDs, STARS and approach plates, especially for flying outside of the US. If I still have to search for the applicable maps to check the EFB, it defeats the purpose.[/size]

 

Thanks for the input.[/size]

 

Al[/size]

It's exactly why I never bought it after the trial...why fork over the money if I have to cross check the plates with real charts anyway?

I did a lot of research into alternates and as far as a moving map / chart combo there really isn't one.

Aivlasoft, FSCommander, FSTramp, FSWidgets, AirportGPS...none of these offer a full chart solution.

 

Dauntless Simplates X and the dozens of web based charts like Airnav & Aircharts all suffer from the same problems: outdated charts or missing charts.

 

In the end it came down to FS Kneeboard 2 or Navigraph cloud/desktop charts. FS Kneeboard is a one time fee but you need an ipad. Navigraph charges you a subscription to access their charts, and I wasn't really impressed with how the charts were organized or the available tools to bookmark/organize charts yourself.

 

FS Kneeboard 2 won.

Unfortunately, I don't have an iPad.....

Al

ajpongress said: "EFB frequently has missing information on their charts, like crossing restrictions".

 

That's a serious problem for me since my main interest in the EFB was having access to SIDs, STARS and approach plates, especially for flying outside of the US. If I still have to search for the applicable maps to check the EFB, it defeats the purpose.

 

Thanks for the input.

 

Al

 

Hummm... I see crossing restrictions using EFB. Not sure why you don't. If it's a hard restriction or "below this and above that" then it's there.

 

EFB has been a life saver in areas where I couldn't find real charts as well.

 

It's really more than a moving map. Those folks that claim that's all it is, either have never tried it, have no clue, or are just whining because they have to pay for something.

FS Kneeboard 2 won.

 

I tried that. Unfortunately it's a solution for North America only. I fly "greater" Europe area only these days.

 

Navigraph charts printed as PDFs and placed on my iPad via DropBox works for me for the proper charts, with the same done for the PFPX full flight plan and TopCat Loadsheets.

 

Aivlasoft EFB is indispensable for navigating complex airport taxiways, though, even with the ground charts, and I do like it's moving map facilities, plus the airport ATIS and ATC frequencies, exactly as I need them for Radar Contact.

 

Pete

Another vote here for EFB. The waypoint restrictions for a STAR (with constantly updating altitude deviation) are invaluable when you're flying Concorde and descending over 5,000fpm at 350kts. A feature I haven't used much with a Boeing with a CDU but for Concorde it's brilliant.

 

Add to that the airport runways, taxiways and gates, SID and STAR overviews, easily zoomable maps and wx info via ASN. It's a product I always use when flying and have never regretted its purchase.

I see the crossing restrictions also and the only time I've noticed a data error was when using an old Airac.

 

Vic

Hummm... I see crossing restrictions using EFB. Not sure why you don't. If it's a hard restriction or "below this and above that" then it's there.

 

EFB has been a life saver in areas where I couldn't find real charts as well.

 

It's really more than a moving map. Those folks that claim that's all it is, either have never tried it, have no clue, or are just whining because they have to pay for something.

 

Some charts can have missing restrictions, which is different from all charts missing them all the time. It depends on how they (Navigraph) updates their cycles, because the same restrictions are also sometimes missing in the FMCs of payware aircraft.

It's hit or miss every cycle.

 

I tried that. Unfortunately it's a solution for North America only. I fly "greater" Europe area only these days.

 

Navigraph charts printed as PDFs and placed on my iPad via DropBox works for me for the proper charts, with the same done for the PFPX full flight plan and TopCat Loadsheets.

 

Aivlasoft EFB is indispensable for navigating complex airport taxiways, though, even with the ground charts, and I do like it's moving map facilities, plus the airport ATIS and ATC frequencies, exactly as I need them for Radar Contact.

 

Pete

 

That's the only downside with the AIRAC updates FS Kneeboard provides.

But the cool thing about Kneeboard is you can upload any charts you put in Dropbox, and drag them into the planner next to the charts Kneeboard provides.

 

Over time you can build up a nice international library.

Only charts I have seen with missing restrictions weren't actual restrictions. If you brought up the chart from say Airnav it will have "Expect to cross at XXX". That isn't a restriction.

Only charts I have seen with missing restrictions weren't actual restrictions. If you brought up the chart from say Airnav it will have "Expect to cross at XXX". That isn't a restriction.

 

I have seen plenty of plates that should include cross x intersection below y / above z, but it doesn't show in EFB.