EFB purchase?

[Diesel]

Anybody have any idea where to purchase EFB's? Who's the best vendor. Went to oshkosh but the usual EFB vendors weren't there which was surprising.

Also i guess fujitsu is the best way to go?

 

[fokkerjet]

We are going through this process right now, and we are currently working with Flight Deck Resources, based in Southern California, to supply us with some test units to try out before we jump in totally. Flight Deck Resources can be reached at (949) 679-9900, or on the web at: www.flightdeck.aero.

FDR brought in 3 units to demo for us, they were the Sky Tab 770, Sky Tab 800 and the Sky Tab 900R. Of the three, the Sky Tab 900R was to large and bulky to be used in two of our three aircraft types. The 770 looks to be the better choice, based on size, but the 800 has some better features. The 770 is an inhouse design, built in Northern California with FDR's specs. The battery is weak, so I'd recommend upgrading that to the longer life option, plus make sure the standard memory is enough. Basic price is $4200, before discounts. The 800 is an adapted Fujitsu model, FDR makes it a touch-screen verses the stylist that is normally required. Battery and memory are more than you would ever need, but the device is a little larger than the 770. Price starts at $3500, before discounts. You do have the option to use ships power to run any device, making the battery a non issue, the memory depends on what you want to load onto the device.

You do have the option to lease verses an outright purchase, something to consider if you aren't sure to your needs, or you are afraid of the costs. We operate three different types of airplanes, so we want to make sure we have the right model that works in all types. Also, you will need to decide on how many you want to have on hand. We plan on two devices per airplane, at least two spares, and even one or two that we can take to training.

 

[FracCapt]

The 800 is an adapted Fujitsu model, FDR makes it a touch-screen verses the stylist that is normally required.

The Stylus is not absolutely required for the Fujitsu...I often operate it with just a light touch from a fingernail. To use the skin portion of your finger, you need to press fairly hard....but with the fingernail, just a light touch works. Not the most accurate thing in the world when you keep fingernails as short as I do, but it works. Does the 800 you refer to work much differently than that?

You do have the option to use ships power to run any device, making the battery a non issue, the memory depends on what you want to load onto the device.

Just to clarify to anybody reading...you ABSOLUTELY have to have a battery in ANY device such as this that normally runs on ship power. You MUST have redundancy for these units. If you lose power to non-ess buses(which is where EFB units should be powered from), you still need to have access to approach charts. Your battery should last at least 60-90 minutes. Keep in mind, you can always turn the unit off if you expect to be airborne longer than that after any type of electrical failure(such as long overwater flights), then turn it on shortly before landing. Enroute charts are still paper charts at this point(at least with the Jeppview system, which is all I am familiar with).

 

[fokkerjet]

Maybe I implied that you don't need a battery, that was not my intent.......I was referring to battery life between the standard battery, and the upgrade. On the 770, battery life with the "standard" battery is advertised at 120 minutes, but history is showing more like 90 minutes. With the upgraded battery, you double the useful time, but it also makes the unit a little more bulky.

On the 800, I have no finger nails, so I was using my pencil as a stylist without any problem.....trying to use my finger induced to may errors. I have never used the "straight" Fujitsu, only the 800 that was modified to touchscreen. We were told that Fujitsu models used to be touchscreen, but the current model has been redesigned and now requires a stylist. FDR, when they buy a new batch, convert them back to touchscreen. The impression I got was that you can't purchase a new Fujitsu that's touchscreen anymore, it needs to be modified by someone.

 

[RadarVector]

What type of aircraft are you flying and is practical to use an EFB in a Lear 31 or 35. My company is considering EFB's but its meeting some resistance becuase of safety concerns of having to pass the unit back and forth. Also, quite a few of our older pilots don't feel comfortable having to rely on the technology. Am I corret that you still have to carry printed charts as well?

 

[fokkerjet]

We are just entering the testing phase right now, so no final plan is in place. With that said, what we are looking at first is to see which unit works best for our aircraft mix. After that is decided, we will equip each airplane with two devices, one for each pilot. After some sort of transition period, maybe six months, then remove all paper Jeppesen approach charts from the aircraft. Enroute charts will be the only paper left behind, IMHO, in the enroute phase, paper charts (maps) still need to be available.