FAA Issues Finding Of Operational Suitability For Jeppesen EFB Solutions On iPad Mini

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., April 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently issued Jeppesen a letter of operational suitability confirming the form and functionality of iPad mini for use in the cockpit when paired with Jeppesen's electronic flight bag (EFB) solutions.  Jeppesen, a part of Boeing Digital Aviation, worked with the FAA Seattle Aircraft Evaluation Group (AEG) to evaluate the usability of Jeppesen charts and enroute map on iPad mini and iPad mini with Retina display.

The FAA process was conducted to provide assurance for pilots and aviation operators that Jeppesen data, when displayed on the 7.9-inch iPad mini screen, is fully acceptable for use and interaction in the cockpit.  Jeppesen Mobile FliteDeck was used by the FAA to access aviation data on iPad mini during the evaluation process.  Positive operational feedback and data from Air Carrier and Business Aviation operators was also received and considered. 

In the United States, FAR Part 91K, 121, 125, and 135 fractional, commuter, on-demand operators and air carriers are required to gain formal FAA authorization to use EFB solutions in flight.  Jeppesen will share copies of the letter to interested customers using iPad mini and affected Jeppesen Apps, for use in their authorization package.

"We are pleased with the findings of the FAA evaluation team confirming the use of iPad mini and Jeppesen mobile EFB solutions," said Tim Huegel, director, Jeppesen Aviation Portfolio Management. "iPad mini and iPad mini with Retina display offer pilots the incredible detail and ease of use they need when leveraging our valuable data-driven apps and flight information in the cockpit.

Specifically, the FAA noted in their letter to Jeppesen: "We find that Jeppesen's FliteDeck Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) solutions on compact tablets including iPad mini…are operationally suitable for use as primary reference to Jeppesen charts and maps on the flightdeck during all phases of flight."           

Previously, Jeppesen announced iPad mini with Retina display joined iPad Air as the latest iPad model that passed rapid decompression testing, proving device integrity in the unlikely event of sudden cabin pressure loss.  All iPad model families produced to date have successfully passed rapid decompression testing for EFB use.  These test results are also available to customers on request as part of an operator's program to obtain FAA authorization for in-flight use of Jeppesen's apps on iPad.

The Jeppesen Mobile FliteDeck app is available for download at no additional charge for Jeppesen digital data subscribers through the App Store on iPad or at www.itunes.com/appstore/.  To use the app, customers need a digital JeppView or Express JeppView subscription.  For details on Jeppesen FliteDeck Pro and enterprise use, please contact Jeppesen.

For more information on Jeppesen's leading mobile aviation solutions, please visit www.jeppesen.com/mobile.            

About Jeppesen

For 80 years, Jeppesen has made it possible for pilots and their passengers to safely and efficiently reach their destinations. Today, this pioneering spirit continues as Jeppesen delivers transformative information and optimization solutions to improve the efficiency of air and sea operations around the globe. Jeppesen is a Boeing subsidiary and part of the Digital Aviation business unit within Boeing Commercial Aviation Services. Boeing offers the industry's largest portfolio of services, support and solutions, collectively known as the Boeing Edge, providing customers a competitive advantage by solving real operational problems, enabling better decisions, maximizing efficiency and improving environmental performance – intelligent information solutions across the entire aviation ecosystem.

SOURCE Jeppesen