Electronic Flight Bag: A Multi-Function Tool for the Modern Cockpit

摘要

This research is intended to inform the reader about Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs). After an explanation of an EFB, a description of its development history, and short discussions of EFBs and human factors engineering and EFB products currently available in the aviation industry, the article discusses current and future display technologies -- the heart of the Electronic Flight Bag. The article continues by discussing the many potential applications of EFBs for general aviation and military aviation, as well some specific military benefits of their use. After reviewing some of the advantages and disadvantages of modifying cockpits to incorporate these devices, the author makes an argument for a cohesive joint effort during the design and implementation phases of EFBs. Finally, conclusions and recommendations are offered. The two appendices are designed to give examples of the many phases of flight an EFB can enhance. The examples are laid out in the form of two simulated flights. The first flight represents a peacetime cargo mission of a C- 5 mission from Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson, Arizona, to Eglin AFB in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. The second mission depicts a notional combat search and rescue (CSAR) mission flown by two A-10s into Iraq. This section is written in the first person from the perspective of Sandy 2, the wingman of a flight of two A-10s.