Midwest Flyer Magazine

Wisconsin Bureau of Aeronautics David M. Greene, DirectorP.O.Box 7914, Madison, WI 53707-7914(608) 266-3351www.dot.wisconsin.govIs Your iPad Legal?by Jeffery TaylorAviation ConsultantWisDOT Bureau of AeronauticsDo you own an iPad? Or are youconsidering buying one for yourcockpit to display aeronauticalcharts? If so, you are part of a massJeffery Taylormovement in aviation toward the use ofelectronic charts to replace paper. Hardly a week goes bywithout an announcement of an airline, or even the military,adopting tablet computers for in-flight use as ElectronicFlight Bags (EFB). While many pilots areusing tablets, several have questions about thelegality of their use.Is it legal?Several factors should be considered beforeyou commit to using a tablet computer. A goodplace to start is Advisory Circular (AC) 91-78,Use of Class 1 or Class 2 Electronic Flight Bag.This AC provides information on the removalof paper aeronautical charts and other documentation from thecockpit.You must also comply with FAR 91.21, PortableElectronic Devices. This regulation limits the use of electronicdevices in the cockpit unless you have flight-tested anddocumented that the device does not interfere with youraircraft’s systems. Part 91, subpart F requires operators toensure compliance with FAR 91.503 at all times.I strongly recommend you become thoroughly familiarMADISON, WIS. – Colleen Endres joined the WisconsinDepartment of Transportation, Bureau of Aeronautics in June1995. As an accountant, she is responsible for closing outfederal projects according to FAA schedules. Endres also backsup other finance personnel with invoice processing, alongwith setting up contracts, change orders and amendments.She is responsible for Federal Funding Accountability andTransparency Act (FFATA) reporting to the Office of Policy,>!""#$%$&'(&)*')+,)-"./0.""+123)&'"456)-"+#%#718)"""with the menus and functions of your tablet before youconduct the flight tests. You don’t want to be fumbling forthe right data at a critical phase of flight. All flights should beflown in VFR flight conditions.If you have successfully complied with the previous steps,then you are completely legal to use the iPad for electroniccharts, providing that the data is current and is a functionalreplacement of the paper version, for Part 91 InstrumentFlight Rules (IFR) or Visual Flight Rules (VFR), preflight,flight and post-flight.WisDOT Maskhead CMYK Feb09.indd 1 1/23/09khead.indd 1WISDOT MaskheadFeb09.indd 1Colleen Endres, AccountantWisconsin DOT Bureau of AeronauticsDo I need backups?As pilots, we always think about backups and “plan B” toensure a safe flight. The FAA does not requireyou to carry paper, but Advisory Circular91-78 suggests pilots consider carrying asecondary source of aeronautical information.The secondary source could either be papercharts or another separate electronic display.Other considerations include power supplyand signal strength. Though the iPad’s batterylife is excellent, intensive use over a long flightcan drain the battery faster than you mightexpect – especially if you start at less than 100 percent. Severalafter-market devices are available to boost and stabilize theGPS signal reception to your iPad.The use of tablet computers, specifically the iPad, ischanging how many pilots plan and conduct their flights.Take the time you need to ensure you fully understand yourtablet’s features and are comfortable using it before relying onit in the cockpit. If used wisely, it can improve the efficiencyand safety of your flights.2/13/09 3:24:41 PMBudget and Finance. Endres interacts withFAA airports district office personnel, otherFAA agencies and other WisDOT personnel.She also works with the Legislative AuditBureau and other auditors.Prior to joining the Bureau of Aeronautics,Endres worked in the department’s Bureauof Accounting and Auditing. Her first statejob was with the Bureau of Social SecurityDisability Insurance. This July marks her38th year of service with the State of Wisconsin.Colleen Endres has two daughters and two grandsons. Colleen Endres7/20/08 12:22:11 PM