Press Release: FAA Runway Safety Announcement using EFBs

This press release is from March 23rd, 2007 but I just came across it while doing some research.

The FAA announced their support for the use of Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs) while on the ground, to help reduce runway incursions. I think this is exciting news for companies that are making products to feel this gap. We will wait and see what comes around the corner. Already there are some programs that help with runway incursions such as: Pocket Plates and WingX for the Pocket PC.

Marion C. Blakey ...
Good afternoon and thank you all for coming. We've got some real news today. Aviation is about to have a breakthrough application of a familiar technology, something that could change how safely pilots navigate runways, the way GPS changed how we drive our cars.

Today, I'm announcing the FAA is going to allow the displays of moving maps in the cockpit that will show that aircraft's precise location on the airfield. The laptop-sized display would be added to a pilot's Electronic Flight Bag, which has replaced the old-style leather briefcases that were stuffed with paper charts, schedules and weather maps. Recently, brand new aircraft have begun to provide this function, but we're talking about a device that can be used throughout the existing current fleet.

As you know, we've been working at reducing incursions on the runway. This device is a game-changer. We're confident that it's ready for prime time.

The moving map is fueled by GPS data. For those of you who've seen something similar in a car, the plane would be the small diamond in the center of the screen. The question, "Which runway am I on?" receives an instantaneous answer.

We've had standards for a device like this in place for four years. Those standards anticipated use of this technology on the ground and in the air. And in-flight entails much more rigorous requirements, and, frankly, we've learned the certification process was too expensive for manufacturers. The application I'm talking about today is for use only on the airport surface. With this limitation, our certification engineers are satisfied that this device is ready. I'll say it plainly: it needs to be in the cockpit.

Of course, the cost of this device is up to the manufacturer, but I would guess that given the reduced cost of certification, it would be well within reach of airlines to retrofit their current fleet.

The logical question that follows, would this have prevented an accident at — you fill in the blank. Well, no one can be sure of that; that's the stuff of predictions. But I can say that this device is going to have a tremendous influence on the safety of our runways. It's ready, we're ready, and aviation needs it.

Source Non-Mobile: http://www.faa.gov/news/speeches/news_story.cfm?newsId=8408

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Tags: Safety, Airports, Flying, Hardware
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