An electronic flight bag (EFB) is an electronic information management device that helps flight crews perform flight management tasks more easily and efficiently with less paper providing the reference material often found in the pilot’s carry-on flight bag, including the flight-crew operating manual, navigational charts, etc. In addition, the EFB hosts purpose- built software applications to automate other functions normally conducted by hand, such as take-off performance calculations. The EFB gets its name from the traditional pilot’s flight bag, which is typically a heavy (up to or over 18 kg or 40 lb) documents bag that pilots carry to the cockpit.

An EFB is intended primarily for cockpit/flight deck use. Large and turbine aircraft require the presence of navigational charts on the airplane. If an operator’s sole source of navigational chart information is contained on an EFB, the operator must demonstrate the EFB will continue to operate throughout a decompression event, and thereafter, regardless of altitude.

In the aviation industry, accessing the right information in the right place, at the right time, is crucial to support decisions and enhance operations.