Javier Torre posted in Air Operations
EFB Own-ship position for situational awareness with a COTS (GNSS with 12 channels)
Good afternoon all,
I hope you are doing well.
I am reaching out seeking support / feedback related to the requirement from AMC7 SPA.EFB.100(b)(3) and the "adequate number of channels (12 or more)" needed for the use of a COTS (iPad) to display own-ship position for situational awareness.
- Since many of you are probably using iPads as EFB: does anyone managed to obtain the information to prove that the iPad has a GNSS receiver with 12 channels or more?
- Are you using an iPad to display own-ship (only for situational awareness) as an operator subject to EASA requirements?
- Did your Authority ask you specifically to show compliance with this 12 channels requirement? (knowing that neither FAA nor TC Canada nor ICAO have this requirement)
- Do you think EASA should update this requirement?
May be you have another primary source, otherwise I believe it’s a type B application really safety sensitive.
Hello Marianna, thank you for your reply. Indeed, we are processing it as a type B functionality (it is not app in itself) and this is why we need to prove the 12 channels. Only as a secondary source and only for situational awareness.
Hello Javier
we are using iPads as EFB-units, so we also have a COTS-unit. for the number of channels, you may want to scan through:
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/1690081?sortBy=best
Not as an official source but to get an idea.
As we were not able to proof the data for the 12 channels so far on the internal audit we were forced - at the moment - to NOT allow the ownship position - although I personally see it as a definite improvement to one's situational awareness – If used alongside rigid procedures and clear understand that the position indicated can NEVER substitute a clear look-out and verification of one’s position.
We are trying to get support from the application vendor, so far we are not there yet.
YES, I think EASA should reconsider their position IF the operator has proper procedures in place.
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