When you are heading somewhere unfamiliar in your car, what is one of the first things you do? More than likely, you set your phone’s navigation app to your destination, then drive where it tells you to go. If you are “old school,” you might pull out your trusty state roadmap

Likewise, you need a navigational tool when you are flying. Aviation navigational tools offered more detailed information than “turn left here.” These tools tell anything from services provided at each FBO to the height and location of tall objects such as towers and mountains.

Pilots used to access navigational information with paper charts including chart supplements, terminal proceedings, sectional charts, or Terminal Area Charts (TACs). Some pilots continue to use these resources. With advances in aviation and technology, pilots have more navigation options, including Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs). Before deciding to use “paper or plastic,” consider the pros and cons of each.

What is an EFB?

The FAA describes an EFB as any electronic information management device that helps flight crews perform flight management tasks more easily and efficiently with less paper. EFBs keep navigation charts, weight and balance, aircraft performance charts, flight planning, and other essential information in one place. Some aviation companies use EFBs to streamline how they manage important aircraft records.

EFBs come in various forms. Most general aviation (GA) pilots use an iPad running an app such as Foreflight or Fly Q. The FAA states there are two types of applications that you can use with EFBs. Access AC 120-76D for more details. This Advisory Circular pertains to fractional ownership, charters, and air carriers, but Part 91 operations find this information useful too.

Pros

As I mentioned, an EFB can streamline paperwork and organize maintenance logs and other documents. For instance, Foreflight makes it easy to keep up with your personal logbooks. You can even track currency without having to thumb through your logbook. EFB software also updates periodically to give you the most current information.

From a GA perspective, an EFB can help clean up the cockpit because your charts are on one device. A touch of a button or screen gives you the desired information. You do not need to thumb through stacks of paper approaches or wrestle with a paper sectional or low enroute chart while trying to determine your location. I have found it can be a pain to use several sectional charts at once on long cross-country flights. In your app, you see a magenta line directly to your destination or a tailored route. Even if your flight is literally cross-country, you save space because you are not carrying multiple charts.

Cons

An EFB is a computer or machine, so it will encounter problems. Battery powered technology can charge, but that charge will not last forever. Long flights with a lot of screen time can soon drain a battery. You will need a battery pack or a backup device.

Small planes get hot, and batteries do not like to be hot. A hot battery will drain, or a hot device will shut down. I have seen random pop-ups requesting passwords on my EFB or the device itself needs to update mid-flight. These pop-ups are annoying when trying to fly an approach. You might find that the approach plate you thought you downloaded did not actually load onto your device. Before you fly, check your charts and devices for currency to mitigate the issue.

What About Paper?

What about paper charts? They have served pilots well for many years. But are they the best option for today’s pilot?

Pros

Why use paper when an EFB seems more convenient? Paper navigational tools are still useful in that they improve your flight planning skills more so than EFBs. Paper forces you to think and figure out courses and other factors that the computer does for you. Of course, if you switch to an EFB, you will at least understand what the computer is telling you and if it is correct.

Papers charts are dependable. Your chart or approach plates cannot lose charge or overheat mid flight. Paper is a reliable means of navigation with little room for technological glitches.

Cons

Paper charts do not have a back light to help you read them at night. Even using a red light can make it hard to read due to the color of the charts not contrasting with the light. Wear and tear is another issue. During training, you will plan most cross-country flights on the sectional or low en route charts. If you accumulate a lot of pencil marks, reading becomes difficult. Once again, paper charts take up room and often require you to juggle various charts.

Choosing an EFB or paper charts is up to you. Use what makes the most sense for you or consider trying both. Using an EFB can be efficient but using paper charts as a backup offers peace of mind. If your iPad dies in IMC flight, you have at least an approach plate to read. Using both resources can help make trip planning efficient and keep your flight planning skills proficient.

Ryan Spohn got bit by the aviation bug when he did a discovery flight during his time in the Boy Scouts, where he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. After that flight, he determined aviation was the life he wanted to pursue. Learn more about Ryan and the rest of the Elon Aviation staff at www.elonaviation.com.