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3 Answers

iPad as EFB, FAA Part 91: AFM as PDF legal?

Asked by: 5035 views , , ,
FAA Regulations

Does anybody have an answer whether it is legal for Part 91 operations to carry the required, updated FAA approved Airplane Flight Manual as PDF documents on the iPad? Looking here http://www.faa.gov/documentlibrary/m...%20120-76b.pdf gives no clear answer, but makes me think it would be OK, since no approval necesseray for part 91 and in the list at the end AFM is a top item which might be replaced for commercial ops, if EFB is approved. I want to be really sure about that before getting ramp checked showing my iPad to the inspector.

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3 Answers



  1. jeff on Dec 05, 2015

    For part 91 the answer is Yes and the requirements are spelled out in advisory circular 91-78 I believe.

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  2. Mark Kolber on Dec 05, 2015

    Jeff has the correct AC for vanilla Part 91 ops – 91-78, not 120-76B which specifically says

    Aircraft operated under part 91, except for parts 91F and 91K, require no EFB authorization or compliance with this AC

    91-78 contemplates use of an EFB as a container for the manual:

    EFB systems may be used in conjunction with, or to replace, some of the paper reference material that pilots typically carry in the cockpit. EFBs can electronically store and retrieve information required for flight operations, such as the POH and supplements…

    But, interestingly, the same paragraph in AC120-76B that says it does not apply to vanilla Part 91 goes on to say, “provided the EFB does not replace any equipment or operating information required by the regulations.” Hmmmm. The vast bulk of the information in a POH is “operating information required by the regulations.”

    I think that small discrepancy doesn’t prohibit the use of an electronic POH for Part 91 but it does raise enough of a question in my mind to ask: Why not keep the paper document in the airplane anyway?

    I’m mostly a paperless pilot. No paper chart backup for almost 5 years. But there are things paper is still better for. And one group of them is paper that one might want to look at while using an EFB for other purposes. As one example, I have a friend who still uses paper checklists because he prefers to have the airport information and taxiway diagram in front of him on the EFB. More pertinent to the EFB, suppose an emergency or abnormal situation in which you want to continue using your tablet for situational awareness, terrain issues, airport information, while to ask a passenger to look up a procedure. Likely? perhaps not (we hope, anyway), but that paper volume might be very helpful sitting nearby.

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  3. AndiKunzi on Jan 05, 2016

    Reason for asking:
    The AFM must include all AFM supplements, including:
    amended props, different airconditioning, radar, autopilot, Aspen PFD, TCAS I, engine monitor, GTN750 (OK, that includes the Garmin traffic and GWX 70), stormscope, transponder, etc. and some other modifications (pumps) or ADs (loading, engine failure, severe icing). That makes the AFM barely handable. Won\’t match in its assigned place in the cockpit, too.

    I want to keep the paper for everything essential to airframe and engines, the rest (avionis) in a complete, well structured AFM on the iPad. Looking at the answers and what I read, this should be legal for part 91 ops.

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