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efbh.com
Hardware classes
Electronic Flight Bags are divided into three hardware classes and three
software types.
EFB hardware classes include:
Class 1 - Standard commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) equipment such as laptops or
handheld electronic devices. These devices are used as loose equipment and are
typically stowed during critical phases of flight. A Class 1 EFB is considered a
Portable Electronic Device (PED). These may connect to aircraft power and
interface to other systems via certified (STC) docking station and/or power
source. This would allow the Class 1 device to interface with other systems
through the certified interface and other devices through an expansion port
interface.
Class 2 - Also Portable Electronic Devices, and range from modified COTS
equipment to purpose-built devices. They are typically mounted in the aircraft
with the display being viewable to the pilot during all phases of flight. Mounts
may include certified structural mounting devices or kneeboard devices. These
may connect to aircraft power and data sources. For in-flight use, data
communication is limited to read-only by the EFB from the aircraft systems.
Class 3 - Considered "installed equipment" and subject to airworthiness
requirements and, unlike PEDs, they must be under design control. The hardware
is subject to a limited number of RTCA DO-160E requirements (for non-essential
equipment - typical crash safety and Conducted and Radiated Emissions (EMC)
testing). There may be DO-178 requirements for software, but this depends on the
application-type defined in the Advisory Circular. Class 3 EFBs are typically
installed under STC or other airworthiness approval.
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