Air Berlin is to begin trials of a Class 2 electronic flight bag (EFB) from Sweden's NavAero on a Boeing 737-800, as it looks to roll out the improved system across its fleet.
The German carrier has been using Class 1 EFBs on its Airbus, Boeing and Bombardier aircraft, but feels it has reached the limits of the system.
Boeing fleet technical pilot Capt Tim Techt, line training captain for 737s, said: "Right now we have done everything we can do with the Class 1 EFB, that's why we decided on the Class 2 - to extend the capability of the system."
Class 2s can gather data from the aircraft's systems, enabling pilots to feed flap or gear status information directly into their post take-off checks. Communication with airlines' operations departments is also enhanced.
Air Berlin intends to modify one aircraft per month, during C check maintenance or at night, over an 18-month period.
It is also working to advance take-up of both required navigation performance (RNP) and GPS landing system (GLS) approaches. The airline has been collaborating with Germany's DLR research agency on RNP procedure development, and is seeking approval for RNP approaches to Innsbruck.
All its aircraft are RNP-enabled, but Techt cautioned that German air navigation service DFS "needs to be on board as well - and this is the limiting factor."
Its work with DFS on GLS is more advanced. Air Berlin has been performing GLS approaches to Bremen - which has a restricted GLS category I system using ground-based augmentation - since 2008. Bremen airport is seeking full category I certification, although there is no timeframe for its approval. The carrier's 737 fleet is fully GLS category I certificated.
Source: Flight International
