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| EFB Weather is shown on the cockpit-connected EFB (right side). Photo: SITA OnAir |
[Avionics Today 06-02-2015] SITA OnAir has announced a major European airline, with a fleet of more than 200 aircraft, is trialing its EFB Weather solution this summer, with the aim of installing it across the entire fleet by the end of 2016. EFB Weather is a new SITA OnAir product that sends live weather data, including turbulence, thunderstorms and icing information, directly to Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs).
EFB Weather covers both the horizontal and vertical planes, as well as the direction of the weather’s movement. With the whole picture, pilots can plan the most efficient route to avoid dynamic weather conditions, reducing fuel burn and emissions, and any potential damage to the aircraft. EFB Weather is integrated into the A429 avionics bus to receive aircraft data, enabling direct feeds to operational flight plans, thereby reducing pilots’ workload. Additionally, the solution makes for safer flights, as well as giving passengers a more comfortable and convenient journey, improving the passenger experience.
According to SITA OnAir, EFB Weather has been developed for airlines to equip all their aircraft, despite many having mixed connectivity on different aircraft types. The solution can operate over either a broadband link or a narrowband Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) link, using optimization and compression technology. It can also be updated at the gate using a 3G or 4G mobile phone data link. And it is compatible with any EFB hardware, including both Apple and Windows devices, as well as the major avionics systems.