The Comparative Benefits and Hazards of EFBs and Paper Documents in the Cockpit

Abstract

Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs) are replacing the traditional paper documents used by pilots for pre-flight planning and in-flight operations. Simulation studies comparing information retrieval times and error rates for EFBs and paper documents have found that pilots are faster and perform better with EFBs, but it is unclear whether this is true for all EFB systems. This study compared reports from the ASRS across categorical variables such as Human Factors Issue, Outcome, Function in Use, Operating Regulations and Phase of Flight. The most significant human factors issues relating to EFBs were lack of training, distractions/workload, and inhibited access to information. Crewmembers consistently ran into difficulty with the zooming/panning feature of EFBs, especially on multi-touch touchscreen displays.

21st International Symposium on Aviation Psychology

“…There is some disparity within the literature as to whether EFBs increase or decrease workload. Some researchers state that EFBs increase workload, distractions, and head-down time (Chase & Hiltunen, 2014;Sweet, et al, 2017) while other studies suggest the EFBs decreases workload, increases situational awareness, and improves performance (Haddock & Beckman, 2015;Solgård & Oppheim, 2019). Additional studies suggest there are no statistically significant differences in workload between operations using an EFB and those using paper charts and materials (Suppiah, 2019).…”

“…Additional studies suggest there are no statistically significant differences in workload between operations using an EFB and those using paper charts and materials (Suppiah, 2019). A couple of possible explanations for this disparity include variability in the relation between EFBs and workload due to organizational differences (Solgård & Oppheim, 2019), software application or system differences (Sweet et al, 2017), or Human Factors (HF) design differences (Laursen & Ludvigsson, 2017). Other possibilities include differences in study methodology and/or sample type.…”

“…Providing flight crews with too much information or information that is difficult to access, requiring numerous applications can lead to HF issues such as information overload, increased distractions during flight operations, and the necessity to flip back and forth between applications during critical flying maneuvers (Sweet, et. al., 2017).…”

“…Researchers have noted transferring skills from paper-based flight bags to EFBs for pilots wellversed in the features and functions available show significant increases in pilot performance (Sweet et al, 2017). Tasks such as monitoring other traffic (traffic alerting), accessing paper charts, following checklists, receiving weather updates, standard manuals, and performance calculations became easier when using the EFB (Haddock & Beckman, 2015).…”

“…Most research on EFBs has been conducted in simulators, where scenarios were presented to pilots and EFB usage was documented (Haddock & Beckman, 2015;Sweet et al, 2017). Research in simulators is common because access to pilots in flight is difficult.…”