How widespread are electronic flight bags (EFBs) in the industry?
Zuccaro: Well, it’s not. PHI [Petroleum Helicopters Inc.] is in the lead in that area. It’s a technology that has a lot of potential in that you can use it easier in the flight planning phase. In the IFR conditions you have to deal with the maps and charts instead of having everything in one location electronically. [Pilots] might also find that [EFBs] provide better visual acuity in the cockpit versus trying to see charts during evening hours. Avionics: Helicopters also are being designed to operate fly-by-wire. Zuccaro: Yes, Sikorsky [Aircraft] just opened up its fly-by-wire lab for the S-92 military derivative. They will be building those aircraft fly-by-wire. And there’s been work in that area for the NH-90, EH-101 and Bell 412. So it’s not a new initiative, but it’s moving much closer to being real-world. In the civil arena, I think [fly-by-wire] won’t be out of the question in five to 10 years. Avionics: Is the helicopter industry interested in wide and local area augmentation (W
