Definition
A category of hardware or software that is mass-produced and sold to the general public, rather than custom-built for aviation use. In the EFB context, COTS refers to standard consumer devices such as iPads, Android tablets, or laptops that pilots use to run Electronic Flight Bag applications, as opposed to purpose-built avionics hardware certified for a specific aircraft.
Plain English
Equipment you can buy in any regular store and use as-is, instead of something specially designed and built just for aircraft.
Context Anchor
Seen in Electronic Flight Bag discussions when the FAA describes tablets, portable displays, software, and other equipment used to support flight planning or cockpit information.
Derivation
The phrase comes from procurement language. 'Off the shelf' literally means an item already sitting on a store shelf, ready to buy — no custom order, no waiting, no special build. 'Commercial' means sold openly to the general public. Together, the term signals 'whatever anyone can walk in and purchase,' as opposed to specially engineered equipment.
Why Pilots Care
COTS devices offer affordable, high-performance options for Electronic Flight Bags, yet pilots must still verify they meet FAA safety and operational standards before use in the cockpit.
Analogy
COTS is like buying a standard phone from a store instead of having a custom phone built for your company. It may work very well, but you still need to know what it can and cannot do.
Intuition Check
COTS does not mean “FAA-approved” or “safe for every flight use.” It means the item is commercially available and ready-made; the pilot or operator still has to make sure it is suitable for the intended aviation use.
Example Sentence 1
The operator's EFB program allows pilots to use a COTS tablet, provided it meets the battery and display requirements listed in the operations manual.
Example Sentence 2
Many operators choose COTS smartphones for backup navigation provided they are secured and have adequate battery life.