Definition
A category of Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) software whose failure or misuse could have a major impact on safety or operations. Type B applications include items such as pilot-controlled electronic charts, approach plates, and en route navigation displays where the data shown is used for primary reference during flight. Type B applications require formal operator authorization and an evaluation process before they can replace paper equivalents.
Plain English
EFB programs that pilots actually rely on to fly the aircraft -- like electronic charts and approach plates -- so they're held to a higher standard than basic reference apps.
Context Anchor
Seen in EFB guidance when deciding what kinds of apps may be used on a tablet or cockpit display during flight operations.
Why Pilots Care
Type B applications improve flight planning and situational awareness while remaining easier to certify and install than applications that interface with aircraft systems.
Intuition Check
“Type B” does not mean a quality grade, a software version, or the second-best kind of app. Here it means a specific FAA EFB category for apps that can affect flight operations and therefore need operational review before use.
Example Sentence 1
Because the electronic approach chart application is a Type B software application, the operator had to complete an evaluation period before removing paper charts from the flight deck.
Example Sentence 2
During preflight the crew reviewed the approach plates inside their Type B application and zoomed in on the missed-approach procedure.