Definition
An EFB software application whose failure or misuse could have a major effect on safety or could increase crew workload significantly. Type B applications include those that replace paper aeronautical charts, approach plates, terminal procedures, and similar required documents. They require explicit operational authorization from the FAA before being used in flight operations.
Plain English
A higher-risk category of EFB app — one that takes the place of charts or other required paper documents. Because pilots actually rely on it during flight, the FAA must approve its use before you can fly with it.
Context Anchor
Seen in EFB discussions when the FAA separates simpler information-viewing apps from more operational apps used during flight.
Derivation
The FAA grouped EFB software into tiers labeled Type A and Type B, with Type B reserved for applications whose failure carries higher operational consequences. The letter simply marks the higher-impact category — there is no deeper meaning to the 'B'.
Why Pilots Care
Pilots must know the Type B classification to confirm which EFB functions are authorized for use during flight without violating equipment or operational requirements.
Intuition Check
Do not read “Type B” as “second-best” or less safe. In this context, it is an FAA category for the kind of EFB function and how it is used in flight.
Example Sentence 1
Before the operator could use the tablet's chart app in flight, the chief pilot confirmed it was an authorized Type B software application.
Example Sentence 2
Weight-and-balance computations performed in the Type B software application helped confirm the aircraft remained within limits for the planned takeoff.