Handy Computer Guide

Chris Ziegler has posted a "hand-on" review of the ARINC's eFlyBook on Engadget. 'Speaking from a pilot's perspective, the $899 eFlyBook gives major bang for the buck for one simple reason: it eliminates reams of books and binders that all but the most casual flyboys need to have at the ready. Reams, people. To make matters worse, the documentation is subject to fairly frequent updates. The eFlyBook rocks a subscription model that automatically updates loaded charts via a link to a PC -- you get six months for free, then $249/year thereafter. ARINC's loaded a custom app onto the iLiad to manage their charts in an intelligent way, though the software was a bit flaky (read: sluggish, partially non-functional) at the time of our encounter and an update is promised in the next couple weeks.