//Pseudo-commercial... sorry//
I've been trying to get EFB technology into the hands of our USAF Loadmasters, since I worked a project for the C-17 SPO further back into the last century than we are into this new one.
Current version is called "Loadmaster ToolKit", which I've been offering to let USAF try -- for FREE! -- for a couple years now. LTK runs quite nicely on an iPad, but the preferred hardware is the more rugged, lighter, pocket-able iPhone or iPod Touch.
I think LTK responds to most of the concerns* folks have raised up-thread. Visit our website "LoadmasterToolKit.com" for lots more info.
And if you go there with an "iThing", you'll see a "Try itNow!" tab which will let you experiment with the Form-F app included in the LTK package.
WARNING -- LTK's Form-F app is ***NOT YET CERTIFIED FOR OPERATIONAL USE!*** because that demo/prototype version is running with dummy data/parameters. When someone in the Air Force actually says they want to use LTK, I can load it with real-world information, then get the appropriate certifiers to test and approve it. But till I get past this Catch-22, the operative phrase is: "You Fly -- you DIE!"
We would welcome anyone's questions, comments, or suggestions; and I'd really appreciate help or suggestions on getting past this Catch-22.
//Larry
Loadmaster ToolKit -- Lighten the Load,
on Loadmasters, Airlifters, and Taxpayers!
------------------------
* CONCERN -- LTK RESPONSE:
-> Dead battery/Broken hardware -- we will also load Form-F and other key LTK apps and docs onto Pilot's iPad, so you've got an on-mission hot spare
-> Old-School Skills -- LTK closely follows the look-and-feel, and process, of the paper Form-F; using it's like practice for the "old school" quiz
-> Manual/TO Usability -- rather than just "dumping in the PDFs", we intend to provide a custom reader app that allows searching, annotating, cross-reference, etc
-> Canned Form-Fs -- Supported: pick your tail number (to fetch Form-C and config-specific Data), and dial in fuel and crew. In well under a minute, you should be ready to e-file and go fly.
-> No more Navs/FEs -- perhaps... But Pilots ain't going to get their hands dirty pushing pallets and heaving Hummers, so there'll ALWAYS need to be a Loadmaster aboard, even after the front seats are outsourced to an XBOX jockey at Creech. (When THAT happens, 'tho, you may wanna retrain into "Physical Fitness Monitor" career field -- by one name or another, there will ALWAYS be a PFT!)
// end pitch