An actualy flying related post: eFlyBook

Previously I had purchased an eFlyBook from MyAirplane.com, based upon
reports from OSH. It is a small (around 8x10inx0.5) plastic cased screen
that utilized a new technology of digital ink (black and white only at this
time, compared to Sony's proprietary product)/

On it in the memory are ALL of the approach plates and lo altitude charts
for the entire country, along with the FAR-AIM, and AFD! They are
periodically updated by either download online or disk by subscription.

The actual screen product is made by Irex (I believe Belgian), while the
guys at MyAirplane.com developed the compression software to fit all of
these documents on a reasonable amount of memory. For example, a PDF of a
similar document might generate a file many times larger. The company Arinc,
a large conglomerate, is apparently the middle man in the operation, and I
suspect provides a lot of the capital (is it "capitol?" I always forget)
investment.

Anyway, when I first got the unit I was very enthused. It is very readable,
although not backlit. I downloaded a number of classic books, like some old
Sherlock Holmes texts that I hadn't read in years. It was great to have
multiple texts available at any time to read, and extremely convenient.

The software also uses a stylus technology like on Wacom drawing tablets.
You can copy and write down clearances and flight plans, and take notes,
etc.

All in all it looked like a great new technology, that someday might replace
paper texts. However, on my first use I diverted to an airport that was VFR
rather than shooting an ILS approach to minimums due to an autopilot
failure. Of course, this ended up being in another state, where I had not
bought or printed the plates ahead of time, thinking that the eFlyBook would
fill the job.

However, when looking for the right plates, the screen had gone black
(permanently). The remainder of the flight was uneventful, since I had
sectionals and IFR GPS backup, etc. so a functioning eFlyBook was not
necessary.

Multiple calls to Dennis at MyAirplane.com proved fruitless. I returned the
unit per his directions, and did not hear anything at all. Phone calls and
emails were unreturned. Finally, I learned that Irex, the parent company,
would not support the screens, and that I would have to pay $300 to repair
the unit, even though it failed on its first use in the field, and had never
been damaged.

Arinc ultimately came to the rescue, and I just received a new unit.

So, this is great new technology- no hard drives, easy to read, lightweight
and portable. Don't hold your breath for Sony, who are only interested in
their own proprietary software. The fragility of the screen may be an issue-
it is large and probably should be protected somehow from pressure or
impact. I had only kept mine in a flight bag, uncased, and perhaps it needs
more protection than that.

There were some minor software and documentation glitches, since the
technology is advancing rapidly. Except for the customer service issues,
which I hope MyAirplane.com, Arinc, and Irex have worked out, I definitely
would purchase another unit, and anyone who flies widespread IFR to multiple
airports should take a look. The technology is so new and radically
different, it is a very exciting look at the future of paperless printing.