We support the aviation industry and individual pilots in the safe and efficient use of electronic flight bags (EFBs). The rules relating to the use of EFBs changed on 2 December 2021.
General guidance for all persons using EFBs is in Advisory Circular AC 91-17 Electronic Flight Bags (PDF 514 KB).
Requirements for all pilots
An EFB is a type of portable electronic device (PED). Part 91 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR) includes rules about PEDs.
Regulations 91.170 and 91.175 control the use of PEDs on all flights. We give detailed guidance for these regulations in:
- Part 91 Acceptable Means of Compliance and Guidance Material (PDF 1.4 MB) - see GM 91.170 and GM 91.175
- Advisory Circular AC 91-17 Electronic Flight Bags (PDF 514 KB).
Australian air transport AOC holders
If you hold an air transport AOC you must comply with Part 119 of CASR Australian air transport operators.
Section 5 of CASA EX68/24 – Part 119 of CASR – Supplementary Exemptions and Directions Instrument 2024 states that you must not use an EFB for the first time without our approval. Your approved exposition must include information, procedures and instructions for the use of EFBs. We give more detail about expositions when applying for or changing an air transport AOC.
You do not need to gain our approval if you:
- held a charter, regular public transport or aerial work (air ambulance) AOC authorisation before 2 December 2021
- and were compliant with the old CAO 82.0 rules on EFBs.
Part 137 (aerial application) AOC holders
The latest version of Civil Aviation Order (CAO) 82.0 came into force on 2 December 2021.
If you hold an aerial application operations AOC under Part 137 of CASR, you must comply with the EFB requirements in CAO 82.0. See paragraphs 11.1 and 11.2, and Appendix 9.