<\/strong>EFB devices need to be tough. Flying through sub-zero temperatures in Norway during a brutal winter one day and landing in the searing heat of Dubai the next, demands a device that can stand up to temperature extremes. Even in a climate-controlled cockpit, devices are subjected to direct sunlight and cold because of their placement.<\/p>\n
These devices must also remain stable and reliable regardless of exposure to rapid decompression. Among the requirements that are mandated by various regulatory bodies, including the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), EFB devices must also have fail-safe power sources. For Olsen, Microsoft provides an advantage, as it maintains a dedicated lab for meticulous device testing. \u201cMicrosoft provides decompression testing for devices that are used as EFBs,\u201d he explains. \u201cRather than testing the devices myself, I get all the relevant results directly from Microsoft.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Lighting the way <\/strong> Beyond brightness, another important screen factor is its sensitivity and accuracy. Crews use Surface Pro with LTE Advanced in tablet mode, so touch sensitivity is paramount, and Norwegian Air Shuttle calibrates screen sensitivity on devices every two to three months. Unlike previous devices, Olsen finds that the touch sensitivity of the Surface Pro with LTE Advanced doesn\u2019t fade over time\u2014an<\/span> important factor for crews who may be flying in turbulent weather and require instant screen responsiveness without taking time to recalibrate or repeat an action when every second counts.<\/p>\n Johan Gauermann, Deputy Director of Flight Operations at Norwegian Air Shuttle states that \u201cOur team of pilots really appreciate the value of our EFB Application in combination with the global LTE Connectivity of the Surface Devices. We train thousands of pilots, and they become effective Surface users quickly. The bright display at high altitudes and responsive touch screen work for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n Synchronising EFBs around the world With hundreds of planes to provision with EFB devices and the requirements for consistently high performance, Norwegian Air Shuttle puts a premium on reliability. Olsen looks for well-made devices that will last, and he doesn\u2019t compromise on performance. The capabilities of Surface Pro with LTE Advanced was, according to him, the icing on the cake:<\/p>\n \u201cWe tested devices that were far more expensive,\u201d he describes. \u201cPrice isn\u2019t an issue for the right device. Only one device provided the best value\u2014the<\/span> performance we need at a reasonable cost that ticked every box on the list, plus LTE. We anticipate a huge benefit within the next year when our entire fleet is equipped with Surface Pro LTE.\u201d<\/p>\n
Screen brightness is a vital factor in an always-on cockpit environment. Pilots need a responsive, easily-adjustable screen to match fast-changing conditions. EFB data must be easily visible in bright sunlight or during the gloomy darkness of a night flight. \u201cIt\u2019s really amazing to see the difference of the Surface Pro LTE screen in different light conditions,\u201d Olsen states. \u201cWhen you\u2019re working with 2,500 pilots, you\u2019ll always have extremes of opinion in what lighting level works best, so the ease of adjusting the screen is essential.\u201d<\/p>\n![](\"http:\/\/www.sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/norwegian-air-shuttle-empowers-its-pilots-with-surface-pro-1.jpg\")
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Ensuring that all devices around the world are updated is also extremely important. The Norwegian team is working to perfect the next advancement in its device strategy\u2014using<\/span> Windows Autopilot Deployment to load Windows 10 and manage updates with self-service provisioning. Olsen looks forward to shipping Surface Pro with LTE Advanced devices around the globe, using Windows Autopilot to ensure that each device is configured to his exact specifications. \u201cWe\u2019re taking our EFB provisioning to a new level with the possibilities we see in current Microsoft solutions,\u201d he says. \u201cWherever I send the device, I can be sure that through the Intune portal and Windows Autopilot, it will be set up exactly as we want: all the settings, eSIM profiles, and software.\u201d<\/p>\n