Boeing Subsidiary Jeppesen Partners With Bad Elf To Enable Wireless Database Updates
A “tedious task” that many general and business aviation pilots perform promises to change soon with a new mobile version of JDM (Jeppesen Distribution Manager), a flight data-update system from Boeing’s subsidiary Jeppesen. Specifically, Boeing has forged an alliance with aviation hardware and software solutions provider Bad Elf to pair JDM Mobile with Bad Elf’s portable Wombat device to make it possible for aircraft owners/operators to update avionics data cards wirelessly.
Upgrade Your Updates
“Previously, many aircraft operators needed to update data cards offsite, which often meant working a long distance from their aircraft due to a dependency on traditional landline PC technology,” says Mike Abbott, director, Jeppesen Data Solutions, Product & Portfolio Management. “Through our relationship with Bad Elf, most of our general and business aviation customers will now be able to use JDM Mobile and the Wombat device to wirelessly update essential charts and data, right in the cockpit.” Abbott says this capability also extends to tens of thousands of customers operating legacy avionics systems that weren’t designed for wireless navigation data update capabilities.
Initially, the technology will support avionics systems from Garmin and Avidyne, which represent a majority of Jeppesen’s general aviation pilot customer base. Additional avionics systems will support the technology in the near future, eventually reaching more than 80% of JDM customers.
Jeppesen data subscribers using supported avionics platforms can use JDM Mobile to download flight-data updates using an iPhone or iPad and then wirelessly connect to the Wombat to transfer flight data to avionics data cards, thus applying current data before taking flight.
Not A One-Trick Wombat
Bad Elf CEO John Cunningham says the Wombat, which is available in piston and turbine versions, also lets pilots easily collect flight and engine logs that partner apps and services (such as CloudAhoy and SavvyAnalysis) can analyze.
Launched in 2010, Bad Elf initially introduced a GPS accessory for iPhones and iPads that let pilots display “own-ship position” in their electronic flight bag apps. Bad Elf now produces a host of GPS receivers and accessories for mobile platforms targeting aviation, marine, and GIS (geographic information systems) professionals. Jeppesen, meanwhile, develops its navigational data from an aviation database containing more than 1 million records.
Source: Boeing
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