Preparing for Jeppesen’s paper chart sunset: EFB & MDM

Jeppesen has officially announced the phase-out of its paper chart printing services by 31 October 2026. This deadline permanently removes printed charts as an option for commercial and business aviation operators. While the shift towards digital navigation has been underway for years, some flight departments still rely on physical chart binders as a backup or for specific regional operations.

A common misstep when preparing for this deadline is viewing “going paperless” as a simple software purchase. Downloading standalone PDF viewers or digital chart readers onto consumer tablets does not constitute a compliant Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) system. Eliminating paper permanently requires an infrastructure that connects flight planning engines and document control systems into a reliable, audit-proof workflow.

EFB and document control

To legally eliminate paper charts from the cockpit, operators must satisfy strict local Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) standards regarding document versioning and operational continuity. Regulators require verifiable proof that flight crews operate with current revision cycles, regardless of internet connectivity at remote outstations or mid-flight.

The Skylegs EFB application solves this challenge by integrating directly with established flight planning engines, including RocketRoute, PPS, and CrewBriefing. Instead of pilots manually downloading flight packages or transferring PDFs across unverified communication channels, the dispatch system automatically pushes flight briefs, navigation logs, and updated charts directly into the Skylegs EFB app.

Offline availability remains non-negotiable for flight deck operations. Company manuals, Minimum Equipment Lists (MELs), and standard operational forms must remain fully accessible without an active internet connection. Centralised document management within the platform tracks revision histories, enforces pilot sign-offs prior to flight release, and generates complete audit trails.

The critical role of MDM

Deploying an EFB app addresses cockpit workflows, but compliance fails if the underlying hardware remains unmanaged or vulnerable. Placing an operational app on an unmanaged tablet introduces severe operational risks, ranging from accidental app deletions by crew members to unmonitored operating system updates that could render flight tools incompatible right before departure.

Mobile Device Management (MDM) offered by Skylegs provides the governance layer required to safeguard hardware integrity and IT security. Through centralised MDM policies, flight operations managers enforce app lockdowns, preventing crew members from installing unapproved software, accessing non-operational media, or altering critical device configurations.

MDM also delivers centralised oversight across the entire fleet. Operations teams can track iPad serial numbers, assigned pilots or aircraft, iOS software versions, storage capacity, and real-time battery health remotely. If a tablet is lost or stolen, remote data wiping ensures sensitive operational records remain secure, satisfying both aviation regulatory mandates and enterprise IT security standards.

Transition ahead of the deadline

Waiting until late 2026 to address the paper chart phase-out introduces unnecessary operational risk. Obtaining CAA approval for paperless operations requires dedicated time to draft an EFB Manual, conduct risk assessments, and complete mandatory evaluation periods. Operators who delay their transition risk approval bottlenecks as the October deadline approaches. By establishing this infrastructure early, flight operations secure long-term consistency, ensure uninterrupted regulatory compliance, and maintain complete control over their daily workflows.