 |
Chapter 1. Introduction | 
|
|---|---|---|
|
|
Chapter 1. Introduction |
|
|---|---|---|
Within this document, the term "eAIP" is used in order to refer to an Electronic AIP produced in accordance with the EUROCONTROL eAIP Specification.
This Manual is intended to cover general usage instructions applicable to any eAIP. In addition, it provides usage instructions which are specific to the eAIP Specimen provided by EUROCONTROL.
The on-screen (HTML) presentation part of the eAIP Specification was validated with a group of real users.
Some of the most important advantages for users of an eAIP are listed below:
ease of browsing, facilitated by the HTML technology (hot links, tool tips, etc.);
the ability to clearly visualise changes (both in the text and the graphics);
no maintenance effort (no time spent on page replacement for every amendment);
can be made available for the whole company (no need to go to the library);
no postal delays (if distributed through the Internet).
Through the use of the XML, the eAIP data content is completely separated from its presentation, which, in turn, may be tailored to support every target media. While the capability to fine-tune the eAIP presentation to support every media (paper, CD-ROM, Web, etc.) is an advantage for the users, it poses a challenge for the producers. The producers must ensure consistency between the different formats.
As a minimum, users should expect to obtain the eAIP in three formats: XML, HTML (for browsing) and Portable Document Format (PDF) (for printing). The most common reference format is XML. However, the reference format may vary depending on the legislation in force in the issuing State and/or the user's State. Before using the eAIP for operational purposes, the user shall clarify with the issuing organisation which of the formats should be considered as prevailing in case of discrepancies between the different formats.
An eAIP in XML format comprises files with the extension ".xml" and graphical files, which are typically located in a "graphics" directory. The XML format is not intended for browsing as it does not contain formatting information. The main role of the XML format is to provide the reference data. It is probable that the other formats are derived from the XML source files, through the use of stylesheets. However, it is also possible that only the HTML format is produced from the XML format, while both the XML and the PDF formats are produced from another source, which is not distributed as part of the eAIP.
The HTML format of the eAIP is intended for browsing. It comprises files with the extension ".html", graphical files, stylesheet files (".css") and java script files. The same graphical files are usually common to the XML and the HTML formats and are located in the "graphics" directory.
It is likely that most users will reference the content of an eAIP through an HTML browser, which is designed to facilitate on-screen consultation.
The PDF format is used if the eAIP is intended for printing and consists of files with the extension ".pdf". All graphics are embedded within the PDF files. The PDF files shall entirely conform to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) with regards to the AIP content and structure. If the issuing State also distributes a paper AIP, the pages of the PDF format shall be identical in terms of content and format to the pages of the paper AIP.
This section contains info about minimum system technology requirements include the versions tools used for displaying HTML and PDF file formats.
In addition to the minimum system requirements we will provide information about versions of the languages used.
It's possible to navigate the application eAIP through more browsers.
Among the most used we are compatible with:
Internet Explorer 6 or later including IE Edge;
Mozilla Firefox more version;
Google Chrome.
We recommend using these browsers.
In any case, above browsers and alternative browsers compatibles must support:
HTML 4.0 or later;
Scripting language JavaScript;
CSS 3 or later;
For pdf files we can use "pdf readers", for example "Adobe Acrobat Reader" and "Foxit Reader".
It's possible didplayed PDF eAIP through more browsers, it's essential that the browser has installed the plugin to read the file.
We recommend "Foxit Reader" for its elasticity respect another plugin, alternatively, you can also use and install others.
In any case, we are compatible with the PDF version from 1.4 to 1.7.
The eAIP may be made available on-line, through the use of the Internet, a company intranet or another file-sharing enabled network. It may also be made available off-line, through distribution on physical media such as a CD-ROM.
One of the main differences between an eAIP and a paper AIP, is that the eAIP is made available as a complete document. For every Aeronautical Information Regulation and Control (AIRAC) cycle, a complete eAIP shall be issued. No effort has to be spent by the user on the fastidious page replacement exercise imposed by the paper AIP amendment procedure.
It is probable that, whichever the distribution media used, several temporal versions are made available. As a baseline, the user shall expect to have access to:
the current effective version (the effective date is either before or equal to the current date);
the next effective version (the effective date is after the current date).
The publication and effective dates of an eAIP shall comply with the ICAO SARPs. Issues of the eAIP that contain operationally significant changes shall be published in accordance with the AIRAC cycle requirements.
The user shall ensure that he/she is browsing the appropriate version.
It is possible that the eAIP producer may have included a warning mechanism, for example as a pop-up message, which warns the user if he/she is accessing a version which is not the currently effective one. The accuracy of such warnings depends on the date setup of the user's computer and, therefore, may not be entirely reliable.
|
|
 |
|
| Executive Summary | Chapter 2. eAIP Browsing |