Pilot-centric design; approach to real-time, data-enhanced flight operations

The Electronic Flight Folder (EFF) is a groundbreaking app for Windows and iOS

The Electronic Flight Folder (EFF) is designed for commercial pilots. It offers real-time aircraft performance data, live weather updates, seamless digital flight plan integration, and detailed post-flight reports. Pilots can also add custom crew notes for analysis and share trends with ground staff.

Role & Responsibilities

Senior UX Designer
Planning
Design + Execution
Management

Contribution —
UXR
Design Thinking 
UX/UI
UT

Contribution
UXR
Design Thinking 
UX/UI
UT

Collaborators
BA
Engineering Team
Client's Product Team

Timeline
14 sprints
including UT

Timeline
14 sprints
including UT

Platform:
Windows, iOS

Senior UX Designer
Planning, Design + Execution, Management

Contribution —
UXR, Design Thinking, UX/UI, UT

Collaborators
BA, Engg Team, Client's Product Team

Timeline
14 sprints including UT.

Platform:
Windows, iOS

Impact

After two quarters, the client has begun incorporating additional features, during this period, the matrix appears as follows:
For more info, Please download client's data sheet in their official website .

300+
Users

86%
Adaptation Rate

86%
Task Completion Rate

90%
User Engagement

600+
Users

86%
Adaptation Rate

86%
Task Completion Rate

90%
User Engagement

User Frustration

Current systems lack integration, causing inefficiencies, commercial pilots often struggle to access real-time aircraft performance data, relying on manual processes and paper-based documentation lead to cognitive load on pilots.


Goal
Our goal is to creating a seamless and efficient workflow for commercial pilots, we aim to eliminate the inefficiencies and disjointed processes caused by the lack of integration in existing systems. 



By providing real-time aircraft performance data in a digital format, 

we will reduce the reliance on manual paper-based processes, enhancing overall operational efficiency and decision-making for pilots.

Listening to the Users; Findings That Guide our Design Strategy

To understand:

  • What are the commercial pilots motivations behind the specific task

  • The patterns behind the commercial pilots real time data process

  • How can technology have a positive effect on this process.

  • What information and tools are available for pilots before and during inflight journey

Uncovering user needs: from feedback to actionable insights

I interviewed six commercial pilots who fly 4-5 domestic flights and work 12-14 hours a day, their insights revealed challenges in accessing real-time data and manual intervention and paper-based processes.

  1. Time constraints and pre-flight preparation
    Pilots face tight schedules, limited time for pre-flight reviews, and added pressure from last-minute changes or delays.

  1. Weather and environmental conditions
    Pilots adapt to weather, turbulence, and environmental changes, often with limited or delayed updates, especially on long flights.

  1. Regulatory and safety standards
    Pilots must navigate constantly changing aviation regulations and safety protocols, demanding time and precision.

  1. Cognitive load and fatigue
    Pilots endure fatigue from long hours and time zone shifts but must stay alert to manage systems, communicate with ATC, and make quick decisions.

  1. Time constraints and pre-flight preparation
    Pilots work under tight schedules with limited time for pre-flight tasks like reviewing flight plans, weather updates, and regulatory requirements, often strained further by last-minute changes or delays.

  1. Weather and environmental conditions
    Pilots constantly adapt to changing weather, turbulence, and environmental factors affecting flight paths and comfort, often with limited or delayed updates, especially on long-haul flights.

  1. Regulatory compliance and safety standards
    Pilots must strictly follow varied, frequently updated aviation regulations and safety protocols, which can be time-consuming and complex to manage.

  1. Cognitive load and fatigue
    Long hours, night shifts, and time zone changes contribute to pilot fatigue, yet they must stay alert while multitasking, managing systems, communicating with ATC, and making quick decisions.

Behavioural insights

The client has provided an additional 15 cockpit recordings, which offer valuable insights and ideas for understanding these challenges.

  1. Adaptability in dynamic conditions
    Pilots rely on real-time updates for safety and comfort, facing frustration with systems that delay critical information.

  1. Resilience under cognitive strain
    Pilots value intuitive systems that reduce workload by automating tasks and highlighting critical information.

  1. Reliance on clear and actionable data
    Pilots prefer tools that provide clear, prioritized information suited to each flight stage, supporting immediate needs.

  1. Desire for seamless technology integration
    Pilots prefer user-friendly solutions that minimize input and integrate seamlessly into their routines.

  1. Time constraints and pre-flight preparation
    Pilots work under tight schedules with limited time for pre-flight tasks like reviewing flight plans, weather updates, and regulatory requirements, often strained further by last-minute changes or delays.

  1. Weather and environmental conditions
    Pilots constantly adapt to changing weather, turbulence, and environmental factors affecting flight paths and comfort, often with limited or delayed updates, especially on long-haul flights.

  1. Regulatory compliance and safety standards
    Pilots must strictly follow varied, frequently updated aviation regulations and safety protocols, which can be time-consuming and complex to manage.

  1. Cognitive load and fatigue
    Long hours, night shifts, and time zone changes contribute to pilot fatigue, yet they must stay alert while multitasking, managing systems, communicating with ATC, and making quick decisions.

Quantitative insights into operational hurdles

A survey of 80 commercial pilots found that 65% have over six years of experience, mainly flying single-aisle or wide-body flights. Key challenges include time constraints (55%), connectivity issues (40%), and pre-flight tasks like reviewing flight plans (60%) and weather updates (55%). Pilots showed strong interest in EFF features, especially real-time weather updates (70%), fuel calculation tools (60%), and customizable workflows (75%).

Framework for Opportunities Prioritization

To ensure our efforts aligned with both user needs and business goals, I introduced the "Innovation Dimensions" framework:

  1. Improving pilot workflow efficiency


    Provide a centralized interface for pilots to access essential documents with quick access to frequently used items.

  1. Offline and connectivity-challenged
    Enable offline mode with data caching, pre-downloads, and automatic sync when connectivity returns.

  1. Customizable and user-centric interface

Provide customizable dashboards for pilots to personalize layouts, widgets, and quick-access menus, enhancing efficiency and reducing cognitive load.

  1. Real-time data integration and decision 


    Integrate APIs for live weather, traffic, and fuel monitoring with real-time, relevant notifications to support data-driven decisions.

  1. Fuel efficiency optimization
    Integrate predictive fuel tools that factor in real-time variables and an interactive planner to optimize fuel loads safely.

  1. Integration with airline operational systems

Develop APIs and integration points to connect the EFF with other operational systems, enabling data sharing and streamlining workflows across departments.

Opportunities for designing clarity and efficiency

Conceptualisation

My approach to wireframe for a Windows app to streamline pilot operations with digital flight plan integration, real-time performance data, live weather updates, and automated communication logging, to reduces paper use, improves workflow efficiency.

Validating with Real Users

Lo-fi prototypes were tested with pilots and stakeholders, driving iterative improvements to the interface and data visualization. This refined key features like fuel plans and weather reports, making them more intuitive and actionable, ultimately enhancing the pilot experience.

User Interfaces for the Cockpit

Through research got know the aviation standards compliance guide from SAE, FAA, and EASA, I focused on color schemes, typography that met industry guidelines and ensuring accessibility in flight operations.

Final Design




©2025 Vinay DV.




©2025 Vinay DV.