Pilot Responsibility  Chapter Summary  It is important for pilots to understand the realization that the  derived safety benefits of data link depends heavily upon the  pilot’s understanding of the specific system’s capabilities and  limitations which are listed below.  creating a distraction. Pilots may need to adjust the  amount of information based on numerous factors  including, but not limited to, the phase of flight, single  pilot operation, autopilot availability, class of airspace,  and the weather conditions encountered.  While no weather forecast is guaranteed to be 100 percent  accurate, pilots have access to a myriad of weather information  on which to base flight decisions. Weather products available  for preflight planning to en route information received over  the radio or via data link provide the pilot with the most  accurate and up-to-date information available. Each report  provides a piece of the weather puzzle. Pilots must use several  reports to get an overall picture and gain an understanding  of the weather that affects the safe completion of a flight.  • Product latency—be aware of the time stamp or “valid  until” time on the particular data link information  displayed in the flightdeck. For example, since initial  processing and transmission of NEXRAD data can  take several minutes, pilots must assume that data  link weather information will always be a minimum  of seven to eight minutes older than shown on the time  stamp and only use data link weather radar images for  broad strategic avoidance of adverse weather.  •  Product update cycles—be aware of when and how  often a product is updated as well as the Data Link  Service Providers (DLSP) update rate for particular  products.  •  Indication of system failure—be aware of partial or  total system failure indications.  • Coverage areas/service volume—coverage limitations  are associated with the type of data link network  being used. For example, ground-based systems that  require a line-of-sight may have relatively limited  coverage below 5,000 feet AGL. Satellite-based data  link weather systems can have limitations stemming  from whether the network is in geosynchronous orbit  or low earth orbit. Also, NWS NEXRAD coverage  has gaps, especially in the western states.  •  Content/format—since service providers often refine  or enhance data link products for flightdeck display,  pilots must be familiar with the content, format, and  meaning of symbols and displays (i.e., the legend) in  the specific system.  • Data integrity/limitations to use—reliability of  information depicted. Be aware of any applicable  disclaimer provided by the service provider.  • Use of equipment/avionics display—pilots remain  responsible for the proper use of an electronic flight  bag (EFB) or installed avionics. Pilots should be  cognizant that, per the FAA Practical Test Standards,  they may be evaluated on the use and interpretation  of an EFB or installed avionics on the aircraft.  • Overload of Information—most DLSPs offer  numerous products with information that can be  layered on top of each other. Pilots need to be aware  that too much information can have a negative effect  on their cognitive work load. Pilots need to manage the  amount of information to a level that offers the most  pertinent information to that specific flight without  13-24 