Within airlines and flight operations, Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) applications and Electronic Flight Folders (EFFs) are no longer optional tools. They are critical tools used throughout every phase of flight.

From pre‑flight planning and briefing to in‑flight reference and post‑flight reporting, flight crew rely on their EFB constantly.

A hugely important feature of any EFF solution is day and night mode. When designed correctly, these display modes play a vital role in pilot comfort, situational awareness, and operational safety!

The operational reality for pilots

Pilots operate across changing environments… bright daylight on the flight deck, low‑light night operations, early morning departures and long sectors that span multiple lighting conditions.

An EFB application that works well in one condition but not another can quickly become a distraction!

Glare, poor contrast or excessive brightness can increase workload, reduce readability and contribute to fatigue. Particularly during night operations when preserving night vision is critical.

Why day mode matters

Day mode is designed for high‑ambient light environments, daytime flight decks or ramp operations.

A well‑implemented day mode should:

• Provide strong contrast and clear typography
• Remain readable in direct or reflected sunlight
• Avoid washed‑out colours or low‑contrast elements
• Allow information to be scanned quickly at a glance 

Without an effective day mode, pilots may struggle to read charts, NOTAMs or briefing content, especially during busy phases like pre‑departure or taxi.

Why night mode is critical

Night mode is not just a cosmetic preference; it is a human factors requirement!

Poorly designed night displays can disrupt night vision, increase eye strain, create unnecessary glare on the flight deck and distract pilots during critical phases of flight.

Whereas a well-designed night mode should:

• Reduce screen brightness
• Use darker backgrounds with carefully chosen contrast
• Avoid harsh whites and overly saturated colours
• Support prolonged use without fatigue

For pilots flying night sectors or operating in dark cockpits, night mode directly supports comfort, focus and safety.

Human factors and regulatory expectations

Human factors guidance from aviation authorities consistently highlights the importance of readability, contrast and lighting for electronic displays on the flight deck.

While regulations may not prescribe specific colours or themes, operators are expected to demonstrate that EFB applications are usable in all expected lighting conditions; day and night included.

Offering both modes is seen as a baseline expectation for professional EFB solutions.

How skybook supports day & night mode

skybook has been designed with real‑world flight operations and pilot workflows in mind, importantly with the input from our customers and user feedback.

Both day and night modes are built directly into our Electronic Flight Folder, allowing pilots to:

• Switch easily between modes (such as on charts)
• Maintain readability in all lighting conditions
• Reduce glare and eye strain during night operations
• Stay focused on the information that matters

Rather than being an afterthought, display modes and user experience in skybook are part of a wider commitment to human factors and operational efficiency.

A small feature with a big impact

Day and night mode might sound like a simple feature, yet some EFF solutions still don’t offer it! That’s surprising, given the real impact it has on pilot workload, comfort and safety.

As EFBs continue to replace paper and become the primary interface for flight information, thoughtful design choices like adaptive display modes make all the difference.

With skybook, pilots get an EFB solution that works with them; in daylight, at nigh, and everywhere in between! Ready to see for yourself, why not get in touch?