Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Distraction; Human-Machine Interface; Situational Awareness; Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Aircraft Equipment Problem Dissipated
Aircraft; Human Factors; Manuals
I had my company issued iPad in the Ram mount and was using Jepp FD Pro for the STAR and subsequent approach. Since we were planning a VMC autoland; I wanted to quickly review the callouts in [the Electronic Flight Manual [EFM]. However; when I selected [that content]; I got the blue screen. I tried going back to the home page; then back to [EFM]; no joy. Also tried going back to Jepp FD Pro and back to [the EFM]; also no joy. I didn't have time to turn the iPad off and back on since we were given an unexpected runway and it got busy. When I got caught up I tried [the EFM] again and after at least five minutes of the blue screen; it worked normally (albeit slowly) again.  I should add that the bunky's iPad also hung up.Fortunately; we have paper approach plates; but we have no paper [operational manuals]. What if we had an emergency and needed to access the manuals immediately? It is true that much FM information is also available on the ECL [Electronic Check List]; but the forward and lower screens are in use for other displays in this phase of flight; and the FOM and [other manuals] are not displayable on the aircraft screens. The sole reliance upon electronic media for these documents is foolhardy.
A B777 flight crew preparing for a VMC autoland was unable to access and review the Operations Manual guidance on their iPads. The reporter feels sole reliance on electronic media for such data is 'foolhardy.'