1. A computer system adapted for use on a helicopter, the computer system comprising: a processor, and a memory including software instructions that cause the computer system to perform the steps of: connecting a map data object to a map data source by invoking a map data connection process of the map data object and providing a map data source identifier; connecting a map image object to the map data object by invoking a map data selection process of the map image object and providing an identifier corresponding to the map data object; and creating a map image on board the helicopter by invoking a map image rendering process of the map image object, wherein creating the map image comprises retrieving map data from the map data source by invoking a map data retrieval process of the map data object and projecting the map data by invoking a map projection process of a map projection object.