Delta Air Lines, Alaska Airlines push for iPads

[Tim]

http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/dev ... ight-aids/

Last month, the Federal Aviation Administration put its stamp of approval on Apple’s iPad for in-cockpit use by pilots with the charter airline service Executive Jet Management. It is a significant step, offering pilots the option of using the tablet’s touchscreen interface for pre- and in-flight course charting, a task that has relied upon paper maps since the dawn of air travel.

The Executive Jet Management approval now opens the door for larger commercial airlines to pursue putting the iPad into cockpits, an FAA spokesman told Bloomberg. Such a shift in the air carrier industry would fall in line with Apple’s larger plans for the device, positioning it as a tool for business as well as consumers.

Electronic flight planning solutions are nothing new in commercial airline cockpits; the FAA started approving specialized paper chart-replacing computers for in-flight use almost a decade ago. However, these devices are much heavier and more cumbersome to use than an iPad in the confined space of an airplane cockpit.

The FAA authorization only extends to Executive Jet Management for the time being, though other airlines are looking at the example as a model for making the switch. Alaska Airlines pilots are already testing the Apple device for in-flight use, company spokeswoman Marianne Lindsey said.

Delta Air Lines is also pursuing approval to begin testing iPads “and other tablet devices” next quarter, according to spokeswoman Gina Laughlin. Both airlines — and others, including American Airlines and American Eagle — are still largely or entirely paper-driven despite the availability of other electronic charting methods.

While paper charts will likely never go away due to the relative unreliability of a powered device in comparison to printed materials, this shift shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. The iPad, and tablet computing in general, eases comfortably into the niche between mobile devices and laptop computers. More portable than the latter and more versatile than the former, tablets are an ideal tool for business, a fact that a growing number of industries seem to be realizing.

[Changes in Latitudes]

Does anyone else find them way too sensitive to be used effectively in an operational environment? I only got to try it once; I wasn't sure if you can crank the sensitivity down so that every little jostle and touch doesn't screw up the page you're viewing.

[Pilot1500]

I think it's a great idea to have the iPads in the cockpit. I was speaking with 2 gentlemen who are captains at transat and the newly made skyregional and they were saying that once tc approves it which should be in be summer that transat will only have it in the 330's because it requires satcomm and skyregional's q400's are already outfitted for them. All the captains from sky are receiving them this week and all the FO's should have them within a year. They both said they are very excited for this because they won't have to carry around their 50 pounds of charts or what ever it is and it will reduce the fuel burn. Also once you walk into the crew room, you can plug your iPad into the adapter and what ever memos or amendments that the company has put out will all be uploaded. Like I said i thinks it's a great idea.

Any one else thinks it's a good idea?

[Nark]

My company uses an EFB, which is simply awesome. However we are required to also carry our charts. Fedex uses EFB's solely, but need the paper backups, which they have in the back.

We (company management) asked to use the Ipad as a replacement for our GOM and POH, however the FAA told us (they) the battery life is to short. however we are approved for Kindles, which helps save weight and space. It's a small step in the right direction. I'll be looking at DL and Alaska closely.

[Changes in Latitudes]

I'm used to EFB's, but again, the IPAD is a completely different bird in my opinion. I'd rather have the EFB on a decent tablet than the IPAD. And I am a MAC guy too.

[flyinhigh]

They both said they are very excited for this because they won't have to carry around their 50 pounds of charts or what ever it is and it will reduce the fuel burn. Also once you walk into the crew room, you can plug your iPad into the adapter and what ever memos or amendments that the company has put out will all be uploaded.
Any one else thinks it's a good idea?

Its a great idea, however Transport will not allow us to fly around without paper copies for a very long time, especially with a unproven device for this application.