There is no doubt that the iPad is phenomenal tablet. Apple’s revolutionary tablet has changed the concept of tablets all together and now its competitors makes tablets to challenge the iPad, and in that bid to challenge, they forget to innovate the way Apple has always done. That established, we know that the iPad is probably the only tablet that is being used in a variety of institutions apart from millions of homes worldwide. Now Delta Airlines is testing iPads as a permanent replacement to Electronic Flight Bags.
Electronic Flight Bag or EFB is basically an electronic information management device in the cockpit which reduces the consumption of paper by flight crew when they are carrying out their necessary tasks. EPB is a computing platform that substantially reduces reference material based on paper in the pilot’s flight bag, which includes Flight Crew Operating Manual, Navigational Charts and Aircraft Operating Manual. The EFB also has some built in applications that are used to do complex calculations pertaining to the flight.
So basically what Delta Airlines is doing, is that it is giving iPads to its pilots, can’t say they won’t be happy about that! which are loaded with GoodReader, an exceptional PDF reader for the iPad. The GoodReader is loaded with all the necessary airplane manuals, the itinerary of the flight and other relevant documentation that is required by pilots. Thanks to the advent on inflight WiFi service, these lucky Delta Airlines pilots can also communicate with the world 30,000 feet below. As an added plus, they can fire up FaceTime and chat with their wives amidst the clouds. Now wouldn’t that be romantic? I’m not sure though if Delta would approve of that!
As of now, Delta is conducting trials and we can not be certain whether or not they will replace Electronic Flight Bags with iPads for good. There’s a little catch here though. If you’re on a plane, you’re always asked to turn off all electronic items as they interfere with the planes navigational systems. So if the pilots require information during takeoff and landing which is stored on the iPad, wouldn’t they have to power off the electronics, which includes the iPad, too?
Back in May we reported that Alaska Airlines got approval to replace cockpit flight manuals with iPads. It looks like the iPad is starting up a revolution in the airline industry as well. Your thoughts?
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