Using an iPad as an electronic flight bag
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Using an iPad as an electronic flight bag
Has anyone operating in Africa used an Ipad for an EFB? I'm considering giving this a try but trying to find software that will display jeppesen charts for this region seems to be tricky to find. Anyone know of any that do this as well as show an overlay of your position?
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This was recently posted on another forum:
1time Airlines will become the first airline in Africa and only the third airline in the world after Alaska Airlines and American Airlines, to introduce Apple's iPad 2 tablet computer into the pilots' flight deck as an all-in-one Electronic Flight Bag (EFB).
Through this paperless application, 1time's pilots will have electronic fingertip access to a variety of vital resources normally included in a pilot's carry-on flight bag. This includes exchange/mail capacity, rostering, the latest weather updates, passenger information and loads, system and performance manuals, as well as electronic weight and balance.
1time's Chief Executive Officer, Rodney James notes that the use of the iPad 2 as an EFB will ensure that the pilots' duties are simplified and more efficient.
"The EFB application for the iPad 2 is truly unique, and will help our flight crews perform flight management tasks more easily, swiftly, and efficiently. It also results in the creation of a paperless environment."
An EFB is an electronic information management device which supports hundreds of general aviation applications that simplify pre-flight planning and assist with in-flight operations. EFB devices can display a variety of aviation data or perform basic calculations, such as performance data, and fuel calculations.
The iPad 2 has also has been cleared by the American Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) as a device that doesn't interfere with airplane electronics.
Through this paperless application, 1time's pilots will have electronic fingertip access to a variety of vital resources normally included in a pilot's carry-on flight bag. This includes exchange/mail capacity, rostering, the latest weather updates, passenger information and loads, system and performance manuals, as well as electronic weight and balance.
1time's Chief Executive Officer, Rodney James notes that the use of the iPad 2 as an EFB will ensure that the pilots' duties are simplified and more efficient.
"The EFB application for the iPad 2 is truly unique, and will help our flight crews perform flight management tasks more easily, swiftly, and efficiently. It also results in the creation of a paperless environment."
An EFB is an electronic information management device which supports hundreds of general aviation applications that simplify pre-flight planning and assist with in-flight operations. EFB devices can display a variety of aviation data or perform basic calculations, such as performance data, and fuel calculations.
The iPad 2 has also has been cleared by the American Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) as a device that doesn't interfere with airplane electronics.
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Is each pilot being issued (or buy their own) with an ipad, or will each aircraft have two? Will the aircraft have adapted chargers etc?Will CAA give approval and what would the approval process in SA involve?
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HI, we have been flying with 2 x iPads running the Jepp TC app.
Full worldwide database for approach charts and airport info. Also have all A/C manuals, graphs, charts the works on the Pad. It does not, however, indicate your position on the chart while flying an approach, but then again thats what you have instruments for.
The most revolutionary tool to hit the cockpit since the cuban pilot.
Full worldwide database for approach charts and airport info. Also have all A/C manuals, graphs, charts the works on the Pad. It does not, however, indicate your position on the chart while flying an approach, but then again thats what you have instruments for.
The most revolutionary tool to hit the cockpit since the cuban pilot.
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Just upgraded to the flight deck Jepp App.
Finally a moving map with little green triangle to indicate where you are. Still no moving symbols on the IAP charts. But that will come sure of it.
going to try out to Rotterdam.
Finally a moving map with little green triangle to indicate where you are. Still no moving symbols on the IAP charts. But that will come sure of it.
going to try out to Rotterdam.
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Basically, each pilot will pay half the cost of of a 16gig, 3G iPad. Those iPads will then belong to the pilot to do with as they wish. Those pilots who don't wish to pay, will sign out an iPad from Ops at the beginning of their pairing. The idea will be to arrive at sign on, log into the company network, download updates and company messages etc. There will also be a monthly data allowance on the 3G card. It's early days, I have no doubt other uses will be found by the company for the device.
It's going to be VERY interesting to persuade the flying public to turn their iPads off, after the 1time bosses have broadcast to all and sundry that the devices have been approved for use in the cockpit... Hmmm...
It's going to be VERY interesting to persuade the flying public to turn their iPads off, after the 1time bosses have broadcast to all and sundry that the devices have been approved for use in the cockpit... Hmmm...
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In the US, UAL is also going to ipads, and Delta is studying the issue. One of the big regional airline conglomerations is also using them.
So far, in the US, the places I have heard that use them for EFBs, issue one to each pilot. All their pubs, jepps, etc., etc. are on them. They have no paper in the cockpit.
The airline I fly for is getting a tablet that all our pubs will be on. We are also getting EFBs, but that status is unknown. I wish we would just get the ipad and use it for both, as all the above airlines are doing.
So far, in the US, the places I have heard that use them for EFBs, issue one to each pilot. All their pubs, jepps, etc., etc. are on them. They have no paper in the cockpit.
The airline I fly for is getting a tablet that all our pubs will be on. We are also getting EFBs, but that status is unknown. I wish we would just get the ipad and use it for both, as all the above airlines are doing.
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Hell of a good tool to use. But I still think you should use them like a GPS and have the paper back ups easily accessable. You never know what little issues that can pop up without expecting them.
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EFB
Was in the States recently and where the pilot shops used to stock kneeboards, you now have a Ipad-kneeboard.
Again North America now has a multitude of Ipad applications for aviation, even big boy's like JetPlan have a licenced app for your runway perfomance, W&B, fuelplanning, crazy stuff.
I use a Fujitsu Siemens Lifebook, runs the Jepp NavSuite, with bluetooth GPS, touch screen and the lot, but paid almost $3000 for it two years ago, but the screen brightness is a problem, and about 30% smaller than the Ipad, Fujitsu now launched the Stylistic Q 550, a 3G tablet, that runs windows 7, slightly larger than the Ipad, better resolution, but most importantly it runs the dreaded windows, ( just shy of $1000) that all other flight planning and inflight software was desighned to run on, also multiple programs can run in sync, something the Ipad still stuggle with.
Again North America now has a multitude of Ipad applications for aviation, even big boy's like JetPlan have a licenced app for your runway perfomance, W&B, fuelplanning, crazy stuff.
I use a Fujitsu Siemens Lifebook, runs the Jepp NavSuite, with bluetooth GPS, touch screen and the lot, but paid almost $3000 for it two years ago, but the screen brightness is a problem, and about 30% smaller than the Ipad, Fujitsu now launched the Stylistic Q 550, a 3G tablet, that runs windows 7, slightly larger than the Ipad, better resolution, but most importantly it runs the dreaded windows, ( just shy of $1000) that all other flight planning and inflight software was desighned to run on, also multiple programs can run in sync, something the Ipad still stuggle with.
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I think the whole point of the ipad is to save weight by reducing the amount of manuals, pilot briefcases etc which need to be carried,this in tern reduces fuel burn, carrying paper backs as well would completely defeat the object. In a commercial operation, both crew will have an ipad, chances of something going wrong with both of them at the same time is very slim. 1times crew will basically carry the ipad, eliminating the need for heavy briefcases. As for other tabs, there are definitely better options, the galaxy in south africa for instance, performance wise, knocks the socks off the ipad, unfortunately, its not faa approved, that's the ipads biggest advantage, maybe sometime in the future!
Está servira para distraerle.
The tedious operation's tasks of handling and changing airway manual revisions, ops manual updates and other ongoing aviation paper requirements and deliveries, throughout even a small fleet, is a very time and motion consuming exercise. It's also an absolutely thankless task, updating Jeppesens for each aircraft, especially where route structures dictate that several are carried on each aircraft. Automaticall updated iPads allow even a small airline to make one operations staff member redundant or at least to free him for other duties. It's all about saving man hours at the pit head. Safety comes later and pilot preening last. If pilots have been talked into making a contribution toward the cost of the kit, they've been conned, wittingly or not.
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I agree with Cavort. Huge long term saving for compan not only in terms of manpower, efficiency and safety, but I'm sure that the company will tax deduct and subsequently depreciate the full IT investment. The pilots pay half of cost purchase price but cost to company is really far less than invoice price.
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iPad
I used to fly for a freight company in my last life, and we had a similiar EFB program onboard (before iPad was even invented).
The reason why you don't get the little "triangle" or "hang-glider" (as we used to call it) on the IAP, is because it is not a scale picture. The "triangle" can be represented on an en-route chart or airport chart because they are to scale..... the IAP is not.
Enjoy it... it's a great tool..... but remember... it's a tool... you are a pilot.... look outside or at the instruments provided.
The reason why you don't get the little "triangle" or "hang-glider" (as we used to call it) on the IAP, is because it is not a scale picture. The "triangle" can be represented on an en-route chart or airport chart because they are to scale..... the IAP is not.
Enjoy it... it's a great tool..... but remember... it's a tool... you are a pilot.... look outside or at the instruments provided.
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Cost?
And the cost, Jeppesen, not initial cost of IT equipment? Per pilot? More than 1000 Euro each crew, per year? (You'd better be flying for some seriously busy/wealthy operation!!!)
