In an effort to remove paperwork and at the same time look cooler in the eyes of its customers, Alaska Airlines is issuing iPads to its pilots. The lightweight tablet will replace up to 25 pounds of paper flight manuals that pilots are required to carry when they fly.
The process of distributing Apple’s tablet to all Alaska Airlines pilots will be complete by mid-June. This follows a successful trial by 100 line and instructor pilots and Air Line Pilots Association representatives, who evaluated the feasibility of using iPads as electronic flight bags this past winter and spring.
Pilots will be using an app called GoodReader which comes loaded with PDF versions of 41 flight, systems and performance manuals, reference cards, and other materials. The electronic manuals include hyperlinks and graphics, enabling pilots to find information faster and easier…
What can we say – it’s another big win for Apple. I’m sure more airlines will follow suit and other (Android) tablet makers could pitch them to get some “flight fame” too.