Pilots using the iPad in cockpits is not new but back in February, the FAA in the US approved the use of an iPad-based charting system instead of paper charts. Now a firm called GlobalNavSource has come up with an iPad 2 charting app called Electronic Flight Bag which is free now and due for a full on commercial release in June.
The app is likely to be used by a pilots flying smaller planes initially but we could well see an iPad in the cockpit of commercial flights imminently. But are you happy for your pilot to be checking charts on the device he uses to play Angry Birds?
The EFB iPad app includes airport maps, approach vectors, flight lane details and weather station data which is all downloaded ahead of time so it can be used during flight. Over on the Hacker News thread discussing the app, pilots are debating the merits of plonking an iPad 2 in the cockpit. One of the most obvious benefits is the ability to quickly zoom in and out on the detailed charts and move smoothly between data,
However, one pilot who is otherwise enthusiastic warns of the risk of lazy pilots failing to charge their device or neglecting to bring paper charts as a back up. The backlit iPad 2 would also need to be kept on low brightness to avoid interfering with night vision.
You can take a look at the EFB iPad app for free now. It’ll go to a subscription model in June. In the meantime, tell us this: are you happy for pilots to have an iPad to play with or would you feel safer with old school paper?
Out now | £free | iTunes (via Crunchgear)
