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?