American Airlines will use an iPad app in lieu of navigation charts

posted by Ken N. / Jun 16, 2011, 10:17 PM

American Airlines will use an iPad app in lieu of navigation charts

American Airlines has caught tablet fever. They recently began offering Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 devices to their first and business class passengers, to tap into the inflight Wi-Fi. But now they will be incorporating tablets into the pilots' activities as well.

In lieu of cumbersome cases of navigation charts, pilots in a new test program will be using an iPad. The iPad will run a special FAA-approved app providing the pilot with all the navigational information contained in the traditional flight bag.

American Airlines claims that the reduction in weight (35 pounds), will save the airline over $1 million per year. That sounds fairly optimistic, considering the variability of passengers' luggage. How much difference can 35 pounds really make on a giant bus with wings?

You might be wondering why the pilots are allowed to use an iPad when passengers are instructed to turn off and stow their own electronics. The FAA has granted special permission to use the iPad app. But we don't think that extends to you surfing the web during takeoff.

source: AppleInsider

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12 Comments

1. cj100570

Posts: 204; Member since: May 12, 2009

I can hardly wait until one of them locks up and some pilot crashes into a mountain....

posted on Jun 16, 2011, 10:48 PM 2

2. love-all-phones unregistered

You are wishing for the death of over 100 passengers. The things people say sometimes.

posted on Jun 16, 2011, 11:10 PM 5

3. StrumerJohn

Posts: 66; Member since: May 18, 2011

I know right!

posted on Jun 16, 2011, 11:56 PM 3

5. jroc74

Posts: 6023; Member since: Dec 30, 2010

I'm gonna have to agree with them...cmon man...

posted on Jun 16, 2011, 11:57 PM 2

7. trendsbze

Posts: 6; Member since: Jun 17, 2011

Totally ignorant.

posted on Jun 17, 2011, 2:39 AM 3

4. StrumerJohn

Dumb un-registered user!

posted on Jun 16, 2011, 11:56 PM 1

9. Phullofphil

Posts: 1757; Member since: Feb 10, 2009

well i believe it has to do more with the cell signal not so much wifi but still i am sure they can put the whole darn map on the hard drive and not have to use even wifi. Which is exactly what airplan mode does on a phone.

posted on Jun 17, 2011, 5:38 AM 0

10. Braingears unregistered

I currently use my iPad for flights. It does a great job with real-time weather and planning. It has all of the VFR and IFR charts along with all of the detailed data for each of airports with no data connections required. The only problem that I've had is I can only view it from one angle with my polorized sunglasses on. I'm looking forward to seeing this new app...