Locally, the low cost airline 1Time, have become the first airline in Africa to make use of the Apple iPad 2 on the flight deck as an EFB. In place of the fully loaded flight bag, which can weigh up to 22.6kg loaded with paper manuals and documentation, pilots synchronise the data on their 601gram iPad2 to the server prior to flights. The device doesn’t interfere with aircraft avionics and boasts a 10 hour rated battery life which allows the 1Time pilots to use the device without needing to recharge it.

The iPad 2 that is used by the pilots on 1Time flights contain all the information needed by the pilot including Exchange Mail, rosters, weather updates, passenger information, passenger and cargo loads, system and performance manuals and pre-flight planning and in-flight operation applications.

In addition to replacing the bulky weight of a carry-on bag, the introduction of the iPad2 will drastically reduce the pilots workload by providing all the relevant documentation in a streamlined format, readily available information and the ability to update the handset wirelessly prior to take off.
Flight crews can perform flight management tasks faster and more effectively and goes a long way towards creating a paper-less environment which falls in line with the South African tourism’s focus on a greener industry..