iPads to replace domestic US airlines’ flight manuals

The Apple iPad is set to conquer new territory: the cockpits of US-based Alaska Airlines. On Friday in Seattle (Saturday Manila time), the domestic airline announced that it would issue the 1.5 pound iPads to their pilots in lieu of the 25 pound paper flight manuals that pilots carry around whenever they fly. According to a statement by Alaska Airlines, it is the first major domestic airline to use the iPad instead of paper manuals. The statement further said that pilots will be using a “GoodReader" app loaded with PDF files of “41 flight, systems and performance manuals, reference cards, and other materials. The electronic manuals include hyperlinks and color graphics, enabling pilots to find information faster and easier." The initial expense of the shift to iPads is expected to be offset by savings from lower paper, printing and distribution expenses, as well as the prevention of back and muscle injuries incurred by pilots carrying flight bags that weigh over 50 pounds, partly because of the cumbersome paper manuals. Earlier this year, the Federal Aviation Administration approved the use of iPads instead of paper charts. The Apple iPad is likewise replacing paper documents in the Philippines, though not as extensively as overseas. A few weeks after the iPad 2 was officially made available locally, local publisher Vibal Publishing House unveiled a set of bilingual interacting storybook applications for the iPad. Meanwhile, Mandaluyong-based La Salle Greenhills announced last week that it would be issuing 500 electronic tablets – P14,500 each – to selected students in the coming school year, to lessen the students’ burden of carrying heavy school books. — with a report by Bea Cupin/LBG, GMA News