Alaska Airlines issues its pilots an iPad to replace paper manuals

May 28, 2011 — Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-890 WL N569AS (msn 35184) (75th Anniversary) SEA (Nick Dean), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) becomes the first major airline to issue an iPad to each of its pilots. As part of an ongoing effort to use technology to enhance flight safety, improve efficiency and protect the environment, Alaska Airlines is issuing iPad tablet computers to its pilots. The 1 1/2-pound iPads replace up to 25 pounds of paper flight manuals that pilots are required to carry when they fly.

The iPads are being distributed to all Alaska Airlines pilots, a process that will be complete by mid-June. This follows a successful trial by 100 line and instructor pilots and Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) representatives, who evaluated the feasibility of using iPads as electronic flight bags this past winter and spring.

The iPads will replace the paper manuals.

The iPads contain an app called GoodReader that is loaded with PDF versions 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. Updating these reference materials can now be accomplished with one tap on the iPad screen instead of the former, labor-intensive process of replacing individual pages with new ones. The iPad is considered a Class 1 electronic device, meaning it is stowed during takeoff and landing under Federal Aviation Administration regulations.

In conjunction with replacing paper manuals, Alaska Airlines is exploring the replacement of paper aeronautical navigation charts with electronic versions on the iPad, eliminating the need for every pilot to carry their own copy. The two initiatives, dubbed “Bye, Bye, Flight Bag,” will save about 2.4 million pieces of paper.

The cost of the project is expected to be offset by lower paper, printing and distribution expenses and reduced fuel consumption as some weight is removed from the aircraft. Further savings are expected from fewer back and muscle injuries caused by pilots carrying flight bags that can tip the scales at 50 pounds or more fully loaded.

Top Copyright Photo: Nick Dean. Please click on the photo for the aircraft details.

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Bottom Copyright Photo: Alaska Airlines.

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