The FAA has granted approval to American Airlines to use the iPad during all phases of flight, according to ZDNet. The first iPad-enabled flights are set to begin Friday on American's Boeing 777 aircraft.

aaipad

On Friday, American Airlines is the first airline in the world to be fully FAA approved to use iPads during all phases of flight. Pilots will use iPads as electronic chart and digital flight manual readers. The airline will begin iPad operations on B-777 aircraft, and then implement across all other fleets. By using electronic charts and manuals, the safety and efficiency on the flight deck is significantly enhanced. Both the iPad I and the iPad II have been approved for use. Other airlines such as United, Alaska, and UPS are also reviewing this potential, but none have been approved to conduct flight operations in all phases of flight except American. This FAA approval cumulates the results from a 6 month test period whereby American flew thousands of hours with iPads to test and evaluate the product.

A number of aviators, including those in the Marine Corps and Alaska Airlines, have begun using iPads to reduce the number of paper maps flight crews must carry and fly with. The switch saves paper, and thus fuel, by reducing the weight of flight bags which can weigh several dozen pounds.

Top Rated Comments

DMVillain Avatar
177 months ago
Great...so I can now use mine during takeoff and landing....right?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Drunken Master Avatar
177 months ago
As long as they don't play Words with Friends!

(ノಠ益ಠ)ノ彡┻━┻
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JonneyGee Avatar
177 months ago
Great...so I can now use mine during takeoff and landing....right?
THIS. The pilot can use an iPad whenever but if I pull one out I'm a safety risk? The FAA is so full of it...
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
John.B Avatar
177 months ago
I'd hope Apple will make them pay cash, on the barrelhead:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/30/us-americanairlines-idUSTRE7AS0T220111130

AA will screw over their creditors, suppliers, and employees with a bankruptcy filing, but they have money for a planeload of iPads? WTF? Who is the judge overseeing this?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Alexs5 Avatar
177 months ago
Didn't American Airlines filed for bankruptcy?.... and they can afford ipads? lol
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nagromme Avatar
177 months ago
Where can I get that awesome iPad dock that looks like a commercial airplane cockpit?

(P.S. Is that pilot flying in socks? I thought the iPad would allow time for things like shoes.)
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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