Hasta La Gadget!

The Federal Aviation Association announced back in 2011 that it would be rolling out what they call iPad Electronic Flight Bags for use in the cockpit to replace all of the flight manuals and paperwork. Finally, American Airlines is the first airline to get approval for the iPad, and they’ve given eager minds a chance to take a look at the new system.

Travel website Gadling got a sneak peek inside of an American Airlines cockpit where the iPads are just starting to roll out. The iPad Electronic Flight Bag essentially replaces 40 lbs. worth of flight manuals and other paperwork with one single iPad, as well as a HyperJuice external battery that acts as a backup battery to extend the iPad’s battery life an extra 24 hours if need be.

The iPad replaces a slew of manuals and books, including all the Jeppesen approach plates, company manuals, and operations manuals that pilots had to haul around all the time. All of that gets stuffed into an iPad, and the tablet gets attached to a mount that sits right beside the pilot for quick and easy access during a flight.

However, there’s still one manual that pilots will be required to carry around, even with the iPads, and that’s the Quick Response Handbook, which provides information on emergency procedures. However, it’s not that big of a manual, so pilots won’t see it as a big deal, especially since they’re getting rid of 40 pounds worth of paperwork already.

So far, American Airlines has approved the iPad for the Boeing 777, 737, and McDonnell Douglas MD-80, while approval for the 757 and 767 is forthcoming. iPad have to go through a series of tests from the FAA, just as rapid decompression in a hypobaric chamber, as well as testing of the iPad mounts.

[via Gadling]

American Airlines gets approval for iPad-equipped cockpit is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner just can’t catch a break. After all of the planes were grounded following some seriously troubling melting batteries, the FAA has been taking a look into what exactly went wrong. They’ll take their time though; it could be years before the birds are back in the sky. More »

You might not imagine the MPAA as a particularly drone-happy group, but new documents reveal that the actively lobbying the federal government for UAV drone use in domestic space. No, they aren’t building an army to track down pirates; they just want filmmakers to be able to shoot with them. More »

It felt like only a matter of time, and now it’s reality. After numerous problems occurring with multiple Boeing 787 Dreamliners, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has decided to ground all 787s in the US for inspection, but plans to get all of the new planes back in the air as safely and as quickly as possible.

After two fires caused my malfunctioning lithium-ion batteries were reported, the FAA has ordered all US airlines to ground their entire 787 fleet, and the administration also warned international airlines as well, and all of them have heeded the news and grounded their respective 787 Dreamliners.

The battery failures in question are said to possibly start a domino effect with on-board critical systems and structures, as well as the possibility of fire starting on board. The FAA has said that it’ll work with Boeing to come up with a plan to fix the issues and put the new aircrafts back in commission safely and quickly.

Currently, there are only six 787 Dreamliners in commission in the US, all which are operated by United Airlines. Furthermore, Japanese airlines operate 24 Dreamliners, with other international airlines operating 20 of the new planes. In total, there are 50 787 Dreamliners in operation, all of which have been grounded until further notice. United Airlines has said all passengers who were scheduled to fly on a 787 will be flying on different aircrafts for the time being.

[via WSJ]

FAA grounds all US Boeing 787 Dreamliners after multiple battery failures is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

I’ve always thought that allowing pilots to use electronic devices like iPads in the cockpit was a bit unfair to passengers. If it’s safe enough for the pilots to use an iPad in the cockpit during all phases of flight, it should be safe enough for passengers to do the same thing I would think. I’ve always wondered if pilots use their own personal electronic devices in the cockpit, and apparently, they do.

The FAA is proposing a new rule that would prohibit pilots from using their personal wireless devices in the cockpit. The FAA is specific that the proposed rule would continue to allow iPads and laptops pilots use for work in the cockpit. Some major airlines have begun issuing iPads to pilots with flight manuals and other required reading materials rather than printed versions of the same material.

The reason for this move has to do with reducing weight and saving fuel. The FAA has had a rule the books since 1981 that prohibits pilots from using anything during taxi, takeoff, or landing that could distract them from their duty. That rule is in effect when aircraft are under 10,000 feet.

The new FAA proposal would extend the rule prohibiting personal electronic devices in the cockpit during the entire flight. The proposal from the FAA spans 19 pages and the goal is to reportedly reduce any distractions for the pilots to allow them to better pay attention to air traffic control, weather, environmental hazards, another things.

Retired pilot John Cox runs an aviation consulting company called Safety Operating Systems. He says that the FAA’s proposal is similar to the don’t text while you’re driving rules in effect in many states. You would think not using electronic devices that could distract you if you’re a pilot flying aircraft would be a no-brainer. However, two Northwest Airlines pilots who were using personal laptops accidentally flew 150 miles past their destination in 2009.

[via USA Today]

FAA proposal would prohibit personal wireless devices in the cockpit for pilots is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.