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Budget airline 1time is introducing Apple’s iPad 2 into the pilots’ flight deck as an all-in-one electronic flight bag. Pilots will have electronic fingertip access to a variety of vital resources normally included in a pilot’s carry-on flight bag.

The system will give pilots access to e-mail, rosters, the latest weather updates, passenger information and loads, system and performance manuals, as well as electronic weight and balance.

Airline CEO Rodney James says the use of the iPad 2 as an electronic flight bag will ensure the airline’s pilots’ duties are simplified and more efficient.

Electronic flight bags are electronic information management devices that support hundreds of general aviation applications that simplify pre-flight planning and assist with in-flight operations. They display a variety of aviation data or perform basic calculations, such as performance data, and fuel calculations.

The iPad 2 has has been cleared by the American Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) as a device that doesn’t interfere with aeroplane electronics. Its ten-hour battery life means pilots can use the device on long flights without needing to connect it to a power socket in the flight deck.

1time is working closely with aviation expert Jeppesen, the SA Civil Aviation Authority and Apple to introduce the system. Jeppesen is also set to provide airlines with tailored coverage, which will extend the iPad 2 applications to include Enroute and Text, and thus provide a full route manual suite.

1time says it’s only the third airline in the world to use the iPad 2 as an electronic flight bag. The other two are Alaska Airlines and American Airlines — Staff reporter, TechCentral