iPad 3

[billybob476]

Not the first I've heard of this, but as a techie and a private pilot I think this is very, very cool.

With iPads, paper no longer flies for United
By Erica Ogg Aug. 23, 2011, 8:43am PT
     
Following the FAA's OK of using the iPad instead of paper manuals and charts, United is getting on board. On Tuesday the airline announced it is ordering 11,000 iPads for its pilots to use in the cockpit. Each iPad will be loaded with navigation and terminal chart apps from Jeppesen Mobile FliteDeck.

Besides the convenience of fewer books and pieces of paper floating around, United says the cost and efficiency of flying will be affected for the better too. The normal 38 pounds of paper flight manuals, charts, reference handbooks, checklists, log books and weather info will bumped in favor of a 1.5-pound iPad, which should severely lighten pilots' load. All told that's 12,000 sheets of paper per pilot that United will no longer be ordering, the airline says.

As a result, United says it will reduce fuel consumption too:

The airline projects EFBs will save nearly 16 million sheets of paper a year which is equivalent to more than 1,900 trees not cut down. Saving 326,000 gallons of jet fuel a year reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 3,208 metric tons.

So with all that extra weight reduced and fuel saved does this mean they'll start charging less for passenger baggage fees? That's probably wishful thinking.

http://gigaom.com/apple/with-ipads-paper-no-longer-flies-for-united/

[Bryancd]

...and the iPad continues to move into enterprise like I said...

[Feathers]

I'm not surprised it's happening but I am surprised they've found someone to sign off on the safety of this. My expectation would have been that they'd be flying 'dual package' cockpits (i.e. electronic and paper) for a good few years before they got a release to move to iPad only.

This touches on what I do professionally and the grief involved in getting this sort of data into the air in electronic form is stunning.

[Rico]

But remember, they will have to shut off their iPads on landings and takeoff because they interfere with their other electronic gear and navigation.  ;)

[Feathers]

But remember, they will have to shut off their iPads on landings and takeoff because they interfere with their other electronic gear and navigation.  ;)

All part of the certification issues they'd face!

The other thing that surprises me is that with those numbers, I think we're talking App store for distribution which put a fair whack of the cost into Apple's hands.

Companies I deal with that are talking civil cockpit installations for this sort of thing are currently trying to find a way round the App Store installation model (or planning on avoiding the iPad completely). Profits just don't allow a 30% split for the hardware supplier.

[Bromptonboy]

I have been reading the rumors about that Amazon tablet. The sudden price drop in Kindles makes me think they must be getting ready to give out some tablet news.  Should be interesting - especially if they manage to keep it around ~$300.

[KingIsaacLinksr]

But remember, they will have to shut off their iPads on landings and takeoff because they interfere with their other electronic gear and navigation.  ;)

All part of the certification issues they'd face!

The other thing that surprises me is that with those numbers, I think we're talking App store for distribution which put a fair whack of the cost into Apple's hands.

Companies I deal with that are talking civil cockpit installations for this sort of thing are currently trying to find a way round the App Store installation model (or planning on avoiding the iPad completely). Profits just don't allow a 30% split for the hardware supplier.

Wait, I'm confused, what's the problem, the apps/app store?

King

[KingIsaacLinksr]

I have been reading the rumors about that Amazon tablet. The sudden price drop in Kindles makes me think they must be getting ready to give out some tablet news.  Should be interesting - especially if they manage to keep it around ~$300.

I'd be amazed if Amazon could push out a $300 tablet.  No one else has hit that low so far to be comparable to the iPad. 

King

[Bromptonboy]

What Amazon can do that many other Apple competitors can't  -  is take a loss on the hardware - and try to make it up in an 'App Store' - or via books & content. 

[Bryancd]

Yeah, Amazon looses money on every Kinddle they sell. Problem they have is that the Great App Store War has been waged and lost already.

[KingIsaacLinksr]

Yeah, Amazon looses money on every Kinddle they sell. Problem they have is that the Great App Store War has been waged and lost already.

Yeah, Apple is still the clear winner for developers and has the highest chance for making $$ and be less frustrating as far as fragmentation is concerned...but yes, Amazon could do what Apple is doing. 

King

[Feathers]

But remember, they will have to shut off their iPads on landings and takeoff because they interfere with their other electronic gear and navigation.  ;)

All part of the certification issues they'd face!

The other thing that surprises me is that with those numbers, I think we're talking App store for distribution which put a fair whack of the cost into Apple's hands.

Companies I deal with that are talking civil cockpit installations for this sort of thing are currently trying to find a way round the App Store installation model (or planning on avoiding the iPad completely). Profits just don't allow a 30% split for the hardware supplier.

Wait, I'm confused, what's the problem, the apps/app store?

King

Sorry, two issues. One is certification while the other is avoiding the Apple 30% levy on AppStore sales. (I think the latter is now OK with the new rules as long as they don't put a 'Buy Content' button in the app.)

[KingIsaacLinksr]

Yeah, your 2nd part is correct. 

King

[Rico]

Reports floating around saying the next iPad might be out in 2-3 months.  I think it will be longer than that.  They don't want to upset those holiday buyers too much.

http://www.dailytech.com/Report+iPad+3+to+Launch+Within+Months/article23495.htm

[Dangelus]

Hmmm....

With Windows 8 tablets due at the mid / end of 2012 they may want to get a new product out before that so who knows.