iPad to be expanded in Electronic Flight Bag program

American Airlines in September is set to expand its iPad Electronic Flight Bag program, as use of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s tablet has been adopted by the 777 aircraft pilots during all phases of flight, leading to save an anticipated amount of $1.2 million per year on fuel costs.

The Federal Aviation Administration currently allows the iPad as the only tablet to be carried as an Electronic Flight Bag, and American Airlines is the first commercial carrier with FAA approval to use the iPad in all stages of flight, according to the company’s press release (via The Next Web) this week.

An Electronic Flight bag helps to eliminate or replace paper-based reference materials and instruction manual generally placed in a pilot’s carry-on kitbag. Those bags when full with paper can bring its weight up to 35 pounds.

American Airlines anticipates that using an iPad instead of the 35 pound bags will add up to $1.2 million in annual savings based on current fuel prices. The airline turned out to be the first commercial carrier to get permission to use the iPad as an Electronic Flight Bag in mid-2011. And as of current month, American Airlines is holding a plan to use the iPad in all phases of flight.

Captain John Hale, who is American Airline’s vice president of flight, acknowledged that FAA approval was a very inspiring and key milestone for all of them at American Airlines as they work to update their processes and try their best to meet the needs of their customers.

He added that with the help of this approval, they would be able to use iPad to completely understand the benefits of their Electronic Flight Bag program such as providing their pilots a work environment; cutting their reliance on paper products and gaining higher fuel efficiency on their planes. Further he said they were providing their staff the best resources and this will help pilots to fly more efficiently.

Jeppesen, a unit of Boeing Flight Services, will provide mobile software and data to pilots with American Airlines. The FAA-approved Jeppesen request will replace use of paper operating manuals with real-time, modern electronics information that will provide pilots an easier access. The 777 fleet of American Airlines will start using an iPad this month. The carrier expects to get FAA approval for all of its fleet types before the start of next year.