PHOENIX, 20 Aug. 2012.Mesa Air Group Inc. won approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to start a six-month validation process for use of the Apple iPad tablet computer as a Class I electronic flight bag (EFB).
The Apple iPad-based EFB will be used in conjunction with the pilot’s carry-on flight bag during the validation process. The goal, however, is eventually to replace the flight bag and perform flight management tasks more effectively and reliably.
The FAA’s approval marks an important, initial step of reducing the need for hard-copy manuals in the flight deck.
“Mesa was approved as the first regional airline to utilize the electronic flight bag,” says Jonathan Ornstein, chairman and chief executive officer of Mesa Air Group Inc. “The introduction of this technology will enhance our reliability, eliminate the ongoing expense of producing and updating paper manuals, and be a welcomed tool for our flight crews.
“Mesa continues to explore ways to improve efficiency while maintaining the highest level of safety and customer service, and endeavors to set the standard for the regional airline industry," Ornstein adds.
Mesa operates 77 aircraft with approximately 419 daily system departures to 93 cities, 35 states, Mexico, and the District of Columbia.
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