iPad as Electronic Flight Bag to Improve Airline Efficiency

Entertainment Close-Up

August 21, 2012

Mesa Air Group announced the company recently received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to begin a six month validation process using the Apple iPad as a Class I Electronic Flight Bag (EFB).

According to a release, the EFB will be used in conjunction with the pilot's carry-on flight bag, but will eventually replace the flight bag to perform flight management tasks more effectively during the validation process. This approval forms the initial step of reducing the need for hardcopy manuals in the flight deck.

"We are pleased Mesa was approved as the first regional airline to utilize the electronic flight bag. 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," noted Jonathan Ornstein, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mesa Air Group, Inc. "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," continued Ornstein.

Mesa said it currently operates 77 aircraft with approximately 419 daily system departures to 93 cities, 35 states, Mexico and the District of Columbia. Mesa operates as US Airways Express and United Express under contractual agreements with US Airways and United Airlines, respectively, and independently as Mesa Airlines and go! Hawaii's low fare airline. The Company, founded by Larry and Janie Risley in New Mexico in 1982, has approximately 2,700 employees and was awarded Regional Airline of the Year by Air Transport World magazine in 1992 and 2005.