Al Jaber Aviation (AJA) was granted permanent approval to use the IPAD as an EFB, (Electronic Flight Bag) on its fleet of Aircraft. This approval was after a six month trial period under the supervision of the GCAA. AJA is the first airline in the UAE to gain such approval.

With the IPAD comes a paperless flight deck - along with a small amount of paper essential documents. The paperless flight deck represents the next generation of flying. The introduction of iPads ensures our pilots have essential and real-time information at their fingertips at all times throughout the flight. With iPad, pilots are able to quickly and efficiently access reference material without having to thumb through thousands of sheets of paper and reduce clutter on the flight deck.

Work will be streamlined as pilots can immediately download updates on iPad to their electronic flight materials, rather than waiting for paper updates to be printed and distributed. In addition, by eliminating bulky flight bags loaded with paper, pilots will have less to lift and carry through airports whilst ensuring information is always the most up to date.

Dr Mark Pierotti, chief operating officer of AJA said: “ This is a very exciting and important milestone for all of us at AJA as we work to modernize our processes and best meet the needs of our people. With this approval from the GCAA, we will be able to use iPad to fully realize the benefits of our (EFB) program, including improving the work environment for our pilots reducing our dependency on paper products and increasing fuel efficiency on our airplanes. We are equipping our people with the best resources and this will allow our pilots to fly more efficiently.”