NetJets pilots go digital with electronic flight bag

NetJets is the world's leading fractional jet ownership company.

NetJets Europe brings iPads into the cockpit, replacing pilot paperwork.

NetJets is the world’s leading fractional jet ownership company.

In 2012, NetJets distributed iPads to pilots to take the place of numerous binders and hard-copy documents previously housed in the flight deck of each NetJets aircraft. Under aviation law, pilots are required to take several volumes of printed documentation with them on every flight, including navigational charts, a flight operations manual, a minimum equipment list and airway text manuals.

The documents need to be updated manually on a frequent basis. This has created significant logistical challenges in terms of getting critical information out to aircraft crews in timely fashion and also resulted in inefficiencies.

Recent advancements in Class 1 Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) hardware and software has made the transition from paper based documents to using an iPad to carry out all the necessary updates possible. NetJets is one of the first large operators to receive approval to use the EFB during all phases of the flight including below 10,000 feet. In addition, NetJets are also the first operator to implement Jeppesen’s Mobile FliteDeck Pro solution across their entire fleet.

The EFB has many advantages over the previous paper-based system. For starters, it makes it much quicker and easier to retrieve critical flight information, using automated search and bookmarking functionality. Documents can be zoomed and panned, which along with the backlit screen makes it much easier to read in all lighting conditions.

In the unlikely event that one of the iPads develops a fault, there is always a backup device available, as both crew members are issued with them. And because two iPads are much lighter than up to 250 pounds of printed documentation, the payload capacity and/or the range of the aircraft is increased as a result.

The information is automatically updated to correspond with a worldwide database of charts for all regions, and operators are issued with a warning when they attempt to use out of date charts. This eliminates the possibility of operating with out of date, missing, or damaged charts, improving safety and reducing the potential for delays.

The new EFB technology enhances the flight crews’ ability to operate the aircraft more efficiently which provides you and your visitors with a higher level of service.