RYANAIR PILOTS WILL be using iPads on board from now on – but don’t worry, it’s not so they can take cockpit selfies.
The iPads are to replace traditional heavy flight manuals pilots have to bring with them.
Ryanair announced that it has launched the Electronic Flight Bags (EFB) for all pilots, across its entire fleet of 300 Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
As part of its Always Getting Better programme, Ryanair pilots now have full electronic use of Boeing’s Onboard Performance Tool (OPT).
This includes take-off performance calculations, as well as access to the most up-to-date electronic flight manuals. The airline said this “will further improve time management and productivity, reducing dependency on paper products”.
These two applications are the first in a suite of products that Ryanair is preparing to roll out over the coming months.
It also plans to introduce electronic charts and load sheets (subject to testing and approval from the Irish Aviation Authority).
Flight weight
Over the coming months, Ryanair said it plans to remove paper from the flight deck.
This will get rid of 15kgs of manuals from each cockpit. The airline says this will mean eliminating more than 10 million pages of paper, and the action will create fuel savings.
Ryanair’s Group Director of Operations, Michael Hickey said that “the logistical challenges of delivering information to crew are instantly simplified” by the move.
“A paperless cockpit is an efficient cockpit.”
New planes
Ryanair has also announced that its order to purchase up to 200 Boeing “gamechanger” 737 MAX aircraft has been approved by 99.93% of shareholders who voted at its EGM this morning.
It says that when finalised (and if all options are exercised) this deal will be valued at over $22bn.
The aircraft will have 197 seats, which is eight more than Ryanair’s existing 737-800s, as well as more leg room, new Boeing Sky Interiors, and CFM LEAP-1B engines, which will reduce fuel consumption and reduce noise emissions.
Ryanair said these aircraft will further reduce Ryanair’s unit costs, and that the savings will be passed on via lower fares to Ryanair’s customers.
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