App Will Offer Pilots More Accurate Performance Calculations With Graphic Displays

Robin Pursey, Chief Pilot for Airbus Corporate Jets, was on hand at NBAA Tuesday to announce a new Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) iPad application for Airbus corporate jets. The Airbus application integrates with Rockwell Collins' FlySmart and will enable crews to better calculate aircraft performance while remaining intuitive and practical.

Pursey highlighted the problems inherent in paper charts, which become less accurate as factors such as rain and snow enter the mix. "There is a tendency for error to creep in as the calculations become more complicated," said Pursey. With the new app, minimum equipment lists (MELs) and configuration deviation lists (CDLs) are accounted for. Calculations are based on real-time parameters, with runway status and other important flight information updated as conditions change.

Performance results are optimized for and guaranteed by Airbus, and because the calculations are so precise, payload can be accurately maxed out without fear of exceeding aircraft limitations. Graphic displays of landing distances will improve pilot awareness. "You get a very good graphical explanation of what the airplane is doing," Pursey explained. Pilots will also be able to pull up engine, fuel system, and hydraulic schematics.

Integration of the app for business aircraft users will be relatively simple, as the vast majority of those aircraft currently use FlySmart laptops, and Airbus emphasized that the move to the iPad will be straightforward. Airbus said there are already several operators using their application with success.

FMI: www.airbus.com