Support the fact-based journalism you rely on with a donation to Marketplace today. Give Now!
Codebreaker

flyPads approved

Marc Sanchez Dec 14, 2011

Earlier this week, we talked about hand-held electronics on airplanes. Why can’t people keep them on? What gives? Yesterday the Federal Aviation Administration gave the OK for American Airlines pilots to use iPads in the cockpit starting Friday. So, what gives?

The New York Times reports that the F.A.A. “limited the number of approved devices in the cockpit to two, one for each pilot. ‘This involves a significantly different scenario for potential interference than unlimited passenger use, which could involve dozens or even hundreds of devices at the same time,’ the F.A.A. said in the statement.”

American will be the first carrier to be fully approved for iPads. United, Delta, Alaska, and British Airways are among the other carriers expected to make the switch from bulky, paper flight plans to the device.

 

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/apple/faa-approves-ipads-in-the-cockpit-american-airlines-to-start-friday/11865

There’s a lot happening in the world.  Through it all, Marketplace is here for you. 

You rely on Marketplace to break down the world’s events and tell you how it affects you in a fact-based, approachable way. We rely on your financial support to keep making that possible. 

Your donation today powers the independent journalism that you rely on. For just $5/month, you can help sustain Marketplace so we can keep reporting on the things that matter to you.