Transaero is the first Russian airline to obtain an operational permit from the Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsiya) to use iPad as an Electronic Flight Bag - EFB Class1, the carrier’s press-service reports.

“The use of the EFB will help reduce the document flow, which is not required during critical flight stages (take-off and landing). It also optimizes the work of the crew and increases fuel efficiency due to weight reduction”, - the carrier noted.

To obtain the operational permit Transaero submitted documents describing the procedure for using iPad as EFB Class 1, the crew training program and test results in the area of electromagnetic compatibility with navigation and radio aircraft equipment to Rosaviatsiya. The pilots gained quick access to flight maps and airport traffic patterns via MobileFliteDeckPro app by Jeppesen on iPad.

“At present, more than 1,000 Transaero’s employees are using this app. Nine out of ten Transaero’s pilots have an iPad and advanced application which contains navigation information, the airline’s Flight Crew Operation manual, meteorological and supplemental information. This helps pilots prepare for the flight and facilitates usage of documents in electronic format right in the cockpit during flight”, - Transaero’s flight department explained.

Using iPad as an EFB is just a part of Transaero’s program aimed at environmental protection and the reduction of emissions. Transaero has been implementing a special program aimed at defining the key areas of carrier’s activities for optimizing fuel and energy efficiency since 2011. The program assumes usage of new procedures during flight planning and while in flight. During the first year of implementation of the fuel monitoring procedure the overall volume of consumed fuel reduced by 19,500 tons.

“Transaero pays special attention to programs aimed at increasing fuel efficiency and reducing emissions. Transaero was the first Russian airline to join the United Nations Global Compact Initiative in 2008. The participants of this initiative, the world’s leading companies, commit to comply with common principles of environmental protection. Transaero’s fleet comprises fuel-efficient aircraft and the strategy for its development is based on principles of fuel- and eco-efficiency”, - the press-service noted.