iPads To Replace Pilots' Flight Manuals On United Airlines
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The cockpits are going paperless on United Airlines planes.
As WBBM Newsradio's Kris Kridel reports, Chicago-based United has begun replacing paper flight manuals used by pilots with with 11,000 iPads.
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The airline estimates it will save 326,000 gallons of jet fuel, since the 1.5 pound iPads will replace 38 pounds of paper documents.
United parent company United Continental Holdings says it will also give pilots paperless navigation charts through an iPad application. The airline said it began distributing the handheld wireless devices this month, and should be in the hands of all pilots by the end of the year.
American Airlines began testing iPads on trans-Pacific flights two months ago. Alaska Airlines began distributing iPads to pilots in May.
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