Apple iPad increasingly important in the world of aviation

Once on board an aircraft waiting for take-off, you may have observed the technicians who inspect various aspects of the aircraft and write down on a card any details that may require intervention. This sheet, called the MRD or Maintenance Release Document, must then be signed by the maintenance manager before departure. In case of problems, the person in charge must contact the pilot and the rest of the crew. Now, this whole procedure can be completed with just one device - iPad, in fact. And Touch ID is a key technology that makes it all possible, because it is secure enough to ensure that staff adhere to the procedure diligently.

According to Apple and United, the digitization of the MRD, through the dedicated United Tech app, speeds up the procedure by an average of 10 minutes at a time. In total, United estimates, you can save up to 13 million minutes a year, which naturally goes to passengers - less downtime, more efficient flights and so on. It is also estimated that delays caused by rapid maintenance interventions will be reduced by 20%, and those caused by more significant interventions by 30%.

United was among the first airlines to believe and invest in iPads: it began implementing them in 2011, and has since distributed over 120,000 Apple devices, including iPhones and iPads, to its employees. To date, pilots have access to the top-of-the-range iPad Pro models. The devices are used for various purposes - from quick communication between crew members to in-flight meal management. The pilots can then use the accelerometer to create turbulence maps that allow them to plot less ... Busy routes, so to speak. For the benefit of passengers.

Meanwhile, in the aviation world, most air carriers have implemented or elaborated ambitious plans to achieve the net-zero carbon emissions target by 2050, with investments in R&D projects in new technologies, and a greater use of the so-called sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Overall, according to IATA, 65% of the necessary mitigation would come from SAF and carriers have already signed SAF purchase contracts for about $ 17 billion.