Irony alert. "American" airline gives customers Korean tablet.
I wonder how much better our economy would be by the simple application of "buy local." Congress and the executive branches seem hobbled by a system that is locked in a permanent state of preparing for getting yourself re-elected and cannot work together on much of anything anymore.
The president could unilaterally use his bully pulpit to create a national drive to urge, shame, cajole, and pressure American companies to 1) buy American made products, and if that is not possible at least 2) buy American owned company's products. Make that a part of a new definition of patriotism. Maybe we can't all fight on the front lines, but we can do this. Allow those who do (to a specified level) to label their products and ads with a special "We support America" symbol. Kind of like the star flags the families of service member can fly. The more American parts & supplies your company buys, the more stars. Those who approach 100% can display a gold star.
I think many patriotic Americans would buy Gold Star products even if they cost a bit more. At least it would give flag-wavers not in the military an opportunity to act instead of just give lip service to their patriotism.
Oh please. How much of the labour to build an iPad is American? And conversely would you be willing to let American industry forego opportunities everywhere else in the world (because of retaliation from other countries)?
Does this mean that American will let me keep my ipad running during takeoff and landing?
If so, I am all for the idea.
Nope. The make you put away your PED because they want to minimize loose objects in the cabin and because they want you to be attentive and responsive to direction in the event of a mishap.
His anti-Apple comments aside, you have no idea what goes on in the cockpit either.
And there is a huge difference between an iPad and an Electronic Flight Bag certified for the deck. I, sincerely hope this isn't AA cheaping out.
What worries me is that it's getting quite dangerous when Apple portrays this device (like they did in the keynote) as something that's widely used in aviation. It's leading to situations where some morons are actually substituting authorized maps for iPads and getting into trouble (they've had ADIZ violations in DC from a guy using a map on an iPad).
After 18,000+ hours I have a pretty darn good idea what goes on in my cockpit... It's not being used as a moving map display, it is being used specifically to replace paper charts.. i.e. Flight operation manuals, airplane manuals and approach charts. This is what's been approved by the FAA.
I don't think the relevant app would be FAA-approved if it weren't rock stable.
As for the iPad's screen being archaic...I think that's more than a little over the top!
It's a map reader. It's not flight critical. The only reason it came out on the iPad first was because that was the first lightweight tablet to market. I'm pretty sure it'll be out on other operating system's shortly.
American Airlines looks to be an equal opportunity tablet buyer. At the same time they're putting iPads in the cockpit, they're putting Samsung's tablets in First Class.
You obviously have no idea what you're talking about. I fly widebody jets
You have no idea?! Fact is, consumer devices flake out. What you suggest makes a mockery of CRM. What do you fly? 707s? I fly A330s internationally - I'm used to everyONE and everyTHING doing exactly as it should, at exactly the right time.
I don't need the distraction of consumer electronics on the flight deck. I need predictable perfection!
After 18,000+ hours I have a pretty darn good idea what goes on in the cockpit... It's not being used as a moving map display, it is being used specifically to replace paper charts.. i.e. Flight operation manuals, airplane manuals and approach charts. This is what's been approved by the FAA.
My apologies. Your comments made you sound like a passenger, not a front-ender.
I didn't suggest that it's being used as a moving map display. What I was suggesting is that this is a rather cheap replacement, as opposed to getting a real EFB with much more functionality.
And would you really want your approach plates on an iPad on your lap? Yikes!
I dunno. Maybe it's me. But I'd rather have paper AOIs in the cockpit than have to rely on an iPad when the proverbial excrement hits the propeller. As a supplement, it's understandable though.
I'm not a pilot, but if I owned an airline, I would immediately fire any pilot that refused to use an iPad.
The iPad is a consumer device, but it's certainly not rubbish and it is more than reliable enough for reading PDF's, and there will certainly be backups just in case. The iPad also has a very nice IPS display. We're not talking brain surgery here.
American Airlines looks to be an equal opportunity tablet buyer. At the same time they're putting iPads in the cockpit, they're putting Samsung's tablets in First Class.
It makes sense. The Samsung Tabs screen is more suited to movie watching. They're cheaper and Samsung will customize them. They can add more memory and fill them up with movies. That and Panasonic is already working on Android based IFE. I'm willing to bet that in 5-10 years, most IFE will be based on some commercial OS (probably Android).
I'm not a pilot, but if I owned an airline, I would immediately fire any pilot that refused to use an iPad.
I'm sure the FAA would have a chat with you if you did that. The flight deck is not a place for fanboys.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 'Apple
The iPad is a consumer device, but it's certainly not rubbish and it is more than reliable enough for reading PDF's, and there will certainly be backups just in case. The iPad also has a very nice IPS display. We're not talking brain surgery here.
Brain surgery involves one life. Flying an airplane puts a few hundred lives at stake.
And while the iPad is more than a vanilla consumer device, it's also not on par with a real electronic flight bag that has been hardened and certified for the flight deck.
My apologies. Your comments made you sound like a passenger, not a front-ender.
I didn't suggest that it's being used as a moving map display. What I was suggesting is that this is a rather cheap replacement, as opposed to getting a real EFB with much more functionality.
And would you really want your approach plates on an iPad on your lap? Yikes!
I dunno. Maybe it's me. But I'd rather have paper AOIs in the cockpit than have to rely on an iPad when the proverbial excrement hits the propeller. As a supplement, it's understandable though.
Apology accepted. I can understand having paper charts if you're a general aviation pilot. However for an airline that has to furnish each cockpit with anywhere from 2-4 sets of approach plates for most of the world (2-3 binders), plus a flight operations manual (1 binder), and and aircraft manual (an additional binder), you're talking about a lot of weight, and lots of manpower to keep all those things up to date. On a widebody jet you're talking 140 pounds of paper being carried all over the world.
I believe there will be a way to attach the iPad so you don't have it on your lap
Absolutely........but it doesn't save any weight then, does it? So we're back to square one - a toy.
I'm curious how they would use it as a supplement and how do they handle document control (ie. paper or electronic which is most recent?)
If you have backup documents in the cockpit, then how does it save weight, time or money? And if they don't you gotta wonder how comfortable the crew is to be shooting approaches off an iPad.
LOL. I foresee a new line in the pre-approach brief. "In case of iPad failure...." (for that one time, the PIC forgot to charge the thing).
It's a big worry. Consumer rubbish has no place in the cockpit.
I'm a pilot - the cockpit is a place where everything is perfectly designed, perfectly reliable and responds immediately to commands, exactly as intended.
The iPad is far from this. I can think of nothing worse than battling with a flaky consumer device (freezing, apps quitting, et al) while trying to fly the plane.
One little "flake-out" and the plane (and people/structures on the ground) are at risk. I don't have time to battle with device resets or force-quitting or "Please verify your iTunes account password" when I'm trying to intercept the glide slope! Is this a joke?
I won't take to the air without the paper! Sorry - no way. Thankfully, I don't work for American.
I'm all for electronic maps, but they've got to be on a specialised device that is as reliable as the flight avionics. And the display quality has got to be capable of displaying the detail we need - something like a 4HD Barco display.
You don't own, nor have used an iPad. That is readily apparent by your comments, which by the way remind me of a little kids. Please specify which airline and route you fly, so that I can ensure I don't fly on it.
LOL. I foresee a new line in the pre-approach brief. "In case of iPad failure...." (for that one time, the PIC forgot to charge the thing).
HAHA....... Yes, I'm curious too, but let's face it - we don't know the specifics so there is a bit of speculation here.
I just know this much: I have an iPad and it is a good device (for what it is). 99% of the time, it works perfectly. But there is that 1% of the time when I feel like throwing it through the window. That emotion has no place on the flight deck.
Apology accepted. I can understand having paper charts if you're a general aviation pilot.
Military. Flew trainers. I'm a maintainer now.
Quote:
Originally Posted by John_Burdick
However for an airline that has to furnish each cockpit with anywhere from 2-4 sets of approach plates for most of the world (2-3 binders), plus a flight operations manual (1 binder), and and aircraft manual (an additional binder), you're talking about a lot of weight, and lots of manpower to keep all those things up to date. On a widebody jet you're talking 140 pounds of paper being carried all over the world.
I believe there will be a way to attach the iPad so you don't have it on your lap
I get all that. I just wonder about trading all the binders in for 1-2 iPads. Imagine certain situations(like smoke in the cockpit). Has the iPad been tested so it won't crap out on you when you're trying to read the AOIs with smoke, etc.?
Maybe I'm old school (odd, cause I'm young), but I've always considered paper, pencils and a wize wheel to be the most reliable tools in the cockpit when everything goes belly up.
And while the iPad is more than a vanilla consumer device, it's also not on par with a real electronic flight bag that has been hardened and certified for the flight deck.
Certified by whom? The FAA?
Wait, aren't these the same people certifying the iPad?
I'm sure the FAA would have a chat with you if you did that. The flight deck is not a place for fanboys.
If this iPad app is FAA approved, then I don't really see the problem if I wanted to furnish my entire fleet of planes with it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jetz
Brain surgery involves one life. Flying an airplane puts a few hundred lives at stake.
I'm more concerned with incompetent TSA employees patting down grandmothers, little children and mentally retarded people while they don't profile who they should be profiling. That to me is a far greater risk to lives than somebody using an FAA approved iPad app.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jetz
And while the iPad is more than a vanilla consumer device, it's also not on par with a real electronic flight bag that has been hardened and certified for the flight deck.
That may be true, as I am obviously not familiar with electronic flight bags. I do use my iPad every single day though, and I find it to be pretty reliable.
I get that this is DED and he's totally fanboying it up. How else to explain the fact that he think this is the first tablet to be certified for use during take offs and landings (somebody hasn't heard of EFBs)? But how does the FAA square the fact that it's certified Class 1 and American wants its pilots to read approach plates on the thing?
It's a map reader. It's not flight critical. The only reason it came out on the iPad first was because that was the first lightweight tablet to market. I'm pretty sure it'll be out on other operating system's shortly.
Nobody's suggesting otherwise. The fact still remains that it is the iPad that has been chosen in this instance and it is the iPad alone that right now has this capability.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jetz
His anti-Apple comments aside, you have no idea what goes on in the cockpit either.
And there is a huge difference between an iPad and an Electronic Flight Bag certified for the deck. I, sincerely hope this isn't AA cheaping out.
What worries me is that it's getting quite dangerous when Apple portrays this device (like they did in the keynote) as something that's widely used in aviation. It's leading to situations where some morons are actually substituting authorized maps for iPads and getting into trouble (they've had ADIZ violations in DC from a guy using a map on an iPad).
I am sure you will agree that it is the responsibility of the pilot and his employer to ensure they meet the legal requirements of the area in which they are flying etc. I don't think it's reasonable to criticise Apple for being proud of the fact that one of their devices runs an FAA-approved application which seems popular amongst pilots. The FFA's raison d'être is ensure that such things are safe. If they can approve it, who are we to say it's not safe with less to go on?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jetz
I don't know what cockpit the different AA jets have, but a big concern when certifying flight displays in readability in sunlight and such. They design cockpits with ergonomics in mind and avionics with usability and readability in mind.
I wonder about the merits of having an iPad strapped to your lap instead of an integrated EFB with a proper moving map display capable of showing approach overlays.
Why is an iPad incapable of showing a moving map with approach overlays?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jetz
+1
I don't care what the fanboys say.
I'd be pissed if I worked for American and they gave me an iPad instead of a certified EFB. WTF?
And what I really don't get is, why an iPad? That app is essentially a collection of PDFs. If they're going to hand out PDF readers, why not just give me people cheaper tablets.
You are completely contradicting yourself. You aren't happy that an iPad is replacing your EFB but you think they should use a cheaper tablet as it's just a PDF reader? You seem to be criticising the choice of an iPad as it's not of the same quality as an EFB then suggesting something cheaper even than an iPad be used.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Xanthia01
It's a big worry. Consumer rubbish has no place in the cockpit.
I'm a pilot - the cockpit is a place where everything is perfectly designed, perfectly reliable and responds immediately to commands, exactly as intended.
The iPad is far from this. I can think of nothing worse than battling with a flaky consumer device (freezing, apps quitting, et al) while trying to fly the plane.
One little "flake-out" and the plane (and people/structures on the ground) are at risk. I don't have time to battle with device resets or force-quitting or "Please verify your iTunes account password" when I'm trying to intercept the glide slope! Is this a joke?
I won't take to the air without the paper! Sorry - no way. Thankfully, I don't work for American.
I'm all for electronic maps, but they've got to be on a specialised device that is as reliable as the flight avionics. And the display quality has got to be capable of displaying the detail we need - something like a 4HD Barco display.
Your point loses power with your second sentence; the iPad is not consumer rubbish. It is extremely well put together and contains powerful hardware running an FAA-approved piece of software. To call it flakey is ridiculous. I'm not being a fanboy, I just cannot support such an epic exaggeration. Freezing? Running one app? Apps quitting, you mean one app? I'd certainly like to think that no member of the flight crew will be playing Angry Birds as they pilot a $300m aircraft.
I think bringing up iTunes passwords (whilst quite amusing) is simply facetious. What sequence of events would ever cause that to happen using this device for this purpose? The only time your password is ever asked for is when making purchases from the App Store or making in-app purchases, both of which I'd imagine wouldn't be on your landing checklist.
As for Barco displays, only their 17" and above equipment seems to have a resolution higher than the iPad's from what I could see with a quick scan. Granted, they are sunlight-readable but let's not pretend the iPad's screen is some dot-matrix Amstrad monitor by comparison.
Comments
Irony alert. "American" airline gives customers Korean tablet.
I wonder how much better our economy would be by the simple application of "buy local." Congress and the executive branches seem hobbled by a system that is locked in a permanent state of preparing for getting yourself re-elected and cannot work together on much of anything anymore.
The president could unilaterally use his bully pulpit to create a national drive to urge, shame, cajole, and pressure American companies to 1) buy American made products, and if that is not possible at least 2) buy American owned company's products. Make that a part of a new definition of patriotism. Maybe we can't all fight on the front lines, but we can do this. Allow those who do (to a specified level) to label their products and ads with a special "We support America" symbol. Kind of like the star flags the families of service member can fly. The more American parts & supplies your company buys, the more stars. Those who approach 100% can display a gold star.
I think many patriotic Americans would buy Gold Star products even if they cost a bit more. At least it would give flag-wavers not in the military an opportunity to act instead of just give lip service to their patriotism.
Oh please. How much of the labour to build an iPad is American? And conversely would you be willing to let American industry forego opportunities everywhere else in the world (because of retaliation from other countries)?
Does this mean that American will let me keep my ipad running during takeoff and landing?
If so, I am all for the idea.
Nope. The make you put away your PED because they want to minimize loose objects in the cabin and because they want you to be attentive and responsive to direction in the event of a mishap.
His anti-Apple comments aside, you have no idea what goes on in the cockpit either.
And there is a huge difference between an iPad and an Electronic Flight Bag certified for the deck. I, sincerely hope this isn't AA cheaping out.
What worries me is that it's getting quite dangerous when Apple portrays this device (like they did in the keynote) as something that's widely used in aviation. It's leading to situations where some morons are actually substituting authorized maps for iPads and getting into trouble (they've had ADIZ violations in DC from a guy using a map on an iPad).
After 18,000+ hours I have a pretty darn good idea what goes on in my cockpit... It's not being used as a moving map display, it is being used specifically to replace paper charts.. i.e. Flight operation manuals, airplane manuals and approach charts. This is what's been approved by the FAA.
I don't think the relevant app would be FAA-approved if it weren't rock stable.
As for the iPad's screen being archaic...I think that's more than a little over the top!
It's a map reader. It's not flight critical. The only reason it came out on the iPad first was because that was the first lightweight tablet to market. I'm pretty sure it'll be out on other operating system's shortly.
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2011/...s-galaxy-tabs/
You obviously have no idea what you're talking about. I fly widebody jets
You have no idea?! Fact is, consumer devices flake out. What you suggest makes a mockery of CRM. What do you fly? 707s? I fly A330s internationally - I'm used to everyONE and everyTHING doing exactly as it should, at exactly the right time.
I don't need the distraction of consumer electronics on the flight deck. I need predictable perfection!
After 18,000+ hours I have a pretty darn good idea what goes on in the cockpit... It's not being used as a moving map display, it is being used specifically to replace paper charts.. i.e. Flight operation manuals, airplane manuals and approach charts. This is what's been approved by the FAA.
My apologies. Your comments made you sound like a passenger, not a front-ender.
I didn't suggest that it's being used as a moving map display. What I was suggesting is that this is a rather cheap replacement, as opposed to getting a real EFB with much more functionality.
And would you really want your approach plates on an iPad on your lap? Yikes!
I dunno. Maybe it's me. But I'd rather have paper AOIs in the cockpit than have to rely on an iPad when the proverbial excrement hits the propeller. As a supplement, it's understandable though.
The iPad is a consumer device, but it's certainly not rubbish and it is more than reliable enough for reading PDF's, and there will certainly be backups just in case. The iPad also has a very nice IPS display. We're not talking brain surgery here.
American Airlines looks to be an equal opportunity tablet buyer. At the same time they're putting iPads in the cockpit, they're putting Samsung's tablets in First Class.
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2011/...s-galaxy-tabs/
It makes sense. The Samsung Tabs screen is more suited to movie watching. They're cheaper and Samsung will customize them. They can add more memory and fill them up with movies. That and Panasonic is already working on Android based IFE. I'm willing to bet that in 5-10 years, most IFE will be based on some commercial OS (probably Android).
As a supplement, it's understandable though.
Absolutely........but it doesn't save any weight then, does it? So we're back to square one - a toy.
I'm not a pilot, but if I owned an airline, I would immediately fire any pilot that refused to use an iPad.
I'm sure the FAA would have a chat with you if you did that. The flight deck is not a place for fanboys.
The iPad is a consumer device, but it's certainly not rubbish and it is more than reliable enough for reading PDF's, and there will certainly be backups just in case. The iPad also has a very nice IPS display. We're not talking brain surgery here.
Brain surgery involves one life. Flying an airplane puts a few hundred lives at stake.
And while the iPad is more than a vanilla consumer device, it's also not on par with a real electronic flight bag that has been hardened and certified for the flight deck.
My apologies. Your comments made you sound like a passenger, not a front-ender.
I didn't suggest that it's being used as a moving map display. What I was suggesting is that this is a rather cheap replacement, as opposed to getting a real EFB with much more functionality.
And would you really want your approach plates on an iPad on your lap? Yikes!
I dunno. Maybe it's me. But I'd rather have paper AOIs in the cockpit than have to rely on an iPad when the proverbial excrement hits the propeller. As a supplement, it's understandable though.
Apology accepted. I can understand having paper charts if you're a general aviation pilot. However for an airline that has to furnish each cockpit with anywhere from 2-4 sets of approach plates for most of the world (2-3 binders), plus a flight operations manual (1 binder), and and aircraft manual (an additional binder), you're talking about a lot of weight, and lots of manpower to keep all those things up to date. On a widebody jet you're talking 140 pounds of paper being carried all over the world.
I believe there will be a way to attach the iPad so you don't have it on your lap
Absolutely........but it doesn't save any weight then, does it? So we're back to square one - a toy.
I'm curious how they would use it as a supplement and how do they handle document control (ie. paper or electronic which is most recent?)
If you have backup documents in the cockpit, then how does it save weight, time or money? And if they don't you gotta wonder how comfortable the crew is to be shooting approaches off an iPad.
LOL. I foresee a new line in the pre-approach brief. "In case of iPad failure...." (for that one time, the PIC forgot to charge the thing).
It's a big worry. Consumer rubbish has no place in the cockpit.
I'm a pilot - the cockpit is a place where everything is perfectly designed, perfectly reliable and responds immediately to commands, exactly as intended.
The iPad is far from this. I can think of nothing worse than battling with a flaky consumer device (freezing, apps quitting, et al) while trying to fly the plane.
One little "flake-out" and the plane (and people/structures on the ground) are at risk. I don't have time to battle with device resets or force-quitting or "Please verify your iTunes account password" when I'm trying to intercept the glide slope! Is this a joke?
I won't take to the air without the paper! Sorry - no way. Thankfully, I don't work for American.
I'm all for electronic maps, but they've got to be on a specialised device that is as reliable as the flight avionics. And the display quality has got to be capable of displaying the detail we need - something like a 4HD Barco display.
You don't own, nor have used an iPad. That is readily apparent by your comments, which by the way remind me of a little kids. Please specify which airline and route you fly, so that I can ensure I don't fly on it.
LOL. I foresee a new line in the pre-approach brief. "In case of iPad failure...." (for that one time, the PIC forgot to charge the thing).
HAHA....... Yes, I'm curious too, but let's face it - we don't know the specifics so there is a bit of speculation here.
I just know this much: I have an iPad and it is a good device (for what it is). 99% of the time, it works perfectly. But there is that 1% of the time when I feel like throwing it through the window. That emotion has no place on the flight deck.
Apology accepted. I can understand having paper charts if you're a general aviation pilot.
Military. Flew trainers. I'm a maintainer now.
However for an airline that has to furnish each cockpit with anywhere from 2-4 sets of approach plates for most of the world (2-3 binders), plus a flight operations manual (1 binder), and and aircraft manual (an additional binder), you're talking about a lot of weight, and lots of manpower to keep all those things up to date. On a widebody jet you're talking 140 pounds of paper being carried all over the world.
I believe there will be a way to attach the iPad so you don't have it on your lap
I get all that. I just wonder about trading all the binders in for 1-2 iPads. Imagine certain situations(like smoke in the cockpit). Has the iPad been tested so it won't crap out on you when you're trying to read the AOIs with smoke, etc.?
Maybe I'm old school (odd, cause I'm young), but I've always considered paper, pencils and a wize wheel to be the most reliable tools in the cockpit when everything goes belly up.
And while the iPad is more than a vanilla consumer device, it's also not on par with a real electronic flight bag that has been hardened and certified for the flight deck.
Certified by whom? The FAA?
Wait, aren't these the same people certifying the iPad?
I'm sure the FAA would have a chat with you if you did that. The flight deck is not a place for fanboys.
If this iPad app is FAA approved, then I don't really see the problem if I wanted to furnish my entire fleet of planes with it.
Brain surgery involves one life. Flying an airplane puts a few hundred lives at stake.
I'm more concerned with incompetent TSA employees patting down grandmothers, little children and mentally retarded people while they don't profile who they should be profiling. That to me is a far greater risk to lives than somebody using an FAA approved iPad app.
And while the iPad is more than a vanilla consumer device, it's also not on par with a real electronic flight bag that has been hardened and certified for the flight deck.
That may be true, as I am obviously not familiar with electronic flight bags. I do use my iPad every single day though, and I find it to be pretty reliable.
Stow iPad at DH?
It's a map reader. It's not flight critical. The only reason it came out on the iPad first was because that was the first lightweight tablet to market. I'm pretty sure it'll be out on other operating system's shortly.
Nobody's suggesting otherwise. The fact still remains that it is the iPad that has been chosen in this instance and it is the iPad alone that right now has this capability.
His anti-Apple comments aside, you have no idea what goes on in the cockpit either.
And there is a huge difference between an iPad and an Electronic Flight Bag certified for the deck. I, sincerely hope this isn't AA cheaping out.
What worries me is that it's getting quite dangerous when Apple portrays this device (like they did in the keynote) as something that's widely used in aviation. It's leading to situations where some morons are actually substituting authorized maps for iPads and getting into trouble (they've had ADIZ violations in DC from a guy using a map on an iPad).
I am sure you will agree that it is the responsibility of the pilot and his employer to ensure they meet the legal requirements of the area in which they are flying etc. I don't think it's reasonable to criticise Apple for being proud of the fact that one of their devices runs an FAA-approved application which seems popular amongst pilots. The FFA's raison d'être is ensure that such things are safe. If they can approve it, who are we to say it's not safe with less to go on?
I don't know what cockpit the different AA jets have, but a big concern when certifying flight displays in readability in sunlight and such. They design cockpits with ergonomics in mind and avionics with usability and readability in mind.
I wonder about the merits of having an iPad strapped to your lap instead of an integrated EFB with a proper moving map display capable of showing approach overlays.
Why is an iPad incapable of showing a moving map with approach overlays?
+1
I don't care what the fanboys say.
I'd be pissed if I worked for American and they gave me an iPad instead of a certified EFB. WTF?
And what I really don't get is, why an iPad? That app is essentially a collection of PDFs. If they're going to hand out PDF readers, why not just give me people cheaper tablets.
You are completely contradicting yourself. You aren't happy that an iPad is replacing your EFB but you think they should use a cheaper tablet as it's just a PDF reader? You seem to be criticising the choice of an iPad as it's not of the same quality as an EFB then suggesting something cheaper even than an iPad be used.
It's a big worry. Consumer rubbish has no place in the cockpit.
I'm a pilot - the cockpit is a place where everything is perfectly designed, perfectly reliable and responds immediately to commands, exactly as intended.
The iPad is far from this. I can think of nothing worse than battling with a flaky consumer device (freezing, apps quitting, et al) while trying to fly the plane.
One little "flake-out" and the plane (and people/structures on the ground) are at risk. I don't have time to battle with device resets or force-quitting or "Please verify your iTunes account password" when I'm trying to intercept the glide slope! Is this a joke?
I won't take to the air without the paper! Sorry - no way. Thankfully, I don't work for American.
I'm all for electronic maps, but they've got to be on a specialised device that is as reliable as the flight avionics. And the display quality has got to be capable of displaying the detail we need - something like a 4HD Barco display.
Your point loses power with your second sentence; the iPad is not consumer rubbish. It is extremely well put together and contains powerful hardware running an FAA-approved piece of software. To call it flakey is ridiculous. I'm not being a fanboy, I just cannot support such an epic exaggeration. Freezing? Running one app? Apps quitting, you mean one app? I'd certainly like to think that no member of the flight crew will be playing Angry Birds as they pilot a $300m aircraft.
I think bringing up iTunes passwords (whilst quite amusing) is simply facetious. What sequence of events would ever cause that to happen using this device for this purpose? The only time your password is ever asked for is when making purchases from the App Store or making in-app purchases, both of which I'd imagine wouldn't be on your landing checklist.
As for Barco displays, only their 17" and above equipment seems to have a resolution higher than the iPad's from what I could see with a quick scan. Granted, they are sunlight-readable but let's not pretend the iPad's screen is some dot-matrix Amstrad monitor by comparison.