Originally Posted by
Ottopilot
I haven't seen any video, nor do I care to. I have used the iPad belonging to a check airman I flew with. It works just fine. Plus, I can look up stuff in manuals normally located at home. From what I'm told, its just a ebook reader. Your manuals will be put on it. Eventually, after an adjustment period, you won't need paper manuals. Plug in, battery, etc are not a problem because I rarely look something up anyway. Later on, iPads will be installed in the aircraft with Jepps on it. They will be mounted and have power. You will still carry the iPad reader for your manuals too. So, there will be four ipads minimum per aircraft. The test one had Jepps and it worked great; Enroute charts and all. I could care less about iPads, but the idea of dumping all manuals and Jepps someday will be worth it. One pound vs. 45 pounds. Easy choice. I'm not sure why people are getting their panties in a bunch about this?
You should watch the video. Just my opinion. Once again, it shows UCH succeeding and dare I say dominating in their own minds while the reality is that they're simply repeating the arrogant failures of the past. The device, at this point, is almost functionless. It is not doing anything to increase SA, safety or efficiency. They bought the cheapest version possible, and integrated it in the least effective and lowest cost way which has proven to be an abject failure of process in its entirety. Could it be functional at some point? Sure, but it isn't now. Not even close.
To paraphrase from another forum post, it takes a lot to make the iPad as completely useless as they've made it. Kudos to UCH.
FWIW, at UAl we don't carry manuals anymore, so this is actually a huge inconvenience. I have to make sure it is charged and up to date, yet UCH doesn't provide me a wireless connection at even one of our domiciles, and they most certainly don't pay me to charge it at home. They've removed most of the "useful" functions that I might use to make my life easier and take ownership of the device by eliminating the ability to upgrade the device through the app store. They have also made it quite clear that it is to be used only for UCH functions, so like the flight bag I used to carry, it will stay at work. Further, its functionality is exceptionally poor, and the implementation is worse. When required to carry one, it will go right back into my "secure" V file between trips. If stolen by the cleaning crew that vacuums the floors, I'll be happy to file a police report and get another from the office. I just hope that there is a charge plug withing reach of my V file so that it will be ready to deploy when I get to work.
I currently work for a company that has so completely devalued what I do for them, that I simply do the absolute minimum required. Just the way it is. Unfortunate, but they made that bed. I'm not alone. Not by a long shot.