navAero announced today that Austrian Airlines has chosen the navAero Tablet EFB system as the platform for their electronic flight bag initiative using the Microsoft® Windows Surface™ Pro 3 as the tablet of choice for deployment on all their fleets – A319, A320, A321, B767, B777 and Dash Q400.
The navAero “Smart” Mount system with the integrated Power/Data Interface module will be an installed platform for holding the Surface Pro 3 device as well as supplying certified connectivity to aircraft power for device charging and connectivity to aircraft data. Data connectivity on the Q400 fleet will be achieved through the installation of the navAero Universal Aircraft Interface Device (UAID). On other fleets, connectivity will be obtained through connections to existing aircraft interface devices (AID). Additionally, the Q400 EFB system will include the navAero tCom™ communications module to provide an integrated cellular/WiFi communications portal for on-ground data connectivity.
Deploying the integrated navAero EFB system across all fleets will allow Austrian to realize maximum cost efficiencies of the Surface Pro 3 tablet as a portable EFB platform. An EASA STC for the navAero Tablet EFB system exists for all fleets except the B777 – the STC for which is scheduled for completion by mid-second quarter, 2015. The installation of the EFB provisions will be done with minimal ground time so to speed the deployments…with first installations planned to commence in late second quarter, 2014.
Dr. Philipp Haller, A320-Captain and EFB-Administrator, Austrian Airlines stated: “The unique design of the navAero Tablet EFB system showed that they had the right technology solution to meet our requirements. And their credentials as a Microsoft Designed for Surface partner further qualified them as being the right partner for Austrian. It will allow us to reduce weight, cost and effort and will also enable us to achieve greater flight operations efficiency and improved situational awareness for our cockpit crews.”
Simone Giordano, President, navAero Group commented: “Throughout the past year, we have worked closely with Austrian to document and demonstrate our technology and how our Tablet EFB system could meet the specific needs and requirements of their EFB program. It’s a flexible system that can interface with our own technology as well as integrate with technology already deployed on our customer’s aircrafts. Ours is a system that brings together all the components under strict certification approvals that provide for the utmost in reliability and usability. The system’s flexibility to adapt to different needs in terms of platform and capability and aircraft configurations is its core added-value.”
Giordano continued: “We are delighted to add Austrian to our family of airline customers who have embraced EFB technology and look forward working with them in the implementation of their EFB program.”
About navAero:
navAero, Inc. is the leader in developing and commercializing cost effective electronic flight bag products and deployment solutions. Currently navAero offers FAA and EASA approved EFB deployment solutions for the following aircraft types: A300/310, A318/319/320/321, A330, A340, MD10/11, MD82/83/87, B727-200, B737-300/400/500/600/700/800/900, B747-100/200/300/400, B757-200/300, B767-200/300/400, BAe 146 RJ, ERJ-135, ERJ-145, E-170 and DHC-8-400 series aircrafts. For further information, visit the navAero website at www.navAero.com.
About Austrian:
Austrian Airlines is Austria’s largest carrier and operates a global route network of around 130 destinations. That route network is particularly dense in Central and Eastern Europe with 40 destinations. Thanks to its favorable geographic location at the heart of Europe, the company’s hub at Vienna International Airport is the ideal gateway between East and West.
Austrian Airlines is part of the Lufthansa Group, Europe’s largest airline group, and a member of the Star Alliance, the first global alliance of international airlines. For additional information visit www.austrian.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or reb blog.