Airline Economics: How Tablet EFBs Enhance Maintenance and Troubleshooting Techniques

Since the release of the very first EFB (Electronic Flight Bag), there has been a rush in the market to further justify EFB adoption ROI through enhanced usage and functionality of these devices. One such example is the use of an EFB to increase airframe reliability.

With the advent of Class 2 devices being interfaced with the avionics and instruments of the aircraft, these systems are becoming a valuable and indispensable maintenance and troubleshooting tool. As the EFB is receiving input data from the on-board aircraft sensors and data collectors, some EFBs  have gained the added capability of capturing, and in some cases recording, many points of interest to maintenance technicians. Aircraft with installed customizable Class 2 EFBs are developing the ability to record occurrences such as hard landings, engine over-temperature events and even the occurrence of a failed coffee heater, if it is so connected to an onboard CMC, and provide these data points to operators, maintenance and fleet management personnel.

By becoming a connected airframe via the emergence of "aircraft-aware" applications, the reliability of the aircraft can be significantly increased, while reducing the down time for various checks associated with the aircraft maintenance program. Operators have the ability to then incorporate this data and findings into their CAMP (Continuous Airworthiness Maintenance Program) in order to accurately track and schedule the aircraft for the appropriate check at the time it is required. Moreover, improvements in onboard diagnostics help identify problems sooner, leading to fewer in-service incidents and shorter out-of-service times when aircraft are down for work. Instead of tearing things down, an operator can use collected data sent via the EFB and get more information, so the amount of time performing a check is reduced.

Preventative and corrective maintenance is also enhanced with data collected and distributed by an EFB. While tracking the required maintenance, using calendar, cycles or flight hours, the use of these devices can also allow an operator to track the need for unscheduled maintenance by recording data and indicating a flight or landing occurrence. This drastically increases aircraft safety and reliability while offering peace of mind along with increasing operational effectiveness to flight and maintenance operations.

Class 2 EFBs also improve fuel burn performance, help to optimize payloads, enhance situational awareness during taxi, and allow more take-offs at lower derates, all of which will reduce maintenance costs. Maintenance costs will be minimized by the reduction of engine hours and by lower engine loads, which in turn reduces wear and tear on critical engine components. By performing enhanced flight operation analysis, operators increase their mean-time-to-failure and mean time between unscheduled repair (MTBUR) for expensive rotable component inventories and power plants.

The flyTab Class 2 EFB solution is a perfect example of a fully connected and operator customizable EFB platform.  flyTab features a modular avionic design which supports forward fit applications and is a low-cost platform built around Apple’s popular iPad COTS tablets.  Best of all, the flyTab EFB solution has an available software developers kit (SDK) that works within the standard Apple Xcode application developer’s tool, allowing operators or their third-party development teams to easily develop their own unique operational solutions in the form of customizable “apps” which are capable of receiving and interpreting data gathered from aircraft systems and sensors.  This means no more recertifying EFB platform software just because an operator wants a custom feature or capability.

This new breed of “aircraft-aware” Class 2 EFBs also eliminates the need for pilot transcription of reports into other enterprise computing systems and reduces the technical schedule interruptions, no-fault-found, inventory, and other line maintenance and administrative labor costs by minimizing “human induced” errors through forms automation and digital data distribution. This all results in a lower out of service cost, increased dispatch reliability, increased regulatory compliance and improved correlation between faults reported and maintenance operations.

The possibilities are endless with a Class 2 EFB and the growing amounts of data collected by aircraft systems support a limitless variety of custom applications bound only by an aircraft operator’s imagination. As the popularity of these systems continues to grow and adoption rates continue to rise in today’s aircraft, the reality of an EFB providing your flight management team with real maintenance savings and increased safety is no longer an idea of the future, but a modern reality of the present, allowing both pilots and corporate fleet managers to be better decision makers from cockpit, to corporate.

Until next time, stay 5x5, mission ready, and Wired!

Airline Economics: MIS Convergence with the Avionics Domain

With the implementation of tablets for the use of an Electronic Flight Bag (EFB's) brings many exciting advantages not just to pilots but a wide range of people in the aviation industry. Now that the cost of introducing an EFB program is lower than ever before, the integration of iPad based EFB’s with both airframe and MIS enterprise intelligence systems lends credence to the reality that the capital gains from investing in this "Paperless Flight Bag solution" can no longer be ignored.

If you are reading this then you more than likely know that today's tablet based EFB's offer pilots the ability to take their 30-40 pound flight bag filled with checklist, flight plans, airport approach procedures and aircraft operations manuals, just to mention a few of  the required necessities,  the ability to trade it all in for a more efficient and convenient 5-10 pound flight bag. When the pilot is in the aircraft, the safety features these systems offer, such as real-time weather overlays, en-route charts, fuel consumption and computation, etc., are all at the pilots fingertips and one swipe away, allowing the pilot to complete pre-flight and post-flight tasks with ease. This allows the pilot to focus on getting the passengers to their destination safely, and just as importantly, on time.

Now that we know what these solutions can do for pilots, it’s important to address the  advantages of integrating this array of aircraft data on a management level. Current tablet based EFB's are presumed by some to be a "light EFB solution" opposed to other pricier solutions. In reality tablet based EFB's are very powerful and very affordable, and widely available at a price point that can easily be recouped by the end users well within 24 months, and in some cases as little as 3 months depending upon the scope of systems integration and saturation of the deployment.  In either case, when any airline business analyst considers the benefits of adding a low-cost, enhanced business intelligence platform capability to their flight operations department, an ROI of less than 2 years is a no-brainer.  Especially when these solutions pull abundant amounts of information from an aircrafts data buses and displays or calculates the information on the tablet for pilots, and/or sends the information to one or more ground locations for detailed parsing and analysis, with no additional ACARS or Satcom fee structures.

The crew here at ASIG has put together a few important virtues of what integrating data bus information with your management can do to help your company run more efficient and cost effective.

Aircraft Maintenance - With the ability to have maintenance personnel connected to real-time aircraft data and logs, they can be ready and prepared to complete the maintenance task for a particular aircraft before it even arrives at the gate. This eliminates a substantial amount of "back and forth" time between the maintenance crew and other personnel creating a faster and more efficient turnaround time. This also correlates to a greater saving because we all know that an aircraft sitting in a hanger does not generate profit.

Flight Monitoring - The ability to collect, store, monitor various aircraft functions, and send this information in-flight is no longer unobtainable. Operators can ensure a more efficient flight by monitoring fuel burn, engine trend monitoring and airframe lifecycles all in one place. Inventory for spare parts and hardware can be drastically cut with the ability to monitor conditions such as hard landings, hot starts, de-rated take-offs and vibration, as well as flight operations tasks.

Documents - The world is ever changing and technology is no different. As we become more aware of how these aircraft operate in flight, manuals, checklists, and other documents are evolving, as human knowledge base does. Making revisions or changes to such documents are as easy as downloading the necessary changes and clicking save. Airframe integration also supports forms automation and enhanced checklists offering flight crew personnel visual statuses of aircraft and systems configurations, minimizing check-and-effect assessments and crew resource management; or, legacy carbon-copy based flight logbooks are easily replaced with XML or other web-based forms media and capable of suggesting PIREP entries based upon on-board CMC codes. Enhancements such as those suggested here not only eliminate the cost of printing, time to ship and distribute the documents, and the hassle of keeping up with them, but also reduces errors resultant from data recording and analysis allowing airlines to automate flight and maintenance training and operational efficacy with less human resource and greater fidelity . These added efficiencies are real benefits that ensure that everyone has the most up to date documents without any human induced error, while adding productivity to the bottom line at a nominal cost of implementation.

Flight Safety- When awareness is not at its best, accidents will ensue. With all of the data bus information able to be right at not just pilots finger tips but also to different departments on the ground, there is no doubt that these EFB solutions show a great virtue for improving flight safety.  These systems make data fully visible throughout the enterprise and allow decision makers from the cockpit-to-corporate to be the most informed of operational realities across the business unit.

As stated previously, these so-called "Light EFB solutions¹” hold a value in the aviation Industry and with the rapid development and release of iOS EFB applications due to platforms like the flyTab Software Developers Kit (SDK), and Apple Xcode project add-in, provides many benefits for not just the pilots but also the management side of a company.  In fact now that the data is in, it is clear that operators are able to introduce fully featured Class 2 iPad EFB systems with greater capability than legacy Class 2 systems at a cost < 20% of an aircraft fuel load. The conclusive impacts of what these EFB's are producing for operators however, are becoming more relevant as they become more immersed in aircraft systems, thus providing a business intelligence force multiplier when available from any number of enterprise MIS resources. At ASIG, we’ve partnered with Apple to take the long look forward to what the future holds for iPad Class 2 EFB’s such as the flyTab Dual Class 2 iPad EFB system, and committed our team and resources to the maturity of these technologies, continuing our legacy of innovation in the aviation industry.

In context to flyTab iPad EFB solution, the only things "light" can refer to is the cost and weight of innovation!

¹Reference: NavAero “Tablet Solutions” and UTC Aerospace “SmartDisplay” product literature.

BYOD in the Aviation Field and the Problems that Ensue

In today’s world, technology is developing faster than businesses could have expected. Having the “latest” and “greatest” is a norm and because of that it seems everyone has their own “smart” device. Today we have the opportunity to do even more on these devices. For example, we can email, pay our bills, locate a restaurant, Google search, or BING, and connect with people halfway across the world all in the comfort of our PJ’s sipping on coffee while reading the morning paper (on a tablet) at the kitchen table. It only makes sense that the BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) trend is becoming commonplace in the work environment. The technology is already there so why not use it to your company’s advantage?

In order to keep up with competitors you have to keep up with technology, and the aviation field is no different. Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs) are being utilized more and more these days by pilots in order to achieve a “paperless” cockpit. A pilot’s flight bag holds a variety of papers for flight management, e.g., operating manuals, navigational charts and much more. So it’s no surprise that technology would make the pilot’s job easier and more efficient, and the ROI of tablet EFB adoption will accelerate exponentially when/if an airline converges airworthy systems and sensors with corporate enterprise systems via inexpensive COTS table technologies. This is where EFBs in the form of tablets are introduced. Pilots now have every possible piece of information they need stored on a personal tablet and no longer do they need to lug around a bulky flight bag. Everything the pilots need to know or check is at their fingertips or is just a swipe away.

However, like any technology, these magical devices can be applied properly or improperly, and when operational safety is on the line ensuring the proper application is a moral imperative. Security and safety is the number one challenge concerning the BYOD trend, especially in the aviation field. Since airlines don’t directly control the personal devices used by pilots and passengers, many problems can occur involving personal electronic devices (PEDs). For example, pilots could be using their personal tablet for an EFB. However, if this tablet hasn’t been Rapid Decompression (RD) or EMI tested it could be a safety risk for the pilot and the entire aircraft as well. Or if a rogue passenger wanted to passively or actively attack aircraft subsystems they could do so by hacking the low security computer systems within the tablet! Potentially, they could be as harmless as eavesdropping secure data or as dangerous as message jamming and data changing. Theory suggests actively crashing a plane is possible by hacking into avionic data buses. Hugo Teso, a security consultant from “n.runs” in Germany recently presented Aircraft Hacking: Practical Aero Series at a security conference in Amsterdam. In his presentation he was actually able to hack a Boeing Jet while it was in “autopilot” and was able to change the course of the flight. The only reaction a pilot could take, if he knew the airplane was hacked at all, was to take it out of “autopilot”. Teso simply used his Samsung Galaxy and a specifically created app called PlaneSploit to accomplish this and other hacks. While not a real-world event, this demonstration underscores the risks and reasons for solid mitigation strategies when deploying tablet EFB devices.

So as technology broadens the capabilities of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) devices being used in the aviation field either by pilots or passengers, it also adds some security and safety challenges along the way as well. The BYOD trend is not likely to fade from the work environment because it’s just too cost effective to avoid for some. In fact, the trend will probably grow as personal electronic devices become more enterprise friendly. Here are a few suggestions our editors, software engineers and consultant DERs within the industry agree are necessary to lessen any real or perceived adverse consequences, while maximizing deployment efficacy and ROI of and COTS tablet EFBs.

1.   Ensure the host operating system of the COTS device take full advantage of hardware and software encryption.

2.   Maximize the use of “closed system” architectures when selecting COTS tablet EFB platforms.

3.   Avoid the implementation of any GNU or other open source software and DataCom standards like 802.11 (Wi-Fi) or Bluetooth.

4.   Ensure all newly introduced installed equipment is adequately rated for the system architecture. (This includes software design assurance levels and TSO ratings which are consistent with existing systems and sensors.)

5.   Keep It Simple and Smart (K.I.S.S.) and don’t try to reinvent the airframe. Allow existing aircraft data concentrators and aggregators to “serve” data to the EFB system with minimal encoding and data merging.

These are just a few key points the team at ASIG suggest in order to keep airline pilots, flight crews and passengers safe and secure.

Until next time, stay 5x5, mission ready, and Wired!

iPad EFB Apps Get Real-Time Data with flyTab Aircraft Interface Module

iPad Apps can now receive real-time flight data through the flyTab® Aircraft Interface Module (AIM) developed through a collaboration of ASIG (www.asigllc.com) and Shadin Avionics (www.shadin.com).

Data formats that can be streamed to the iPad EFB Apps include ARINC 429, RS-232, RS-422, RS-485 and discrete data. Using Shadin’s Avionics Interface Systems (AIS) converter platform, additional interfaces can be easily added and certified. Examples of possible future growth options are MIL-STD-1553, ARINC 717, Ethernet as well as WiFi options. Potential iPad EFB App uses for this data include aeronautical charting, own ship position, chart centering, FMS/GPS information (position, altitude, groundspeed, track, origin, flight plan and destination, time), real time weather, ACARS messaging and customer specific programs.

“Real-time flight data to iPad EFB opens up a whole new realm of possibilities for aircraft operators,” commented Luke Ribich, Director of ASIG, developer of the flyTab® Suite. “ASIG is excited about collaborating with Shadin Avionics and their expertise in data management solutions.”

“ASIG, Shadin and the rest of the flyTab team have been able to produce the first complete integrated iPad Class 2 EFB solution,” stated Brad Jacobson, Shadin Avionics Product Manager. “We look forward to leveraging the rapidly growing commercial tablet technology to meet the increasing demands of the EFB market.”

About ASIG and the flyTab® Team

The flyTab® Suite is developed and owned by the Avionics & Systems Integration Group (www.asigllc.com) an industry pioneer of analogue-to-digital upgrades for classic and contemporary aircraft. The flyTab® Suite is an end-to-end iPad EFB solution, providing certification, mounts, power, data and a software developer’s kit. ASIG provides engineering and Supplemental Type Certificates for iPad EFB implementations. The pedTray® Mounts attach iPads to the airframe. flyTab® Power Conditioning Units provide continuous power and charging while mitigating the risk of thermal runaway. The flyTab® Aircraft Interface Module (AIM) is developed in collaboration with Shadin Avionics (www.shadin.com) and feeds real-time aircraft flight data to the iPad via the 30-pin iPad connector ensuring minimal latency and data security. The iPad App SDK is developed in collaboration with AppOrchard (www.apporchard.com) and provides a toolkit to develop iPad Apps that take advantage of real time flight data. Learn more at www.flyTab .aero. The flyTab® brand and product suite is a registered trademark of ASIG, LLC (dba Avionics & Systems Integration Group).

About Shadin Avionics

Shadin is an acknowledged industry leader in providing world class data collection and data conversion products for all types of aircraft. Shadin Avionics specializes in the design, manufacture, support and distribution of Avionics Interface Systems (AIS), Fuel Flow Systems, Engine Trend Monitoring (ETM), Altitude Management Systems, Air Data Computers (ADC) and other instrumentation for turbine, piston and rotor aircraft for the military, general and corporate aviation markets. For more information, please visit www.shadin.com.

Press Release: New Software Development Kit Enables Real Time Flight Data into iPad EFB Apps

iPad Electronic Flight Bags (EFB) will soon be able to incorporate real-time flight data into iPad Apps with a new Software Development Kit (SDK) being developed by the flyTab® (www.flyTab.aero) team led by ASIG and supported by Shadin Avionics and AppOrchard.

With real-time information gathered from a wide array of aircraft systems and sensors provided to the iPad EFB via a wired interface, the flyTab® SDK will empower a new breed of iOS Apps. Data formats that can be streamed to the iPad Apps include ARINC 410, ARINC 429, ARINC 618, ARINC 623, ARINC 717, RS 232, RS 422, RS485 and other forms of digital and discrete data.

Potential iPad EFB App uses for this data include aeronautical charting, own ship position, chart centering, FMS/GPS information (position, altitude, groundspeed, track, origin, flight plan and destination, time), real time weather, ACARS messaging and any other customer required programs that the flyTab® team develops or converts for use in the flyTab® runtime environment (TOLD, W&B, PERF, etc).

"Tethering iPads to flight data systems provides a rich stream of data with almost unlimited possible uses," commented Luke Ribich, Managing Director of ASIG, creator of the flyTab suite. "The flyTab partnership with AppOrchard opens up a world of new possibilities to develop a whole new generation of avionics apps that will help airlines save money and improve operational efficiencies. In addition, avionics equipment OEM's and iOS application developers can now easily integrate the iPad EFB into their family of products and services."

Until recently, iPads had to be stowed by pilots during critical flight phases. These Class 1 iPad EFB implementations could not be tethered to the aircraft for power and data. Whether the end-user selects the flyTab® mounting system, which supports pilots activities from flight planning through dispatch, in-flight and debriefing with a walk-on/walk-off capability; or, the pedTray® mounting solution which provides fixed equipage in a high-security static mount, the operator can enjoy an FAA approved Class 2 EFB that allows the operator to use the iPad EFB, with airframe power and data connectivity, through all phases of flight including take-off and landing.

The flyTab® suite enables Class 2 iPad EFB by tethering iPads to aircraft electrical and data systems. Continuous power is provided through the flyTab® Power Conditioning Module (PCM). Flight data is streamed through the flyTab® Aircraft Interface Module (AIM), developed in partnership with Shadin Avionics (www.shadin.com). Now with the flyTab® SDK, data can be streamed into iPad Apps.

The SDK provides a full suite of tools that app developers can use to build advanced iPad EFB Apps by allowing Apps to pull real-time flight data from multiple airframe systems and sensors. Also planned as an SDK kit add-on is the flyTab® iFlight Simulator which will provide sample data streams and a hardware proving interface which will enable app developers to live-test applications on the iPad as they are produced.

"We are pleased that the flyTab SDK powered by AppOrchard will enable many of the world's best iOS developers to work with the aviation industry on innovative iPad Flight planning applications," said Art Chang, CEO of AppOrchard. "We see the value of native iOS processing of real time data as a progressive leap for a more connected cockpit enabling new charting as well as the next generation visualization applications that will be needed for the future Class 2 hardware plus maintenance apps," he continued.

"As the industry continues to adopt the iPad platform we are excited to be on the tip-of-the-spear as the thought leader of iPad EFB deployments," said Ribich.

About ASIG and the flyTab® Team
The flyTab® Suite is developed and owned by the Avionics & Systems Integration Group (www.asigllc.com) an industry pioneer of analogue-to-digital upgrades for classic and contemporary aircraft. The flyTab® Suite is an end-to-end iPad EFB solution, providing certification, mounts, power, data and a software developer's kit. ASIG provides engineering and Supplemental Type Certificates for iPad EFB implementations. The pedTray® Mounts attach iPads to the airframe. flyTab® Power Conditioning Units provide continuous power and charging while mitigating the risk of thermal runaway. The flyTab® Aircraft Interface Module (AIM) is developed in partnership with Shadin Avionics (www.shadin.com) and feeds real-time aircraft flight data to the iPad via the 30-pin iPad connector ensuring minimal latency and data security. The iPad App SDK is developed in partnership with AppOrchard (www.apporchard.com) and provides a toolkit to develop iPad Apps that take advantage of real time flight data. Learn more at www.flyTab .aero. The flyTab® brand and product suite is a registered trademark of ASIG, LLC (dba Avionics & Systems Integration Group).

About AppOrchard
AppOrchard builds premium enterprise apps, transforming legacy IT infrastructures to perform in the mobile world. Through its integrated approach that encompasses both the business and technical perspectives, AppOrchard aligns the latest devices with existing systems. Founded in 2011, the AppOrchard team is comprised of iOS insiders who are former Apple and NeXT software engineers and leaders with a track record of delivering business opportunities through technology. The company is based in NY. More information can be found at www.apporchard.com.

Avionics & Systems Integration Group
10 Collins Industrial Place, Suite 3-B
North Little Rock, AR 72113
Phone: (866) 890-2744 or (501) 771-9388
Fax: (800) 903-9607
Email: sales@asigllc.com
Web: www.flyTab.aero | www.asigllc.com


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Press Release from flyTab: NAV CANADA Installs ASIG’s flyTab Class 2 iPad EFB

For Immediate Release

Avionics & Systems Integration Group
10 Collins Industrial Place, Suite 3-B
North Little Rock, AR 72113
Phone: (866) 890-2744 or (501) 771-9388
Fax: (800) 903-9607
Email: sales@asigllc.com
Web: www.flyTab.aero | www.asigllc.com

NAV CANADA Installs ASIG's flyTab Class 2 iPad EFB

10/1/2012 | Little Rock, AR
Today the flyTab (www.flyTab.aero) team at ASIG announced that it will be implementing a complete Class 2 iPad EFB in CRJ-200 and Dash 8-100 aircraft operated by Nav Canada. ASIG's Class 2 iPad EFB components are permanently installed, certified via STC and enable the iPad EFB to be fully integrated with the aircraft.

flyTab components selected by NAV CANADA for the Class 2 iPad EFB installations include ASIG's Class 2 pedTray mount to secure the iPad EFB, Power Conditioning Module (PCM) to recharge the iPad EFB and Aircraft Interface Module (AIM) to interface the iPad EFB with the aircraft's systems and sensors.

According to Anthony MacKay, Manager, Flight Operations, "The iPad EFB's is a replacement for our current Class 3 EFB that is expensive to maintain. This installation will allow us to maintain our operational efficiency and "paperless cockpit" at a much lower cost on our CRJ and Dash 8 aircraft with enhanced applications".

ASIG will obtain STC's for the pedTray mount, flyTab PCM and flyTab AIM. The CRJ STC will include CRJ-200/700/900 series aircraft and the Dash 8 STC will include Dash 8-100/200/300 series aircraft. These STCs are expected to be approved in early 2013.

"We are excited about our relationship with NAV CANADA," said Mike Neder, Dir. of Business Development at ASIG. "We appreciate the leadership that they are taking in the industry."

About flyTab
The flyTab Suite provides certification, mounting, power and data interface solutions for Class 2 iPad EFB implementations, regardless of deployed applications. Services include rapid decompression and EMI certification testing as well as traditional integration services such as installation design and STC/certification for iPads and other COTS tablets. The flyTab Mounting System is a suite of upgradable iPad mounts and cases. flyTab Power Conditioning Units and Modules provide continuous power and charging while mitigating the risk of thermal runaway. The optional Avionics Interface Module (an industry only wired interface) feeds real-time aircraft flight data to the iPad via the 30-pin iPad connector ensuring minimal latency and data security.

About NAV CANADA
NAV CANADA, the country's civil air navigation services provider, is a private sector, non-share capital corporation financed through publicly-traded debt. With operations coast to coast to coast, NAV CANADA provides air traffic control, flight information, weather briefings, aeronautical information services, airport advisory services and electronic aids to navigation. Learn more at www.navcanada.ca.

About the Avionics & Systems Integration Group
The flyTab Suite is developed and owned by the Avionics & Systems Integration Group, an industry pioneer of analogue-to-digital upgrades for classic and contemporary aircraft. The company specializes in: Integration and Supplemental Engineering; Installation Kit Manufacturing; as well as Installation Services of COM/NAV, IFE, Situational Awareness and Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM); Maintenance, Modification and Repair; and Certification & Program Management. We also perform design research and development of emerging technologies in support of aircraft operations, maintenance, modification and repair activities for civil, commercial, government and foreign flight departments. Learn more at www.asigllc.com and www.flytab.aero.

Press Release from flyTab: ASIG Identifies FTB International as Distributor of flyTab Solutions

Avionics & Systems Integration Group
10 Collins Industrial Place, Suite 3-B
North Little Rock, AR 72113
Phone: (866) 890-2744 or (501) 771-9388
Fax: (800) 903-9607
Email: sales@asigllc.com
Web: www.flyTab.aero | www.asigllc.com

ASIG Identifies FTB International as Distributor of flyTab Solutions
9/10/2012 | Little Rock, AR

Today the flyTab (www.flyTab.aero) team at ASIG announced that FTB International, a division of Gruppo Transpart will be a distributor of flyTab Power Conditioning Solutions that enable iPad EFB.

"We are excited to have FTB International as a distributor for flyTab Power Conditioning Solutions," commented Luke Ribich, Managing Director of ASIG. "As airlines and airframe OEM's across the globe embrace iPad EFB, this relationship will make it easy for international partners to acquire needed equipment in support iPad EFB implementations."

FTB International provides avionics products for production, Revision / Overhaul, Transformation / Conversion and MRO to customers like Agusta Westland, Alenia Aeronautica, Alenia Aermacchi, and a lot of Italian subcontractors of Boeing, Airbus, Bombardier, Lockheed Martin and Embraer. "The demand for iPad EFB continues to grow and we believe our partnership with ASIG and the flyTab products brings our customers the solutions that they demand," said Nick Verga of FTB International.

Under the terms of the agreement FTB may resell "the products" on a non-exclusive, worldwide basis with the exception of the Asia/Pacific region.

About flyTab
The flyTab Suite provides certification, mounting, power and data interface solutions for iPad EFB implementations. Services include rapid decompression and EMI certification testing as well as traditional integration services such as installation design and STC/certification for iPads and other COTS tablets. The flyTab Mounting System is a suite of upgradable iPad mounts and cases. flyTab Power Conditioning Units and Modules provide continuous power and charging while mitigating the risk of thermal runaway. The optional Avionics Interface Module (an industry only wired interface) feeds real-time aircraft flight data to the iPad via the 30-pin iPad connector ensuring minimal latency and data security.

About FTB International
FTB International Corporation is a procurement company based in New York and active in North American and Canada Markets. The company is dedicated to direct relationships with US Manufacturers which they represent in Italy. FTB International is part of Gruppo Transpart. You can learn more at www.transpart.it.

About the Avionics & Systems Integration Group
The flyTab Suite is developed and owned by the Avionics & Systems Integration Group, an industry pioneer of analogue-to-digital upgrades for classic and contemporary aircraft. The company specializes in: Integration and Supplemental Engineering; Installation Kit Manufacturing; as well as Installation Services of COM/NAV, IFE, Situational Awareness and Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM); Maintenance, Modification and Repair; and Certification & Program Management. We also perform design research and development of emerging technologies in support of aircraft operations, maintenance, modification and repair activities for civil, commercial, government and foreign flight departments. Learn more at www.asigllc.com and www.flytab.aero.