Perimeter Runway Excursion

[Eric Janson]

Even a pilot who is super familiar with all the apps on the ipad will be slower in finding and running the appropriate checklist on an ipad than one that's literally right in front of your face on the dashboard.

For the ipad you'll likely have to unlock it, probably with sweaty hands or a badly positioned finger print because you're likely a litle bit more stressed or uncomfortable than normal. In a situation where you've also donned your oxygen mask you're very likely to be a little bit less precise with figner print unlock or your code.

Then you have to open the approprate app and wait for it to load. Doesn't take very long, but it does add some delay, which at those moments might seem much longer and likely might increase your frustration level a little bit.

Once the file is open, you need to find the appropriate checklist. Let's assume it's one that's properly designed and you can just tap the heading to go to the appropriate page. Hopefully you don't tap the wrong one and start all over.

During all this you also need to watch your screen to identify where to click. In this case while wearing an oxygen mask that will likely impair your vision at least a little bit, especially for glasses wearing pilots.

I've used an iPad with FD Pro,Flysmart,checklist and the airbus E-QRH for a lot of years.

There is a learning curve using all of these apps and their features.

-The iPad doesn't lock - always on. That's a simple setting adjustment.
-We can have multiple apps open - just swipe between open windows. We can have multiple plates open within FD Pro - also very easy to use. Start the required apps once during cockpit preparation.
-airbus has tabs that are very user friendly - I'd say it's faster than using the normal QRH.
-Mis-clicking isn't something that I've experienced as a problem - the interface is set up very well.
-There is also a clipboard function if you want something with a single click. I don't use this feature.

What's your experience with an IPad digits?

Once again knowing how to use/be familiar with what the company issues you is basic Airmanship.

[PostmasterGeneral]

Yeah, I disagree with Eric on this one. It's one thing to thumb through an ipad at FL360 after completing ECAM actions, but its another to have to do it in a Metro bouncing along at 10,000' in the clag.

Hell, even with an EICAS or ECAM, I'd much rather have a paper QRH to back it up with than some hokey iPad.

[pelmet]

Yeah, I disagree with Eric on this one. It's one thing to thumb through an ipad at FL360 after completing ECAM actions, but its another to have to do it in a Metro bouncing along at 10,000' in the clag.

Hell, even with an EICAS or ECAM, I'd much rather have a paper QRH to back it up with than some hokey iPad.

Do Airbus's not fly in the clag at 10,000 feet? Are all Airbus events requiring a QRH in the Airbus in cruise? Is it always smooth at FL360? Are there ever any clouds at FL360?

[pdw]

In just the clag part .. ie no other less favourable parameters (eg auto pilot not available) … but here not so ideal esp after oxygen emergency (deployed masks ?) and having been already diverted successfully … seems maybe odd then to read about allowing continuation; seems (report) pilots were also doing great job of keeping home-base up to speed on progress.