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Ever since Apple started churning out iPad tablets, the world has been working out newer and more unique uses for this excellent tablet. We reported last year that a number of airlines were testing iPad on their flights and eventually, United Airlines entirely replaced it’s in-flight printed flight manual material with iPad devices. Now, it has been reported that U.S. Air Force is in the process of replacing it’s printed flight materials with iPad tablets, spending a hefty $9 million on the project.

The contract for taking care of this ‘transition’ has been awarded to Executive Technology, a contract worth $9.36 million. According to the details of the contract, the company is responsible for purchasing iPad tablets and the load the relevant flight manuals and navigation software in them. According to the company, the amount of the contract permits for the purchase of some 18,000 tablets.

This move comes following a call from Air Mobility Command asking for proposals from different companies for digital replacements of the in-flight material. Now that Executive Technology has been awarded the contract, the company is planning on purchasing 32-GB Wifi-only iPad tablets and loading them up with the relevant material. The sticker price of the tablet is about $599 but given the bulk of the purchase that will be made, the company is hopeful that it will be able to acquire them at $529 apiece.

One of the most significant advantages of using a tablet for in-flight material, rather than the conventional print material, is that it can result in significant costs saved in fuel usage. For instance, United Airlines estimated that by making this transition, it will be able to save about 326,000 gallons of jet fuel each year.

Image courtesy yto.
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