industry iPads in Maintenance S T O R Y B Y D A L E S M I T H W hen Apple announced its muchspeculated iPad tablet computer in January 2010, it was met by less-thanenthusiastic reports from the plethora of hightech gadget “experts.” Right now, they all wish they had bought stock. The literal explosion of iPads and their subsequent impact on the way we do practically everything has been truly life-changing for many of us. Of course, aviation has not been immune to the iPad onslaught. With a rapidly growing list of apps developed for private and business aviation, the tablets are increasingly becoming a valuable part of every cockpit. Heck, I’ve seen some kit aircraft manufacturers use the iPad as the aircraft’s primary flight display or multifunction display. Not to be left out, aircraft maintenance information providers also are beginning to offer apps for their various online products and services. Flightdocs’ Discrepancy Reporting app allows pilots or technicians to digitally write up discrepancies or squawks, and attach photos of issues they may be encountering. These discrepancies are all archived and searchable for historical and troubleshooting information. 48 avionics news • july 2013 There’s an App for That “We currently offer our Mobile Information Center application free on the iTunes Store,” explained Greg Heine, director of business development for Flightdocs. “It works with our subscription-based maintenance tracking service. It creates the ability for maintainers and operators to get the information they need in real time and