Lufthansa takes step toward 'ultimate' electronic flight bags
Civil aircraft operators have long discussed the possibility of using in-flight broadband connectivity for operational benefits such as providing live satellite pictures to electronic flight bags (EFBs).
But one carrier is no longer simply talking about real-time updates for EFBs. Having relaunched its Ku-band satellite-based FlyNet high-speed internet service on overseas flights, Lufthansa is getting ready to bring robust connectivity to its cockpits in the coming months.
"Our plan is to bring the benefit of live satellite pictures, of volcanic ash charts if they are required, and of course updated wind data into the processing power of the EFB so that we can recalculate flight plans much more efficiently than ever before," says Lufthansa Airbus A340 captain Andreas Ritter, who heads up the carrier's EFB activities.
