Press Release

Issued by TAG Aviation.

January 28, 2014

TAG Aviation S.A. has introduced paperless cockpits throughout its fleet in Geneva, Switzerland, following Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) approval.

TAG Aviation has now equipped crews across its managed fleet with iPads - Class 1 Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs) - which will replace hundreds of pages of documents including operations manuals, aeronautical charts, flight plans and weather information.

iPads are loaded with Vistair DocuNet and Jeppesen Mobile FliteDeck applications. DocuNet, a cloud-based library publication system, enables crews to download and manage TAG Aviation operational flight-deck documents. Jeppesen Mobile FliteDeck allows crews to access aeronautical arrival and departure information for airports worldwide and can also be accessed via Class 3 EFB primary flight displays (on aircraft equipped with this capability). Both applications are backed with AirWatch mobile device management solutions which enable TAG Aviation to manage data remotely and ensure that crews are running the most updated version of the applications.

“The paperless technology allows pilots to quickly access up-to-date information which simplifies pre-flight planning and ensures efficient in-flight operations. The iPad is a great tool for that, which everybody likes to work with,” said Damien Chollet, deputy postholder flight operations at TAG Aviation. “This innovative approach underpins our commitment to industry-leading standards in flight operations, safety and environment.”

Ian Herbert, ceo of Vistair, said: “This is a superb achievement demonstrating that TAG Aviation is both a leader and innovator in driving efficiency and value in the business aviation sector. At Vistair, we are delighted that our technology has been instrumental in assisting TAG Aviation on its journey towards paperless flight decks and we look forward to continuing and developing our successful relationship." 

“Integrating Jeppesen mobile solutions helps to reduce pilot workload, increase operational efficiency and lower costs in a competitive business environment,” said Tim Huegel, director, Jeppesen Aviation Portfolio Management. “We are pleased to team up with TAG Aviation and congratulate them on their digital transformation on the ground and in the air.” 

“Electronic flight bags offer a strong return on investment due to savings on paper, printing and fuel costs and enable pilots to access the most up-to-date flight documents quickly and easily,” said Ian Evans, EMEA managing director at AirWatch. “AirWatch helps airlines embrace mobility while meeting strict regulatory requirements and addressing security concerns.”

In addition to a reduction in paper use and printing, TAG Aviation aims to achieve savings in fuel consumption by reducing the weight of each pilot's flight bag taken onboard. On average, pilots have to carry documents which can weigh up to 20 kg; significantly more than a half-kilo iPad.

TAG Aviation's operating company (AOC) in Farnborough (UK) introduced the paperless cockpit in July 2013, following UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) approval. It is the first business aviation operator in the UK to receive authorisation from the CAA for this industry-leading step.

TAG Aviation plans to introduce paperless cockpits throughout its worldwide managed fleet of 130 aircraft, subject to regulatory approval. In addition to its operation based in Geneva (Switzerland) and Farnborough (UK), it has air operator certificates (AOCs) in Spain (Madrid), the Middle East (Bahrain) and Asia (Hong Kong).