Research & Innovation

As part of its ‘Always Getting Better’ programme, Ryanair pilots now have full electronic use of Boeing’s Onboard Performance Tool (OPT), which includes take-off performance calculations, as well as instant access to the most up to date electronic flight manuals, which will further improve time management and productivity, reducing dependency on paper products.

These two applications are the first in a suite of products that Ryanair is preparing to roll out over the coming months, including electronic charts and load sheets, subject to testing and approval from the Irish Aviation Authority.

Over the coming months, Ryanair plans to remove paper from the flight deck, eliminating 15kgs of manuals from each cockpit, and with Ryanair operating over 550,000 flights annually, creating fuel savings, while also eliminating more than 10 million pages of paper documentation, reaffirming Ryanair’s position as Europe’s greenest and cleanest airline.

“With a rapidly growing operation across 71 European bases, the logistical challenges of delivering information to crew are instantly simplified with the introduction of the iPad as an electronic flight bag. This is yet another display of Ryanair’s commitment to improving our already outstanding operational performance,” said Ryanair’s group director of operations Michael Hickey.

“Ryanair recognises the value of this cutting edge technology as a powerful and flexible solution. Our progression towards a paperless flight deck has efficiency benefits recognised across the industry. A paperless cockpit is an efficient cockpit.”