US pilots replace paper maps with iPads mini

Pilots of U.S. airbase in Illinois conducted an experiment, having replaced paper aeronautical charts with iPad mini tablets. All information that pilots may need during their work had been installed on the tablet computers in advance.

The experiment, which took place on board the C-21A aircraft, a military version of the passenger Learjet 35, was found to be very successful.

According to the military, the use of iPad mini greatly simplifies the control of the airplane. The tablet is convenient, and required information is quickly displayed on its screen. In addition, pilots will not have to take paper maps and flight instruction on board - they weigh about 22 kilos. Instead, all the information will be stored on the tablet that weighs only 300 grams.