January 16, 2008
"EFB Next Gen" to become standard in the Lufthansa fleet
Lufthansa Systems and Lufthansa Passage today announced that they will jointly develop "EFB Next Gen," taking them one step closer to a paperless cockpit. "EFB Next Gen" is an enhanced version of the current Pilot’s Workpad, which manages all the information a crew needs for a flight. The two companies will pool their experience with Electronic Flight Bags (EFB) in developing "EFB Next Gen". The EFB will be combined with hardware to create a so-called Class 2 solution that can be retrofitted in existing aircraft to provide pilots with all relevant information during a flight, including navigation charts and current weather data. While many new features derive from necessary adjustments to the A380, the new product is to become the standard for all Lufthansa aircraft.
"The current version of the Pilot’s Workpad has made Lufthansa a pioneer in the introduction of the paperless cockpit. Even now, Lufthansa, our crews and our passengers benefit in various ways each day from the tremendous economic and operational advantages of this technology," said Jürgen Raps, Executive Vice President Operations at Lufthansa Passage.
"Together with Lufthansa, we will create a product that defines new standards in terms of safety, user-friendliness and efficiency," explained Wolfgang F.W. Gohde, CEO of Lufthansa Systems AG. "This development is further testimony to our ability to create innovative EFB solutions." Electronic navigation charts from Lufthansa Systems are now being used in over 80 aircraft of a renowned American airline, proving that paperless navigation for everyday flight operations is already a reality.
In addition to the electronic navigation charts of the Lido eRouteManual, the EFB for Lufthansa encompasses an electronic briefing packet known as the Electronic Flight Folder that contains all data required for flight operations, a document management system, and the applications and features currently offered by the first generation of the Pilot’s Workpad. This complex software also handles connections between applications on board and on the ground, automatic updates and data synchronization.
The new integrated EFB platform is based on the Lido eFlightBag from Lufthansa Systems and is the most technologically advanced solution for the paperless cockpit available today. It optimizes information processes in the cockpit, which reduces strain on the crew and contributes to flight safety. At the same time, the platform helps to lower costs by ensuring that current operational data is always available for calculations and by eliminating the printing and logistics effort involved in updating paper-based documents.
A laptop docking station and a touchscreen from Goodrich will be used to supply power, display information and connect the new EFB to the aircraft systems. In October 2006, Lufthansa Systems and Goodrich agreed to collaborate on the development of EFB systems. Lufthansa Technik will install the systems in Lufthansa’s aircraft.
Note to editors:
Lufthansa Systems is one of the leading IT service providers for the airline and aviation industries worldwide. As a systems integrator, the wholly-owned subsidiary of the Lufthansa Group covers the entire range of IT services, including consulting, development, implementation and operation. Lufthansa Systems provides its infrastructure and consulting services to a variety of industries. Headquartered in Kelsterbach near Frankfurt/Main, Germany, the company has branches in Germany and 17 other countries and employs about 3,320 people worldwide. In business year 2006, Lufthansa Systems recorded sales of EUR 652 million.
For further information, please contact:
Lufthansa Systems AG
Sandra Hammer
Corporate Communications
Tel.: +49 (0)69 696 90776
Fax: +49 (0)69 696 90777
E-mail: publicrelations@LHsystems.com