[bronco21016]

If all of them disappeared into thin air one night then nearly the entire global aviation system would come to a screeching halt. It’s the device of choice among air carriers for navigation charts. Paper backup isn’t even carried anymore. We just carry extra iPads and batteries.

I’m not sure any of the charting apps used by air carriers are even available on another OS at this point. I’ve never been aware of JeppFD Pro on Android and I believe they dumped Windows as well.

There are other options of course but as far as I’m aware in the US it’s all iPads and JeppFD Pro. The feds are familiar with it and a regulatory framework is created around it so it’s the path of least resistance. And as a pilot, I’d say most of us are pretty satisfied with it.

[Shivetya]

not just pilots, I see them in use by nearly every service person who comes to the house and even at work. they are just the right size for easy reading, the lack of keyboard removes a major breaking point if not cleanliness issues. throw in they just give a modern and sleek vibe to any organization employing them versus pen and paper.

plus they make it easy for customers to sign for services which in turn makes it easier for businesses to know that the work was done. toss in CC readers that attach easily and you have a simple POS device

if anything the amount of waste that would come back into our lives without them would be staggering

[Someone]

”throw in they just give a modern and sleek vibe to any organization employing them versus pen and paper”

There likely is a good cost saving there, removing the need to transcribe handwritten forms and archive them in cases where the customers signed them.

It also easily gives you some tracking info, even if you only let it send location info when the service person uses it. That can give you the data to inform other customers on that service person’s route about arrival times.

[AgloeDreams]

The iPad is also a massive choice for artists who used to buy wacom products. The ability to buy an iPad and pencil for under $500 and make stuff in pretty great software really changed the industry. To do something like that with a computer was a $1000+ market.

[davedx]

Also paramedics. Pretty sure the various militaries of the world use them extensively too.

[spurgu]

Musicians would also be sad, the iPad seems to be the #1 device to replace sheet music.

[alopex_plenus]

so the captain tells us to switch off all electronic devices and then proceeds to navigate the plane via iPad?

[dewey]

They tell you to switch off the device's broadcast functionality ("airplane mode"). Something they don't need for navigating with an iPad as it's just offline maps / apps).

[darkerside]

Besides, what if they did? You think you need to use your device just because the pilot is?

[dewey]

> You think you need to use your device [...]

No I don't, I just brought that up because OP was confused why the pilot can use their device while "normal" passengers can't.

[iso1210]

I haven't had a captain tell me to turn off electronic devices for years. The flight attendant asks me to remove headphones for the safety briefing, which is reasonable, and we're told to put it into airplane mode for takeoff/landing

[redler]

I accidentally left my iPad in the seat-back on a recent flight — my case, it turns out, is a perfect match for Delta-leather-blue. Even though this is an iPad with cellular, I'd switched it to airplane mode and thus was unable to locate it with "Find My". After three days the airline hadn't found it, and I chalked it up to an expensive lesson learned.

On day four, I received a push message (from Find My) that the iPad had come to life. An airport staffer had found it and charged it up. Presumably it cold boots with airplane mode switched off, so it connected to the cellular network, received the "lost device" command, displayed my contact info, etc. I received a call shortly thereafter.

When I picked up the iPad at baggage services, I chatted with the staff a bit. They let me in on the "secret" that most airline employees never switch their devices into airplane mode anymore, and for this exact reason.

[audunw]

While it's good to avoid EM interference from electronic devices, I think the real reason they want you to switch of these devices is to make sure you're not totally distracted during take-off or landing, and that you're not using headphones, so you'll be aware in case of accidents/emergencies.

[jaywalk]

Nah, they haven't asked passengers to turn off devices in years. They just want them placed on airplane mode so they're not connecting to cellular networks. Bluetooth and WiFi are just fine.

[bronco21016]

The pilots’ devices are selected to airplane mode as well. Many carriers do allow WiFi to be turned on and have a separate WiFi network onboard that allows for operational access. Mainly weather.

[Aissen]

Why couldn't you put the app on an iPhone or iPod touch ? Or in a simulator on MAC ? It's not like the device is essential. It might be more practical for some purposes, but not essential.

[TrickyRick]

Because of the form factor. iPad is close in size to the papers used before. iPhone is way too small and a Mac is way too big and clumsy. Also a Mac has a clamshell design as opposed to being just a tablet that fits nicely in front of the pilot.

[robohoe]

No pilot will want to point and click using a trackpad. Finger is far quicker.