SmartLynx Airlines receives landmark 750st IPAD EFB solution

GKN Aerospace’s Fokker Technologies business unit recently delivered the 750 th Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) solution to A320 charter and ACMI operator SmartLynx Airlines. In 2012 Fokker launched the Electronic Flight Bag solution (EFB) to the aviation world, which now has reached the impressive number of more than 750 aircraft flying with this EFB solution on more than 15 different aircraft types in more than 20 different countries.

An EFB is a physical device containing hardware and software that carries flight documentation. The EFB is used by the flight crew on the flight deck during their duties. Fokker’s EFB solution for iPad® is EASA certified (Class 2 Type B) and requires no expensive ICT infrastructure. Easy installation ensures aircraft can be converted with very limited downtime at a cost that is incomparable to anything else on the market. This modification installs full provisions for the installation of two iPads® in the cockpit including power supply by means of a DC to DC converter.

To be able to meet the wishes of our customers, is working on the development of an adjustable holder for the most used tablets including Window tablets, such as the Windows Surface Pro. We will launch this new solution soon to support these customers as well.

Recently we also approved the 9.7-inch iPad® Pro for our EFB modification according to the latest DO-160 EMC and rapid decompression requirements.

Heino van der Laan, Vice President Marketing & Sales for the Fokker Services business within GKN Aerospace said: “We are proud that SmartLynx Airlines, a long-time customer for our aircraft re-delivery services in Woensdrecht for their A320 fleet now also selected our iPad ® EFB solution upgrading their whole fleet. We are proud that our EFB solution for iPad ® is now installed in more than 750 aircraft world-wide. Our order book is still growing which proves that operators continue to recognize the added value of our product and service portfolio for their Airbus, ATR, Boeing, Bombardier, Fokker and Embraer aircraft”.

Thorir Kristinsson Management Board Member for SmartLynx Airlines : " This Electronic Flight Bag solution using the iPad is a perfect add-on, efficient for our pilots and easy to install.”

Note: iPad® is a trademark of Apple, Inc, registered in the US and other countries.

SmartLynx Airlines is a privately owned charter and ACMI operator of Airbus 320 aircraft. Company is headquartered in Riga and holds Latvian and Estonian Air Operator Certificates. As a European Union’s airline, SmartLynx Airlines upholds quality standards of IOSA and EASA, and has access to Open Skies. SmartLynx Airlines specializes in wet lease services of its A320-200 fleet and provides full charter operation for its home markets of Latvia and Estonia, predominantly in the leisure market. It performs in-house cabin crew and flight crew trainings. The company operates twelve Airbus 320 aircraft in Europe, Asia and Africa, and employs more than 300 people all together. SmartLynx flight crew members are from 17 nationalities, and average experience of above 5300 block hours for captains and above 1900 block hours for first officers.SmartLynx Airlines Estonia is a fully owned subsidiary of SmartLynx Airlines. As of June 2015, SmartLynx has 160 full time employees, and 40 more in the Estonian subsidiary.

GKN plc is a global engineering group. It has four divisions; GKN Aerospace, GKN Driveline, GKN Powder Metallurgy and GKN Land Systems, which operate in the aerospace, automotive and land systems markets. Over 55,000 people work in GKN companies and joint ventures in more than 30 countries. GKN is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: GKN) and recorded sales of £7.7 billion in the year to 31 December 2015. 

GKN Aerospace is a global first tier supplier of wing, fuselage and engine structures, nacelle systems, landing gear and wiring systems, transparencies, ice protection systems and aftermarket services, with sales of GBP2.5bn in 2015 and a global workforce of over 17,000 employees. It has a significant participation on all major aircraft programmes today and a broad customer base spanning commercial, military, business aerospace and space markets. The company’s extensive engineering capability and clear focus on targeted innovation has created technological and manufacturing leads in each of its areas of expertise.

Fokker Technologies is a business unit of GKN Aerospace and a leading global aerospace specialist that develops and manufactures highly engineered advanced aircraft systems and components for aircraft manufacturers and provides integrated maintenance services and products for aircraft owners and operators. The business was founded in 1919. Headquartered in Papendrecht, the Netherlands, Fokker Technologies operates facilities in the Netherlands, Romania, Turkey, Canada, Mexico, USA, China, India and Singapore, and employs approximately 4,950 people. For the year ended

31 December 2015, reported revenue was €796 million.