Flexjet Secures FAA Authorization for iPad2 as Paperless Cockpit Solution

- Electronic device increases pilot productivity while reducing costs and more than 120 pounds of paper on each flight

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Oct 30, 2012, 07:02 ET

DALLAS, Oct. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- (www.flexjet.com) – Flexjet – one of the world's most exclusive fractional jet ownership companies – has received conditional authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration for the use of Apple® iPads as Electronic Flight Bags for fractional flights conducted under 14 CFR 91, Subpart K. The Phase 5 authorization comes after six months of validation testing of the device across Flexjet's fleet of aircraft and acceptance of its standard operating procedures. The company's complete transition from paper to electronic navigational charts is planned for January 2013.

"The FAA validation test was critical to the success of Flexjet's Electronic Flight Bag program, and we are quite pleased with the results collected during the test period," said Thomas Cantabene, Chief Pilot, Flexjet.

The Electronic Flight Bags' mobile technology replaces paper-based reference materials – including navigational charts and aircraft operating manuals – with real-time data and increased situational awareness for those operating the aircraft. Each iPad device weighs approximately 1.35 pounds, significantly less than the more than 120 pounds in printed materials typically required per flight. Replacing paper with the device also results in more than half a gallon of fuel saved per flight hour, creating less of an impact on the environment.

"Flexjet's interest in Electronic Flight Bags extends beyond the use of just navigational charts in flight," added Deanna White, President, Flexjet. "Looking to the future, our ultimate goal is to integrate a number of aspects of our offering into the device to increase productivity and eliminate costs, while improving on the already stellar customer service for which we are known."

For more information, call 1-800-FLEXJET or visit www.flexjet.com.

About Flexjet
Richardson, TX-based Flexjet—a division of Bombardier, the world's largest business aviation manufacturer—first entered the fractional jet ownership market in 1995. Flexjet now offers whole aircraft ownership and management, fractional jet ownership, jet cards and charter brokerage services. Flexjet's fractional aircraft program is the first in the world to be recognized as achieving the Air Charter Safety Foundation's Industry Audit Standard, and Flexjet is the first and only company to be honored with its 13^th FAA Diamond Award for Excellence. Flexjet's fractional program fields an exclusive family of Bombardier business aircraft—the youngest in the fractional jet industry with an average age of approximately five years—including the Learjet 40 XR, Learjet 45 XR,

Learjet 60 XR, Challenger 300 and Challenger 605 business jets. For more details on innovative programs and flexible offerings, visit www.flexjet.com.

Flexjet has an approved fractional ownership program pursuant 14 C.F.R. Part 91, Subpart K, and manages flights for individual aircraft owners under Part 91 whole aircraft management program. All other flights (e.g. Flexjet 25 jet card program, charter brokerage program, etc.) are provided by certificated air carriers in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, as Flexjet is not an air carrier.

The Flexjet 25 Jet Card Program is operated under Part 135 by Jet Solutions, LLC, a U.S. air carrier. Flexjet acts as an agent for Jet Solutions, LLC, in connection with the Flexjet 25 Jet Card program. Flexjet acts as an agent for the customer with on-demand charter broker services when arranging transportation operated under Part 135 by U.S. air carriers.

About Bombardier
Bombardier is the world's only manufacturer of both planes and trains. Looking far ahead while delivering today, Bombardier is evolving mobility worldwide by answering the call for more efficient, sustainable and enjoyable transportation everywhere. Our vehicles, services and, most of all, our employees are what make us a global leader in transportation.

Bombardier is headquartered in Montréal, Canada. Our shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD) and we are listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America indexes. In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, we posted revenues of $18.3 billion USD. News and information are available at bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.

Bombardier, Challenger 300, Challenger 605, Flexjet, Flexjet 25, Learjet 40, Learjet 45, Learjet 60, The Evolution of Mobility and XR are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.

SOURCE Flexjet