Boeing

Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Continental Airlines today announced that the airline will be the first U.S. carrier to use the Boeing Class 3 Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) on its 777s. Boeing has delivered the second of two 777-200ER airplanes equipped with the Class 3 Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) to Continental Airlines. The airline accepted delivery of their first EFB-equipped 777-200ER in March. Continental also selected the Boeing EFB to retrofit on its previously purchased 777s.

Certified for all phases of operation on the ground and in the air, Boeing's Class 3 EFB is integrated into an airplane's avionics. The Boeing EFB digitally delivers charts and manuals that pilots need to fly an airplane, giving them immediate access to critical information.

"We are very pleased to see the EFB take flight with Continental, as it is highly consistent with our companywide initiative to be paperless wherever possible," said Mark Moran, Continental's executive vice president-operations. "Having this technology on the flight deck makes this advanced aircraft even more capable."

EFB is a core technology in Boeing's vision of an e-Enabled air-transport system in which data, information and knowledge can be shared easily across an enterprise. The Class 3 device has the ability to serve as a critical communications gateway between the airplane in the sky and an airline's operations center and maintenance department on the ground.

"Continental is helping to pave the way for other airlines by implementing the best technology available to upgrade flight decks to the highest levels of safety and efficiency," said Dan da Silva, vice president of Sales and Marketing for Boeing Commercial Aviation Services.

Using software developed by Boeing and its subsidiary, Jeppesen, the Boeing EFB provides a scalable, open-architecture platform that allows the airline to add its own documents or third-party applications. The fact that the Class 3 EFB is integrated into an airplane's avionics allows the tool to be certified for all phases of operation on the ground and in the air.