PACE and UTC Aerospace Systems bring fuel efficiency application to pilot iPads

Aerospace software and hardware providers join forces to enable en-route flight profile optimization for tablet Electronic Flight Bags   

BERLIN/SEATTLE, 3 August 2015 – Aerospace software provider PACE has teamed up with UTC Aerospace Systems, a unit of United Technologies Corp., to make fuel efficiency application Pacelab Flight Profile Optimizer available to pilots using iPads in the cockpit. PACE’s on-board software helps airlines achieve significant fuel savings but at present runs exclusively on Windows-based EFB systems with full aircraft connectivity.

Pacelab Flight Profile Optimizer uses live aircraft and weather data to determine in real time the most cost-efficient flight trajectory for the remaining route to destination and alerts flight crews to their current cost-saving potential. This gives them a clear understanding of the economic impact of their en-route actions and enables them to proactively seek ways of minimizing trip cost.

Pacelab Flight Profile Optimizer requires a reading connection to the relevant aircraft systems, which iPads do not directly provide but which can be established via UTC Aerospace Systems’ tablet interface module, or ‘TIM™’. TIM lets pilots connect their mobile devices, both wired and wirelessly, to various aircraft systems including a powerful Windows device. The aircraft system data access is made by connecting the TIM with the UTC Aerospace Systems’ aircraft interface device (AID).

Commenting on the upcoming iPad solution, PACE managing partner Oliver Kranz said: “The UTC Aerospace Systems hardware solution allows connecting iPads to an aircraft’s avionics buses for the first time. This creates an exciting new market for sophisticated on-board applications, which we are happy to serve with our unique fuel efficiency capability. As a leading aerospace system integrator, UTC Aerospace Systems is a perfect fit for us.”

The partnership will also provide added value for prospective buyers of UTC Aerospace Systems hardware solutions and makes for a compelling sales argument, as William Baumgarten, business development manager with UTC Aerospace Systems’ aircraft data management team, explains: “Airlines operate on thin profit margins and must carefully weigh costs and benefits. An application designed to save them fuel and money can certainly tip the balance in favor of an investment.”