Southwest Airlines to Use Fujitsu Personal Systems’ Tablet PCs in the Cockpit to Calculate Crucial Flight Data
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — March 10, 1997 — Fujitsu Personal Systems, Inc. today announced that Southwest Airlines will equip its entire fleet of 250 Boeing 737-series jets with Fujitsu's Stylistic 1000 tablet PCs.
The tablet PCs will include software developed by Computing Devices International (CDInt). The total software and hardware solution, known as an aircraft Onboard Performance System (OPS), will be used by captains and first officers to analyze critical takeoff and landing data that will maximize aircraft safety, capabilities, and cost savings.
OPS assists flight crews in calculating maximum takeoff and landing weights in real-time under all combinations of environmental, airport and aircraft systems conditions. Some of the specific variables entered into OPS include runway length, aircraft weight at takeoff, runway conditions, weather conditions, pre-flight fuel weight, and the weight of passengers and cargo. OPS uses the same software screens on all models of B737 aircraft in order to reduce flight crew training costs and minimize the possibility of human error.
The tablet PCs are securely stowed immediately behind the first officer's seat in a special "cradle" placed at a 45-degree angle, allowing easy access for both the captain and the first officer. It is the first officer's responsibility to enter Airport Terminal Information System (ATIS) information such as active runway, wind direction and speed, atmospheric pressure and temperature. After calculating the entered data, the OPS advises the captain and first officer of the most efficient power settings and speeds for takeoff.
For example, changes to aircraft speed are typically made depending on whether the runway is wet or dry, since a wet runway requires increased stopping distance if a takeoff is aborted. The speed and accuracy of the calculations allows the captain to precisely adjust the engines for maximum efficiency. This minimizes engine strain, resulting in longer engine life and fewer costly engine overhauls.
In addition to maximizing aircraft safety and reducing engine repair costs, Southwest expects to increase revenue with OPS by more accurately calculating and safely adding cargo to each flight.
"Fujitsu's tablet PCs fit perfectly in the cockpit environment where crews must calculate precise takeoff and landing performance information," stated Paul Sterbenz, vice president of flight operations. "The Stylistic 1000 is a powerful tool that will help us optimize aircraft performance and simplify flight crew procedures, ultimately helping us maintain our 25-year flawless safety record."
Southwest has received preliminary approval for use of the new OPS solution from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Before obtaining final FAA approval, the check airmen who normally observe and critique pilots' flight procedures will run the Stylistic 1000 in parallel with Southwest's present system of manually charted data. The redundant procedures will ensure that the real-time results calculated by the tablet PCs match the documented data currently found in aircraft manuals. Results will be delivered to the FAA for final approval. Full implementation in all 250 Southwest jets is slated for April 1997.
"Handheld tablet PCs are proving themselves invaluable in situations where laptops are too cumbersome," stated Geoff Walker, vice president of marketing for Fujitsu Personal Systems. "The safety, cost-reduction and revenue-generating potential of the Southwest Airlines OPS is likely to become a model for the airline industry."
Southwest Airlines is already investigating additional ways of utilizing the Stylistic 1000 onboard aircraft. For example, a method of tracking fuel consumption and availability, as well as an enroute performance system are currently being researched. The industry-standard architecture of the Stylistic 1000 means that adding applications is easy and cost-effective, in turn extending system life and increasing Southwest's return on investment.
About the Stylistic 1000 The Stylistic 1000 tablet PC has all the power and standard features of notebook computers, but replaces the keyboard and mouse with an electronic pen; workers can then use the computer where typing would be inconvenient. The tablet PCs are shipped with Windows(R) 95, CIC's Handwriter Recognition (HRS) 5.0, and utility software that reduces the time Value Added Resellers (VARs) need to develop customer applications. Custom applications are rapidly developed using high-level languages such as Visual Basic(TM), C++ and Power Builder(TM).
Measuring just 7.3" x 11" x 1.6", the Stylistic 1000 weighs 3.4 pounds, including the long-life lithium-ion battery pack. The industry-standard architecture of the Stylistic 1000 includes a 100 MHz processor, 8 MB DRAM, PCMCIA hard disk drive, and standard serial, parallel, VGA monitor and keyboard ports with full-size connectors. Three different 8-inch LCD screens are available: transmissive monochrome for most indoor uses, transflective monochrome for improved outdoor visibility, and 256-color VGA for graphics, photographs and color-keyed drawings in image-based applications.
A complete array of accessories and peripherals make the Stylistic 1000 adaptable to many applications. Optional items include: 8 MB to 32 MB DRAM modules; 340 MB 1.8-inch PCMCIA hard drive; battery charger; AC adapter; auto adapter; keyboard; floppy disk drive; nylon slip case; harsh environment case; spare stylus kit; port replicator; folding desk stand; and bar code wand.
About Southwest Airlines Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV), the fifth largest domestic carrier in terms of Customers boarded, currently serves 50 cities in 24 states. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 2,150 flights a day with a fleet of 247 Boeing 737s with an average 7.9 years — one of the youngest pure jet fleets in the domestic airline industry.
Southwest Airlines has revolutionized air travel for 25 years by always offering affordable fares that give people the freedom to fly. More than a quarter-century ago, surveys showed that one in four Americans had flown. Today, since the inception of Southwest Airlines, three out of four people have experienced air travel. Southwest boards more than 45 million people annually, and it allows these people to go, see, and do things they may have never dreamed possible.
About CDInt Computing Devices International is the electronic information integration business unit of Ceridian Corporation, an information services and defense electronics company. Computing Devices serves government, defense and commercial markets. The company is headquartered at 8800 Queen Avenue South, Bloomington, Minn., 55431-1996, and can be reached at 612/921-6077.
About Fujitsu Fujitsu Personal Systems, Inc. is a leading provider of highly integrated mobile computing solutions for vertical market, decision-support applications. The company's industry-standard tablet PCs feature advanced CPU performance, extensive connectivity options and long battery life in compact, light weight form factors. A wholly owned subsidiary of Fujitsu, Ltd., Fujitsu Personal Systems (408/982-9500) has headquarters in Santa Clara, Calif., and offices throughout North America and Europe. Product information is available at 800/831-3183 or http://www.fpsi.fujitsu.com .
Note To Editors: Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft in the United States and other countries. All other products and company names used herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
CONTACT:
Fujitsu Personal Systems, Inc.
Mark Deneen or Wendy Olver, 408/982-9500
mark_deneen@fpsi.com
wendy_olver@fpsi.com
or
Southwest Airlines Inc.
Paul Sterbenz, 214/792-4113
Ben Langley, 214/792-4529
or
Computing Devices International
Phillip Benedict, 612/853-4518
or
Sterling Communications, Inc.
Diana Swanson, 714/488-8980
dks@sterlingpr.com