Airbus has partnered with Dell to provide electronic flight bag (EFB) systems for A320 airliner operators worldwide, PCWorld reports.

An EFB is an electronic system for viewing and interacting with flight crew functions and replaces paper operating manuals, performance calculations, airport charts, and navigation charts.

Dell Latitude laptops, which will adhere to regulatory standards, will be preloaded with the FlySmart system with Airbus software, and installed as Class-2 EFB equipment. The initial agreement covers Airbus' single aisle aircraft, but may be extended in the future to cover other types.

A Class-2 EFB system is a portable laptop which is connectable to the aircraft's avionics systems and power supply via a docking station. Pilots can disconnect it from the aircraft, take it with them when leaving the aircraft and continue working with the data to prepare for their next flight, PCWorld says.

"Pilots will soon benefit from the very latest portable IT technology for viewing and interacting with their key documentation and information during all stages of the flight," commented Didier Lux, Airbus executive vice president of customer services. "This robust EFB solution will add value and increase efficiency to their daily work."

A number of airlines are moving documents kept in the cockpit to digital formats, both for easier data retrieval and to reduce weight. Alaska Airlines put flight manuals onto iPads two years ago, and Quantas adopted iPad manuals last year.