Qatar Airways introduces mobile app for pilots

Above: QLOUD, a Qatar Airways designed application, provides pilots with real time and decision-relevant information.

Over 500 pilots have already used the new technology with 500 more set to begin using QLOUD over the next few weeks. All 2,500 Qatar Airways pilots are expected to be using the QLOUD system by September this year.

Qatar Airways has been innovatively using mobility technology in its various business functions for over three years, ensuring that its workforce, whether on the ground or in air, are able to retrieve decision-relevant information in real time, and in turn improve operational efficiency and enhance customer service.

QLOUD allows pilots to check-in for duty and retrieve important pre-flight information, such as their schedules, flight plans, maps, weather information, details of the crew they are flying with, hotel and destination information and dispatch briefs. This information is accessed at a time and place of their convenience ahead of the flight departure.

Qatar Airways CEO, Akbar Al Baker, said: “We are continually investing in mobile technology as a means to provide our workforce with real-time information, when required. Qatar Airways has always been, and continues to be, at the forefront of implementing technology for the purposes of increasing workforce productivity and efficiency, as well as enhancing customer service. We have already rolled out an internally developed iPad-based mobility application called QRUISE for our cabin crew which has been extremely successful.”

QLOUD also provides Qatar Airways pilots with easy access to operational documentation. Hard copies of flight operational manuals and regulatory documentation, which can easily run into thousands of pages, will become obsolete as soft copies will be made available on the iPads. Updates to these documents will be completed automatically by distributing relevant operational manuals and updates to all the pilots through QLOUD programming, which includes acknowledgment of receipt from the pilot. In addition, all the paper-based forms, which were being filled out manually by pilots, have been replaced with electronic forms as part of QLOUD.

QLOUD also aids pilots in scheduling their training, keeping track of their certification and fully supports eLearning. The platform provides easy access to all corporate applications required by pilots, including their email, providing everything needed by the flight crew community on a single device wherever and whenever they need it.

With Aviation Authorities approving iPads for use in the aircraft deck, Qatar Airways intends to enhance QLOUD to supplement and support on-board Electronic Flight Bag technology.