The iPad could soon be a pilot’s best friend. The Apple slate has been adopted by many airlines for their Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs) in order to replace paper and cut down on weight. Airplane manufacturer Airbus is taking the effort a step further with the upcoming ‘FlySmart with Airbus’ series of apps for iPads.

The apps will allow pilots to calculate performance and consult manuals without the need to cart around several hundred printed pages, meaning this is a smarter alternative to the current PC based EFB software.

Airbus’ new iPad solution has been tested by Airbus pilots in order to ensure its compliance with Airbus EFB standards. The iPad will also serve Airbus as a part of its Flight Test and Training Department, and Airbus will apparently be using Apple’s tablet as standard practice from now on.

Didier Lux of Airbus says that pilots will be able to optimize aircraft performance in the palm of their hand, by combining Airbus’ EFB content with the world’s most versatile mobile digital device, the iPad, adding that it will also help save cost, weight, and time.

The company says that the apps will be available soon from the App Store. You’ll need to be an Airbus customer to gain access to the software.