Microsoft (MSFT) Surface 2 Tablet OK'd for Airplane Pilot Usage

Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is looking to take its tablet into the cockpit...and now has legal authority to do so.

Mentioned by CNET this afternoon, Microsoft posted an update on its Surface 2 being approved by the FAA for pilot usage. The following was posted by Microsoft on Monday night:

Given the growing interest among airline operators to adopt mobile technology as a means to simplify day-to-day business operations, the Surface team has been working hard to make it easier for these airlines to modernize. Today, we’re happy to share that Surface 2 tablets have achieved Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) authorization for Class 1 or 2 EFB needs for all phases of flight. Through this authorization process, we’ve completed rigorous environmental and situational testing of the Surface 2 tablet, streamlining the approval process when airline operators want to use Surface 2 tablets as a Class 1 EFB during flight operations. While airlines are still obligated to define their specific use requirements with the FAA and request specific device approval, our completion of these tests for Surface 2 satisfies a lengthy and important part of that authorization process. So when airlines look to select Surface 2 for their EFB initiatives, their timeline to deployment can be significantly decreased. And because this authorization includes all phases of flight, airlines can confidently plan for using Surface 2 tablets as the fully equipped and powerful PCs they are, rather than limit their use to serving just as simple document readers.

Notably, Apple's iPad was approved by the FAA in May 2011 and sales "took off" shortly thereafter. For more on that approval, click here.

Microsoft is up 1.2 percent and near days' highs Tuesday afternoon.

---

Serious News for Serious Traders! Try StreetInsider.com Premium Free!

---

You May Also Be Interested In

• Active options: MSFT PLTR META GOOGL SOFI MSTR IREN AMC IBM SMCI HOOD AMD
• This stock heads into earnings with 'a bag full of cash and a low valuation': analysts
• OpenAI launches open-source security program with Trail of Bits