TACCO – TAblets for Combat COckpits
TACCO, made by pilots for pilots, is a fully integrated “Electronic Flight Bag” (EFB) which offers professional military and airline pilots a range of easy to use tablet apps. TACCO is an intuitive and smart EFB software suite, allowing full integration of the desired military flight and airline processes, and provides a platform for further growth. TACCO supports the pilots and flight crews in the execution of their tasks with the ultimate goal to maintain the level of safety and to increase efficiency in a demanding work environment.
Data exchange between the cockpit and the air force/airline back--office is provided through a dedicated (secure) TACCO BASE server, which ensures timely and error--free data and full control of the EFB’s in the field. The TACCO software suite consists of type A and B software modules and is – through its touch screen user interface – suitable for use on all Class 1, 2 or 3 EFB devises, or even a combination of all.
Air Force pilots using the Windows 8 tablet in the cockpit from MS Partner.
Jon Roskill introduces Flight Bag by Paceblade, a Windows 8 tablet application being used by fighter pilots in the cockpit to replace traditional paper checklists and reduces the time needed to access information by up to 75%
TACCO
PaceBlade and PaceBlade Defense, a manufacturer of niche market tablet computers, has created TACCO (TAblet for Combat COckpits). Based on the Windows 10 platform, TACCO is a solution framework that incorporates the delivery of hardware, software and services (security, distribution, updates support – both hardware and software) for the development of tailored cockpit tablets for NATO and NATO partner pilots. The Windows 10 platform offers a range of features such as advanced security, touch, mobility and device compatibility that enables PaceBlade to offer pilots a secure mobile platform for hosting apps which increase fl ight safety, effi ciency and combat effectiveness.
Safety
The fighter pilot performs all flying, navigational and tactical tasks alone. TACCO/ DFB eliminates the difficulty in accessing hundreds of pages of various publications in various locations in the cockpit by reducing them to a single digital application carried on the pilot’s knee.
Speed
Fighter pilot time is measured in seconds and fractions of it. The DFB reduces the time finding critical information in-flight to the maximum extent possible.
Completeness
The pilot’s knee is valuable real-estate in a cockpit, and there isn’t extra space to carry a paper checklist and a digital checklist on one knee. Having ALL unclassified publications and checklists in ONE application is a necessary best use of available space.
Simplicity
The task load in a fighter cockpit could be the highest of any workspace. Time spent on finding checklists and approach plates is time that cannot be used to maneuver, evaluate threats or focus on tactical tasks. Therefore working the TACCO/DFB should be extremely easy as to eliminate the chances of errors and to decrease time spent ‘heads-down’.