The Federal Aviation Administration has approved the use of Apple iPads by American Airlines pilots. The airline will begin using the devices in cockpits during mainstream U.S. flights this Friday.

According to ZDNet, American Airlines tested iPads for all phases of flight this past summer, after pilots for that airline got FAA approval to test the tablet computers with electronic charts. They then asked whether iPads could be employed instead of paper books and charts.

Other airlines, including United, Alaska, and UPS, are reportedly also reviewing the potential use of iPads in cockpits. But they have not yet been given FAA approval to employ the devices during flights.

The FAA approval for American Airlines came after pilots flew thousands of hours with the iPads, according to ZDNet.

FAA approves iPads in the cockpit; American Airlines to start Friday [ZDNet.com via Pocket-lint.com]