Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human-Machine Interface
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Company Policy; Human Factors
This was my first trip after the iPad implementation. I pulled it out to see if it worked and it didn't. After initially signing in to unlock it; I tried to see if I could access my manuals. All I got was an error message stating my profile expired. I received no training on this piece of equipment; and I don't own a notepad (or whatever these things are called); so I had no idea what to do. I consulted the highly inadequate 'guide to [use] iPad' handout I received with it; and the bulletin regarding the iPad. Neither of these addressed this error message. I ended [UP] taking it into the Flight Office before my flight to seek guidance. The expert said the iPad dumped everything; and he had to completely reload it. When I asked why this happened (so I make sure it doesn't happen again) he said something to the effect of: yeah; it just does that sometimes. Great! So there I may be; in the cockpit; in an emergency situation; trying to access my flight manual; and nothing! Once again this is a clear case of the company's 'ready; fire; aim' style of management. This device is not yet ready for implementation; and therefore not safe as the only reference device for our manuals.
A319 Captain reports trouble accessing material in his company issued iPad and suggests that it is not ready to replace paper charts and manuals.