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Airplane Mode
- Thread starter mtbmtb
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It turns off all of the radios so that the device is in compliance with FAA rules.
As a practical matter, these devices do not create interference for aircraft. A significant number of uses fail to turn their phone/tablet to "airplane mode" before flights. Their phones will merrily seek to establish connections to cell towers; planes don't crash because of this.
"Airplane Mode" is useful for any time that you want to shut down all of the devices radios and conserve power.
I've often wondered where that myth started - that cellphones can interfere with avionics. I found only one reference, to tests done in a lab in the UK.
Too bad the FAA has never done a follow up study.
Simulated cell phone signals..... Not cell phones
Too bad the FAA has never done a follow up study.
Simulated cell phone signals..... Not cell phones
Well crap - you need to get in touch with the FAA immediately. They'd love to hear what you have to say with regard to this matter - it'd be fantastic to rid ourselves of these pesky regulations!
It's true that most consumer mobile devices don't interfere with aircraft systems, however there are a minority that do. And since it would be too tedious to test every single model of tablet and phone to see if it would interfere with aircraft systems the FAA had to simply ban all mobile devices from operating their wireless systems during flight.
What evidence do you have that shows this to be true? The FAA has NEVER studied this. The only study is from the UK and they used SIMULATED cell phone signals, not real cell phones.
This whole thing is a myth, started by poor science. The FAAs electronics genius accepted the UK study because there MIGHT BE a chance of interference, not because there was any proof of actual cell phone interference.
IT's not the radio's in current electronics that's really the problem. The trouble is that they don't know what effect newer radio/aerial/whatever communication technology will have an aircraft navigation. So, it's safer to get them all turned off. Fair enough if you ask me.
The regulation was put in place in 1961....according to the FAA website. They were concerned with radios, not cell phones. They have simply updated the wording since to cover each emerging technology.
I thought this too until I realised you had to turn it on and throw it from a height of at least 10 metres. That should kick it into action
If they ban cellphones on airplanes, why don't they ban WiFi on them too?
In-flight WiFi is provided via a single incoming satellite connection which can be switched off at the will of the flight crew, which is totally different to hundreds of people having outgoing connections with nearby cell towers. Think of it this way - sometimes when you get a huge crowd of people that all have their cell phones switched on (eg. sporting events), it may 'overload' the network in that area and as a result the coverage may not be as reliable as it normally is. While it is yet to be 'proven' (but to be honest, it's a case of better safe than sorry; god forbid the day we lose an aircraft due to interference), it may be possible that the same kind of interference could occur to the instruments inside the aircraft.
However, I would like to point out that this ban is simply related to transmitting devices - devices that send out a signal - which is why cell phones have the Airplane Mode option. The reason why flight crew ask for devices to be completely turned off for taxi, take off and landing is nothing to do with interference at all; it's so the passengers pay attention to the safety demonstration, and so they are more attentive in the event that a sudden evacuation is necessary (hence why electronic devices can be used after the seat belt sign has been dimmed).
It would make little sense that airports have implemented severe enough secure measures to cause long screening delays, make us remove our shoes, require us to surrender beverages, grooming accessories and nail clippers if all that's required to take down a plane is a cell phone.
There is absolutely NO evidence that cellphones interfere with avionics. The UK test was NOT done using actual phones, it was done using simulated cellphone signals.
The FAA actually has procedures on their website for airlines that want to allow personal electronic devices (PEDs) to be used in flight - to test for any interference. They appear to be pretty convoluted, but they still do not get past the fact that the FCC does not license cellphones for use in the air, only on the ground, and the FAA cannot override the FCC here...
You should present your case before the FAA and get the rules changed.
"If it please the panel, I seriously did like 15 minutes of google research, I really and honestly know what I'm talking about better than you!" I'd put it in a really condescending tone, that way they know for sure that you mean business.
Read the FAAs own website. They have no data. Everything is total speculation. They even have documented processes to let each airline ferrule the FAAs regulations.
Hardly a case for "We have done exhausting tests and here is what we discovered."
Even the FCC statement is based on pure speculation that there might be issues with ground stations. Their own wording says they have also done no testing, just total speculation and concerns without any testing.
I guess that's enough for you, but in my job, speculation is not enough to set policy.
Last I knew there were no cellphone towers in the oceans.... Next time you are on a trans oceanic flight, take your phone off airplane mode and see if you get a signal...
I don't disagree that having a plane full of people on the phone would be annoying, but if you are going to ban a technology because it's annoying, don't hide behind safety.
Tell the truth. We are adults. We can handle the truth.