Even if you were to manage to get a lock where would the map data come from? You need a data transfer for the maps and the updating would be constant at that speed. Without a data connection you'd be a dot flinging across a grid... not very interesting.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
GPS and airplane mode
- Thread starter jmmo20
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Even if you were to manage to get a lock where would the map data come from? You need a data transfer for the maps and the updating would be constant at that speed. Without a data connection you'd be a dot flinging across a grid... not very interesting.
Damn, don't you hate that flight?? I sure hate it! It's so long and boring... But at lease I like Narita better than Taipei airport though.
As for wifi on the plane, I'm sure you can use your iphone to connect to the Wifi, as you can have the Wifi on when the airplane mode is activated.
Did you bother reading that I wasn't replying to the original poster? I'm addressing that poster and several others ignoring the requirement that it be in airplane mode but they're turning on the radios anyhow and then speculating why they aren't getting anything.
Legal or not to use, many airplanes DO use cell phone jammers that flood the band and force you to zip signal. You can tell your on a "jammed" flight when you have a signal just fine but lose it before you're more than 15 feet off the ground or halfway down the runway.
It could be interesting. I'm going on a trip soon and I plan on using my iphone to take a photo each place I take a photo with my SLR. When I get home and sync, I'll be able to use iPhoto and see all these places in the maps section. Then I can use that location info and add it to the photos I'll be taking with my big camera.
As far as on the flight, I think if you put your phone against the window and let it search, it just might lock onto the GPS. A lot of people seem to forget it's line of sight, so point it out the window. I even experience this in my car now and then. The cell towers will give me an approx location, and when I put my phone near a window, it will get the exact lock and show me the blue dot. You're right though, with no data service you'll be looking at a grid. Had that happen in the middle of the nowhere once. (though I placed a bookmark and was able to find it later on google maps when I got home)
Anyway, I'm hoping it'll work through the window, because I'd like to take a picture every 30 minutes or so and check out the locations later in iPhoto when I get back home!
It could be interesting. I'm going on a trip soon and I plan on using my iphone to take a photo each place I take a photo with my SLR. When I get home and sync, I'll be able to use iPhoto and see all these places in the maps section. Then I can use that location info and add it to the photos I'll be taking with my big camera.
As far as on the flight, I think if you put your phone against the window and let it search, it just might lock onto the GPS. A lot of people seem to forget it's line of sight, so point it out the window. I even experience this in my car now and then. The cell towers will give me an approx location, and when I put my phone near a window, it will get the exact lock and show me the blue dot. You're right though, with no data service you'll be looking at a grid. Had that happen in the middle of the nowhere once. (though I placed a bookmark and was able to find it later on google maps when I got home)
Anyway, I'm hoping it'll work through the window, because I'd like to take a picture every 30 minutes or so and check out the locations later in iPhoto when I get back home!
With out AGPS dont be surprised if it takes up to 4 mins for the gps to lock on to the needed sats.
GPS and cell use in flight
As a military and civilian pilot I regularly use GPS in flight and am aware of no such "security reasons" banning GPS use in flight. Using a cell phone will not interfere with flight instruments either. Or at least that has been the case every time I have made a call in flight. Mythbusters even did an episode on cell phone use and debunked the myth. Now maybe if everyone tried making a call simultaneously it might affect an instrument but I haven't tried that or have seen anything where it has been tested. Also, cell phone towers are designed to transmit and receive out and down but not up. I am told and have confirmed that around 2500 feet (Above Ground Level, not Mean Sea Level) cell phone service is typically lost. I have successfully sent and received text messages and phone calls below 2500 feet. The downside to having a cell phone turned on during flight is that every time it pings a tower or tries to ping a tower there is distortion in the headset of civilian aircraft. (military aircraft are shielded against interference)
I have an app on my phone that provides enroute charts (aeronautical maps) along with my current position through the GPS. The charts are cached on the phone which eliminates the need for a data connection. I would very much like to turn on airplane mode but retain the GPS capability in order to use the app while avoiding the radio interference. I know I can buy a GPS designed for flight but prefer spending a few dollars on an app instead of a couple thousand dollars when I am flying VFR (Visual Flight Rules).
As a military and civilian pilot I regularly use GPS in flight and am aware of no such "security reasons" banning GPS use in flight. Using a cell phone will not interfere with flight instruments either. Or at least that has been the case every time I have made a call in flight. Mythbusters even did an episode on cell phone use and debunked the myth. Now maybe if everyone tried making a call simultaneously it might affect an instrument but I haven't tried that or have seen anything where it has been tested. Also, cell phone towers are designed to transmit and receive out and down but not up. I am told and have confirmed that around 2500 feet (Above Ground Level, not Mean Sea Level) cell phone service is typically lost. I have successfully sent and received text messages and phone calls below 2500 feet. The downside to having a cell phone turned on during flight is that every time it pings a tower or tries to ping a tower there is distortion in the headset of civilian aircraft. (military aircraft are shielded against interference)
I have an app on my phone that provides enroute charts (aeronautical maps) along with my current position through the GPS. The charts are cached on the phone which eliminates the need for a data connection. I would very much like to turn on airplane mode but retain the GPS capability in order to use the app while avoiding the radio interference. I know I can buy a GPS designed for flight but prefer spending a few dollars on an app instead of a couple thousand dollars when I am flying VFR (Visual Flight Rules).
Hawkdriver: What app do you use for en-route charts? Does it provide sectionals as well as IFR charts? I've seen a few apps out there, but I don't know which are the better ones. I'm a private pilot and would like to purchase a good package for the iPhone.
I've used a Bluetooth GPS receivers with an AT&T 8525 on commercial flights and the only way I got them to work was by holding them right to the window. If the unit is small enough you can use the shade to hold it in place. There's not enough signal strength inside the aluminum tube that is a typical commercial cabin to get a satellite lock anywhere other than at a window. The GPS receiver in the iPhone is not particularly good so it probably needs all the help it can get to get a satellite lock. Maybe the TomTom dock could help since it is supposed to have a better GPS receiver.
I've used a Bluetooth GPS receivers with an AT&T 8525 on commercial flights and the only way I got them to work was by holding them right to the window. If the unit is small enough you can use the shade to hold it in place. There's not enough signal strength inside the aluminum tube that is a typical commercial cabin to get a satellite lock anywhere other than at a window. The GPS receiver in the iPhone is not particularly good so it probably needs all the help it can get to get a satellite lock. Maybe the TomTom dock could help since it is supposed to have a better GPS receiver.
Sectional App
The app I use is Sky Charts and I mis-spoke, it has sectionals for the entire US plus approach plates, arrival and departure procedures, along with all freqs and airport information, I don't remember the cost, but it updates monthly when the charts expire.
If anyone knows of an app that has enroute low altitude charts I would like to try it.
Also, Aero Wx is a great free app that will give you METARs and TAFs. Air Nav Pro is a paid app that has an HSI with VORs and NDBs but it is more of a novelty than anything I would try to actually fly in the soup with.
The app I use is Sky Charts and I mis-spoke, it has sectionals for the entire US plus approach plates, arrival and departure procedures, along with all freqs and airport information, I don't remember the cost, but it updates monthly when the charts expire.
If anyone knows of an app that has enroute low altitude charts I would like to try it.
Also, Aero Wx is a great free app that will give you METARs and TAFs. Air Nav Pro is a paid app that has an HSI with VORs and NDBs but it is more of a novelty than anything I would try to actually fly in the soup with.
The reason GPS is definitely okay is because it's passive. It doesn't send out a signal and only detects the satellite signal.
Foreflight just released Foreflight Mobile 3. It has weather (but doesn't seem to provide plain language translations), VFR charts, Low and High Altitude IFR charts, IFR Terminal Procedures, Airport Facility Directory and airport diagrams. You can also enter a route and request a weather briefing along it. I just got it yesterday and seems pretty cool. You can either download maps as you use them, or keep local copies for when you don't have internet access.
The app itself is free and you can use it for one month before deciding to subscribe. after that they offer a couple of different subscription plans ($70/year for the one with everything, on sale for $39.99 until the end of the year).
Skycharts is a one time $9.99, but the author says he may start charging for updates once it get to version 2 and includes many of the things Foreflight offers. I may give Skycharts a try too. I'm going to get the other apps mentioned.
The app itself is free and you can use it for one month before deciding to subscribe. after that they offer a couple of different subscription plans ($70/year for the one with everything, on sale for $39.99 until the end of the year).
Skycharts is a one time $9.99, but the author says he may start charging for updates once it get to version 2 and includes many of the things Foreflight offers. I may give Skycharts a try too. I'm going to get the other apps mentioned.
Does anyone know if the iPhones's GPS chip is turned on in Airplane mode, but with wifi-only enabled but not connected? (Yes, I know it might take 10 minutes to lock and get coordinates, and no maps could be downloaded.)
The discussions here of passengers turning on prohibited devices in flight is disturbing. There are several good reasons for the rules but suffice to say that random signals could cause serious interference with navigation and/or flight control systems, (even if only for a moment). And intentional flaunting of Federal law is a serious offense.
It is also worth mentioning here that I have seen unexplained signal fluctuations on flight instruments at or near the same time the flight attendants later confirmed that passengers were using phones.
RC
Airline Transport Pilot
Aircraft Mechanic
It is also worth mentioning here that I have seen unexplained signal fluctuations on flight instruments at or near the same time the flight attendants later confirmed that passengers were using phones.
RC
Airline Transport Pilot
Aircraft Mechanic
