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For those of you who have had your iPhone on a plane what kind of signal are you getting in the air? I want to get an iPhone and be able to use it while flying my plane to get radar and updated weather. An iphone would be a great alternative to the other inflight weather systems. Has anyone got a usuable signal while flying?
 
For those of you who have had your iPhone on a plane what kind of signal are you getting in the air? I want to get an iPhone and be able to use it while flying my plane to get radar and updated weather. An iphone would be a great alternative to the other inflight weather systems. Has anyone got a usuable signal while flying?

No offense, but it's people like you that cause airlines to institute their "bans" on even flight mode. They just don't trust passengers, and you're the example why they don't.

Besides, at 30,000 feet you're not going to get a signal anyway. Plus, the clouds are below you so it's always clear and cold. That's your weather report. :)
 
I was not talking about using it on airlines. I was talking about using it on low level VFR flights that are exempt from the regulations in the FAR/AIM. As I said in my earlier post this was in my own personal plane which I fly without a flight attendant.
Does anyone know how well the iPhone picks up the att signal in the air?
 
I was not talking about using it on airlines. I was talking about using it on low level VFR flights that are exempt from the regulations in the FAR/AIM. As I said in my earlier post this was in my own personal plane which I fly without a flight attendant.
Does anyone know how well the iPhone picks up the att signal in the air?

My bad. Didn't read all the above posts. FWIW, my buddy is a pilot with a major airline, and they use their phones in the cockpit. Battery drains mega-quick and they lose signal above (I believe) 10,000 or so feet.
 
Wi-Fi on Lufthansa

I flew PHL to Frankfurt to Munich last November and had wi-fi all the way there and back for my MacBook. No charge. I even used Skype to call someone at home. No charge. If I had had an iPhone, I would have been able to do the same, although Skype doesn't yet have a web-based interface.

Eph
 
My bad. Didn't read all the above posts. FWIW, my buddy is a pilot with a major airline, and they use their phones in the cockpit. Battery drains mega-quick and they lose signal above (I believe) 10,000 or so feet.

Generally, I loose signal at about 4500 to 5000 FT. it sometimes will work at higher altitudes but the above seems to be the rule.
 
Tell them to go f**k themselves, If its legal to use on a plane in Airplane mode then use it. If anyone approaches you say sorry put it in your pocket when their backs turned whip it back out.

I agree 100%; the airlines all can go to hell for their horrible service and terrible attitudes towards their customers...
 
iPhone in the air

I have the rare privilege of flying in a private jet for work about 12 times a year. I usually loose phone signal at around 4700 - 5000 feet.

Our pilot said he doesn't care if we leave our phones on. It doesn't affect anything anyway. The rule is for antiquated phones on older planes.

Anyone see the Mythbusters episode about cell phones on planes? They couldn't get anything significant to happen until they used a real old phone on old navigation equipment. I know it's not proof, but interesting none the less.

my 2 cents,
Darcy
 
I have the rare privilege of flying in a private jet for work about 12 times a year. I usually loose phone signal at around 4700 - 5000 feet.

Our pilot said he doesn't care if we leave our phones on. It doesn't affect anything anyway. The rule is for antiquated phones on older planes.

Anyone see the Mythbusters episode about cell phones on planes? They couldn't get anything significant to happen until they used a real old phone on old navigation equipment. I know it's not proof, but interesting none the less.

my 2 cents,
Darcy
Keep in mind, even if the pilot says it's OK, it's still illegal.
 
He'll just be in PMITA prison for a couple years.

I wonder how many people will actually get the film reference to that. :D

As to the topic at hand, the best thing would be not to pull your iPhone out until after the plane has taken off and the pilot says you can use electronic devices. Even then, if you're afraid the flight attendant will get on your case about it, just hide it when they walk by.
 
Tell them to go f**k themselves, If its legal to use on a plane in Airplane mode then use it. If anyone approaches you say sorry put it in your pocket when their backs turned whip it back out.

yeah you try that. You'll get a friendly visit from homeland security when you land.
 
US Federal Law also allows for the use of FAA-approved portable electronic devices at a height of 10,000 feet or more. Which happens to include cell phones with an airplane mode. So, who trumps who here?
Two words get the final word on this issue. CALL AHEAD. Find out, 1.) "Airline Policy on airplane mode" 2.) If "Yes", what to tell the stewardess, or how to make them aware you have it in the "right" mode. 3.) If "No", then "why the hell NOT" and "Who do I need to contact to complain" (then complain as loudly and as annoyingly as possible). That's about it.

~ CB
 
I flew PHL to Frankfurt to Munich last November and had wi-fi all the way there and back for my MacBook. No charge. I even used Skype to call someone at home. No charge. If I had had an iPhone, I would have been able to do the same, although Skype doesn't yet have a web-based interface.

Eph

Seveal euro airlines like Luftansa offer in-flight wifi.

Several US carriers are looking to follow suit soon but they will probably charge for the pleasure.

And skype is coming I am sure...it's just very clunky right now.
 
Plane safety

I think it is a design flaw to have this weakness on a plane. The safety of everyone on board shouldn't be dependent on if someone has a electronic device turned on.
 
Took Iphone to Tel Aviv via Continential and it was a life saver. Watched a couple of movies AND listened to the Ipod the whole way there, and still had enough battery life for WIFI at the layovers and phone calls. Amazing part, it did this on the flight back, which was 2 hours longer.

As for complying with flight crew - don't ever (#*$ with them. Think of the big picture beyond your petty Iphones, their job is to get you safely from A-B, give them some respect.
 
Seeing how it is also an ipod I would be pissed if I was told I couldn't use it. The ipod is the reason flights go well for me.
 
I think it is a design flaw to have this weakness on a plane. The safety of everyone on board shouldn't be dependent on if someone has a electronic device turned on.

Hate to break it to you, but most planes standard airlines fly were built before cell phones were commonplace or even really practical. When a plane costs $35 million, you don't buy new ones just to get the avionics shield so twits can use their cell phones even though they're not supposed to...

the new planes with wifi are recent builds and the avionics are shielded from RF. Not all planes have this and it's not really feasible to expect them to. You want to fly on a plane with shielded avionics, buy your own. Then you're guaranteed!

I fly private these days anyway with ticket prices and flight overcrowding at an all time high, so I don't even worry about this stuff anymore. AND I get all my work done, with no screaming children or snoring people because it's just me, a friend, and the flight attendant.
 
my philosophy is I know *i'm* not causing any trouble so anything that I do to distract people from looking out for bad guys is a very very poor choice to make.

I would hope everyone else would see the wisdom in that approach to travel.
 
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