FAA reconsiders restrictions on elect devices on planes

[raccoonradio]

http://www.lvrj.com/opinion/-please...intless-air-travel-restriction-185845751.html

 

[Darth_vader]

Re: FAA reconsider restrictions on electronic devices on airplanes

Thus spake "Tom Reynolds":

Jan. 7, 2013 / 8:50 a.m.

"On the other hand, it's equally possible that that rule originated at a time when electronics DID interfere with aviation equipment, but now those electronics have advanced to the point where they NO LONGER interfere. If that is correct, then it is actually quite sensible to review that rule, and see if it is NO LONGER NECESSARY. Another example of the same thing is that there used to be an office rule that you couldn't write with blue ink. Which, as absurd as it sounds, actually made a lot of sense because copiers in those days couldn't see blue ink. But now copier technology has advanced to the point that it CAN see blue ink, and that rule is no longer necessary."

The few times I've had to fly anywhere commercially (most recent was in 2007, I think) I had my pocket cassette or CD players with me, and guess what? I left them on......the *entire* flight! Yup, from runway to runway, and not once did anybody bother/harass me about it. If it was generating any RF noise, it probably wasn't to an extent that it would have been detectable, considering all the noisy laptops and other things that were drowning it out around me. Essentially just a tiny whisper in a crowded room.

Well, I mean, on the 2007 (I think) flight back from Hawai'i an attendant did politely ask that I stow my CD player, but didn't say anything about its operation.

Even in "airplane mode", a cell phone's internal electronics will still generate RF noise when it's operating.

 

[Robert Bass]

In reality, I suspect portable ED's are only an issue in airline travel, if the plane itself has faulty wiring. I believe the Mythbusters confirmed this.

R

 

[Darth_vader]

Or faulty, old or inadequate RF shielding on the instruments and two-way equipment--I'd hate to think of how much noise is generated within the cockpit alone. Since VHF aircraft radios are AM, it often amazes me they work as well as they do given all the noisy electronics in use on commercial aircraft these days, especially in the cabin.

In neither case should an airplane have any business being in flight, especially if it's used in public transit situations (i.e. an airline.) It should be back at the hangar being serviced!

 

[buster2]

I once flew with a Northwest Airlines DC-10 pilot in his personal four-seat Cessna. One of our group asked if he should turn off his cell phone and the pilot said that was all bull****.

 

[oldtimeradio]

I've always wondered what cameras people are using to film take offs, landings, and in flight from their seats. Those don't generate any kind of signals?

Thanks.

 

[RadioFan2J3]

I once flew with a Northwest Airlines DC-10 pilot in his personal four-seat Cessna. One of our group asked if he should turn off his cell phone and the pilot said that was all bull****.

Wasn't the real issue early on with cell phones was the potential for interference to a large number of cell sites an airborne cell phone could tie up?

Interference with aircraft systems can't be much of an issue, considering that some airlines offer cell phone service in flight. Did four legs on Emirates in the last few weeks, and on all four, you could use cell phones once we reached 10,000 feet.

 

[TheBigA]

I once flew with a Northwest Airlines DC-10 pilot in his personal four-seat Cessna. One of our group asked if he should turn off his cell phone and the pilot said that was all bull****.

If you glance at your phone, you'll notice there's no signal when the plane is in the air.

In reality, I suspect portable ED's are only an issue in airline travel, if the plane itself has faulty wiring.

Or if the ED is faulty. Plus the additive effect of a couple hundred EDs might be a problem.

Take off & landing can be the most difficult part of the flight. To have passengers at full alert, and not distracted by a movie, might be a good thing. My problem is when we're stuck on the tarmac for an hour, and the ED rules are still being enforced.

 

[crainbebo]

Will that do any good for FM radios to be back in flight? I know many airlines have banned or extremely discouraged FM radios in flight due to air band interference. I've heard the stories of travelers picking up 300+ mi stuff on FM at 36,000 feet, so will that also be looked at as well?

-crainbebo

 

[Tom Wells]

I'm still waiting for the airline manufacturers to provide mediumwave "aerial" jacks next to the headphone jacks.

A long, long, time ago I snuck a walkman FM onto a flight to Korea and yes, the reception was wonderful.

But I've always wanted to figure out some way to make an AM radio to work in a plane.