Triumphrat

SpeedyPete · 01-07-2006

If anyone is in the know and has time on their hands....

I had a discussion with my wife last night about cell phone on planes.

My belief was that cell phoned actually do not effect the navigation systems on planes and the rules preventing cell phone use during taxi-ing were just a precaution and not based on any scientific merit.

Her belief was that mobile phones are potential trigger mechanisms for bombs and that's why rules prevent use while taxi-ing.

Any avionics engineers out there with the straight goods?

Pete.

PAAS · 01-07-2006

All the flights (primarily UK based carriers) I've been on since cell phones became common have required you to keep your phone switched off from the time the plane is ready to leave the stand until it reaches the stand at the destination (i.e. including time spent cruising at altitude). This is due to the possibility of the phone interfering with the plane's electrical systems - or so the flight attendants say when asking the passengers to turn their phones off.

If you've ever heard a cell phone interfering with a radio or landline phone, then you can see that it is possible that it could interfere with a plane's electronics. Whether one has actually ever caused a problem is open to debate. I don't recall an incident where it has been proved that a phone caused a plane to crash. Yes, cell phones can be used to trigger bombs, but I don't believe it is the primary reason their use on planes is prohibited.

Of course, now some operators are putting (expensive) phones on their planes for passengers to use, they have another reason to require you to keep yours switched off!

Paul.

[ This message was edited by: PAAS on 2006-01-07 06:04 ]

lanwanman · 01-07-2006

Quote:

On 2006-01-07 05:25, SpeedyPete wrote:
My belief was that cell phoned actually do not effect the navigation systems on planes and the rules preventing cell phone use during taxi-ing were just a precaution and not based on any scientific merit.

Her belief was that mobile phones are potential trigger mechanisms for bombs and that's why rules prevent use while taxi-ing.

Here's the scoop from the FCC...and it has nothing to do with avionics. The FAA has extensively tested cell phones in airplanes and can find no instances of interference with aircraft systems.

That being said, I rue the day that cell use is allowed on airplanes. It's my last bastion of freedom from idiots with cell phones and I do not relish the thought of spending hours (or what will seem an eternity) having to endure the endless, mindless prattle of cell conversations at 35,000 feet.

Clicky

rodburner · 01-07-2006

Mike Mike Mike

How else will Becky know when Todd`s plane is near touchdown,so she can re-apply her make-up in traffic,behind the wheel of her HummerII as she forces stevent off the road at 3PM,on his way home? :???:

oldsport · 01-07-2006

>>>and the rules preventing cell phone use during taxi-ing were just a precaution and not based on any scientific merit.

I'm doing a lot of commercial flying (in the US).

They require that you turn of cell phones before take-off but you can turn them on as soon as the plane lands. I see a lot of people using theirs while taxi-ing after landing.

During flight, you are told not to use any electronic device that sends or receives a signal; but I see people with laptops open which all have wireless networking.

CarlS · 01-07-2006

I was aware of the FAA's testing of cell phones and the results. Last year the FAA proposed a rule change to allow cell phones to be used in commercial aircraft. I have no idea what has happened with that proposal. I agree with Mike; it would suit me if the ban were left in place.

Steveky4 · 01-07-2006

Must admit I've never quite understood what the risk is to the aircraft, after all when the plane is taking off and landing there must be hundreds of people nearby on the ground and in the terminal using their cellphones and they don't affect the aircraft

I've also seen flight attendants telling people to turn off MP3 players and walkmans for the same reason 'may interfere with the plane's electronic systems' How is beyond me!

Steve

markxtc123 · 01-07-2006

Keeping in mind that most planes fly at around 10,000 metres, or 6.2 miles. If the plane happened to be directly over a cell phone mast it would still be 6.2 miles away from it. I don't think the average cell phone can transmit to a cell receiver over 6 miles away.

This means that until aircraft operators stick a cell phone mast outside the toilets in economy I doubt that there is a lot of use trying to use your cell phone when the plane is in flight.

dardoonk · 01-07-2006

I fly a lot and have never been able to get a straight answer to why cell phones must be turned off when the airplane door is closed. I have, however, been told it has nothing to do with avionics or the planes electrical system. These days, at least in the US you are now allowed to use your cell phone while the plane is in taxi toward the gate, but cannot use them when you taxi for take-off, which seems a bit odd.

I have discounted the potential risk of bomb detonation by phone for two reasons. 1) the guy with the bomb will not be obeying the verbal order & 2) if this was a risk, the FAA would be confiscating every cell phone prior to departure.

I do know that a cell phone will function at a reasonalby high altitude because some of the people who were highjcacked on 9-11 made calls before the plane went down in Pennsylvania.

My best guess is the FAA & FCC doesn't want cellular calls bouncing from one tower to another while you travel at 400mph. Considering the number of passengers in the air, it may cause significant problems.

If someone can get their Bonnie up to that speed, go ahead and make a call and let us know how it went!!
:-D :-D :-D

tba-golfer · 01-07-2006

Mike- you are spot on. I cringe and wretch at the notion of being stuck in a middle seat betwixt 2 lard butts yapping away to their office chums while we're half way over the Atlantic. Serenity Now!