FAA Won't Change Wireless Rules
Jul 14, 2005, 1:09 PM by (staff)
The Federal Aviation Administration today has decided to maintain its current rules regarding the use of wireless devices on planes. Cell Phone use is still forbidden on domestic flights, regardless of FCC decisions. The use of other radio devices is still not allowed either, however the FAA did grant an exception for Wi-Fi on planes equipped with Boeing Connexion. The FCC is still considering lifting the ban on in flight calls and is accepting comments, however if the FAA won't change its position an FCC change is unlikely to have any effect on travelers.
Comments
Do phones actually interfere?
So, do cell phones actually interfere with the plane's instruments, or is this just the FAA being paranoid?
To be honest, I really can't say I would look forward to them allowing people to make calls on planes... it's too cramped on most flights to have some loudmouth rambling on for 3 hours or 4 hours or 12 hours or however long your flight is. We all know there would be someone with that phone attached to his/her head for the entire flight...
To be honest, I really can't say I would look forward to them allowing people to make calls on planes... it's too cramped on most flights to have some loudmouth rambling on for 3 hours or 4 hours or 12 hours or however long your flight is. We all know there would be someone with that phone attached to his/her head for the entire flight...
I can honestly say that about 6 months ago I got off the plane after we landed only to realize that I actually only silenced my phone instead of turning it off.
It was a 2 hour flight and we had no problems/turbulence/etc.
Now I'm not say...
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It was a 2 hour flight and we had no problems/turbulence/etc.
Now I'm not say...
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evilbstrd666 said:...
So, do cell phones actually interfere with the plane's instruments, or is this just the FAA being paranoid?
To be honest, I really can't say I would look forward to them allowing people to make calls on planes
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check out the feature article "the new mile high club," from a few months back. without special equipment specifically meant for using cell phones aboard airplanes, phones can interfere with avionics - to at least some degree. but in many cases it tak...
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In ideal situations? Most likely not.
In situations where there are only a handful of handsets active? Most likely not.
In a situation where everyone is yacking away at warp speed? Most likely not.
In a situation where everyone won't shut ...
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In situations where there are only a handful of handsets active? Most likely not.
In a situation where everyone is yacking away at warp speed? Most likely not.
In a situation where everyone won't shut ...
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Service
As of now there are restrictions that do not allow for the use of cell phones, obviously. I am just curious if it is possible to have service at 35,000 feet. I know if the FCC allows the use of cell phones on planes in the future, there will be enhanced service probably because the planes themselves will have mini towers so to speak. But as of now is it even possible???
The towers do work best without any obstructions......
I would doubt it though.
I would doubt it though.
Umm, radio waves transmit in a 360 degree arc. That happens to include straight up. So yeah, its very possible to get service at 35,000 feet. Heck you'd be able to get reception from ever tower in your carriers network from 35,000 as there are real...
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Saw it on CSPAN
So bored at 11 last night I was flipping through channels and landed on CSPAN. They were showing the subcomittee meeting. Seems like one of the biggest fears is that a phone could be used as a triggering device for explosives in checked luggage. No more suicide bombers, just send a cell phone.
The interference risks seemed to be much less a holdup as certainly the FAA would test and insure the safety of any technology it allowed onboard according to existing testing procedures. Airplanes are pretty darn safe machines.
Also the flight attendants seemed to be pretty against it, and as union members and leaders, carry a fair amount of weight in washington. They fear they won't be able to control the cabin. Understandable, but at the same...
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The interference risks seemed to be much less a holdup as certainly the FAA would test and insure the safety of any technology it allowed onboard according to existing testing procedures. Airplanes are pretty darn safe machines.
Also the flight attendants seemed to be pretty against it, and as union members and leaders, carry a fair amount of weight in washington. They fear they won't be able to control the cabin. Understandable, but at the same...
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FCC Ban on cellphone use, not FAA
I would like to clarify a common misconception that the FAA has a ban on portable electronic devices including cell phones. This is not true. As far as the FAA is concerned they leave it up to the flight's operator. The FCC has rules concerning in flight cellphone se, but the FAA doesn't have such a position. Here is a paste of section 91.21 within title 14 of the federal code of regulations (FAA Laws):
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Sec. 91.21 - Portable electronic devices....
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, no person may operate, nor may any operator or pilot in command of an aircraft allow the operation of, any portable electronic device on any of the following U.S.-registered civil aircraft:(1) Aircraft operated
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Thanks, that was very informative.
