JOSS21 From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 39 posts, RR: 0 Posted (9 years 2 months 1 week 22 hours ago) and read 5824 times:
Does anyone believe that airlines and or FAA will in the future allow the usage of cell phones while the plane is in motion? Do they really interfere with the avionics?
IL76 From Netherlands, joined Jan 2004, 2235 posts, RR: 51 Reply 1, posted (9 years 2 months 1 week 21 hours ago) and read 5774 times:
GSM phones don't work in airplanes. The antennas on the ground pick up and send signals horizontally, not upwards. Perhaps, if you're lucky, you might still get some reception when flying low shortly after takeoff or when landing, but otherwise, it wouldn't make sense even switching on your phone. Your phone will start transmitting signals to do a location update (with the nearest antenna) and that might cause interference with the avionics. It's the "tuh-tuh-tuh"-sound you hear for example on your car-radio when the phone rings in your car.
Actually making a call at cruising altitude isn't possible.
JAL777 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 2, posted (9 years 2 months 1 week 21 hours ago) and read 5761 times:
Not to mention that at the speed the aircraft is traveling you'll be leaving and entering an antenna's reception every few minutes making your cellphone totally useless.
COAB767 From Guam, joined Nov 2003, 1377 posts, RR: 10 Reply 3, posted (9 years 2 months 1 week 21 hours ago) and read 5762 times:
I heard this story on the news last year I believe, a passenger on a BA flight from SEA going to LHR decided to use his cell phone on take-off, so the pilot had to make an emergency landing just cuz of that.
Continental Micronesia: "Fly With The Warmth Of Paradise"
Canoecarrier From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 2657 posts, RR: 12 Reply 4, posted (9 years 2 months 1 week 21 hours ago) and read 5733 times:
I disagree with the comment that they don't work at all, they do. Remember 9/11? How many cellular phone calls do we have on record made from the planes while in flight. Not to mention some commercial airlines have a cell phone assigned to each aircraft to be kept in the cockpit.
That being said, I really would rather they continue to be outlawed. Who wants to hear 100 people chatting away on their phones during a 6 hour flight? It truly is one of the last non-cell zones we have left, let's keep it that way.
IL76 From Netherlands, joined Jan 2004, 2235 posts, RR: 51 Reply 5, posted (9 years 2 months 1 week 21 hours ago) and read 5712 times:
I was anticipating that comment.
I was talking about GSM (I'm a Nokia GSM NSS-engineer). Satellite phones work everywhere all over the world, GSM (which most people have) don't. Planes carry satellite phones.
But on 9/11, the planes were not really at cruising altitude anymore, were they? These people managing to make a call were lucky (Sorry for the expression, of course they weren't lucky )...
Mir From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 19688 posts, RR: 56 Reply 6, posted (9 years 2 months 1 week 21 hours ago) and read 5711 times:
I believe that it's not an FAA rule, it's and FCC rule. When you fly in a plane, your higher location above the horizon means that you are in range of more than one antenna at once, which clogs up the system. Thus, the FCC bans cellphones in planes.
That's what my flight school told me.
Mir
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Canoecarrier From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 2657 posts, RR: 12 Reply 7, posted (9 years 2 months 1 week 21 hours ago) and read 5699 times:
Cell phones may be banned, and GSM phones may work, but the phones we have aren't GSM phones. I still think it's a really bad idea to let the traveling public use their cell phones inflight.
IL76 From Netherlands, joined Jan 2004, 2235 posts, RR: 51 Reply 8, posted (9 years 2 months 1 week 21 hours ago) and read 5686 times:
You are surrounded by antenna's all day. At any point in time (depending on the location) your phone is in contant contact with more than 1 antenne, choosing only the strongest one to make a connection. In a big city, your phone can choose 5+ antennas to connect to.
And, for example, as you drive on a highway and making a call, your phone will request a handover to another antenna when the signal of one antenna weakens, and another gets stronger. The system will not clog up. It's designed with overlapping antennas.
IL76 From Netherlands, joined Jan 2004, 2235 posts, RR: 51 Reply 9, posted (9 years 2 months 1 week 21 hours ago) and read 5674 times:
...Anyway, drifting off topic with my GSM comments...
I agree, people shouldn't (try to) use their phones on planes. Even if it is possible, I agree with Canoecarrier, sitting around with hundreds of people chatting on a phone for hours is not fun. It already annoys me on a bus- or trainride, which doesn't take more than 30 mins. Imagine a 6 hour flight with beeping ringtones and such!!
Planesarecool From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2001, 4088 posts, RR: 13 Reply 10, posted (9 years 2 months 1 week 21 hours ago) and read 5661 times:
I can see how a cell/mobile phone might interfere with the avionics (at home if i have my mobile phone next to the computer, whenever i get a text message or a phone call, or send a text message or a phone call, my computer makes weird noises, and on my friend's computer it freezes the computer temporarily). But does it matter if you actually have your phone on in flight if you don't make or receive any calls or text messages. Because surely then it's just like an electrical object and they're usually allowed aren't they?
Canoecarrier From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 2657 posts, RR: 12 Reply 11, posted (9 years 2 months 1 week 21 hours ago) and read 5647 times:
You can have it with you, you're just not supposed to have it on. This is the same with MP3 players, laptops, etc. up until an altitude of 10,000ft, except cell phone useage is prohibited inflight.
Qantasclub From Australia, joined Nov 2003, 753 posts, RR: 3 Reply 14, posted (9 years 2 months 1 week 20 hours ago) and read 5583 times:
Yes, but is there any ACTUAL EVIDENCE that they cause interference with the plane's operating systems or is it all just bandwagon stuff-just like all this crap about DVTs and the global airline hysteria over prevention when studies have actually shown that there is no actual statistical risk of a DVT when flying UNLESS you have a pre-existing thrombotic tendancy in whihc case you are likely to develop a clot sometime in your life anyway, flying or not.
I leave my mobile phone on but never answer it throughout the flight.
Lauda777 From Australia, joined Nov 2003, 165 posts, RR: 0 Reply 15, posted (9 years 2 months 1 week 20 hours ago) and read 5577 times:
If you have a satellite phone the same type as the ones connected in your seat and in the cockpit you should be able to use it as they obviously don't cause interference, after all why should you have to pay the $10 or $12 per minute most airlines charge for a phone call, I realise not many people have satellite phones because of their cost and size but the use of all other GSM and CDMA cellphones should remain forbiden.
We remind passengers all flights are non smoking, if you are caught smoking you will be asked to sit outside on the wing
Amwest25 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 17, posted (9 years 2 months 1 week 19 hours ago) and read 5526 times:
Cell phones in general should be banned. They are the most annoying things on the planet. Infact now at work I will refuse to help anyone until they get off their phone. Its simple politness.
I dont forsee cells ever being allowed while inflight.
Jumbopilot From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 18, posted (9 years 2 months 1 week 17 hours ago) and read 5434 times:
Amwest25: Cell phones in general should be banned. They are the most annoying things on the planet. Infact now at work I will refuse to help anyone until they get off their phone. Its simple politness.
I sympathize with your feelings. But, on the other hand, for myself the mobile phone (in German called "handy" ) is a working tool as my notebook, too. I am often on the way and it is the easiest way to remain in contact with my office. But in opposition to some other men I try to use it without disturbing other people (Not always with success, I know).
I cannot understand why some men must use their mobile phone while boarding until starting of engines. It is terrible and nerving to meet with such bad organized guys. In my eyes it is not necessary to allow using of that devices if they are not functioning airborne.
Air2gxs From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 19, posted (9 years 2 months 1 week 16 hours ago) and read 5397 times:
Lauda777,
Though I'm not familiar with the installation of the sat. phones on aircraft, I do know that all antenna cables are shielded to prevent interference until the signal gets to the antenna. Thus, I imagine the sat. phones are also connected to their antennas via shielded cable, reducing and/or eliminating the chance of interference with other aircraft systems.
Your sat. phone would not have this shielding, thus can/may/will cause interference.
Of course, I could be wrong since I have no experience with sat. phone installations on pax aircraft, I'm just a freight dog.
FlyingDoctorWu From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 307 posts, RR: 0 Reply 20, posted (9 years 2 months 1 week 16 hours ago) and read 5380 times:
I have one of the candy bar style GSM phones and one time it accidentally turned on in my pocket in flight- I just happened to check the phone while we were flying over Washington DC- no signal....
I am not sure what sort of interference the cellular signal causes with airline equpment but there are anecdotal case reports of cell phones interferring with medical equipment- specifically cardiac monitoring devices and ventilators. I did a literature search on this and it's rather inconclusive of A)whether or not cell phones interfere and B) whether or not such interference is clinically significant.... Nontheless, if I was flying I would not want anyone to have their phones on, if there is a slight change that some interference causes trouble- you only need one incidence to make a disaster.
KEno From Malaysia, joined Feb 2004, 1841 posts, RR: 31 Reply 21, posted (9 years 2 months 1 week 16 hours ago) and read 5350 times:
Cell phones should never be used during take offs and landings because they might interfere with the ATC communications. Apart from these critical moments, I don't think there's much harm of using them (if the phone works, that is).
Sentiasa Melepasi Jangkaan bersama Penerbangan Malaysia
Air2gxs From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 23, posted (9 years 2 months 1 week 15 hours ago) and read 5244 times:
In a perfect aircraft nothing will happen or should happen. But as an aircraft ages problems occur. The thing that concerns cell phone, or any other radio emitting device, is the shielding breaking down on critical wiring allowing stray signals into the wire.
Example: (in simple and general terms)
In a modern autopilot system the computer tells the control surface actuator to move a certain amount to in order to control the aircraft properly. The actuator sends a signal back to the computer (feedback) that tells it that it has moved. These wires are shielded in order to prevent erroneous signals from interfering with this communication. If this shield has broken down (through age, damage, incorrect installation, etc) it is possible that an outside signal can cause an undesired effect. This communication is continuous and happens through-out the entire aircraft.
Therefore, it is critical that these devices that emit signals should not be used during the critical phases of flight.
Cell phone use is troublesome because of the relatively high emissions (compared to a CD player) it produces.
Dan6681 From United States of America, joined Nov 2002, 91 posts, RR: 0 Reply 24, posted (9 years 2 months 1 week 15 hours ago) and read 5212 times:
First off I have to say the use of the word cell phone or calling ones mobile phone a cell makes no sense whatsoever and it annoys me every time I hear it.
IL76;
Working for Nokia you must know our situation in the U.S. regarding mobile phone networks. Our GSM standard being 1900 while the rest of the world with the exception of Mexico, Canada, and Puerto Rico is on 900/1800. Is one more harmful to surrounding equipment then the other? Also I have had a CDMA phone that worked in flight. Are CDMA,TDMA,Amps phones more or less disruptive to surrounding equipment i.e. avionics then GSM.
EWR-SIN 18.5hrs bring it on!
25 Kanebear: I can't remember now where I read it but I recall seeing that a wireless firm was looking into providing an airborne mobile phone 'gateway' that would
26 Ralgha: 47 CFR § 22.925 Prohibition on airborne operation of cellular telephones. Cellular telephones installed in or carried aboard airplanes, balloons or a
27 Starlionblue: Quite apart from the technical reasons which are course are most important, it would be quite rude to talk on your cell in flight. The signal can be s
28 ANA777Master: Anyone who uses a cell phone on a flight, for a non-emergency, deserves a boot in the face, in my opinion.
29 Starlionblue: Or at least public service in the form of washing AF 744s
30 CWUPilot: Mir is correct. The FCC says it will take away your service/impose a fine if you use a cell phone in flight, weather it's at 1,000' or 39,000' agl. Th
31 XFSUgimpLB41X: Canoecarrier- the phones worked on 9-11 because the airplanes were flying on the deck... I always used to keep mine on when i was instructing..works l
32 NWA ARJ: Actually I do not believe that it is a FAA rule that says no cell phones. My ground instructor at UND explained to us that it is a FCC rule because th
33 Avioniker: Cell phones emit an RF signal at a tuned frequency. Interference with that signal causes harmonics which are multiples and fractions of the tuned freq
34 Sovietjet: On 9-11 the planes were flying at a low altitude therefore it was possible.
35 Dc10hound: And if you want comprehensive technical data from another source: http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAPAP2003_03.PDF "The tests covered the cellphone trans
36 777ualsfo: I agree with everyone so far- allowing cell phone use on board would be a flight from hell. It is bad enough to hear everyone yakking away during the
37 Jwenting: Another reason why cellphones in the US (at least SOME networks) may work while GSM phones do not is because they're based on different technology. GS
38 CPDC10-30: in the US, most networks still use older analog technology that was abandones in Europe circa 1997 Acutally, there are very few analog only phones us
39 Iakobos: One major reason why cellular phones should be switched off onboard aircrafts is related to security. 10 grams of plastic explosive hidden inside can
40 FunFlyer: Um, first I dont care if it interferes with anything, It would just be DAMN annoying, imagine like 100 people on there damn phones!
41 XFSUgimpLB41X: "Cellphones, be it NMT, GSM, AMPS, TACS, TDMA, CDMA, work generally well inside aircrafts, although at altitude ones needs to be pretty close to a win
42 Rick767: The CAA report DC10hound mentioned was really a bit of an impractical analysis of the risks and effects of cellular phones used by passengers, with ai
43 Airplay: I leave my mobile phone on but never answer it throughout the flight. First and foremost, it is quite irresponsible to experiment with other passenger
44 Rick767: "I find it quite irresponsible to use a loaded airplane as a science experiment!" That's the point though - the "science experiment" as you put it is
45 Artsyman: I also find it odd the amount of cell phone calls from 9.11. I, and every single one of my friends in inflight at Continental have yet to ever get a s
46 Iakobos: XFSUgimpLB41X Cellular base stations are in most cases using directional antennas. These are both directional in azimuth and elevation, according to w
47 Moolies: On a flight on a 738, a few friends and I were going to a rowing regatta for the weekend. On the approach a space kadet friend of ours had left his ph
48 Clickhappy: bottom line is this, given the security around planes and flying these days, would they let us take our mobils onboard if they posed a real threat?
49 Mhsieh: On 9/11, the calls were made from in-flight phones (those found on the seatbacks of the middle seat) and not personal cellular phones. I never heard o
50 Startvalve: I find it funny that cell phone usage is outlawed in the air but this headset comes equipped with a cell phone interface. I thought it was dangerous e
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) is a working tool as my notebook, too. I am often on the way and it is the easiest way to remain in contact with my office. But in opposition to some other men I try to use it without disturbing other people (Not always with success, I know). 
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