FAA Alert points out that pilots fail to turn off their phones in flight

[MPSCS]

FAA Alert points out that pilots fail to turn off their phones in flight
FAA Alert points out that pilots fail to turn off their phones in flight | Geek.com

[chrismol1]

ha! won't that bring some more controversy.but all in all. I DO NOT want some yaking on their cell phone.
If your going to allow use of cell phones on plane, please turn off the Voice service to them. If thats not gunna happen the only place to get away from the cell yell is the toilet, unless your in a public restroom and still some people are on their phones while crapping

[MPSCS]

It's the old 'Do as I say, not as I do' syndrome. It's also interesting there have been no known ill effects of doing so. If cell phones could affect various systems on an aircraft, you'd think the chance of doing so would be increased dramatically by using them in the cockpit.

[poltergeisty]

So...

[RolnCode3]

OK. So I actually took the 2 minutes it takes to read the article.

It claims crews leave their phones on, but offers no evidence that this is a widespread problem - or even that the other members of the crew had their phones on. It says that during a single flight, a single phone rang. The inspector was on this flight, and this prompted the alert.

Other than the possibility that it could have been mistaken for a warning - who cares?

[poltergeisty]

Wait till you read the article about ATC communicating with pilots over cell phones because a fiber optic line was cut...

[MPSCS]

Originally Posted by poltergeisty

So...

So it's like I suspected right along, the cell phone ban on flights has nothing to do with interference to electronic systems on the aircraft.

[rdale]

Originally Posted by SIG-INT

So it's like I suspected right along, the cell phone ban on flights has nothing to do with interference to electronic systems on the aircraft.

Whether or not that's true, the article you posted has nothing to do with that.

"According to the description of the incident in the FAA alert, the distraction created by the cell phone could have caused the crew to unnecessarily to abort the plane’s takeoff."

[tonsoffun]

Was there not something on the news last week concerning a Airline allowing cell phone use now, why is the FAA not slapping them for interference issues.

Ron

[DPapay]

My girlfriend and I fly a couple times a year, she insists on leaving her cell on, even though I have stated my opinion, which she obviously does not value. Apparently she knows more about rf interference than anyone, even though she works in real estate. My take on this is "why take a chance".
They clearly have this as one of the rules, as they always remind you to do so, on every single flight we have been on. Thank god there has not been any problems, yet, but if we ever do? How can I shake the feeling of what if it was because of people leaving the phones on.... I work in 2-way radio, I have seen first hand what rf interference can do. And I know everyone has experienced the sound of cellphones sitting near thier work telephones and such.... When you are up there without a parachute, why take a chance?

[MPSCS]

Originally Posted by rdale

Whether or not that's true, the article you posted has nothing to do with that.

"According to the description of the incident in the FAA alert, the distraction created by the cell phone could have caused the crew to unnecessarily to abort the plane’s takeoff."

rdale you might want to read the story again, the plane did not abort takeoff, it continued without any problems.

"It seems an air safety inspector during a recent flight was present in the cockpit during a potentially dangerous incident involving a cell phone. The incident occurred while the plane was moving at critical velocity at takeoff when a “warbling” noise was noticed by the flight crew members. Luckily the plane continued takeoff without issue, however the strange noise was later revealed to have come from the ring tone from the First Officer’s cell phone that had been left on during flight."

[rdale]

Not sure I follow... Because this one flight had a cell phone left on, and it was a safe flight, there's absolutely no interference between cellphones and airplanes? Seems like an awful quick conclusion.

Not saying it's not true - but that's like saying you ran a red light once and survived, so can run a red light anytime...

[Ray_Air]

I wouldn't be to concerned over this. I don't think I ever turned my phone off. I usually just turn the ring tone off and vibrate to on to avoid a noise distraction.

[poltergeisty]

You guys do know that it is the FCC not the FAA that regulates PEDs/ cell phones?

The airline's define their own rules up to but not exceeding what the FCC has in place.

[DonS]

Originally Posted by poltergeisty

You guys do know that it is the FCC not the FAA that regulates PEDs/ cell phones?

Yep, the FCC (via 47 CFR 22.925) prohibits the use of cellular telephones aboard airborne aircraft. I can only presume that's because the FCC is worried about a 500+ MPH, 5-mile-high cell phone wreaking havoc with cell hand-offs or other such non-safety related nonsense. (Though why they'd be very concerned with the specifically-mentioned balloons escapes me - it's not as if someone riding a hot air balloon at 10 MPH / 1000 ft. is going to cause a problem with the cellular infrastructure).

It's the FAA, though, that sets all other rules regarding what electronic devices can be used on aircraft. The airlines ("operators") can allow whatever (not otherwise prohibited) devices they want, as long as they've "tested" them and verified that they don't cause any "problems" with the aircraft.

[poltergeisty]

Originally Posted by DonS

It's the FAA, though, that sets all other rules regarding what electronic devices can be used on aircraft. The airlines ("operators") can allow whatever (not otherwise prohibited) devices they want, as long as they've "tested" them and verified that they don't cause any "problems" with the aircraft.

You are correct on this part. I miss wrote my submission.

..this was talked about a year or so ago if I do remember correctly.

[KLH]

I've always leave my cell phone on while on a plane. I just put it in silent mode.

Once the plane takes off, and a few thousand feet in the air, the phone quits working anyway and just says "searching for service"

[jmm346]

Originally Posted by rdale

Not sure I follow... Because this one flight had a cell phone left on, and it was a safe flight, there's absolutely no interference between cellphones and airplanes? Seems like an awful quick conclusion.

Not saying it's not true - but that's like saying you ran a red light once and survived, so can run a red light anytime...

Actually, the case has already been made that using wireless devices while in flight does not pose a problem. Several airlines are testing or have implemented in-flight WiFI and Ryanair allows voice calls.

American Airlines Gogo Inflight Internet

JetBlue Airways JetBlue | About JetBlue | Free in-flight email/IM from JetBlue

Ryanair Ryanair.com - Mobiles On Board

Other carriers are also getting in on in-flight wireless.

If there were any current indications that in-flight wireless devices pose a threat to the safety of the plane these services would not be rolled out. Today, we don't see more of the wireless use because of the monetary investment airlines need to make, not the concern of wireless throughout the interior of the plane.

As time progresses, barring any safety concerns that haven't yet been identified, I predict that nearly all commercial planes used on most mid- to long-range routes will have wireless capabilities for passengers. It may take a while, but it will happen.

[kb2vxa]

You guys are so easily stirred up by non issues. What would you do if you found yourself in a hell dimension? What would you do? What WOULD you do?

[poltergeisty]

Call.. Rod Sterling???