Scanning In Flight

[mkewman]

Stupid Questions:

1) is it illegal to use a scanner while in flight on an airplane?

2) Does it actually cause interfearence?

 

[BaLa]

1.) yes
2.) prolly not

I have done it before, didn't cause any problems...so
they're probably just trying to be 'extra sure'

 

[Voyager]

Stupid Questions:

1) is it illegal to use a scanner while in flight on an airplane?

2) Does it actually cause interfearence?

Correct answers:

1) Depends on the airline operator or (in the absense of a corporation) the pilot. Some allow it. Some (most, I think) do not.

2) It's possible, but it's much less likely than interference from a laptop. I don't think any allow it (anything except pacemakers and other electronics that cannot be turned off without severe consequences) during takeoff/landing.

Joe M.

 

[mmartinfan]

Its rather boring to. Enroute centers don't chit chat to the pilots

 

[rhutch]

Like everything else the key is always being discrete.

Wait until they tell you it is ok to turn on electronic devices and you won't have a problem.

Make sure your batteries are good as they will want you to turn it on at security. Tell them it is a radio (not a scanner) program a local broadcast frequency in to it so they can hear it work and you should breeaze right thru.

 

[jpm]

I myself never had a problem transporting my scanners in the backpack I carry onboard during a plane flight. I have always told the people that x-ray the bag that I have police scanners in the backpack. I even sit and listen while waiting during the delays and had no problems so far.

 

[stevecubfan]

i took my scanner on a cruise from denver to atlanta and then on to fort lauderdale. had pro 96 in by carry on camera bag. nothig was said about it after running the bag thru the xray. i usually carry a headset to listen while in flight, usually to hear weather broadcasts and where from. i've never had a problem carrying a scanner on a plane.

 

[N_Jay]

Stupid Questions:

1) is it illegal to use a scanner while in flight on an airplane?

2) Does it actually cause interfearence?

1) The correct answer as almost exclusively YES, it is illegal, on US commercial carriers.

It is actually up to the operator, which is the pilot for private aircraft, but is the CORPORATION for commercial aircraft.

I know of no US carrier that allows the use of RADIO (Receivers or transmitters) aboard their aircraft. The carriers rules carry the weight of federal law.

2) Probably not, but aircraft safety rules are written around avoiding even the slightest chance of a problem. Until it is PROVED safe, it is considered UNSAFE.

As for those who say; "Do it discreetly", ask them if they will cover the legal fees if the carrier presses the issue (or if there is a gung-ho air marshal sitting near you).
Yes, like the change of causing a problem is slight, the chance of getting arrested is slight, but the consequences are severe.

 

[stevecubfan]

you say it's illegal but when they announce it's ok to use electronic devices the scanner is on with a headset and nobody has ever questioned it. show me the law that says otherwise.

 

[N_Jay]

you say it's illegal but when they announce it's ok to use electronic devices the scanner is on with a headset and nobody has ever questioned it. show me the law that says otherwise.

Your scanner IS a radio receiver! (In case you did not know) :roll:

http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,1036,00.html

These electronic devices cannot be used on the airplane at any time:
Cellular phones (cellular phones maybe used on the plane at the gate before the aircraft door is closed or at captain's discretion when the plane is away from the gate and on the ground)
Televisions
AM/FM transmitters-receivers
Remote-controlled toys

http://www.aa.com/content/travelInf...t=false#Electronic Equipment/Personal Devices

During flight, never use cellphones (to make or receive calls), two-way pagers, radios, TV sets, remote controls (example: DVD, CD, game, or toy remote controls), a cordless computer mouse, commercial TV cameras, or Global Positioning Systems.

http://www.delta.com/traveling_chec.../personal_electronic_devices/index.jsp#cannot

For safety reasons, you may not operate the following devices onboard:

Cellular phones, except while the plane is at the gate with the doors open or as the plane taxies to the gate
Two-way transmitters such as walkie-talkies, amateur radios, citizen band (CB) radios, 49 MHz transmitters
One and two-way pagers, except when taxiing to the gate
Devices designed to radiate radio frequency energy on specific frequencies
Peripheral devices for computers or games connected by cable
AM/FM radios
Portable television sets
Remote control toys

http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/electronics.html

Portable devices that may never be operated inside the aircraft: hand-held scanners, two-way radios, remote controlled toys, wireless mouses or joysticks, watches capable of transmitting data, and other transmitters unless otherwise noted in these guidelines.

 

[DPD1]

Like previously mentioned, a scanner would most likely never cause the type of interference that could create a hazard. However... I was amazed to find that an older scanner I had actually put out enough RF energy in scan mode, that it made my other radios hang on certain freqs. Even a few rooms away, when the one radio is in scan mode, the other radios will stop on the dead carrier that has a ticking sound, which corresponds to the timing of the first radio going through the banks.

After that, I didn't think them telling you to turn stuff off was so silly anymore.

Dave
-DPD Productions - Custom Scanner, MURS, & Ham Antennas-
http://eje.railfan.net/dpdp/

 

[N_Jay]

. . . However... I was amazed to find that an older scanner I had actually put out enough RF energy in scan mode, that it made my other radios hang on certain freqs. Even a few rooms away, when the one radio is in scan mode, the other radios will stop on the dead carrier that has a ticking sound, which corresponds to the timing of the first radio going through the banks.
. .

And don't forget their comms and NAV is in the VHF band on mostly AM modes!

 

[garys]

you say it's illegal but when they announce it's ok to use electronic devices the scanner is on with a headset and nobody has ever questioned it. show me the law that says otherwise.

Actually, illegal isn't the right word, not allowed is probably closer. This topic comes up several times a year and everyone seems to miss the point. The airlines are private companies and within the law can make what ever rules they want. If the FCC or FAA don't expressly forbid the use of a device, the airlines still can.

It doesn't matter if scanners cause interference or not. If the airlines say you can't use them, you can't. If you ignore their rules, they can ban you from flying on their airplanes in the future. If the crew asks you to turn a device off and you don't, you can be charged with interfering with a flight crew. That's a criminal matter, which where "illegal" would come into play.

Gary

 

[N_Jay]

If they provided instructions not to and you do it anyway you have already crossed into ILLEGAL!

 

[K5MAR]

I've gotta wonder about American's ban on commercial TV cameras. Unless it's one that has a transceiver for IFB (some do, some don't), I don't see that a Betacam is any different from a consumer-grade VHS, or for that , any video camera. Perhaps it's really a ploy to keep the media at bay?

Mark S.

 

[N_Jay]

I've gotta wonder about American's ban on commercial TV cameras. Unless it's one that has a transceiver for IFB (some do, some don't), I don't see that a Betacam is any different from a consumer-grade VHS, or for that , any video camera. Perhaps it's really a ploy to keep the media at bay?

Mark S.

I wonder if commercial cameras meet a different Part 15 requirement.

Computer equipment for a commercial environment is allowed to make more RF noise than consumer equipment.

 

[Videokid]

1)

As for those who say; "Do it discreetly", ask them if they will cover the legal fees if the carrier presses the issue (or if there is a gung-ho air marshal sitting near you).
Yes, like the change of causing a problem is slight, the chance of getting arrested is slight, but the consequences are severe.

You've either watched "Anger Management" too many times or you subscribe to the belief that most people are ignorant enough that you choose to use that condescending scare tactic. The fact of the matter is that people don’t get arrested for using cell phones or radios on board. Whether it’s frowned upon or not isn’t the issue. The point is that those regulations are there for a reason and one should always follow them for his/her safety and the safety of other passengers on board.

 

[elk2370bruce]

As general measure to avoid aircraft concerns, even if there is no stated airline policy, it's real easy to ask the flight attendant when you first get on (without the scanner turned on). The Aircraft Commander (ie. pilot) has the final say over all operations and safety for that aircraft/flight and that authority is inviolate. If the answer is NO, and that is the usual case, that's it and simply stow the unit back in your overhead storage. Wth my frequent travels, no airline has given me a thumbs up. Hey, no big deal - its not worth any hassle.

 

[mciupa]

Stupid Questions:

1) is it illegal to use a scanner while in flight on an airplane?

... private or commercial airplane ?

2) Does it actually cause interference?

... now what do you think the consequences would be if it did ?

 

[N_Jay]

As general measure to avoid aircraft concerns, even if there is no stated airline policy, it's real easy to ask the flight attendant when you first get on (without the scanner turned on). The Aircraft Commander (ie. pilot) has the final say over all operations and safety for that aircraft/flight and that authority is inviolate. If the answer is NO, and that is the usual case, that's it and simply stow the unit back in your overhead storage. Wth my frequent travels, no airline has given me a thumbs up. Hey, no big deal - its not worth any hassle.

If the Pilot says no, Or actually if ANY airline personnel on the plane, on duty, says NO, then the answer is NO.

But the point you are missing is the NONE of them have the right to say "yes" if the commercial airline company has already said "NO".

The legal operator of a commercial aircraft is the corporation, not the pilot.

If the corporation said "NO", then the pilot saying "yes" is in error, and the answer is still NO.