Air regulations and mobiles in Flight-mode: not allowed !!!

[mcbyte_it]

I am not much of traveler, but i take airplanes once every 2-3 months in the last year, and i was always forbidden to use my mobile even in flight mode... are the crew members mistaken and tell me no for no reason, or are there some regulations?

i want to be able to turn on my mobile to listen to music or see a movie on the small screen, i have no intention to call anybody :)

the problem is that i ask for permission to be on the correct side, while others leave their mobile on all the way even during take-off and landing, i know this because i hear some mobiles ringing (welcome sms for network change) moments before touch down !!!

I am in Europe, maybe regulations are a bit different than USA....

[mysterd]

Hi.

One thing that I know is that on French airlines, all electronic devices are forbidden during take off and landing. Even notebooks which have no communication systems.

But after taking off, there's no problem whatsoever...

That's just out of my own experience though..

[orb3000]

I am not much of traveler, but i take airplanes once every 2-3 months in the last year, and i was always forbidden to use my mobile even in flight mode... are the crew members mistaken and tell me no for no reason, or are there some regulations?

i want to be able to turn on my mobile to listen to music or see a movie on the small screen, i have no intention to call anybody :)

the problem is that i ask for permission to be on the correct side, while others leave their mobile on all the way even during take-off and landing, i know this because i hear some mobiles ringing (welcome sms for network change) moments before touch down !!!

I am in Europe, maybe regulations are a bit different than USA....

That is realy strange

I travel a lot to USA, to Europe and sometimes to Asia ans never had that problem. ONly in take off and landing you can´t use it, but the rest of the flight no problem.Imagine those 20 hr long flights!!

p.s. I always try to avoid any USA airline!, they charge you even a small candy and service is not good...

[Rudegar]

diff airlines diff rules
and if you ask it's a judgement call on the flight attendants

[flyboyovyick]

maybe its because they cant be arsed telling you that you can use your fone in fight only?

[denco7]

There is a show in the U.S. on Discovery channel called Mythbusters, where they test and either prove or dispel popular myths and misconceptions.

They arranged with a airline to test a variety of cell phones and mobile devices on a variety of different bands, to see if they would interfere with the planes electronics or comm system. Both during flight and during takeoff and landings ( where most airlines say it is most dangerous ).

In every situation they try tried, with every mobile device they tried, they could not get the mobile devices to interrupt or interfere with the , flight, nav, or comm controls. They came to the conclusion that this was just a perpetuated myth and that the airlines just did not want to change their baseless policies.

[+ Que PPC]

Well it seems that just to be sure or safe... turn off your phone in takes off and landing, we never know if the airplane is screwed or is a new one in communications... so... i think during the flight dont affect cause the band will ask for a range that the altitude can reach... so say to them fuck off idiots! is in flght mode...! well dont said that... you may be in troubles :p :o

jeje sorry... i hate people that cant understand important things on their jobs like this things. :o

[Ed Zachary]

The effect of a phone, or game, or PC, or PDA, or YoYo, or stick of gum for that matter on the electronics of an aircraft is really irrelevant as far as you, as a passenger, are concerned.

Fact is, you have a ticket and part of that contract is that you are subject to the instructions of the flight crew.

If the flight crew (or a printed notice) tells you to turn off your PDA, or remove your watch, or put your YoYo in the overhead, they are not required to give you a reason. But you are required to do as they say.

The rule being ALL phones off or ALL YoYos go in the overhead makes it easier for the flight crew (no need to make a judgement call).

[mcbyte_it]

is there a regulation for yoyo's in the airplane ?!?! i didn't know about this....

i saw the mythbusters show, they also showed that a bullet shot on the window or plane body will not make everything blew away.

[boog]

There is a show in the U.S. on Discovery channel called Mythbusters, where they test and either prove or dispel popular myths and misconceptions.

They arranged with a airline to test a variety of cell phones and mobile devices on a variety of different bands, to see if they would interfere with the planes electronics or comm system. Both during flight and during takeoff and landings ( where most airlines say it is most dangerous ).

In every situation they try tried, with every mobile device they tried, they could not get the mobile devices to interrupt or interfere with the , flight, nav, or comm controls. They came to the conclusion that this was just a perpetuated myth and that the airlines just did not want to change their baseless policies.

Yeah, a quarter of a watt spread spectrum hardly creates any interference. Now if the phone was 25 watts (100 times more power), I could understand!

But I also agree that it is their plane and their rules.

[TalhaQasim]

Hi.

One thing that I know is that on French airlines, all electronic devices are forbidden during take off and landing. Even notebooks which have no communication systems.

But after taking off, there's no problem whatsoever...

That's just out of my own experience though..

That's in Saudi Arabian Airlines, too.

Anyone with a mobile phone, PDA, laptop & even the net-book will be asked to switch it off by taking off and by landing.

And I think that this process will be in every Airlines Company

[mysterd]

Yes, it would seem so...

[mcbyte_it]

well, with Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines mobile phones must be always off, even if you have flightmode...

[mysterd]

I'm sorry but I don't understand... A mobile phone in "flight mode" is just like a notebook computer. So notebooks must be off too ?

[Wilhelm]

During takeoff and landing they say no devices at all. I guess they think even the smallest electromagnetic field could throw off the instruments at a time when it's most critical. I thought European airlines were more lax and that they even allowed use of phones on them. On RyanAir they don't allow phones or BlackBerrys even in flight mode. They say they allow "Discmans" (whatever they are) but no mention of iPods.

[Scotty93]

i just think its a bit weird why have a flight mode on your phone or pda if you cant use it in a flight :confused::confused:

[mohamedhussain1995]

well, with Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines mobile phones must be always off, even if you have flightmode...

back in July 2005 i used my phone on flight mode and flight attendant told me to turn it off but i carried on using it. Next moment I asked the pilot and he said use it! when he was on his way to the loo.

[jmitr]

diff airlines diff rules
and if you ask it's a judgement call on the flight attendants

Actually, different Countries different rules.

Europe = JAR
USA = FAA
Canada = TC

etc, you get the point.

As I only fly "domestic" (Canada and USA) I am only familiar with the rules here in North America.

The Basics, no for takeoff and landing. There is a reason for this. Most emergencies happen during takeoff or landing. Regulations state that the passengers must be able to hear the instructions of the flight crew (Flight attendants). This is why no headsets are allowed. Cell phones that are capable of flight mode may be used in cruise just like a pda or laptop. Regulations state they (smart phones, pda's, laptops) must be OFF for takeoff and landing, and during flight "all transmitting signals must remain off". This means flight mode must be on (no wifi, or bluetooth). If you are unable to turn the transmitting signal off then the device must remain off.

I know my own Airlines PA states if you are unsure of a device to ask the flight attendant. This is the weak link in the system. Everytime you include human factors, you get inconsistincies and errors. If you happen too ask a technologicaly crippled FA the question he/she may fall to the safest course and ask you to keep it off. He/She may be wrong but you must still listen. It is against the Air regulations (that's part of the criminal code folks) to not follow the instructions of a flight crew member.

For mythbusters....great show, I saw that episode as well. I am still not entirly convinced. I was decending into Vancouver once through 16,000 ft when suddenly the autopilot disconnected, and the aircraft rolled 70 degrees to the right while the nose dropped down. The plane flew well after we recovered. Maintenance found nothing wrong with the systems. Freak incident or someone with bluetooth running, or their cell phone interrogating towers in the row above the AHRS (attitude and heading reference system)????? We will never know.

JMITR
XDA freak and domestic Airline Pilot

[jmitr]

back in July 2005 i used my phone on flight mode and flight attendant told me to turn it off but i carried on using it. Next moment I asked the pilot and he said use it! when he was on his way to the loo.

That is a very poor decision on behalf of the Captain (or First Officer).

Working together well as a crew in an Airline environment is very important. There are many times in normal flight and especially in an emergency situation where we have to rely on eachother to do our jobs correctly. This takes a large amount of trust. This trust has to be built. I always breif my FA's that if they make a decision regarding the passengers I will back them up 100%. There will be no appeals to the flight deck. It is important that your crewmembers know this of you.

A phone may seem like a small thing. What happens the next leg when an intoxicated passenger gets boarded? The FA thinks the drunk is acting slightly beligerent but doesn't say anything to you. You have already overridden her on a simple issue and shown that you do not trust her judgement. Ten minutes after takeoff the drunk gets upset, then violent and things spiral out of control. Lets step back, who's fault is this, or how could the situation have been prevented??

The Pilot may have been correct to tell you thatt you can use it, but he wasn't "right"

Sorry for the off topic post.

[TalhaQasim]

Hey. Did you ever see a plane Hijacked. This topic came in my mind when I was seeing this process in the National Geographic channel.

Too Weird and Dangerous:eek::eek::eek:

[jor3l]

here in Colombia fligth mode is not allowed... soo.... soo..... anyway im sure a lot of ppl never turn their phone off.. its something they cant control

[jmitr]

Hey. Did you ever see a plane Hijacked. This topic came in my mind when I was seeing this process in the National Geographic channel.

Too Weird and Dangerous:eek::eek::eek:

What process?? A Pilot relieving himself in a Loo instead of "holding it" for the entire length of flight? Come on man, we are only Human.

There are procedures in place for opening the door, we don't just open her up and walk on out. I would never describe it as dangerous. Untill they build airplanes with "crew relief facilities", galley supplies etc up front behind an armoured door.......this will always be a factor.

I can't talk about the procedures or recommended changes (I would be an idiot if I did in an anyonomous, public forum) but it is safe and needed. I don't give a SHI**@# what any tv station thinks about that (sometimes literally).

Back on topic (in the off topic discussion forum!!!!!!), different regulatory authorities, different rules, plus different individual intrepetations from there regarding electronics. Sucks when your on the recieving end of an incorrect instruction, but such is life.

P.S.

If you still say it's wierd, do this: Eat a big meal because that's your last one for a 12-14 hour work day, drink a coffee or 2 because this is day 4 of a flight pairing with long days, and "minimum crew rest", then HOLD IT and DO NOT go to the bathroom for 14 hours. Feel good? Now do that 14-18 days a month and lets see if you still think we should be robots up there.

[Tone_]

two recent flight I have been on in europe let you use flight mode (when the seatbelt sign goes off) - flybe and aer lingus

[kareeem]

Saw this thread a couple months ago before i left to Syria. Well on the way back, i paid special attention to what the pilot was saying and he simply said to turn on flight mode if you're using a cell phone and if you can't, keep it off. This was on Air New Zealand but could've been BMI, can't remember.

[flobin]

I've never had a flight attendant even look at my phone.. I always turn mine off, but it seems to me that if cell phone signals really interfered with flight controls, I would have been dead already.

[afn691]

Even a small digital camera was forbidden during the approach manoeuvres to the airport, about 10 minutes to landing.

That's why I prefer the car: I can enter without undress myself, I can put inside almost everything I like (not big knives or alcohol bottles during special days as I may be suspected to want to have problems in some discotheque or want to drink while driving, even if I'm coming back from a work in the mountains and bought some bottles as a gift for the family)... I can stop and drink my water -I never understood why I must throw everything at the airport door and I can buy everything at the duty-free- and go to the toilet (or to the forest).

In fact, if you're having your device in flight mode inside of the case, no flight people will realize the device is on !

[Xilsoh]

Even a small digital camera was forbidden during the approach manoeuvres to the airport, about 10 minutes to landing.

That's why I prefer the car: I can enter without undress myself, I can put inside almost everything I like (not big knives or alcohol bottles during special days as I may be suspected to want to have problems in some discotheque or want to drink while driving, even if I'm coming back from a work in the mountains and bought some bottles as a gift for the family)... I can stop and drink my water -I never understood why I must throw everything at the airport door and I can buy everything at the duty-free- and go to the toilet (or to the forest).

In fact, if you're having your device in flight mode inside of the case, no flight people will realize the device is on !

:rolleyes: Ok Ok Ok... I'm a flight attendant from Aeroméxico and I'm also a 24-experience-years Electronic Engineer... I've read and studied all doc's about magnetic fields, security issues and blah blah blah... all that stuff... but according to my experience IT IS NOT A MAJOR MATTER of it (well, IT IS, but besides that)... It is just a simple answer... SAFETY!!!...

If on a take-off or landing, the airplane has an emergency issue and WE (flight attendants) MUST GUIDE to passengers out of the plane (in a 90 sec. evacuation as maximum time)... You passengers MUST HEAR AND OBEY ALL INSTRUCTIONS to get you out with a Zero or at least the minimum damage to any of you...

We must have your complete attention for the posible evacuation task... and reduce to zero or minimize the risks... that is why we kindly (most of the time) ask you to stop using earphones or headphones too during these critical moments of the flight... understood???!!!

Cheers!!!;)