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RE: HUH????
By jtesoro on 4/4/2007 5:15:03 AM , Rating: 3
No, the FCC isn't saying that it's harmful or not. The purpose of the study is to find that out. Note that the context of "harmful" as far as they are concerned is whether it interferes with cellular systems on the ground. The results of the study is inconclusive but they still are taking the position against use because of the potential for ground interference.

Similarly, the FAA also prohibits use use of cell phones while an aircraft is flying, but the rationale is the potential to affect on board navigation systems. I think there are other studies ongoing to see if this concern is valid.

These studies are being done because a lot of people want to use their cell phones while in flight. While I'm not sure where I stand on aircraft phone use, I think the studies are not a waste of time and money.

RE: HUH????
By alifbaa on 4/4/2007 6:11:23 PM , Rating: 3
These studies are a good thing. I'm a professional pilot, and I can't tell you how many times we've needed information in the air and have had a hard time doing it over the radio only to find that our cell phones work just fine. I've never noticed the slightest blip in our instrumentation, nor should there be since cell phones operate at such a low power compared to our comms radios, nav radios, radar, electronics, generators, and god knows what other EMI generating devices we have on board. I guarantee you no one has ever tested all the different makes and models of microwaves the stewardesses use in all the different combinations of aircraft and avionics to see if they interfere with anything, and those are a hell of a lot more powerful than the even the most powerful cell phone.

When cell phones came along, and this rule came out, I saw a video where a technician took an ILS reciever out of a plane, put it on a test bench, took the cover off, and then was able to generate interference with a cell phone a foot away and transmitting. As soon as he put the cover back on, the interference was eliminated, which is what the cover is designed to do. Essentially, cell phones are "portable transmission devices" which fit into a pre-defined category of things the FAA won't allow.

Rather than think about it or test it, the FAA disallows it, thus proving their necessity in the aviation marketplace. In short, this rule is a fine example of the FAA bureaucratic bullsh!t we in the industry have to deal with every day.

