Does it interfere with communications? And why are they not allowed AT ALL on some airlines?
2006-09-06 09:49:33 · 20 answers · asked by baila77 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Aircraft
Bob W is on the way to answering , but didn't really answer the question. Yes, interference is the concern.
First how many of you know the terms VOR and VFR that this individual used? Interesting. VOR is VHF (Very High Frequency) Omni Range. Now what is that? That is a type of navigation that could be found on aircraft. Think of it as using radio stations to find the way through the sky with marked stations on the ground (not like the radio stations you listen to in your car). What is VFR? VFR is Visual Flight Rules, the name is self explanatory.
Now that it is clear that I know what I am talking about, I will answer this very question. Electronic devices put off electromagnetic waves which can be radio interference. It is the nature of the beast. Non-transmitting electronics may be used during flight but not take off and landings because of Bob W's answer. Electronic devices that do transmit, such as cell phones and two way pagers and what not may never be used during flight because they will put off amplified interference (it is interference to the aircraft, but the signal that goes to the re-transmit towers that make your cell phones and other communication devices work) that could not only mess with the navigation, but the communications of the aircraft as well (it is avionics).
So those of you who have used or tried to use cell phones, two way pagers or other signal transmitting electronic devices during anytime of the aircrafts operations, tis tis.
Keep this in mind though, if you aren't sitting near one of the aircraft's antennas, there is no way your electronic device will succeed in interfering with that aircraft’s antenna's job. But when you're in the aircraft, where are the antennas? That is why electronic devices can't be used during take offs and landings and limited electronics may be used during flight (depending on that airliners policies).
2006-09-07 13:55:13 · answer #1 · answered by Aviation Maint./Avionics Tech 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your all wrong.
If the concern were: "they interfere with...radio, navigation, blah.blah" you couldn't use them during flight.
Think about it, you need to navigate and use the radio when your flying or you couldn't get there (you can't fly VFR at 18+ thousand feet) (Yes, I am a pilot)
The reason is simple. It's so you can hear and follow the instructions of the flight crew and are not distracted with head sets on. We all know that take off and landing are the most critical times during a flight and the most likely chance for an emergency.
And by the way some electronic devices (cell phones) can mess with VOR's.
2006-09-07 04:04:28 · answer #2 · answered by BOB W 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do this test, get closer to a high frecuency radio and call someone on your cell phone, you will hear an interference on the readio, basicly a bzzzzz. That´s why they ask you to turn it off on takeoffs and landing, that´s mainly when they communicate with the control tower. They could ask to turn this devices off during the whole flight but some airlines are being nice with passengers so that they can listen music or watch their own movies during flights, specially in long flights, still if they have to connect with the control tower, they would still hear this interference but it´s rare that they communicate while being far away from an airport.
2006-09-06 09:56:42 · answer #3 · answered by copita 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The theory is that they may emit radiation which would interfere with the electronic navigation systems. As an electronics engineer, licensed pilot, and aircraft owner, I find myself more than a bit skeptical of such claims.
2006-09-06 18:55:45 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
People think that cell phones and electronic devices interfere with avionic equipment but it really doesn't. In fact, on the show "Mythbusters" they tested this with a real jet. They went right up in the cockpit and used a bunch of cell phones and other electronics and nothing happened to the avionics. They said on the show that they only tell you to turn off those things just as a safety precaution. Imagine if terrorists tried to highjack a plane using cell phones. Oh and I agree with Ydoncha blow me, I hate those two headphone jacks on the armrest that make you by the plane's headphones. They said you can use them at home but mine fall off my head too easy.
2006-09-06 10:16:27 · answer #5 · answered by Dan 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Takeoff and landing are the most critical parts of a flight. If any interferrence were to occur it could be lethal. So rather safe than sorry!!
2006-09-07 04:43:25 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because there is a suspician that they MAY interfere with the avionics (navigation/ communications/etc.) and potentially crash a plane. It is for much the same reason that you have to take your sandals off at he security checkpoint. They might, highly improbable, but might, bring a plane down. Typical overreaction to keep the flying sheep content.
2006-09-06 10:01:32 · answer #7 · answered by Dane 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Cellphones will cause static to come across on many types of headset the pilots use. Even text messaging will cause static to come across.
Now do you really want to be flying in a plane where the pilot is having problems hearing ATC?
It also can cause deviations in navigational instruments. I have never heard of a situation where it has caused any problems. But I would not like to bet my life and the lives of the crew and passengers that it is nt going to cause any problems.
2006-09-06 12:07:39 · answer #8 · answered by Sandy C 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
There is a possibility that your electronic device "may" interfere from the electronics on the airplane.
2006-09-06 09:53:09 · answer #9 · answered by aisdean 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They interfere with the radio transmittions telling the plane that things are all clear for take off.
2006-09-06 09:51:22 · answer #10 · answered by happyheathy 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋