Why use of cell phones banned in an Aircraft?

Answer 1

In the first years of cellular phones, most of them were using analog technology; the kinds that would encounter static near power lines and probably picked up by radios (e.g. ham radios, police radio on some phones and, you guessed it, airplane radios).

However in the late 90's, digital technology has began to surface, and many companies were starting to use either strictly digital or a hybrid (e.g. if reception was good it used digital, but back to analog when bad), but in recent years due to 9/11, American legislation has appealed for the elimination of analog communcations and reserved it strictly for emergency use and other means of communcation (e.g. police/fire, aircraft, etc.).

Now, what this means is that the FAA might consider repealing the cell phone ban, but since analog cellular communications are still in effect in some companies until 200? (I forgot), this has not taken place but rumors in the media have stated it will.

However this is without disadvantages: Usually cellular phones depend on terrestrial networks, which means that they depend on towers that are on the ground near major cities and routed near freeways/highways, since people are more likely to live near one, and each tower's transmission range is quite limited (e.g. 2 miles at the most), and a plane travels a little over 6 1/2 miles (35,000 feet) above the Earth, so it won't reach you if you're in flight over land, and definitely not over sea.

Answer 2

All equipment that is installed inside an aircraft is cleared for its Electromagnetic Compatibility, i.e. that it doesn't emit interfering frequencies at high enough levels to disrupt other equipment.
All mobile phones do not undergo the same level of testing and so cannot be guaranteed to not interfere.
More recent digital phones are lower power, and with better RF stages and so are less likely to cause interference.
Recently designed aircraft are more "hardened" to interference.
The mobile phone emissions, if at the susceptible frequencies, can be picked up on avionics wiring and in the various sensors and mis-interpreted causing unexpected results. This is a known phenomenon, aircraft have suffered uncommanded autopilot changes, false warnings and incorrect readings that can be directly attributed to mobile phone transmissions.
Avionics designers now take this into account and so the restriction may well become aircraft specific, and eventually removed in its entirety.

Note that answers concerning locking on to too many base stations is also correct, and was a prime reason for the mobile phone companies to push for the banning of the use of mobile phones on aircraft.

Answer 3

The original reason was that cell phone relay towers were not good at determining which of them should handle a signal from an aircraft, which would arrive at a multitude of towers with similar amplitude. The present reason is that there is some notion that the cell phone transmissions might interfere with the signals from radio aids to navigation. I am prepared to state, as an instrument-rated pilot, eletrical engineer, and aircraft owner/operator, that the notion is preposterous.

Answer 4

It's a stupid rule. They tell you that cellphones interfere with the aircraft's instruments. In reality THEY DO NOT. In fact they don't even work above a certain altitude. Try turning on your cellphone above 1500 feet or so and notice how you'll have no signal (don't let the flight attendant see you). Bottom line, they want you to use those $5 per minute air phones located in front of your seat! AGAIN: YOU'VE BEEN LIED TO! THEY ABSOLUTELY - DEFINITELY - POSITIVELY DO NOT INTERFERE WITH THE AIRCRAFT!!! THE PILOTS WILL NOT LOSE CONTROL OF THE PLANE! THE PLANE WILL NOT CRASH BECAUSE OF YOUR CELLPHONE!!!!!

Answer 5

The reason why cell phones or all other electrical appliances are banned during flight is because their frequiences interupt the aircrafts communications.All Cell phons emit radiation and frequency in order to communicate with the Satellites in the orbit.

Answer 6

They are thinking of repealing this because the new tech digital phones are much better. (see above answers). However, you will more than likely need to pay the airline for using a repeater located on the plane. Because cell phones don't really work up high and even down low, they cross cell towers very quickly, so you are constantly in and out of range.

Answer 7

The ban is not from the FAA, it is from the FCC (Federal Communication Commission). There is no fear of a cell phone interfering with aviation navigation or communication equipment. Pilots use phones all the time (when on the ground of course) without so much as a hick-up from the radios. There is a fear that communication at altitude with cell phones will confuse the cell towers and cause interference with other calls.

Answer 8

Cell Phones are not used in AIRplanes because the frequency and signals of cellphones disrupt the signals of a pilot.So if u r talking something The pilot is going to hear the same thing instead of Listening to his commands from the HeadQuarters which might be heard b you!!
But a variety of Flight Mode phones are available where you can turn on the cellphone without Actually activating the SIM card!!!!!

Answer 9

The FAA are removing this restriction and mobiles are allowed on some flights already. ( Test being done etc )

It was mostly due to the old Analogue phones that broadcast all over the airwaves the newer diigtal phones are much less promiscuous.

It's also a nice little earner for the airlines, you can't use your phone you have to use their expensive phone, just insert your credit card here!

Answer 10

It's something to do with the frequency in which cell phones operate and the signal that the radio control towers operate. They don't span the same frequency spectrum, but all radio equipment is banned as a precaution.