Do cell and wireless signals REALLY interfere with airline flight instruments and signals?

Question

I heard they really don't but it's just a safety precautionary measure to turn them off during flight.

Answer 1

You are exactly correct.

It is just a safety precaution, better safe than sorry

Answer 2

Yes, the cell and wireless signals interfere with aircraft radio equipment because since, the flight crew will be transponding to the ATC at a particular frequency of radio signal. The frequency of radio signal at which the cell & the wireless equipment will be operating will causes the interference to the crew communication signals.
For ex:
when you are working with your computer with speakers if any call comes to the cell phone near to your computer then you will see the both audio & video interference in your computer. This case is similar to the asked question.

Answer 3

Let's talk about RF noise.

The cell phone and wireless (802.11 Wi-Fi) does not operate at the frequencies used by aircraft navigation instruments - so there is no direct interference.

However, any RF source adds to the overall energy "floor" in it's vicinity (which is determined by how much power it's putting out). So if the whole airplane were full of people with their cell phones on, there would be a noticeable increase in the overall noise floor - I've measured it in the lab - and you would be able to see it.

The increased noise would decrease the threshold for the aircraft receiver sensitivity, and so ... you might just end up interfering even though you are on the wrong frequency.

It's safer to turn it off.

I'll confess to having left it on aboard a commercial flight - and we still got to the destination, and it's been on in my airplane too - and I did not see any navigation errors or lack of ability to talk to the controllers.

So what one device may not do, many might.

Answer 4

They don't provided everything is working exactly to specifications both on the airplane and on the cell phone.....
Since there is NO WAY to assure that with oh 100-300 passangers... do you want to take the chance?

I have seen a cell phone cause nav interferance.. now in a light twin it can be controlled cause I knew exactly what did it.. I'd be willing to bet the Captain of an airline wouldn't be able to ID the offending unit.

Its your life.

Answer 5

On many of the newer planes that use digital GPS systems and the like it doesn't really do anything at all. It's just a safety precaution b/c on older planes they would have to align with the runway using towers and magnets when it was too dark to see.
Many planes are built specifically well to avoid this but as a precaution they still like it when you turn the things off. Just to be on the safe side.

Answer 6

In no way do cell phones interfere with aircraft avionics. I fly a private executive Boeing 727 and almost from the moment they board the airplane until they depart at our destination, the passengers use their cell phones. In flight, on the ground, in good weather or bad, day or night. It has never affected our cockpit equipment. If I were to listen to the most of the answers above and told my bosses to turn off their cell phones, I'd have to begin updating my resume.

The airlines prohibit the use of cell phones for one reason only. They want you to insert your credit card into the seat phone in front of you.

Answer 7

I think it is a safety precaution. Remember that on September 11, alot of the passengers on Flight 93 called their families? The plane didn't crash because of the cell phones.

However, that is just one incident, not a whole study.

Answer 8

Normally NO!
BUT
If your mobile is on, it will try to find a signal, and it will increase its transceiver output in its search for a link.
Now imagine if EVERYONE on the plane had their phones turned on, and all of the mobiles are running at full transmission wattage, then YES it would interfere with the instrumentation of the aircraft.

Answer 9

I have never noticed any navigational errors due to cell phones, but I often notice annoying static on my headset if anyone talking on the phone near the cockpit. This usually happens on the ground. Once you're inflight, cell phones quickly lose their signal and start searching. A few hours later you will have used up alot of battery life.

Answer 10

If there were a one-in-a-billion chance that someone's cell phone could interfere with the navigation instruments, or the autopilot, or some other system on an aircraft... Would you want to be on that aircraft when it happened? Would you want your family to be on that airplane? Would you want to be on the ground underneath that airplane?

Let's just say it's not worth the risk, however small that risk may be...

Answer 11

Safety precaution..

At 30.000 feet it's highly unlikely that you'll get a signal..
According to the FBI and US government more than half of the passengers in United 93 called their families on the ground but I have my doubts..

example. almost everyone in the plane started the conversation by stating their full name..when in danger and tryin' to reach a family member that's the last thing you'll think about..