Why do we have to turn off our cell phones of aeroplanes while airborne?

Answer 1

There are two reasons given. First is that the mobile can lock up channels from more than one node, creating havoc on the network

The second is that electronic devices can interfere with flight and navigation controls, especially on earlier model aircraft. The evidence for this is indirect, but I think that authorities are right to err on the side of caution if there is a risk to passenger safety.

Answer 2

Personally, I think the whole thing about interfering with the crew's communications is being blown way out of proportion. Many people actually think the plane could crash if someone turned on their cell phone.

If there was even a remote chance of a cell phone causing a disaster, does anyone really think they'd be allowed on planes? You'd never be able to get near an airliner with one.

I'm sure the real reasons are: 1) They don't want passengers gabbing non-stop throughout the flight, bothering everyone else, and 2) They want anyone making a call to use the airline's own high-priced system.

Answer 3

No it is not an urban legend that cell phones can affect flight systems. Your phone will not affect the physical operation of the plane. The flaps, landing gear, and flight controls will all work fine. It's the sensitive instruments used for landing that they can affect. I've been an aviation mechanic for a while, and I always thought it was a myth myself. But I was flying with a friend one day in a small private plane. He had his phone in the map pocket. All of the sudden the some of the instruments started fluctuation wildly. A few seconds later, the phone started ringing. I've seen the same thing happen near TVs or speakers. You could always tell when my roommate's phone was about to ring, because his computer speakers would start hissing and popping. Do I think it's rare, yes. But Nobody wants to take any chances on a dark night during an IFR landing.

Answer 4

There is a risk that consumer electronics (not just cell phones, also lap top computers) will interfere with the electronics of the airplane and contribute to a crash.

Even though YOU might feel that YOUR electronics cannot possibly disrupt airplane because of your expert knowledge, some terrorist could spoof electronics into what looks like a cell phone for expressly that purpose.

Actually the trend in airplane electronics is getting more at risk rather than safer. You can explore this web site for more info ... warning ... it can be extremely scary.
http://catless.ncl.ac.uk/Risks

Some airplanes have built-in communications that can be turned on when it is safe to do so & you are supposed to use that.

When we are on airplane, other passengers are crammed in like sardines, and people around us haveing cell phone conversations can be extremely distracting, and annoying. A goal is not to annoy passengers.

Answer 5

Because the roaming charges would be horribly expensive. Really, it's because cell phone communications can interfere with the plane's avionics. Not a good thing at all.

Answer 6

cell phones work of of electromagnetic radio waves that can theoratically interfere with the aircraft systems... but i believe that the waves emmited from a cell phone are not going to be a significant amount to interfere with the avionics of the plane.
below is an article you can read to get further info.

Hope this helps and have a good one!

Answer 7

all the reasons posted are correct but there is also the fact that other passengers will be disturbed if you are talking on the phone.have you been on public transport recently and heard people on the phone they shout all the time and think that they are the only people on the bus.i actually heard a young girl telling her friend her new adress and that she was having a night in on her own that night.good job i am not a bloody pervert eh?

Answer 8

mythbusters should not be trusted with every experiment they do, ive seen some shows that made me want to load a shotgun because of their "results". i think the professionals know a bit more about the potential for frequency scrambles than two guys from special effects playing with toys they barley understand beyond simply using. Even I know more than them on some of their "experiments" like for instance they say you cant blow out the windows of a car with a sound system...oh really.

Answer 9

on some planes the signal of the cell phone will cause the navigation equipment to malfunction, but on most commercial jets they have insulation which prevents this. it's kind of an outdated rule in commercial airlines but it's better to be careful than have the plane crash.

Answer 10

supposedly, the frequency from a cell phone can scramble up the airplane's navigational equipment. but, thanks to the mythbusters, we know that is a crock. all in all, there is extremely few that actually scramble anything with the aircraft, and that wasn't enough to cause it to nosedive or go off course.