Use of iPhone whilst in light aircraft.
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Interesting but I'm not advocating the use of a mobile has a mobile phone. I use it simply as a GPS, the way you would use a Skydemon stand alone unit, an Aware or a Garmin. It's just that with the iPhone you can't disable the phone without disabling the GPS unlike some Android phones. So technically I have to leave the phone on, although it's not used as such.
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There are two sides on the use of an iPhone in flight.
First is the easier one, the legal part. Quite simple in almost all countries the use of active mobiles is forbidden in cockpit, or to say other - there is no certification of an iPhone for use in the cockpit and whoever uses it, does impose additional risk. This risk might be lower now, compared to what we knew a couple of years, but it definitely is a risk. So, legal wise - you are obliged to put the iPhone in Flight Mode if it is on during flight. If you don't, you usually will hear disturbances in COM and intercom and maybe a misfunctional compass.
Second is the more complex, technical part. The design of the iPhone is somehow flawed as it was never designed to operate in a cockpit environment. So, in order to reduce costs they chose a chip design, where the mobile part and the GPS part are on one chip set. So, if you disable mobile net, you disable GPS - which is quite bad. BTW: this is one of the most important differences to an iPad, where you are able to switch off mobile data and the device is quiet network wise. So, if you have a choice - go take the iPad instead of an iPhone. Another option would be to switch on Flight Mode on the iPhone, then switch on Bluetooth and use an external BT GPS - which could be more wise anyways.
First is the easier one, the legal part. Quite simple in almost all countries the use of active mobiles is forbidden in cockpit, or to say other - there is no certification of an iPhone for use in the cockpit and whoever uses it, does impose additional risk. This risk might be lower now, compared to what we knew a couple of years, but it definitely is a risk. So, legal wise - you are obliged to put the iPhone in Flight Mode if it is on during flight. If you don't, you usually will hear disturbances in COM and intercom and maybe a misfunctional compass.
Second is the more complex, technical part. The design of the iPhone is somehow flawed as it was never designed to operate in a cockpit environment. So, in order to reduce costs they chose a chip design, where the mobile part and the GPS part are on one chip set. So, if you disable mobile net, you disable GPS - which is quite bad. BTW: this is one of the most important differences to an iPad, where you are able to switch off mobile data and the device is quiet network wise. So, if you have a choice - go take the iPad instead of an iPhone. Another option would be to switch on Flight Mode on the iPhone, then switch on Bluetooth and use an external BT GPS - which could be more wise anyways.
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Yes, it's very silly...
The reason it happens is because the GPS receiver is in the cellular baseband chip, and when you put an iOS device into airplane mode, Apple power down that whole chip.
The reason it happens is because the GPS receiver is in the cellular baseband chip, and when you put an iOS device into airplane mode, Apple power down that whole chip.
t's just that with the iPhone you can't disable the phone without disabling the GPS unlike some Android phones.
So, in order to reduce costs they chose a chip design, where the mobile part and the GPS part are on one chip set
Just checked on my iPhone. Airplane mode on, location services on .... can still see my location on a map.
Maybe you're confusing yourself by trying to use maps that are not stored on the device but require an internet connection to download (those will need either cellular or wifi to be turned on, obviously !).
P.S. ChickenHouse ....even if what you said were technically correct, its not about "reducing costs" ....its more like efficient circuit design, reducing the prospect of chip failure AND reducing power consumption.
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No it is not nonsense at all!
Location Services is just reporting the last known position fix.
I absolutely guarantee you that the GPS is not functional in Airplane mode.
Location Services is just reporting the last known position fix.
I absolutely guarantee you that the GPS is not functional in Airplane mode.
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No it is not nonsense at all!
Location Services is just reporting the last known position fix.
Location Services is just reporting the last known position fix.
Anyway, believe what you like, I don't really care, but I reckon the reality is you're just using it wrong.
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3) Put it in flight mode and use an external GPS
For the record, I have a simple suction mount that I stick onto the windscreen and put my iPhone in. Turn on SD and off I go. No ill effects whatsoever, apart from the light interference on the intercom. A full charge will give me about 1.5 hours of flying time without having to faff about with chargers and such. If the flight is going to be any longer I charge the phone via the cigarette lighter, if available, and otherwise I've got one of those 5000 mAh power packs.
With the iPhone on the windscreen I've never had GPS reception problems.
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Nope. I don't have Location Services on by default (for battery life & privacy concerns)....so my last fix would have been where I was last time I had to use maps rather than where I am now when I don't need maps.
Anyway, believe what you like, I don't really care, but I reckon the reality is you're just using it wrong.
Anyway, believe what you like, I don't really care, but I reckon the reality is you're just using it wrong.
Put your phone into airplane mode, then go and walk outside. Your position will not change.
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) stays off.That said, we're not disagreeing - I've never had a problem with interference either.
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Many moons ago (1995ish) I made a call while flying a glider out of Dunstable. Not long after I landed, I received a call from someone at Orange asking me not to do it again, or my number would be barred. I suspect that in the digital age they wouldn't be so bothered.
Sorry, but it's all bollocks!
If there was any real risk, at all, to safe flight do you really think they'd rely on the SLF to 'please turn off your phones'??!!
No, if it was a serious issue the phones would be removed at security and placed in a lead-lined box (or whatever) for the duration of the flight.
So, my simple deduction - it does not have, and never has had, any safety issues whatsoever.
I'll duck behind the parapet now!
Fly safe, phone on or off, Sam.
If there was any real risk, at all, to safe flight do you really think they'd rely on the SLF to 'please turn off your phones'??!!
No, if it was a serious issue the phones would be removed at security and placed in a lead-lined box (or whatever) for the duration of the flight.
So, my simple deduction - it does not have, and never has had, any safety issues whatsoever.
I'll duck behind the parapet now!
Fly safe, phone on or off, Sam.
So, my simple deduction - it does not have, and never has had, any safety issues whatsoever.
I can tell you that it's a real pain in the ass, (and in the ears) for the Flight Crew when 20 odd mobiles are trying to make a connection as you pass 2000-3000' during a complex SID, and then another in the baggage hold sets off the smoke alarm.
MJ
I get that - but clearly 'the system' has decided that this does not constitute a safety issue (ie nail scissors are considered a greater risk).
Have you tried to change policy and have phones removed from SLF before flights? If not, perhaps it's not that big a deal - and if it is a big deal, why not try to make this change?
Sorry, throwing petrol on the fire, I know...
Cheers, Sam (heading for bunker, with helmet on head).
PS for what it's worth I switch my phone off because I know about the annoying noise it can make when looking for a signal.
Have you tried to change policy and have phones removed from SLF before flights? If not, perhaps it's not that big a deal - and if it is a big deal, why not try to make this change?
Sorry, throwing petrol on the fire, I know...
Cheers, Sam (heading for bunker, with helmet on head).
PS for what it's worth I switch my phone off because I know about the annoying noise it can make when looking for a signal.
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This is an interesting discussion. Here is my twopenneth:
I always put my Iphone on silent when flying (I am a student pilot) so I do not annoy my FI if the phone rings. However, both my FI and I have bluetooth capability on the headsets and my FI has used his phone to contact airfields when out of radio range to check on VMC during one or two of my cross country flights.
It seems to me that the ability to use you phone from the cockpit in an emergency (Radio failure, for example) is a potential lifesaver.
I may have this wrong but I believe that Airbus, maker of the first totally FBW aircraft, did some tests and found there was no interference from mobile phones that affected aircraft systems.
I have just checked and it is correct that you can turn wifi and bluetooth back on in flight mode. looks like everyone is a winner!
I always put my Iphone on silent when flying (I am a student pilot) so I do not annoy my FI if the phone rings. However, both my FI and I have bluetooth capability on the headsets and my FI has used his phone to contact airfields when out of radio range to check on VMC during one or two of my cross country flights.
It seems to me that the ability to use you phone from the cockpit in an emergency (Radio failure, for example) is a potential lifesaver.
I may have this wrong but I believe that Airbus, maker of the first totally FBW aircraft, did some tests and found there was no interference from mobile phones that affected aircraft systems.
I have just checked and it is correct that you can turn wifi and bluetooth back on in flight mode. looks like everyone is a winner!
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Well I don't have I phone or IPad, but the wife always has hers. Its not used during our VFR flights. I have a friend who lost radio during a flight and it helped him out. He called tower and informed him as to the problem, solved the problem of landing at a controlled field without communications.
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Well I don't have I phone or IPad, but the wife always has hers. Its not used during our VFR flights. I have a friend who lost radio during a flight and it helped him out. He called tower and informed him as to the problem, solved the problem of landing at a controlled field without communications.
This is the major reason I chose a Bose A20 with BT (which has its own battery compartment even when connected to plane power, thus still working even when total plane power is off), for emergencies. Usually the mobile on RAM Mount next to the pilot is put to flight mode, but already coupled to the Bose, so in case COM fails it just takes one action to get the phone as backup communications channel.
This is the major reason I chose a Bose A20 with BT (which has its own battery compartment even when connected to plane power, thus still working even when total plane power is off), for emergencies. Usually the mobile on RAM Mount next to the pilot is put to flight mode, but already coupled to the Bose, so in case COM fails it just takes one action to get the phone as backup communications channel.
I've never been able to get a definitive answer and would appreciate it if someone is able to point to something tangible.
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Well with the marvel of Bluetooth, I link my phone to my Lightspeed, listen to Bowie, then call my wife to get tea ready as I start my descent.
Technology, marvellous.....
Technology, marvellous.....
