Handheld gps on an airliner.

[TightSlot]

The official reply is likely to be negative: If the CC are smart they will initially give a neutral reply, and then ask you if you mind if they check with the Flight Crew/Commander. He/She will then advise the crew accordingly, and they will in turn advise you.

Airlines (and Crew in particular) tend not to like electronic devices being used in flight, for both safety and security reasons, working on the theory that it is better to be safe than sorry: Sadly on PPRuNe, such a statement is likely to cause a series of follow-up posts, along the lines of...

• "I've used my XXX in the cabin for years with no ill-effects."
• "Although many XXX's may cause an ill effect, mine doesn't, therefore I will ignore the crew and use it anyway."
• "I once read an article that proved that my XXX cannot cause harm to aircraft, and therefore I will use it but keep it out of sight of the crew."
• "Pressing this button on my XXX renders it safe to use in-flight, unlike all the other XXX's"
• "Airlines have only banned the use of the XXX because they cannot find a way to charge for it: Charging customers for things is just part of the global airline conspiracy designed to make profits from customers."
• "I don't care what the crew or anybody thinks or does - my need to use my XXX outweighs all other considerations."

Thanks magpienja for asking, and I sincerely hope that the Commander allows you to use the GPS in flight, especially as you have been responsible enough to ask for advice.