cellphones on board

[The_Swordfish]

Hi,

Are transmissions from a mobile/reciving device possible on board an aircraft?

cheers

[redsnail]

Yes, so long as you are in range.
Some aircraft have mobile phones/faxes fitted. The antenna is positioned so it won't interfere with the avionics.

If however, you use your mobile phone in contravention of the carrier's request not to, you're breaking the law. (I have heard the zt zt zt sound the mobile makes when touching base with the cell through my head phones.)

[aviate1138]

posted 17th March 2004 11:12 ___ _ _ __ _
cellphones on board

Hi,

Are transmissions from a mobile/reciving device possible on board an aircraft?

Aviate 1138 admits on a recent BMI [direct!!] flight from Mallorca to Heathrow.........
Having set my phone [Motorola T720i] to vibrate during a pre flight lunch, I forgot to switch off the blasted phone [in my carry on bag in the overhead locker]and only remembered on removing said bag. Once in the arrival hall I opened it to find that during the flight it had made contact with Vodafone France! So they definitely work even buried in an overhead locker.

Guilty M'Lord!

Aviate 1138

[The_Swordfish]

To all the PPruNe memebers:

Hi,

I feel like I need to say this, there has been someone who was not happy about me asking this question, in fact he/she reported me to the administration of the forums down to the fact that the recent attacks events in Madrid, where carried out by using a mobile device. I've been told by some very misinformend people that a transmission on board an aircraft is impossible. I knew that transmissions where possible during flight, of course very dangerous and illegal, but since I'm not in the business I wanted a confirmation from the professional side.
Since I got the terrorist look, I want to apoligize if I offended anyone and to the people that thought that my question was innapropiate.

Sincerely

[canuck slf]

From www.AviationNow.com wesbsite

"Airborne Use Of Cell Phones Expected Within Three Years
By Adrian Schofield
February 17, 2004

Passengers will have roaming access to cell phone networks while airborne within two or three years, ARINC VP and Managing Director Graham Lake predicts, adding the service will be much more popular than the "unmitigated failure" seatback telephones have been for airlines.

Lake said that ARINC will trial an airborne broadband satellite data-link for cell phones and other electronic devices within one year, and that airlines will probably begin introducing the technology within a year or two after that. Aircraft would need to be fitted with a wireless LAN linked to the Inmarsat satellite network, and Lake said certification work would be necessary.

The equipment needed for such a system would be lighter than seatback phones, would not require the same maintenance burden for airlines, and would be cheaper for passengers, Lake said.

Although the seatback phones work very well, they have not been heavily used since their introduction in 1990. Lake said usage levels peaked in 2000 but have now slipped back to 1999 levels. This downward trend is expected to continue.

ARINC carries 24 million ACARS messages a month on its data-link networks, Lake said, and expects to carry 1 million messages a day by 2005. He said data-link services cost airlines only about $4-$5 per flight.

Lake said only 10% of ARINC's data-link traffic is for air traffic control purposes, and ATC benefits for airlines "are actually soft." The airline community has little trust in what ATC providers say they will do regarding data-link, Lake said."


Just imagine trying get some rest whilst surrounded by people yakking away and phones ringing on a 14 hour flight. I personnaly will opt for the "no cell phone" section of the cabin, which hopefully will be established somewhat like the no smoking section used to be.

[Bletchley]

Dear God

Lets hope not.

I for one cannot see any reason why someone needs a cell phone on an aircraft.

Canuk SLF I am with you on this one.

There is nothing more irritating than listening to some 'non-entity' with a large mouth and a small brain trying to pretend that he is a lot more important that everyone else on the train.

True seniority comes from NOT having to make or receive telephone calls whilst travelling