Cell phones may cause airplane turbulence?

[rotornut]

Cell phones may cause airplane turbulence

A new study finds that cell phone use in the air can in fact interfere with cockpit systems.
By Owen Thomas, Business 2.0 magazine online editor
March 1, 2006: 11:43 AM EST


SAN FRANCISCO (Business 2.0) - Those pre-flight warnings about putting away all electronic devices? They aren't making that up. A study conducted by Carnegie Mellon University found that using cell phones and wireless laptops on airplanes can actually interfere with cockpit systems. Researchers, who brought spectrum-analyzing equipment aboard in their carry-on luggage, also found that several scofflaws made cell-phone calls during takeoff and landing, the most dangerous parts of flight. The Wireless Report blog notes that this sets up a battle of "science versus economics," since airlines are eager to sell in-flight cell-phone and Wi-Fi services to customers.

http://money.cnn.com/2006/02/27/technology/business2_browser0227/index.htm?source=yahoo_quote

[Shamrock 602]

When travelling on a European flight from Heathrow last month, my partner remembered as we left the check in desk that his mobile phone was in the bag he'd just checked in. And it was still turned on.

He immediately went back to desk, knowing that bags have been returned in the past when a security question arose. The response from the check in staff, in effect, was that it didn't matter. We felt we'd done the right thing, and that it was up to the airline to decide and implement its own policy.

Meanwhile, and going only slightly off-topic, is Aer Lingus the only airline which allows passengers to use a handheld GPS during the cruise? I couldn't believe it when I first saw it, but their inflight magazine is very specific in listing it as a permitted item.

For anyone interested in aviation, navigation, or the world, it's a nice diversion. But I do expect to be told to "switch off your mobile phone" one of these days...

Shamrock 602

[MEL-king]

As an engineer i have a view that a high pecentage of spurious radio and navigational defects are due to mobiles and other handheld gadgets. As we can spend a lot of time troubleshooting with no further faults found. I have been on an aircraft ( on the ground) and my works phone has rung causing display screens to dim. Definetly more investigation into the effects are needed.

[kokpit]

Meanwhile, and going only slightly off-topic, is Aer Lingus the only airline which allows passengers to use a handheld GPS during the cruise? I couldn't believe it when I first saw it, but their inflight magazine is very specific in listing it as a permitted item.

Hi Shamrock,

Just a PP here, but have been allowed to have my Garmin on inflight by BA, Delta and Continental.

I've always asked, and the question always seems to go to the flight crew, and more times than not gets a positive reply.

One Captain even told me he had his in his flight bag, just in case, though I'm sure in humour ;)

Cheers,

Kokpit.

[paulthornton]

I've never had a problem using hand-held Garmin on flights - I do ensure that I check first, of course.

One particularly nice Lufthansa captain, when I asked if it was OK, proceeded to give me the routing which meant I had the amusement of telling the friend I was travelling with things like "We'll be turning right in about .... now" :)

On the troubles of leaving the phone on, during my PPL flight test the tell tale "buzz buzz" noise of a GSM phone came over the headsets and a slightly red faced examiner rummaged in his bag and turned it off ...

[AlphaWhiskyRomeo]

A mate was flying as a pax recently when the stewardess came down the aisle and asked if he had his mobile on, as the cockpit was experiencing some interference. He checked and found it was off, but it turned out the woman next to him had actually left hers on.

I know many pilots fly with their mobiles and use them on the flightdeck, but they definitely do make some difference.

Does it depend on where in the a/c the phone is on? In relation to systems/wiring etc.

[planemad_bk]

I've never had a problem using hand-held Garmin on flights - I do ensure that I check first, of course.
One particularly nice Lufthansa captain, when I asked if it was OK, proceeded to give me the routing which meant I had the amusement of telling the friend I was travelling with things like "We'll be turning right in about .... now" :)
On the troubles of leaving the phone on, during my PPL flight test the tell tale "buzz buzz" noise of a GSM phone came over the headsets and a slightly red faced examiner rummaged in his bag and turned it off ...

haha mate, i've had worse! During my instrument rating test i was turning inbound on the NDB approach and my testing officer's phone rang....and he answered it and had a convo! ;)

[Nov71]

Surely hand-held GPS receivers are just that They receive signals but don't transmit one, whereas a mobile emits a signal all the time it is switched on but not in use. This is how you can track your kids and the Police can track you
PS remember that thread about an a/c getting lost over the Pacific, bet he wished he had packed his Garmin

[Nov71]

Forgot to add, rumour is general ban on using mobiles in hospitals will soon be lifted except in critical eqpt areas like ITU , theatres & cardiology as risk of interferance thought to depend on signal strength, say up to 30 metres from mobile, (or rear toilets)
One pax requested by another to not use her mobile during take-off run. Pax#1 scowled and continued her call well into the climb.
If the research is accurate British operators could enforce the rule by threatening the pax with 'endangering an aircraft / passengers' and confiscate the mobile during the flight. Unless a lawyer disagrees
I would also apply this threat to any pax who fails to pay attention to the pre-flight safety briefing

[Shamrock 602]

Surely hand-held GPS receivers are just that They receive signals but don't transmit one, whereas a mobile emits a signal all the time it is switched on but not in use. ...
Yes, but conventional radio receivers are banned, while GPS receivers are not. (Am I correct in vaguely remembering something about some receivers' antennas or components actually emitting radio waves?)
Shamrock 602

[welliewanger]

Yes, all receivers also emit a signal. That's how RADAR detection works. This is used by the police in some countries to detect cars which are using RADAR detectors. It's known as a radar detector detector.

Ordinary GPS in not permitted as a navaid if it's not got some sort of certification (forgotten the details, sorry) Basically, they have to ensure the accuracy of the GPS position.

Mobile phones / WiFi is a very bad idea around any critical wiring. We've all heard the buzzing sound through headsets / speakers when someone's phone goes off. Now imagine this signal going into instruments / computers. It can easily corrupt data, which is why in data centres (big buildings full of computer servers) mobile phones are definitely banned.

[andystear]

the local EMS helicopter here has a standard mobile on the dash ,to make calls during the flight , they also have a laptop with a GPS reciever running
doesnt seem to affect the systems.
also if you go to ICU or an operating theater in a hospital mobiles get used by staff all the time

[welliewanger]

Andy,
You're right, I've seen doctors using mobiles in intensive care units. That doesn't necessarily mean that they know all the facts. If cables and instrumentation are suitably shielded, then interference can be kept to a minimum. It's a question of how safe do you want to be?