Mythbusters - Mobiles & Planes
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Mel-burn
Posts: 4,875
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
J430 - you wouldn't have any more problems if you ditched that damn Microair transponder. That kinda stuff doesn't happen on real transponders like King, Collins and Garmin. Get with the program!
Oh and when they said "recycle," they didn't mean toss out the window.
Oh and when they said "recycle," they didn't mean toss out the window.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: australia
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I knew that this would generate a fair amount of comment.
I too watched the show and thought it somewhat inconclusive.
Interesting in that they did mention "hand held" devices but failed to try these out.
Does anyone recall the Lauda Air 777(?) that sadly went down over Thailand a few years ago (engine 2 went into reverse thrust or something) the story being that this was caused by excessive power/rf from a notebook computer?
If there is any truth in this it makes you wonder what else can affect instruments.
Rock on!
Deejay 1
I too watched the show and thought it somewhat inconclusive.
Interesting in that they did mention "hand held" devices but failed to try these out.
Does anyone recall the Lauda Air 777(?) that sadly went down over Thailand a few years ago (engine 2 went into reverse thrust or something) the story being that this was caused by excessive power/rf from a notebook computer?
If there is any truth in this it makes you wonder what else can affect instruments.
Rock on!
Deejay 1
PPruNaholic!
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Buckinghamshire
Age: 61
Posts: 1,615
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have mixed feelings on this:
When flying VFR in PA28s etc I have sometimes inadvertently left one on and have heard a bit of a buzz in the headsets, and had some VOR interference (will depend on the a/c cabling condition and layout more than anything I would guess). I would expect that a portable GPS would be likely to be affected too -- very sensitive receiver meets loud pulse-modulated RF noise generator in close proximity! Possibly less risk if good sheilded coax with loss-less / leak-less joints connect the GPS to an external antenna. Anyway, I am much more careful about the issue when flying in IMC is a possibility and have "PHONES OFF" on my pre-flight checklist...
When flying BA across the pond to the US (about once every month or two as part of the day job) I usually remember to turn off my GSM/GPRS Blackberry and mobile phones... but twice in the last year or so, I am sorry to say, I have landed at SFO or ORD and then realised that I have left the phone or Crackberry on in my jacket which the nice BA ladies had hung in some store cupboard during the flight (747 or 777), with no apparent ill effects..!
I see that US adverts for cell-phone / headset adapters (e.g. here: http://www.mypilotstore.com/MyPilotStore/sep/1767) provide the following caveat:
Andy 
When flying VFR in PA28s etc I have sometimes inadvertently left one on and have heard a bit of a buzz in the headsets, and had some VOR interference (will depend on the a/c cabling condition and layout more than anything I would guess). I would expect that a portable GPS would be likely to be affected too -- very sensitive receiver meets loud pulse-modulated RF noise generator in close proximity! Possibly less risk if good sheilded coax with loss-less / leak-less joints connect the GPS to an external antenna. Anyway, I am much more careful about the issue when flying in IMC is a possibility and have "PHONES OFF" on my pre-flight checklist...
When flying BA across the pond to the US (about once every month or two as part of the day job) I usually remember to turn off my GSM/GPRS Blackberry and mobile phones... but twice in the last year or so, I am sorry to say, I have landed at SFO or ORD and then realised that I have left the phone or Crackberry on in my jacket which the nice BA ladies had hung in some store cupboard during the flight (747 or 777), with no apparent ill effects..!
I see that US adverts for cell-phone / headset adapters (e.g. here: http://www.mypilotstore.com/MyPilotStore/sep/1767) provide the following caveat:
Note: The FCC does not allow the use of a cell phone in an airplane while in flight. Current regulations allow cell phone use in the cockpit while the plane is on the ground.
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Left Right Out
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Channel 7 chopper - What the?????
Watching channel 7 news tonight, Alanah Mc Tiernan, the minister for Dept of Planning and Infrastructure (WA), was in the front seat, of the local chopper, and in front of her, mounted on the instrument panel was a mobile phone, and it was "flipped-open", Charging??? and on??
They would have been in CTA for sure as they departed from the city helipad for the new estate of Alkimos, Northern Suburbs of Perth.
What the?!?!?!?!
They would have been in CTA for sure as they departed from the city helipad for the new estate of Alkimos, Northern Suburbs of Perth.
What the?!?!?!?!
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Somewhere around 27degrees
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have had the GPS lose the plot/signal and queried the pax on their mobile phone status. Once Mr. Forgetful turned his off, the unit (TSO'd Bendix/King KLN90B installation from memory) regained its composure!! Coincidence??? Maybe.
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: n/a
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Boeing Aero Mag
Boeing Aero magazine had a study on electronic interference - 2nd quarter 2000.
I have not sought permission to reprint - but link:
http://www.boeing.com/commercial/aer...ere_story.html
I have not sought permission to reprint - but link:
http://www.boeing.com/commercial/aer...ere_story.html
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 626
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Equipment brands
VH-XXX
Mate, if you read some other stories here the other manufacturers products have had a similar problem at times. The local avionics old guy confirmed it too.
Now I have not been asked to Recycle like the guy in SA was, but I guess in an old 60's vintage a/c the term could be quite appropriate
J
Mate, if you read some other stories here the other manufacturers products have had a similar problem at times. The local avionics old guy confirmed it too.
Now I have not been asked to Recycle like the guy in SA was, but I guess in an old 60's vintage a/c the term could be quite appropriate
J
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 1,569
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
..............tx
....................with my work there are mobile phones onboard on every flight, (mainly CDMA these days) they have been tested (both types) for any problems, none recorded so we aviate LRN via GPS all over the countryside like the Leyland Bros & where still here, or there depending on how ya look at it !:-).....although like they always say.....if in douibt don't !:-)
Capt Wally :-)
p.s............I was once told back in the early days of Mob Ph's (b4 someone thought hey maybe they interfere with navigation etc.) that we where asked not to use them onbaord a flight purely 'cause the Ph Co's couldn't track easily the phones jumping from one tower to another (due to the mode of transport albiet an A/C) mainly for billing purposes:-)...just another added furphy no doubt:-)
Capt Wally :-)
p.s............I was once told back in the early days of Mob Ph's (b4 someone thought hey maybe they interfere with navigation etc.) that we where asked not to use them onbaord a flight purely 'cause the Ph Co's couldn't track easily the phones jumping from one tower to another (due to the mode of transport albiet an A/C) mainly for billing purposes:-)...just another added furphy no doubt:-)
ccy sam, my recent experience of the A/P disco was in 777 (FBW). To paraphrase an old saying, "It won't happen everyday, but it WILL happen". (Although it never seemed to be a problem in the NG).
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Qld
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I regularly have my CDMA phone on in the air, same goes for some pax, I suspect, and have never experienced an issue with it - with frequent sending and receiving of messages and the odd call - no just on standby.
Not proof positive, but has anybody had issues?
Not proof positive, but has anybody had issues?
I get the best reception below 5000 feet.... Seriously, with a GSM phone, it will work fine under about 3000 or 4000 feet AGL, but go higher than that, and the phone doesnt work anymore. It will, however, display full strength signal indications.
The problem is, that the phone is in range of too many towers. GSM works with only a couple of towers at a time, and when you get too high, the Network starts to refuse the Phone ... not the phone stopping working.
CDMA phones on the other hand, love more towers. The more the better, so they work fine at altitude. Ive successfully used CDMA at 10,000, but thats only because I dont carry oxygen.
Anecdotal reports have them working fine at FL250.
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: The land down-under
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For what it's worth I have had occasion to chase pilots on their mobiles in flight more than once. On one occasion an aircraft transitting YARM CTAF had a dodgy transponder putting out mode C F260 (hmmmm, maybe it was the phone!) causing havoc with overflyers. Looked the aircraft up in the register, got an owners name and address. Looked up a phone number in white pages on line (which had a mobile listed) and rang the lad. He was ridge running but took the call, went mode A and all was well.
More recently had an aircraft with alternator failure (Tx/Rx switched off). We were busily turning on aerdrome lights in Broome and Derby in case he needed them. Talking to AUSSAR letting them know he'd popped up briefly to report ops (semi) normal and revised estimate. AUSSAR, "Oh, we know that." My immediate response, "How the $#@& do you know?" "His mate is SMSing him and phoning us with updates." Eventually got the number and spoke to the pilot directly. They come in handy...
More recently had an aircraft with alternator failure (Tx/Rx switched off). We were busily turning on aerdrome lights in Broome and Derby in case he needed them. Talking to AUSSAR letting them know he'd popped up briefly to report ops (semi) normal and revised estimate. AUSSAR, "Oh, we know that." My immediate response, "How the $#@& do you know?" "His mate is SMSing him and phoning us with updates." Eventually got the number and spoke to the pilot directly. They come in handy...
