True, and I have had an alternator failure. Continued with local aeros sortie, left radio on rx only since tx is the bit that bleeds most power. This allowed us to keep situational awareness. Chose flapless approach, no problem. Btw had an instructor on board at the time, he was happy with the decisions. Complete non-event, to be honest.

I challenge you to show me the actual law that says it is not legal to use a mobile in an aeroplane......;)

Mobile phones are licensed to the telephone service provider. The prohibition if anywhere, is in the Terms of the Licence held by the phone company. Having never read it I can't be sure what it says but as an example, a UK amateur radio licence prohibits the use of such equipment in an aeroplane, no other law prevents it.

Just checked my Aircraft Radio License (Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006) and Certificate of Approval of Aircraft Radio Installation issued by UK CAA and aside from standard stuff ATC Transponder, DME and VHF COMM/NAV it states:

“ The licensee also authorises the use of Aeronautical VHF Hand portable radio equipment operating in the frequency band 118-137 MHz …. for use on the above named aircraft”

I have found an ICOM linked to a headset an absolute necessity when sometimes waiting upwards of 20 minutes on a ground frequency - for start approval.

One which is approved, of course. :)

That's strange. My A20 had a plastic case, which broke when I dropped it. ICOM then fitted it with an A21 case, which is also plastic.

My ICOM transceiver complies with requirements of the European Radio and Telecommunication Terminal Directive 1999/5/EC and is RTTE and CE approved. At present full approval for air use is not available. Therefore intended for ground use only - hence

:8

Would I use it in an emergency?

The Wireless Telegraphy Act of 2006 states this radio can be used for emergency communication and navigation (VOR) should life be at risk - so in the event of a radio failure whilst airborne - yes I would and have.

Who cares about the Wireless Telegraphy Act of 2006 if it is an emergency?

:ugh:

From what I can see on the internet here in the UK the CAA view the mobile phone as a personal electronic device (PED) that causes interference with aircraft electronics systems. Consequently its use is restricted to aircraft on the ground at the operator’s discretion unless the aircraft has a specific exemption.


AIC 1/2004 (Pink 62) 8 January Use of Portable Electronic Devices in Aircraft

CAA PAPER 2003/3 Effects of Interference from Cellular Telephones on Aircraft Avionic Equipment

I dont know the details, but AFAIA, there is a current study into the use of mobile phones being used whilst airborne. When I flew with a guy a few months back in the primitively instrumented C172, his mobile phone signals had nil effect. Also I know of pilots texting family whilst on an ILS with nil effect also.

CAP 756: "The responsible civil aviation authority or agency should continue to remind the aircraft operators of their responsiblity in ensuring that no person does use, on board an aircraft, a PED that can adversely affect the performance of the aircraft's systems and equipment ..."

In the air is not the best time to find out what impact a mobile has on your avionics. There is some discussion bout this on an earlier thread http://www.pprune.org/private-flying...-phones-2.html

Stephen Furner: that didn't happen during a flight to find out what happen to anything, the guy I flew with 'knew' what he was doingn;) As I said, I don't know any details but the rules are being looked at.