Tigger4Me

I have bought a GPS enabled camcorder that states in the instructions that, if taken on an aircraft, the GPS feature should be turned off during take off and landing.

I am a simple SLF with no technical knowledge of note and I'm struggling to come to terms with all the features this new beast has to offer.

Let me be quite clear that I do wish to arrive safely on holiday and will abide by the instruction.

However, I am interested as to why the device should be switched off. Surely a GPS device is a receiver and does not contain a transmitter that might interfere with onboard equipment. Or have I got that totally wrong? How is this GPS any different to the equipment all ready installed up front and how could it cause a problem?

Would anybody from the flightdeck be able to enlighten me please?

KBPsen

All electronic devices must be switched off for take-off and landing (with a very few exceptions).

Anyone who has ever flown on a commercial aircraft will know this as it is mentioned during the safety briefing and on the safety briefing card.

Any equipment installed in the aircraft will have been designed and certified to the most rigorous standards. A GPS installed in a camcorder will not. It may or may not comply with any standards. It is an unknown quantity and must be treated as such. Also, any receiver will emit electromagnetic radiation, as will many devices not containing either receiver or transmitter.

A search would have revealed all of this.