Photography in the Air
 

Over the years I have taken lots of photos aboard airliners, with no comment from cabin crew. However, returning from Copenhagen on a "Norwegian" flight last week I was told to turn my camera (Olympus 510)off after the seat belt lights went on. Cabin crew not prepared to discuss the issue. Any one else come across a similar problem?

yes Wander...i was told years ago on approach on Delta to turn off a video camera....and leaving Fuerteventura one time ..(can't recall the carrier)...the announcement included (unusually)..video cameras...rubbish.:mad:

been flying , and instructing many years...

i know of no basis (unlike a telephone) for it.....no operational basis that is.....unless its a distraction if you had to exit in a hurry...but that hardly applies when the seatbelt light comes on...

There's not necessarily a safety implication. However with most, if not all airlines, the bottom line is personal electronic devices can be used, but during the cruise phase of flight only, ie. not during take off and climb, descent, approach and landing, and of course when engines are running on the ground.

Cabin crew are well within their right to request you don't use PEDs - especially cameras, but you'll usually find they're quite happy for you to use them. It makes life easier if you don't question their requests - the onboard crew are the ones in charge whilst you're in their care

But is a camera a PED in the eyes of the regulators - authority without common sense leads to - xxx. A polite question "why?" should not be out of place -

The seatbelt light comes on when turbulence or maneouvers could cause you to move around the cabin and injure yourself.
It it such a surprise that you're also asked to put away your 5kg+ blunt object which you're waving around?

Are you suggesting he was juggling 10 of these things at once?

good question Wander...
i just googled (hav'nt looked up CAA yet)...and came up with some info try AirSafe.com. it says cameras are not in the prohibited list but it seems to be recommend practice for US carriers that digital cameras (and other things) are allowed above 10,000 on the climb and until the approach phase (typically 15 minutes)....other than that there does not appear (so far as i am aware) any operational reason for not being able to use a camera...subject as always to correction...:E