Phones Off?
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Phones Off?
Hi all
SLF here. On a recent flight to Luxembourg flying in an (I think) A320, we were asked to put our phones, tablets etc into flight mode when we took off from Gatwick. At top of descent, there was an announcement saying that because visibility at Luxembourg was so low, we were asked to make sure that everything was actually switched off (not just put into flight mode; they were very emphatic about that).
Can I ask what the reason for the request might have been? If there was a genuine worry about interference, why would flight mode not have dealt with it?
I'd be grateful for any insights.
Kulu
SLF here. On a recent flight to Luxembourg flying in an (I think) A320, we were asked to put our phones, tablets etc into flight mode when we took off from Gatwick. At top of descent, there was an announcement saying that because visibility at Luxembourg was so low, we were asked to make sure that everything was actually switched off (not just put into flight mode; they were very emphatic about that).
Can I ask what the reason for the request might have been? If there was a genuine worry about interference, why would flight mode not have dealt with it?
I'd be grateful for any insights.
Kulu
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In one of my previous companies we had the same policy. Flight mode was sufficient except for LVO, where devices had to be powered off completely. I think there is no real scientific reason behind, but the rationale is to avoid any disturbance in the ILS signals during Autoland.
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In one of my previous companies we had the same policy. Flight mode was sufficient except for LVO, where devices had to be powered off completely. I think there is no real scientific reason behind, but the rationale is to avoid any disturbance in the ILS signals during Autoland.
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Had that once (LX ZRH-HAM, A320 HB-IJH) and crew came by several times to announce switching everything off (of course not everybody obeyed)
due to autoland procedures.
Flightmode doesn't disable WiFi, Bluetooth.
due to autoland procedures.
Flightmode doesn't disable WiFi, Bluetooth.
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This is not correct.
Just tested it, just to be sure, on our different Android phones.
Everything is switched off in flight mode including WiFi. But you can re enable Bluetooth separately.
As I'm allergic to Apple, I don't know about iPhones.
Just tested it, just to be sure, on our different Android phones.
Everything is switched off in flight mode including WiFi. But you can re enable Bluetooth separately.
As I'm allergic to Apple, I don't know about iPhones.
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I'm pretty sure part of the EFB certification process involves testing this. We keep ours on. The guys in the back could have a hundred different devices which haven't been tested.
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True. As far as I know, there is no evidence of interference from the devices such as mobiles and tablets. Otherwise you can be sure that airlines would be very strict on the compliance to this rule.
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Most of us punter don't know how to turn off or on flight mode. Turning off the whole thing solves that for us, if we can reach it in the overhead or under a seat or even listen to the announcements
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Then some on board club house lawyer would leap up and claim it was discriminatory, it was against their rights, they had an important call to make or mail to send . Others would cry out about their stress and anxiety levels, how they feared they were going to die and had written loved ones their final letters.
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EASA regulation AMC1 CAT.GEN.MPA.140 requires that all electronic devices must be be off for low visibility approach operations hence the announcement being given that all devices must be off. As mentioned previously, some devices allow bluetooth and wifi to be turned on even in flight safe mode.