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From: merlyn@iwarp.intel.com (Randal Schwartz)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Re: Cellular Phone Use on Airport Runway
Message-ID: <12213@accuvax.nwu.edu>
Date: 16 Sep 90 17:19:16 GMT
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Reply-To: Randal Schwartz <merlyn@iwarp.intel.com>
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In article <12175@accuvax.nwu.edu>, monty@sunne (Monty Solomon - Temp
Consultant) writes:

| The FCC is reconsidering permitting the use of cellular phones in
| planes on the ground.  The FAA doesn't mind ground use of cellular
| phones in planes.

Well, not quite.  The PIC (pilot in command) on a part 91 flight (your
typical small plane operation) is responsible for approving the use of
nearly any onboard electronics *after* determining that such use will
not interfere with any of the avionics in use at the time.  I s'pose
that you probably aren't using your navigational radios on the ground
(one would hope!), but if it interferes with communications with
ground control or clearance delivery, the FAA would have a fit.

This doesn't exactly equal "doesn't mind" ... it's just that cell
phones probably don't really interfere.  (But my handheld cell phone
*does* mess up my cordless phone if it's too close, and given the aged
state of most private aircraft comm gear, I can imagine similar
interference.)

Speaking as an instrument-rated pilot *and* handheld cell phone user,


Randal L. Schwartz, Stonehenge Consulting Services (503)777-0095
on contract to Intel's iWarp project, Beaverton, Oregon, USA, Sol III
merlyn@iwarp.intel.com ...!any-MX-mailer-like-uunet!iwarp.intel.com!merlyn