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From: olsen@xn.ll.mit.edu
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Re: Cellular Phone Use on Airport Runway
Message-ID: <12619@accuvax.nwu.edu>
Date: 25 Sep 90 05:45:55 GMT
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In article <12412@accuvax.nwu.edu> I wrote:

>Does anyone know what regulation prohibits cellular calls from aircraft?

(The Moderator appended a note pointing out the potential risks from
IF-leakage interfering with the aircraft's avionics.)

I see that I wasn't quite clear in my question.  There are two distinct
problems arising from cellular use in aircraft:

1. Interference with the aircraft avionics, due to IF leakage.
(this is an *aviation* problem).

2. Overloading the cellular radio network, by accessing multiple cells.
(this is a *telecom* problem).

The first problem is addressed by FAA regulation 91.21 (formerly
91.19), which prohibits the operation of most portable electronic
equipment on commercial flights, unless the airline has determined
that the equipment will not interfere with the aircraft avionics.

The second problem is what I was asking about.

Suppose someone is flying high over Los Angeles, in circumstances
where FAR 91.21 does not apply.  If he uses his cellular phone, it
might activate hundreds of cells and confuse the network.  It would be
impolite for him to make a cellular call from there, but would it be
illegal?  If so, how?