Path: utzoo!telecom-request Date: 18 May 91 05:47:17 GMT From: George Pell Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom Subject: Re: Cellular Phone Use in Aircraft ... It Worked For Me! Message-ID: Organization: Tektronix Inc., Beaverton, Or. Sender: Telecom@eecs.nwu.edu Approved: Telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 11, Issue 367, Message 3 of 8 Lines: 45 In article ronnie@sos.com (Ron Schnell) writes: > The reason you aren't supposed to use cellular phones in aircraft is > different from the reason you aren't supposed to use FM radios and > Portable computers. There is an FCC rule against the use of cellular > phones from aircraft because they activate almost every cell in a 50 > mile radius due to the confusion of trying to figure out the closest > one. The FM radio/Computer rules are generally airline policy. It is > pretty much accepted these days that these things can't really mess up > the navigation equipment. Most airliners now use longer range > navigation systems like LORAN or various satellite-based systems, > which can't be upset by FM interference. I usually ask the pilot if I > can use an FM scanner or similar device, and (s)he usually lets me. Although you are correct about cellular phones activating cells in a large area from the air, your comments about aircraft navigation is far off track. Use of electronic equipment in aircraft is regulated by the FAA, not by airline policy. Aircraft and Aircraft Navigation Systems are also regulated and specified by the FAA. You incorrectly assume that because satellite-based systems and loran are available that airliners automatically use them for navigation. This is not the case. In the real world of flying technological advances are slow to be adopted by the FAA. Navigational systems such as the ILS and VOR's, are the primary navigational systems in use today and were designed in the '40s. They are still required to be used for navigation today, and are easily upset by near field radiation effects. If you decide on your own that your calculator/radio/scanner/computer/ cellular phone will not interfere with the navigational systems onboard aircraft, you are putting your's and everyone else flying with you's lives in danger. Your actions are negligent, and possibly criminal. I hope to never fly in the same aircraft as you. In case you doubt that I know what I am talking about, I have been a pilot since 1985, and have owned my own aircraft since 1986. Your assumptions can kill. Think again. geo N29531