Xref: utzoo comp.sys.ibm.pc:12181 rec.aviation:5719 Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!lll-winken!lll-lcc!ames!elroy!jplpub1!jbrown From: jbrown@jplpub1.jpl.nasa.gov (Jordan Brown) Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc,rec.aviation Subject: Re: Laptops and Airport Security Message-ID: <5491@elroy.Jpl.Nasa.Gov> Date: 20 Feb 88 07:42:04 GMT References: <1988Feb1.235615.2612@nonvon.uucp> <374@splut.UUCP> <5481@elroy.Jpl.Nasa.Gov> Sender: news@elroy.Jpl.Nasa.Gov Reply-To: jbrown@jplpub1.UUCP (Jordan Brown) Organization: Me? Organized? Lines: 57 Keywords: Laptop, X-rays, in flight use In article <5481@elroy.Jpl.Nasa.Gov> jbrown@jplpub1.UUCP (Jordan Brown) writes: >In article <374@splut.UUCP> jay@splut.UUCP (Jay Maynard) writes: >> [can you use laptops in flight?] > >The FARs say, essentially, that it's up to the Pilot In Command and the >operator (the airline) whether or not you can use "electronic devices". >This is true both for air carriers and for GA type airplanes. I believe >that it's a coin flip out there whether some particular airline allows >them; ask first. (my FARs are downstairs, so no chapter-and-verse, sorry.) Well, I received one complaint saying that I was wrong, and I was, at least partially. Here's chapter and verse... 14 cfr 91.19 Portable electronic devices (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, no person may operate, nor may any operator or pilot in command of any aircraft allow the operation of, any portable electronic device on any of the following U.S. registered civil aircraft: (1) Aircraft operated by an air carrier or other commercial operator; or (2) Any other aircraft while it is operated under IFR. (b) Paragraph (a) of this section does not apply to: (1) Portable voice recorders; (2) Hearing aids; (3) Heart pacemakers; (4) Electric shavers; or (5) Any other portable electronic device that the operator of the aircraft has determined will not cause interference with the navigation or communication system of the aircraft on which it is to be used. (c) In the case of an aircraft operated by an air carrier or commercial operator, the determination required by paragraph (b)(5) of this section shall be made by the air carrier or commercial operator of the aircraft on which the particular device is to be used. In the case of other aircraft, the determination may be made by the pilot in command or other operator of the aircraft. SO... you must have the airline's permission. However, remember... 14 cfr 91.3 Responsibility and authority of the pilot in command. (a) The pilot in command of an aircraft is directly responsible for, and is the final authority as to, the operation of that aircraft. So if the PIC says NO, then that's the answer. (Actually, if he says YES, that's the answer too, but overriding the FARs in that direction is frowned upon, whereas anything you can justify as being in the interests of safety is more acceptable.) As I said, ASK FIRST. (oh well, bite my tongue. I didn't ask the last few times I've used one...) The PIC is probably one of the best people to ask, because it's his job and ticket (and life) that are on the line if he says Yes when the real answer is No. The agent at the counter is less deeply steeped in these things, and (I would say) less likely to know the *real* answer. But why would anybody want to use a machine without a hard disk anyway? Sleep, watch the movie, read a book, watch the scenery. Plenty of time to work on the ground. :-)