| Fact Sheet on Cell Phone Use |
NewsLover writes "
Most airline passengers know the drill. Turn off all pagers, electronic games, PDAs, MP3 and CD players and the like once the cabin door is closed, until the plane gets above 10,000 feet. No using cell phones at any time while the plane is in the air. But hardly anyone knows the real reason why they have to follow these rules.
It's a Safety Thing
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is concerned that there are still many unknowns about the radio signals that portable electronic devices (PEDs) and cell phones give off. These signals, especially in large quantities and emitted over a long time, may unintentionally affect aircraft communications, navigation, flight control and electronic equipment.
FAA regulations (specifically, 14 CFR 91.21 and 121.306) prohibit use of most portable electronic devices aboard aircraft. The rules specifically exempt portable voice recorders, hearing aids, heart pacemakers and electric shavers because they don't give off signals that might interfere with aircraft systems.
The regulations also let airlines independently determine if passengers can use PEDs not specifically mentioned by the rules. An airline must show that a device does not interfere with safe operation of the aircraft during all phases of flight. In its oversight capacity, the FAA ensures that the operator complies with regulations by reviewing the results of the carrier's tests and analysis of pertinent data.
The FAA has issued guidance to the airlines allowing passengers to turn on most PEDs after the plane reaches an altitude of 10,000 feet. The agency chose that altitude because, at a lower height, any potential interference could be more of a safety hazard as the cockpit crew focuses on critical arrival and departure duties.
Cell Phones: A Different Animal
Cell phones (and other intentional transmitters) differ from most PEDs in that they send out signals strong enough to be received at distances far away from the user.
Since 1991, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has banned the inflight use of 800 MHz cell phones because of potential interference with ground networks. This ban requires that in addition to the testing the FAA requires to show non-interference to the airplane systems, an airline would also need to apply for an exemption to the FCC rule before it could allow cell phone use inflight.
Today, airlines may let passengers use newer-model cell phones in what's called "airplane" mode, which essentially disables the transmission function so they can't make calls. This mode lets users do other things, such as play a game, check an address or look at the phone's calendar.
In February 2005, the FCC issued a proposal to lift the restriction on 800 MHz cell phone calls while airborne if such phones are operating under control of equipment installed in the airplane (e.g., “pico cell” technology) that acts as an antenna for onboard callers and controls the power level of the phones themselves.
Even if the FCC rescinds its ban, FAA regulations would still apply. Any installed equipment would be subject to FAA certification, just like any other piece of hardware. The air carrier would have to show that the use of a particular model phone won't interfere with the navigation and communications systems of the particular type of aircraft on which it will be used.
What's Next?
Since 2003, the RTCA – an organization that the FAA sometimes asks to help study technical matters that affect policy, program, and regulatory decisions – has been looking at the issue of electromagnetic interference from intentionally transmitting PEDs, such as cell phones and WiFi transmitters in laptops.
Air carriers have collected data to support the RTCA's work. The FAA is a member of the RTCA committee studying the subject, and sees data as part of that effort. So far, the data suggest that emissions are well below FCC limits, and are also within limits for interference with aircraft systems. The FAA expects to get the final RTCA report and recommendations in 2006, and will review them to determine how they might be applied.
Meanwhile, airlines have been testing and demonstrating transmitting PEDs on a case-by-case basis with the FAA's knowledge. In July 2004, American Airlines and Qualcomm did a successful one-time cell phone test using pico cell equipment aboard an MD-80 aircraft. In June 2005, the FAA approved United Airlines' request to install equipment for WiFi wireless internet connections aboard Boeing 757 aircraft. The approval includes testing to show that the equipment performs its intended function and also that it doesn't interfere with any aircraft systems during all phases of flight.
United still needs operational approval from the FAA, and must train its crews in the use of the WiFi system. At first, only the crew will have access to the installed equipment. Passenger use is farther down the road.
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