Turning off electronic devices when boarding an airplane may soon be a thing of the past as the FAA is re-examining those ancient, sometimes abused and generally disliked rules.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has long maintained the rules were necessary because of safety concerns. The group says it will now conduct tests to see if that’s the case, a move that could lead to their abolishment.
Most airlines currently prohibit passengers from using cell phones, tablets, and other personal gadgets during runway taxi, takeoff, and landing. In-flight use is usually restricted to devices which aren't communicating with a cellular or data network.
Pilots and flight crews have for a long time bypassed the rules for passengers by using iPads and other electronic devices during takeoff and landing.
The simple reasoning of the FAA: if pilots are already using gadgets during take-offs and landings, and there are no problems, perhaps a “fresh look” at the subject is needed.
FAA rules already permit any airline to test specific makes and models to determine if they generate enough power that they could interfere with sensitive cockpit radios, navigation instruments and other critical equipment. But few airlines have done that kind of extensive testing because there are so many devices, and testing them all — or even many — isn't practical, says the New York Times.
Instead, the fallback position has been to comply with FAA rules requiring passengers to turn off all electronic devices while the aircraft's altitude is below 10,000 feet.
The FAA said it was bored at waiting for airlines to take the initiative in testing whether electronics really can knock out flight instruments.
There's some evidence that electromagnetic interference from cellphones and similar devices can cause problems with on-board systems, writes TG Daily. However, there’s no evidence on the other side because there’s never been an accident blamed on using the devices.
Consumer demand to use personal electronics at all times on board planes has been increasing, especially on flights with long delays waiting for takeoff.
While acknowledging "this is an area of consumer interest," the FAA said in a statement that "no changes will be made until we are certain they will not impact safety and security".
By David Wilkening
