When you're riding an airplane, how come they don't let you use electronics during takeoff or landing?

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Silver

Because most electronics radiate RF frequency energy and there is some concern that this could interfere with communications between the plane and the flight controllers. How real the danger is is definitely debatable, but that's the reason why.

EDIT: As stuff stands right NOW, tower/approach communications ARE on different frequencies than electronic devices. So, today, you could be on a plane with your cell phone, laptop, PDA, mp3 player, and noise canceling headphones on and it (probably) wouldn't have any effect.

But the thing is, in order to change that regulation and allow electronic use during take off and landing, the FAA would have to test EVERY SINGLE electronic device that could CONCEIVABLY be brought on board a plane to ensure that there's not going to be a problem. Not only that, the FAA would have to continue to test all of the NEW electronics as they're introduced and make sure that there aren't going to be any problems with those, either.

Think for a moment that something like THAT will ever happen??!?!?!

twigounette

I read in an article that the true reason was to get people's attention during the safety instructions etc... and takeoff and landing requirements(upright seats, tray table not in front of you...)

Rose

It's because they may interfere with navigational equipment.

You may also have noticed that if caught up in very bad weather the captain will turn off the in-flight entertainment for the same reason - he's replotting a new course to avoid the storm/turbulence and the electronics have to go off while the navigational equipment is in use.

Eco-Savvy

The cell companies will now have alliances with airlines for MINI CELLS sites. Imagine the loss for not allowing to use cell phones

Gizmo

If your electronic interfered with the planes electronics, it might get a little nasty....

EMAILSKIP

Electronic stuff, especiallly wireless could interfere with the airplane controls, radios etc. They don't want a plane to go down so you can play Ms.Packman.

signals mes with the airplanes computers and gps'

pixiestixie

Also so that people pay attention to the announcements and safety presentations etc.

peanutz

The 2 events that is most risky to a plane is during take-off and landing. This is because the plane is close to the ground and anything go wrong, there is not much reaction time available for the crew. So it is best that the plane is kept in a safe and secure position for the pilots to take-off and land safely for the sake of the passengers.

Electronics do generate electrical fieldsa nd at these critical times, it is best to be on the safe side. Otherwise trying to exercise the pilots skill when the plane is so near the ground is basically asking for it.

its me...

they dont wont it mess up the connection between the tower and the pilot... but there on different frequencies... so it doent really matter

Mattimis

i bet that it might mess with their radio-system-thingy and so they don't want to: A) crash land; or B) fly right into another plane.

pismocrab

Specifically, emmissions from mobile phones have been shown to interfere with the GPS systems on certain aircraft. As you might imagine, having the correct heading on takeoff and landing is rather important. The chances of this happening are extraordinary small, but it has been proven in a lab setting, there is anecdotal evidence from pilots and it only takes once. Given this, the FAA chooses to err on the side of safety - especially since they can't lab/field test every poorly shielded new electronic device that's made anywhere on the planet.

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