Why can't passengers use their cell phones during a flight?

Show all answers

CMSgt342

Back in the day there was a slight chance the RF signal from the phone may have affected some of the IFR (i.e flying above 10,000 Feet or flying through poor weather) Nowadays the chances of a cellphone signal causing interference to any instrumentation on a modern aircraft is practically non-existent.
A practical reason not to use a cellphone onboard an aircraft is that you would most likely go through multiple cell repeaters (towers) at the same time, tying up the network.
The real reason is probably somewhere between keeping the peace in the cabin, trying to get you to spend big bucks on the onboard phone system and nowadays to keep the homeland security folks happy.
So, the long short of it is you won't cause the plane to crash if you pre-order a pizza for when you land.

Joz

Because it would be the most obnoxious thing in the world.

buggerlugs

because it annoys others-simple but true

Indian Beauty

because the cell phones connect us to other people through a network and this might sometimes affect the communication the pilots have with the ground staff.
thats why its recommended that people dont use cell phones onboard.

Jimmy Z

The cellphone sends waves that might interrupt the communication between the cockpit and ground staff.

Techwing

In the United States, FCC regulations (not FAA regulations) prohibit the use of cellular telephones in flight.

Additionally, the FAA allows air crews to prohibit the use of almost any personal electronic device that has not been determined to be safe in flight.

Since cell phones radiate microwave energy, it's conceivable that they could interfere with the operation of on-board electronic equipment such as radios. In practice, there is very little evidence to indicate that cell phones used in the cabin have any effect on aircraft electronics, but most airlines still err on the side of caution and do not allow cell phones to be used in flight. Besides, the FCC prohibits it, so even if the airline determines that cell phones do no harm, they still can't be used because of the FCC regulation.

There are movements in progress to permit cell phone use aboard aircraft, but many passengersâ€”especially business passengersâ€”are opposed to it, because airplanes are one of the few remaining places where it is possible to escape mobile telephones for a while. Businesspeople enjoy the absence of telephone interruptions, and many (most?) passengers seem to prefer the freedom from telephones that aircraft provide.

Hi HaTeR!

The data uses airwaves and radio waves that intterupt with the computers in the Pilot's Cabin.

checkyourselfbefore2002

A long time ago a cell phone may have disturbed some flight instruments aboard the plane. Now a days the planes instruments and IFR equipment operate on frequency ranges far different than those used by cell phones. The reason the airlines tell you they can screw with the instruments is generally to make you piss less people off in flight and/or to get you to use their little pay phone units. Also cellular reception is horrible and almost impossible from a airliner in cruise.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: