Why is it illegal to use cell phones on a plane, but?

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â–ºBobBâ—„

because cell phones radiate an RF signal.
aircraft nav and safety equipment use RF.
while a cell phone is very weak, 20, 30, 50, 100 add up to serious RF interference potential.

A cell phone in the air is USELESS anyway. The cell system was designed for terrestial use, that means ON THE GROUND. Cell site antennas are aimed at the ground, this is were they expect to find a user. A cell phone in an airplane is a bit higher then ground level, so a cell site would not see you anyway.

The aircraft is also a classic Faraday cage. You are in a cigar tube and metal shields the RF and keeps it inside the metal walls.

gromit801

BobB is entirely correct.

The onboard phones are routed to an antenna outside of the plane.

Airplane mode allows you to use your phone for music or games, but it turns off all wireless functions.

Pilots my wife works with, have detected cell phone use among the passengers from static they sometimes hear in their headsets.

Believe me, it's not worth the fine.

ME...... :)

mobile signals clash wit airplane radio conversations.. so the interference is not desirable..that's why

n the preinstalled phones... i dont know how they work..so..no comments

Neil

Yep, BobB is entirely correct.

The phone in the armrest or seatback is a totally different matter. Think about it. It was designed and made for inflight use, was installed (and you may believe tested) by the airline, and can be cut off in case of trouble.

The reason use of cell phones in flight is prohibited in FAA rules (there's actually a different reason why it's also prohibited in FCC rules) is the potential, however remote it may be, for interference with communications and navigation systems.

Getting a text is a far cry from being able to make and maintain a phone call. And about 5 minutes after takeoff you're not all that high.

distorted_perfection

something in the cell phones that they need to be able to make and recieve calls can interfere with the plane's equipment (the stuff keeping you in the air)
airplane mode disables that "something" which is why you can not make or receive calls, but lets you keep your phone on for games, music, or whatever else.
the phones in the plane are not wireless devices which is why they work and are safe to use.

dawningabigail

The signal messes with the plane a bit and if a lot of people use there phones on the plane..... CRASH!
The airplane mode uses less signal on purpose.

Im Finna Ax Somebody

It is not Illigal to use a cell phone on an airplane, it just messes with the radios that the pilots use to be in contact with the ground. The plane's phones have a special satallite built in to the plane, so it does not intefere.

"Airplane mode" on a cell phone, is when you can have your cell phone on, but not be able to talk, text, ect.(it shuts off the connection between your phone, and the signal). You can set this by going to settings, and then find "Standalone Mode".

Laughing Libra

It's not illegal. There are certain times, such as takeoff and landing, when they ask you not to use your phones. It must interfere with the radio signals.

Nicole H

i thougth u c ouldnt in the air anyway
but they prob have something to do with something
and the plane phones are a way for them to get moneyi guess

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