FAA reconsidering limits on in-flight electronics
It's going to be a while before airline passengers can use iPads and other electronic devices during the whole flight.
The Federal Aviation Administration said Monday that it is starting a process to study the issue, with a timeline that means it will take at least until March 2013 for a recommendation - and maybe longer for action.
In March the FAA raised hopes that it might loosen rules for electronic devices by saying it would "explore ways to bring together all of the key stakeholders involved."
Smartphones and tablet computers are common in the passenger cabin, and pilots are using iPads in the cockpit. But passengers have to shut off electronic devices when the plane is below 10,000 feet because of worries that signals emitted by the devices might interfere with electronics in the cockpit.
The FAA doesn't actually ban the devices. But it says airlines can only allow devices that have been tested and proven not to interfere with the plane's electronics. With thousands of devices on the market and new ones coming out each day, airlines simply ban them all during takeoff and landing.
The FAA will form a committee this fall to study the issue for six months and then make recommendations. The FAA often uses such Aviation Rulemaking Committees when it is considering changes, and their deliberations often last months, sometimes years.
This group will include people from mobile technology companies, airplane makers, pilots and flight attendants, airlines, and passenger associations. The FAA will also ask for public input.
In a written statement, acting FAA Administrator Michael Huerta said the agency wants "information to help airlines "decide if they can allow more widespread use of electronic devices in today's aircraft."
The FAA said allowing cellphone use during flights isn't under consideration.
FAA spokeswoman Brie Sachse said the members of the new committee have not yet been chosen. She declined to say why the process is taking so long.
The Federal Aviation Administration said Monday that it is starting a process to study the issue, with a timeline that means it will take at least until March 2013 for a recommendation - and maybe longer for action.
In March the FAA raised hopes that it might loosen rules for electronic devices by saying it would "explore ways to bring together all of the key stakeholders involved."
Smartphones and tablet computers are common in the passenger cabin, and pilots are using iPads in the cockpit. But passengers have to shut off electronic devices when the plane is below 10,000 feet because of worries that signals emitted by the devices might interfere with electronics in the cockpit.
The FAA doesn't actually ban the devices. But it says airlines can only allow devices that have been tested and proven not to interfere with the plane's electronics. With thousands of devices on the market and new ones coming out each day, airlines simply ban them all during takeoff and landing.
The FAA will form a committee this fall to study the issue for six months and then make recommendations. The FAA often uses such Aviation Rulemaking Committees when it is considering changes, and their deliberations often last months, sometimes years.
This group will include people from mobile technology companies, airplane makers, pilots and flight attendants, airlines, and passenger associations. The FAA will also ask for public input.
In a written statement, acting FAA Administrator Michael Huerta said the agency wants "information to help airlines "decide if they can allow more widespread use of electronic devices in today's aircraft."
The FAA said allowing cellphone use during flights isn't under consideration.
FAA spokeswoman Brie Sachse said the members of the new committee have not yet been chosen. She declined to say why the process is taking so long.
I've flown throughout the South and most of the people there actually turn off their electronics, but the closer I get to the West Coast, and on the actual flight into Seattle people spend their entire trips texting, refuse to turn things off and intrude on my personal space with their elbows, and graphics. I don't "want" to watch your movie/band/friend/listen to you sound out words as you text.
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And I hate people who put their drinks on the stupid little trays. (off topic, sorry) They always fall off and land on my knees or bag.
Do any of you seriously think the FAA would allow any devices on planes that had even the slightest chance of bringing down the plane? We live in an era where we have to take our shoes off in security (oddly enough, in the Middle East you don't have to...) and we cannot have more than 3oz of liquid in our carry ons. If a cell phone could bring down a flight be remaining on during take off/landing, don't you think EVERY terrorist in the world would have tried it by now?
oh, please, oh, please let them approve the use of cell phones while in flight. i'm just dying to hear madge telling martha all about her flight - blow by blow, throughout the entire flight...
@Theonedog Did you read the article?Â
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"The FAA said allowing cellphone use during flights isn't under consideration."
It doesn't matter what they say. Â I fly a lot and it's a very rare person I observe who ever powered DOWN their devices. Â As soon as they get the all clear, they whip their devices out, ready to go. Â Watched a kid in first class texting the entire flight recently and the flight attendant did nothing. Â People have lost their minds. Â Someone here said it before and I wish I could give them credit.......this stuff is the pacifier of the new millenium. Â Whoever coined that phrase, step up and take your prize!
Interestingly enough there are these non technological devices that can be found throughout the airports, they are called books which require no electronic signals. The last few times I flew, I felt nothing but pity to those who acted like strung out junkies nervously waiting for the approval to pull out their game systems, Iphones, etc. while myself and several others read from a book or magazine during the flight.
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Is everyone that addicted they cant turn off their equipment and find other constructive things to do during a flight now?
@DarkRenegade The way I look at it is screwin around with lap top and i pads is cutting into mile high drinking time. Well at least thats how I look at it.
 @DarkRenegade I agree.  I just stick my nose out the window and gaze down at the world below.
 @DarkRenegade You tell it. These days unless I really have some kind of deadline work, I don't bother with my electronics at any time during the flight. I always have a couple ink and paper books with me for any traveling. Much as I like the convenience of my e-reader for certain times, I have entertainment where the battery never dies and there's always room for one.
 @Lykos I noticed the flight attendants even offer crayons and coloring books for those adults who cant use that equipment too. :) I was the same way, if I needed to do some business work, Id wait till later in the flight and not furiously try to finish it as they are saying to shut things off. No one has restraint any more.
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I think it is good that they are researching this, there has been a lot of debate whether it is actually necessary to turn these devices off during takeoff and landing. I know there are a lot of people who feel like the rules don't apply to them or that they are smarter than the experts and just ignore the requirement to turn off electronics during takeoff/landings. Hopefully this research can confirm whether electronics really do interfere with electronics in the cockpit. For now though, I wish people would heed the requirement to shut them off, better safe than sorry.
 @Simoleon82 Most people don't turn them off!  They just put them away!  I watch them all the time.
Exactly! I'd sure feel a whole lot better if they can proove that it is okay to keep them on rather then worry everytime the stupid person next to me leaves their stuff on.
Unbelievable (except I believe it) Some people just have no concept of the fact other people exist in the world. I'm glad they're not even testing the possibility of actual cellphone use during flight because I can only imagine all the people that would sit there gabbing on the phone for the whole flight.Â
 @Simoleon82 I guess that's a good way to look at it.  It infuriates me that people think the rules don't apply to them.  I was on a plane headed to Frankfurt (LONG flight) and the woman next to me was chatting and chatting in her native language on her phone as we waited for takeoff clearance, she put it away, and as we were taxiing it rang and she went to ANSWER it!  I said, "What do you think you're doing?  OFF!"  She just glared at me and put it in her pocket. Â
I would like one enclosed space to exist where I don't have to listen to 40 people have cell phone conversations that range from arguments with a spouse to going on for 45 minutes about how amusing it was to get drunk and make noises with their hand in their armpit the night before.
That's why I hate to fly,can't do this and can't do that and just sit-down......hate that.....I'd rather be driving  !
 @scychan I'm also with you on this one. I love the beauty of nature, while driving I can see it up closer and longer.
I'm with you. So much has changed in the last decade. I've given up on flying.
I will go stir crazy if I can't use my iPad during the flight.
I think it has been proven it does not interfere. Most people simply "dim" the screen and set it down, they do not turn them off or even into "airplane" mode.
They need to look at limits on bag size for carry -ons. Nothing bigger than a laptop case, nothing with wheels.