In-Flight Annoyance of the Day: Nick Bilton of the New York Times thinks it’s ridiculous that we still have to turn off our electronic devices on airplanes during takeoff and landing, so he asked the FAA whether there’s any evidence that reading your Kindle during takeoff jeopardizes the safety of the flight.
FAA spokesman Les Dorr referred Bilton to a 2006 study by the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics, which found “insufficient information to support changing the policies.” In other words, there was no evidence that cellphones, Wi-Fi and portable electronic devices on planes are a safety risk.
Bilton also consulted CTIA, the wireless industry association, and they told him something similar.
“The fact is, the radio frequencies that are assigned for aviation use are separate from commercial use,” said CTIA senior VP Michael Altschul. “Plus, the wiring and instruments for aircraft are shielded to protect them from interference from commercial wireless devices.”
On the other hand, Bilton doesn’t mention the International Air Transport Association report from earlier this year that found 75 instances of electronic interference with planes.
It looks like the question of whether electronic devices should be allowing during takeoff and landing is still … up in the air. (Sorry.)
[nyt]
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