Air passengers soon to be allowed use their phones during flights

The Dom

Europe approves use of in-flight electronics during take-off and landing

Being warned to turn off your mobile phone or tablet ahead of take-off could finally be a thing of the past by December, following a new ruling from Europe's air safety agency.

The European Aviation Safety Agency (Easa) has approved the use of electronic devices during take-off and landing and will publish its guidance regarding safety testing and which devices can and can't be used during all phases of flight by the end of November.

The approval follows Federal Aviation Administration’s ruling in October that personal electronic devices such as ebook readers, tablet computers and portable games consoles could be used “during all phases of flight”. Mobile phones will also be allowed, as long as their cellular radios are disabled or they are put into "airplane mode".

Larger electronic devices, such as laptop computers, will need to be stowed during taxiing, take-off and landing due to their bulk.

“This is a major step in the process of expanding the freedom to use personal electronic devices on-board aircraft without compromise in safety,” said Patrick Ky, Easa executive director in a press release.

Following Easa’s decision and release of guidance by the end of November this year, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) can then implement the recommendations with individual airlines. Instead of a blanket change, the approval for use of electronic devices during all phases of flight will be made on an airline by airline basis.

Any UK airline that aims to allow the use of electronic devices during take-off and landing will have to present a “safety case” to the CAA in the UK, as Delta Airlines has already done within the US to the FAA.

“The airlines now have access to new methodology for the safety testing of devices, which could be a relatively quick process, especially as some airlines are likely to have already done a fair bit of testing,” said a CAA spokesperson.
“We will have to wait and see what the nature of the guidance will be, so it is difficult to predict an accurate timescale, but it is possible that UK airlines could be permitted to allow the use of personal electronic devices (PEDs) during all phases of flight before Christmas this year,” the CAA spokesperson added.

The next stage in the approval of use of electronic devices during take-off and landing in the UK ultimately lies with individual airlines, who may or may not have already commenced testing for their safety cases.
Easa is also looking at new ways to certify the use of mobile phones on-board aircraft without needing them to be put into a flight-safe mode allowing mid-air phone calls.

“Easa recognises the wide proliferation of personal electronic devices and the wish of the travelling public to use them everywhere,”

Obviousily wouldn't mind the whole sending of emails and people doing whatever they wish with their electronic devices but I don't fancy the prospect of everyone suddenly making calls as soon as they all notice signal bars on their phones 10 minutes before landing.

syklops

I was on the luas this morning and the girl beside me spent the entire journey from St Stephens green to Sandyford talking to her "Ma" about the most mundanest of things, especially for 7am in the morning. I could just about bear that for 20 minutes. Wouldn't like to sit next to her flying to Prague or Moscow.

So no thanks.

snubbleste

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! No.

death1234567

The Dom wrote: »

Obviousily wouldn't mind the whole sending of emails and people doing whatever they wish with their electronic devices but I don't fancy the prospect of everyone suddenly making calls as soon as they all notice signal bars on their phones 10 minutes before landing.

as long as their cellular radios are disabled or they are put into "airplane mode".

You still won't be able to connect it to a network until the plane has landed.

Riskymove

The Dom wrote: »

Obviousily wouldn't mind the whole sending of emails and people doing whatever they wish with their electronic devices but I don't fancy the prospect of everyone suddenly making calls as soon as they all notice signal bars on their phones 10 minutes before landing.

they must be turned to flight mode so that shouldn't happen

Stinicker

death1234567 wrote: »

as long as their cellular radios are disabled or they are put into "airplane mode".

You still won't be able to connect it to a network until the plane has landed.

If the plane had on-board wifi you could use Viper or Skype to have a conversation about who fed that cat at 39,000feet, the only saving grace is that the small data allowance would limit the length of the call unless there was free wifi.

TeddyTedson

Great, now the pilots are going to be watching porn for half the flight. :rolleyes:

The Dom

death1234567 wrote: »

as long as their cellular radios are disabled or they are put into "airplane mode".

You still won't be able to connect it to a network until the plane has landed.

Riskymove wrote: »

they must be turned to flight mode so that shouldn't happen

Did you read the whole article:

Easa is also looking at new ways to certify the use of mobile phones on-board aircraft without needing them to be put into a flight-safe mode allowing mid-air phone calls.

whomitconcerns

i just used my mobile on a flight to Saudi. he network was called Onair. You just did a network search as normal.

There is no "no smoking" sign on the plane i was on just a little mobile phone logo which lights green when you can use your moby. Was €2 a minute to use..was a gimmick really. They could hear the plane on the other end of the line.

So its all old news..works already

The Diabolical Monocle

If I hear any mentions of Allah Im whooping ass - I dont care.

abbir

Mobile phones will also be allowed, as long as their cellular radios are disabled or they are put into "airplane mode".

Can't make phone calls.

gctest50

death1234567 wrote: »

as long as their cellular radios are disabled or they are put into "airplane mode".

You still won't be able to connect it to a network until the plane has landed.

2007 called

http://vimeo.com/49221766#

o1s1n

syklops wrote: »

I was on the luas this morning and the girl beside me spent the entire journey from St Stephens green to Sandyford talking to her "Ma" about the most mundanest of things, especially for 7am in the morning. I could just about bear that for 20 minutes. Wouldn't like to sit next to her flying to Prague or Moscow.

So no thanks.

'Allowed to use phones' does not mean 'making phone calls'.

I can't even get proper phone signal inside the building where I work, how would you at 20,000 feet???

whomitconcerns

well I called the office over germany and my gf over the sea near greece...so it does work...

o1s1n wrote: »

'Allowed to use phones' does not mean 'making phone calls'.

I can't even get proper phone signal inside the building where I work, how would you at 20,000 feet???

Riskymove

The Dom wrote: »

Did you read the whole article:

yes...that refers to a future idea not what has actually been approved now

for now it cannot happen

whomitconcerns

Riskymove wrote: »

yes...that refers to a future idea not what has actually been approved now

for now it cannot happen

as i said..flight took off in Paris so I could use my mobile most of the way between there and SA. You couldn't use it during turbulence or while plane was taking off or landing..they turned off the network then.

The Dom

Riskymove wrote: »

yes...that refers to a future idea not what has actually been approved now

for now it cannot happen

Who said it could happen now?

"Prospect" was the word I used.

Riskymove

The Dom wrote: »

Who said it could happen now?

"Prospect" was the word I used.

yeah ok

nc19

TeddyTedson wrote: »

Great, now the pilots are going to be watching porn for half the flight. :rolleyes:

As oppossed to taking part in it.......

RichardoKhan

Dog nabit there goes the one bit of peace on transport guaranteed. Accept for the stoooopid arrival horn blast on landing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYAq-7sOzXQ