Turning phone off on flight

Sultan of Bling

Was on a flight recently and the normal instructions were given to put phones in flight mode etc.

When we were near the end of the flight an announcement came that we were to turn our phones off to prevent turbulence.

Just wondering if any one can explain this to me as I've never heard this before.

herbalplants

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122187032#Comment_122187032

Got you. Makes sense

LambshankRedemption

Just wondering if any one can explain this to me as I've never heard this before.

I can easily explain the turning off of your mobile phone to prevent turbulence. I can explain it as being a load of bollox.

My only guess is that english was not the flight attendants first language and they confused the words turbulence and interferance.

cnocbui

Said turbulence, meant interference - give them a break.

Chris_5339762

We had to do it once on a particular flight - someone (who was not me, no most definitely not) accidentally put his phone into Hotspot mode instead of Flight mode just before takeoff. Buttons right next to each other. So a request came for all mobile phones to be switched off.

Whoever that person was must have been terribly embarrassed when they realised

herbalplants

Some lady was talking right beside me on a flight while the plane was in the air. The flight attendant did ask to turn off her phone but the minute the attendant turned her back, this idiot had her phone right back on shouting to her boyfriend. I was livid with her.

LambshankRedemption

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122186950#Comment_122186950

The number one reason for this rule was when phones were analog they could cause intereference because the further the way they got from base stations, the more they pumped out. It doesn't happen as much with digital signals, but the excuse that phones can interfere with the navigation system is still used because they dont want people talking on their phone during flights.

If they did, incidents of air-rage would, no pun intended, sky rocket. Imagine you are trying to get some sleep on a long flight and someone is yakking away on their phone? There'd be murders in-flight.

Long may it last, IMO.

JVince

Phones needing to be turned off on aircraft rule is as ridiculous as the "do not use phone" you see on fuel forecourts.

Both are based on BS.

cnocbui

Several incidents which might be indicative of phones interfering with aircraaft sysytems are indicated here:

http://www.rvs.uni-bielefeld.de/publications/Incidents/DOCS/Research/Rvs/Article/EMI.html

JVince

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122187209#Comment_122187209

Eh, 1997!!!?

Technology has moved in a wee bit.

tohaltuwi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122187032#Comment_122187032

The global aviation safety jury is out on this matter. Some aircraft operate on older systems subject to interference on several levels. Certainly if you are sitting up front a good rule of thumb is to desist. Airlines like to charge a lot for calls made over their on-flight WIFI which is facilitated by satellite. It costs a LOT. If you’ve ever tried in-flight WIFI , it’s absolutely woeful and gets traffic jammed very easily in my experience.

Locker10a

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122187412#Comment_122187412

In reality airplane technology has basically not changed at all since 1997, phones maybe have

elperello

Just turn the phone off.

Have a snooze, read a paper or a book.

It won't kill you.

JVince

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122187462#Comment_122187462

Even when you read it (quite an interesting article) it itself is dubious on the connection between cellular phones and interference.

Considering there are almost 100,000 airline flights per DAY, and no real evidence of interference by mobile phones, I would say it's safe.

But the peace and quiet afforded by them being off is serene and thus I hope it continues.

beachhead

It has never been proven that a mobile signal interferes with air navigation systems.a request to turn off mobile phones is a precaution only and as another said it prevents air rage incidents.

Victor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122187043#Comment_122187043

You want someone pumping petrol while not paying attention?

Quantum Erasure

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122187988#Comment_122187988

I came across this, first result when googling

https://choicecommunications.ie/why-are-mobile-phones-banned-at-petrol-stations-in-ireland/

In short:

No Mobile Phones. So what is that about? Is it in case you get distracted while pumping your fuel...? No, it’s once again to do with static electricity. 

Are there any Mobile Phones safe to use around petrol pumps?

Yes. You need a mobile phone that is Intrinsically Safe. These devices are what is called ATEX rated. In other words they have been designed and tested to work in dangerous areas where the risk of fire and explosion is high....

We supply a range of ATEX rated smartphones by Conquest

smurfjed

I’m really bad about remembering to switch my phone off inflight, but I always smile when i get massages, ‘welcome to Greece’, they really have massive antennas.

Skill Magill

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122188056#Comment_122188056

I too always smile when I get massages, but Thailand not Greece :)

JohnC.

Aren't there airlines that sell you phone minutes at high cost in-flight, so actually encouraging phone use? I'm not talking about wifi, but essentially a small phone network cell inside the plane.

Though I believe even those will ask for them to be turned off/put in Airplane Mode during take-off and landing.

JVince

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122188041#Comment_122188041

Absolute and complete BS. Written by a company that wants to flog you something you don't need.

Do not believe stuff just because it comes up 1st on google.

Here's what the FCC says "The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) states there is no evidence that these reports are true. While it may be “theoretically possible for a spark from a cell phone battery to ignite gas vapor,” the FCC concludes the potential threat is remote."

And snopes - https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/fuelish-pleasures/

They can be a distraction and even with auto cut off, fuel can spill out. And it is this reason why it is recommended that phones are not used while refueling.

People create scare stories and these catch the imagination of the public and then become "fact". But cell phones don't cause fuel station fires, they don't cause aircraft issue and chalk outside your house / cable tie on your gate / yellow ribbon on your tree does not mean your dog / cat will be stolen by travellers nor will it be burgled that night.

But no matter how you show people that these are myths, too many people will still believe it - hundreds of thousands still believe the earth is flat!

artanevilla

When it comes to switching your phone to flight mode there are really three reasons:

1. It MIGHT cause interference, it hasn't been conclusively proven either way but aviation is an extremely risk averse business .
2. It is distracting in the critical phases of flight. Taking a phone call during an evacuation is no bueno. This is probably the most important reason.
3. It is bothersome to other passengers if you are yapping on the phone.

tohaltuwi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122188099#Comment_122188099

They cost an absolute fortune in the airlines that provide services.

Below is an article which comprehensively explains questions asked here. For anyone to suggest it’s “rubbish” regarding threat in air safety, it is known that it could theoretically pose a risk but to date there has been no aircraft accident attributed to this.

https://electronics.howstuffworks.com/tech-myths/cellphone-call-on-flight.htm

thesandeman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122188087#Comment_122188087

Do you have a massive antenna?

bennyx_o

Mythbusters had an episode around this a good few years ago (full episode here), from memory on unshielded systems or wiring or some analogue gauges, mobile phones can cause interference but when they tested it on a relatively new (possibly early 2000s?) plane, they couldn't affect the systems. I think they basically put it down to every system needing to be tested with every phone on sale to be absolutely sure it won't cause issues and it's just not worth the hassle. Surely people can last the average length of a flight with their phone on airplane mode?

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122187032#Comment_122187032

Was semi-common in the US and Canada to have a payphone per row of seats from the 70s to the 10s.

The MD11 I flew on in their last year of service had the ability to make phone calls (with credit card) using the remote handset for the seat-back TV.

john boye

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122191275#Comment_122191275

Yes I remember passengers on some of the planes involved in 9/11 making calls to family members.

Did they frequently cause arguments? Judging by public transport these days, where people regularly suffer in silence through other passengers putting calls on loudspeaker and playing (usually awful) music at full blast I'm not sure it would cause many rows.

Victor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122191691#Comment_122191691

People are rarely on public transport for 3-8 hours at a time.

And all those people on 9/11 ended up killing each other.

2zefirki

In Ryanair,when aircraft autoland is taking place the captain instructs cabin crew to make an announcement to the passengers about the phones to be turned off completely

Padre_Pio

If interference from phones was a real thing, they would confiscate phones at the start of a flight.

Some planes had air phones. Remember Die Hard 2 where John called Holly from a payphone.

john boye

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122191750#Comment_122191750

That's a fair point, I hadn't thought about the difference in duration.

Deatr

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122191834#Comment_122191834

it’s the same in my company for a low visibility take off and landing all PEDS must be off. I no longer fly the ATR. However, I have had interference in my headset from a phone on the approach into a number of airports and while it didn’t affect the navigation it was very off putting to hear the noise in the headset especially when it was a windy day.

If people can’t follow a simple instruction to put their phone in flight mode how are they gonna react during an emergency evacuation? Pretty much as you’ve seen over the past few years people reaching up into the overhead bins to get their carry ons. People don’t care anymore as they’re too used to flying think that it’ll never happen to them.

2zefirki

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122192095#Comment_122192095

Pax don't care about onboard safety. Its all about their comfort!! The struggle to put a phone away for 5 minutes it's real

I so agree with everything you mentioned!

eeepaulo

Happened on relatives flight last night. They all had the phones in the overhead lockers. Not really much point the pilot telling people to turn off there phone when he has started the descent and the seatbelt sign lit

smurfjed

Actually the worst issue these days is 5G communication bands in the USA, they are impacting aircraft instruments especially radar altimeters. So I’m not surprised that they want them turned off in the USA.

Europe operates on different 5G frequencies.

LambshankRedemption

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122191275#Comment_122191275

Yes I know that and have even used them. However, what stops a person yakking away endlessly? The exorbitant price that was charged. When I used one on JetBlue around 2011, it was if memory serves me $4 a minute.

Tenger

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122191841#Comment_122191841

Air Phones operate differently to mobile phone

Henry Ford III

There's no mobile signal nor data once airborne for a few minutes. Above maybe 10,000 feet?

The only thing that does work is your GPS on Google maps.

tohaltuwi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122192095#Comment_122192095

An rapid 80 degree yaw in an ATR in opposing winds coming in Cardiff once was enough to put manners on all ashen faced pax beside me 🤣

tohaltuwi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122192166#Comment_122192166

Ah but pax are EXPERTS don’t you know.

Padre_Pio

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122194854#Comment_122194854

Pax shouldn't have to care about airborne safety, and it's stupid to expect them to.

Manufacturers are well capable of designing systems that aren't affected by EM emissions in known frequencies. Not the fault of passengers that airlines are using outdated equipment.

tohaltuwi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122194826#Comment_122194826

I turn my mobile cell/data off always, and experiment to see how far aircraft can be tracked on Google Maps. Of course with WIfI off there’s no more than a blurred map display after about 7000ft. Last flight I tracked was recently on board a Loganair Embraer 145 from Benbecula to Glasgow, max altitude 17000ft. As soon as we cleared Uist map was blurred, and around cruise nothing displayed, some clarity returning on descent.

In the article I posted earlier in the thread it described how cell masts have minimal vertical reach as they are not designed for that, but low level flight can catch the signal, albeit in a way that could potentially disturb the functioning of the radio masts with the fast flyover.

As an airline pilot poster said above the interference in noise coming through the headset can be very undesirable. It could also be dangerous.

When I was in my twenties and flying light aircraft as a hobby, it was the era of many pirate stations setting up. I remember one time tuning into one of the Dublin frequencies to call in my simple flight plan, next thing that blasted out was “Radio Sunshine 🎶🎶” This happened occasionally back then. There was important info for Dublin to relay, a low flying eastbound 737 was to be in my vicinity at 4000ft afaicr, and I was to keep below him at maximum 3000ft.

Tenger

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122195025#Comment_122195025

"outdated equipment" is usually more robust and reliable.

Hence the ISS using old PCs for years after newer hardware and software was availible.

Vestiapx

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122191834#Comment_122191834

I was going to post this.

Padre_Pio

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122196092#Comment_122196092

Eh, no it's not. I'm sure they're still using older gear because their requirements have not changed

How many 5G enabled phones are on the ISS?

Victor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122196092#Comment_122196092

No. For something like the ISS, if it isn't mission-critical, it generally isn't getting onboard.

If they want to introduce newer hardware and software it has to be tested against everything on board, before it leaves the ground.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122195025#Comment_122195025

"Padre Pio"

"Pax"

Takes me back to being an altar boy.

Tenger

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122196472#Comment_122196472

"Pax" is a standard industry term.

Padre_Pio

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122196472#Comment_122196472

Still got that PTSD?

MarkN

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122191834#Comment_122191834

couldn’t tell you the amount of times I’ve flown Ryanair and this has never happened. Ever.

Tenger

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122291894#Comment_122291894

Using autoland isnt that common, so understandable that you never experienced it.