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Cell Phones and Air Safety

Posted by michael on from the don't-push-that-button dept.

Cutie Pi writes "On the heels of this recent Slashdot story discussing Wi-Fi use on airplanes, the BBC is reporting about new evidence indicating that cell phones can interfere with airplanes' navigation systems. From the article: "In tests, compasses froze or overshot, navigation bearings were inaccurate and there was interference on radio channels." Look like like Wi-Fi and airplanes just don't mix."

2 of 295 comments (clear)

  1. An Answer to the Problem... by dnahelix · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    The airlines should absolutely not allow any devices on the plane. If you need to take your cell phone, or other equipment, it needs to be checked in and picked up later, like regular luggage. Regular luggage should be scanned for radio signals before being put on the plane. The plane should be equipped with any devices, phones, WiFi computers, etc, that with the push of a button in the cockpit are all disabled immediately.
    Of course, it seems the airlines put dollar$ before lives.

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  2. Hrmm Yes.. by matth · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    And we all know how many times we've heard that cell phones were the cause of an airplane crash! Get real people... Radio signals are logrithmic. The further you get from the source the less the output becomes. Your cell phone is going to have zero, zilch, nada impact on the plane.