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Research: Mobile Phones Disrupt Aircraft

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the and-the-cycle-continues dept.

threeturn writes "Another contribution to the ever-popular "mobiles on planes" topic. Every time this is discussed on /. lots of people say "there is no danger - its just the airlines trying to make a buck on their skyphones". Well, now the UK Civil Aviation Authority has done some research which shows mobiles on planes do disrupt safety systems and interfere with compass readings and other navigation equipment. Also reported by the BBC. So do us all a favour and switch your mobiles off next time you fly."

5 of 669 comments (clear)

  1. As an occasional airline passenger by Vengeance · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I'd REALLY REALLY REALLY like to see Boeing, Airbus et al. installing avionics and comms systems that can't be disrupted by ubiquitous and nearly free techno-gadgets.

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  2. Re:I think this is good by anshil · · Score: 5, Interesting

    If airplanes are already sensitive to the not so dramatic electromagnetic impact of simple little mobil phones, what would that mean to somebody who in act of terrorism wants to make strong em. impact on purpose?

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  3. my own experiment... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I used to be firmly against the interference argument - until one day at work I heard my hardline phone making all kinds of weird buzzings and beepings. Oddly enough, they sounded identical to the noise I occasionally get on my cell phone. The cell phone, not surprisingly, was sitting right next to my hardline phone. After moving my cell to various positions, I discovered that it does indeed interfere with my hardline phone. When I moved the cell away the periodic noises stopped, and when I placed it next to the phone the noises began again.

    Now, I seriously doubt my phone operates anywhere near the band that my cell uses, but for some reason the cell manages to interfere. Based on the outcome of this little experiment, I would definitely believe that cells could interfere with other systems - including aircraft systems - even though it may seem counterintuitive.

  4. Re:I think this is good by TopShelf · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Not only that, but have you ever sat next to some schmuck who feels he has make a call as soon as the wheels hit the ground? And we're not talking some urgent business communication - it's more like "yeah, we just landed... I think I'll grab a burger and be there in an hour... yada yada yada..."

    I say, install automatic detection systems for wireless devices, identify the location of the phone and put it on the screen for all passengers to see. Let them then decide what to do about it - I think after a few blanket parties the message will get around!

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  5. Re:Opting out by rifter · · Score: 5, Interesting

    It would be interesting to find out. In the US, with the advent of Air Marshals, even the smallest infractions are now enforced (a man was tackled and arrested by the Air Marshals for *wanting* to go to the bathroom while the seat belt sign was on. He had asked the flight attendant repeatedly to let him go, but never actually went...) The Article, which no one reads, talks about a man being sentenced to 12 months in prison in the UK for having his cell phone on (and not using it) during a flight.

    I am annoyed to find out, however, that the whole thing is bogus. Once again "journalists" (what passes for them these days) misreport findings in an uncited study that was flawed in the first place. The study *did not* find that cell phones disrupt flights. They did not even use cell phones for their tests. So the science behind this simply is not there.