Risk Management For Electronics on Aircraft

Phronesis writes "M. Granger Morgan and his graduate student Bill Strauss have a nice article in Issues in Science and Technology about the risks posed by electronic devices in flight. Unlike most articles on the subject, this one neither pooh-poohs the risks ('We have estimated that reported events are occurring at a rate of about 15 and perhaps as many as 25 per year') nor exaggerates them ('RF interference from consumer electronics is unlikely to have figured in more than a few percent of commercial air accidents, if any at all, during the past 10 years.'). Instead, it presents a sensible plan for dealing with the risks that will accompany the inevitable expansion of the range of electronic devices passengers will use in flight, including cell phones and wireless computer networking."

Comments

Re:What I'd like to see...

[afniv]

You can use laptops anytime during the flight, except if you're siting on the left side of the plan flying east, or on the right side flying west. Mobile phones can only be used during five minute intervals the first five minutes of the hour if you in an odd numbered seat row, and at the middle of the hour if you're in an even numbered seat row. If you are sitting in a prime number seat row, don't even think about electronics, unless of course your seat letter is vowel then you can use any electronic devise if you're not using the overhead bin. The use of a Gameboy is only allowed if you're wearing shoes and flying north. Flying in any other direction requires emergency exit seats. Radios are only allowed if you leave them in your bag, stowed under the seat in front of you and you paid our cheap fee for those comfortable headsets and don't sing too loud. If you violate any of these regulations, we'll flush 'em down the blue toilet drain. Yes, even those laptops.