FCC Chief Urges FAA To Ease Airplane Electronics Ban

Hugh Pickens writes "AFP reports that Federal Communications Commission chairman Julius Genachowski is calling for an easing of the ban on using mobile phones and other electronic devices on airplanes during takeoff and landing, saying devices such as smartphones 'empower people' and can boost economic productivity. 'I write to urge the FAA to enable greater use of tablets, e-readers and other portable electronic devices during flight, consistent with public safety,' the FCC chief said in the letter to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta. The ban is in place based on the assumption that devices could interfere with an airplane's navigation equipment. But a number of news stories have questioned the validity of this claim, and many point out that some people forget to turn off their devices during flights. The FCC studied the question several years ago but found insufficient evidence to support lifting the ban at the time. But not everyone has been forced to put their gadgets away. Earlier this year the FAA approved iPads instead of paper flight manuals in the cockpit for pilots, but the agency still refuses to allow passengers to read on Kindles and iPads during takeoff and landing."

Comments

Kindle's and iPads but what about Microsoft Surfac

[AdamRich]

I just recently beefed up my tablet processing power with a new Microsoft Surface tablet, and I think it's great.

The story however only mentions Kindle and iPad. I think Microsoft Surface is highly more capable in several ways and would like to use one on board. Am I allowed to do so? I think it would be okay but don't know. Thank you for your kind response!

Microsoft Flight Simulator X

[AdamRich]

Did you know how much I love Flight Simulator X? It's truly one of the best flight sim games I've ever played. I could just spend days flying around the world and pretenting that I'm a professional pilot with real passengers to fly. The scenery is incredible and along with Visual Studio I think it's Microsoft's best product to date.

The sad thing is that Flight Simulator X recently lost contact to its master servers, hindering the online play.

I want to play the game and I need your help! Let Microsoft know how much you love Flight Simulator X and want to play it online! Only that way I can feel like a real pilot again!

Re:Truly a 1st world problem

[BitZtream]

Bullshit. There are VERY FEW airports that even SUPPORT automated landing systems, which would be the only reason such interference would prevent you from landing, at which point you do what you always do as a pilot when radio navigation fails, you open your fucking eyes and look outside the cockpit like you're supposed to.

Your entire store is bullshit on a good day.