Obviously planes don’t drop out of the sky the instant you turn on your mobile phone mid-air, as a poll by USA Today in 2011 showed about half of us defy airline rules on using electronics at all stages of flight. While many of us have wondered about the logic behind forcing electronics to be shut off during take-off and landing, banning the use of devices that emit and receive wireless signals intentionally seems more rational. At least on the surface, so does it really matter if you go into ‘airplane mode’ or not?
The Difference Between Electronic Signals
All electronic devices, when powered on, emit broadband electromagnetic interference (EMI and RFI), simply due to their use of electric circuits. That type of radiation is all around us and oozes out from your laptop power cable, digital camera, and even toaster ovens when they’re in use. Airplanes are shielded against EMI, since, at high levels it can interfere with navigational, communication, and other essential components. But gadgets give off miniscule amounts of broadband electronic interference and the counter-intuitively, the effect is not cumulative.
So 15 laptops on at the same time in flight isn’t 15 times worse when it comes to this undirected form of EMI. That radiation is a byproduct of electrical and magnetic circuits, however, wireless devices are a different matter. They’re designed to emit high-frequency signals to send and receive over large distances.
A mobile phone for instance, obviously intentionally, uses high frequency narrowband EMI, refereed to as radio frequency interference (RFI). Yet, despite the stronger emissions by iPad, laptop, et al wireless cards and cell phones, airplane shielding is more than adequate most of the time.
Risks At Various Stages Of Flight
According to The Survivor’s Club by Ben Sherman, 76.6% of people involved in plane crashes survive. The key difference between those who make it and don’t in survivable situations is action within 90 seconds of impact – 80% of which happen in the first 3 and last 8 minutes of flight. Amazingly, distractions like falling asleep, intoxication, and playing with mobile devices can shorten your attention span just enough, even in life-threatening situations. Not using electronic devices until you’re allowed reduces this risk.
Additionally for wireless use, there is a remote chance your device may interfere with emergency aircraft frequencies at a critical moment once you’re in the air. The real problem – and why these wireless and electronics bans are so broad – is because there are so many varieties of tech and gadgets.
The Survivors Club: The Secrets and Science that Could Save Your Life
Banning Is A Blanket, Approving Is Individual
In the United States for example, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has banned the use of mobile phones in the 800Mhz range since 1991. They’ve toyed with the idea of lifting the ban as recently as 2004 but even if that were to happen, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations would require hardware validation. That means every type of device (e.g. iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, Samsung Galaxy S II, etc.) would have to be tested and approved – with every type of aircraft. You can see why they’re not to eager to lift an incredibly easy ban to implement. (In the European Union, moves have been made to merge agencies that handle aviation and mobile devices and why they’re much closer to allowing cell phones on planes.)
WiFi In Flight Is Extremely Unlikely To Harm Anything – Should You Disregard The Rules?
No. The first reason is that in most countries, the “rules” against active wireless devices inflight are “laws” which can carry stiff penalties if you’re caught and the airline decides to pursue the manner. (Unlikely unless you really piss off a flight attendant after they’ve said “cross-check”.) Secondly, talking on the phone isn’t going to win you points with your seatmates and unless there’s inflight wireless service, there won’t be much Internet browsing from your laptop or e-reader.
Finally, aside from, you know, being a good passenger and following the rules, keeping your wireless function turned off will give you much more battery life for the duration of your flight.
Does the location of your seat matter? e.g. people who sit at the front just behind the pilot v/s those at the tail end? For huge airplanes, that would make a significant difference isn’t it?
Yes, but the NASA Langley Research Center found the effect to be negligible. (Probably too why the FAA in the US doesn’t have a problem with pilots using iPads in the cockpit.)
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/14/f-a-a-approves-ipads-in-cockpits-but-not-for-passengers/
My best friend is a flight attendant, and we’ve had this discussion. Cell phones CAN interfere with the operations of a plane. This is 101 stuff during their training. Once, the pilot called back to her and demanded that she find out who had a cell phone on and remove it from them. He couldn’t land until she shut it off. It was a terrifying moment for her. Now, I don’t even use my phone/laptop in airplane mode.
I’d be curious to hear more about the incident.
But, yes, they *can* interfere; though not all phones are made the same and can interact with equipment differently depending on their power output and frequencies used. That’s why it’s so cumbersome to validate each one.
I don’t believe this. The pilot couldn’t land…There are no real documented cases of phones etc causing problems. The problems caused used to be with the cell towers but not so much with newer phones.
For now the FAA rules are enforceable but will likely be updated.
Can’t tell you how many times I’ve wondered about this. Very informative article.
Thanks Barbara, I think it’s a question many people ask themselves as they click “off” during takeoff and glad I could help clear it up a bit.
I wish there was some scientific evidence showing the exact impact.
There absolutely is, you can follow some of the links in the articles above and the FAA, FCC, European Commission, NASA Langley Research Center have all done numerous studies to study the impact of various electronic devices and signals. It’s out there but typically per device.
Hmmm, whatever goes on up there in those skies, I’m happy to obey everything told to me, even when my common sense and logic says otherwise. Taking off and – especially – landing are not my favourite things in the world so every little helps. 😉
I can’t argue with that 🙂
Excellent article. The topic was well covered. Thanks.
Thanks Dom 🙂
They argument about being able to respond quickly in case of an emergency actually does make sense…. can crying babies be banned because they add to distraction?
Funny you mention that, in life threatening situations and plane crashes they’re not as distracting as you might think. According to The Survivor’s Club a significant minority of people (I forget the exact percentage off the top of my head) actually leave their babies behind or forget about them in an attempt to escape – due to shock.
I get a little nervous when I see people who use text and use their cell phones and other electronic devices when they’ve been told not to on flights. I figured there had to be a reason why we are asked to do so, and I’m definitely going to share this information with other people.
I think there will be a move in the coming years to allow wireless devices in flight but I can’t see them allowing it for take off and landing. It’s really a time during a flight you want to be attentive.
Hi Anil, thanks for sharing the post it was a great read. I would welcome that move for wireless devices in flights. Anil would do you think about GSM Cells?
My pleasure. What do I think about GSM, them allowing it or should it be allowed?
Wow! I always thought the whole issue of wireless devices interfering with planes was BS :-/ Looks like I’ll be following the rules from now on. Nice post Anil
They can in certain circumstances but it’s also in your best interests to be alert during take off and landing.
I have always wondered this! I don’t see them ever removing the ban though.
I think it’s already moving in that direction, with some flights offering wifi in the sky 🙂
Very Cool! You always find the information I can never find! Love your blog Anil keep up the good work.