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#1
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Using mobiles in an aeroplane... NOT dangerous after all! (apparently)
I've been reading about this in various places, that they have found
out that private cellular mobile phones do NOT affect flight controls, that this information is erroneous. Some report has come out. Furthermore, I have also been told that the flight companies have always known it's not dangerous, but that they have PRETENDED that it's dangerous so that people don't use the expensive onboard phones that you get on long-haul flights (International Roaming is cheaper than these rip-off phones). I wonder whether all the flight companies knew it was a scam and clubbed together, or whether only a couple of them knew and the other companies simply followed suit. So I wonder whether in the light of all these revelations, whether we will now have all those announcements removed? Or will they try and brush it under the carpet and hope that not a lot of people find out about the little scam, and end up continuing with the subterfuge? Or will they come clean and let people use their private phones? Or will they come clean but give another reason for not using private phones (eg noise pollution)? Interesting isn't it! Also, will people who were fined for disobeying regulations, such as that guy who got arrested for texting "I love you" to his wife while on a flight, will be able to claim their money back.... Furthermore, will this see the price of onboard phones come down dramatically (it took me a while to come back from the shock when I got my credit card bill back after calling my wife from the Virgin phone in my seat when flying London to Jo'burg in 2001!) T'will be interesting!!! TRISTÁN |
#2
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"Tristán White" wrote in message ... I've been reading about this in various places, that they have found out that private cellular mobile phones do NOT affect flight controls, that this information is erroneous. Some report has come out. So now the question is will people who talk loudly into their cell phones on planes be more or less annoying than people who recline their seats ??? I vote more annoying - especially if I am trying to sleep (in my reclined seat). |
#3
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"Tristán White" wrote in message ... I've been reading about this in various places, that they have found out that private cellular mobile phones do NOT affect flight controls, that this information is erroneous. Some report has come out. Furthermore, I have also been told that the flight companies have always known it's not dangerous, but that they have PRETENDED that it's dangerous so that people don't use the expensive onboard phones that you get on long-haul flights (International Roaming is cheaper than these rip-off phones). [snip] It may or may not be dangerous to the aircraft systems, but no pilot I know would let you use a phone on their flight, and I for one wouldn't want to be on the same plane..! In any case, avionics problems aside, how many cell sites do you think you're going to access at 30,000 feet..?! Ivor |
#4
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On Fri, 15 Oct 2004 16:58:26 +0100, Tristán White
wrote: I've been reading about this in various places, that they have found out that private cellular mobile phones do NOT affect flight controls, that this information is erroneous. Some report has come out. Furthermore, I have also been told that the flight companies have always known it's not dangerous, but that they have PRETENDED that it's dangerous so that people don't use the expensive onboard phones that you get on long-haul flights (International Roaming is cheaper than these rip-off phones). I wonder whether all the flight companies knew it was a scam and clubbed together, or whether only a couple of them knew and the other companies simply followed suit. Some pilots still disagree. They claim interferance with certain equipment. As long as they disagree, I don't think they'll lift the ban. So I wonder whether in the light of all these revelations, whether we will now have all those announcements removed? Or will they try and brush it under the carpet and hope that not a lot of people find out about the little scam, and end up continuing with the subterfuge? Or will they come clean and let people use their private phones? Or will they come clean but give another reason for not using private phones (eg noise pollution)? Interesting isn't it! I hope it stays as it is. No one will die if they can't use a phone for a few hours. (No one had problems in the pre-cell era.) Fly time is one of the few times that I get to rest. I don't want to hear those lame tunes played, & everyone trying to talk over the other person & cabin noise. Also, will people who were fined for disobeying regulations, such as that guy who got arrested for texting "I love you" to his wife while on a flight, will be able to claim their money back.... I doubt if they will get anything back. A rule was in effect (no matter what the reason). they broke the rules. Simple as that. Some local laws are stupid, but if you break them, you pay. Furthermore, will this see the price of onboard phones come down dramatically (it took me a while to come back from the shock when I got my credit card bill back after calling my wife from the Virgin phone in my seat when flying London to Jo'burg in 2001!) Problem is, you (and others) use the phone, and pay the price. Why should they remove them? They're making money. T'will be interesting!!! TRISTÁN |
#5
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On Fri, 15 Oct 2004 16:27:48 +0000, Ivor Jones wrote:
"Tristán White" wrote in message ... I've been reading about this in various places, that they have found out that private cellular mobile phones do NOT affect flight controls, that this information is erroneous. Some report has come out. Furthermore, I have also been told that the flight companies have always known it's not dangerous, but that they have PRETENDED that it's dangerous so that people don't use the expensive onboard phones that you get on long-haul flights (International Roaming is cheaper than these rip-off phones). [snip] It may or may not be dangerous to the aircraft systems, but no pilot I know would let you use a phone on their flight, and I for one wouldn't want to be on the same plane..! In any case, avionics problems aside, how many cell sites do you think you're going to access at 30,000 feet..?! Or NO cells whatsoever on trans-oceanic flights. -- Michael Turner Email (ROT13) |
#6
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On Fri, 15 Oct 2004 16:27:48 +0000, Ivor Jones wrote:
"Tristán White" wrote in message ... I've been reading about this in various places, that they have found out that private cellular mobile phones do NOT affect flight controls, that this information is erroneous. Some report has come out. Furthermore, I have also been told that the flight companies have always known it's not dangerous, but that they have PRETENDED that it's dangerous so that people don't use the expensive onboard phones that you get on long-haul flights (International Roaming is cheaper than these rip-off phones). [snip] It may or may not be dangerous to the aircraft systems, but no pilot I know would let you use a phone on their flight, and I for one wouldn't want to be on the same plane..! In any case, avionics problems aside, how many cell sites do you think you're going to access at 30,000 feet..?! Or NO cells whatsoever on trans-oceanic flights. -- Michael Turner Email (ROT13) |
#7
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Tristán White wrote:
I've been reading about this in various places, that they have found out that private cellular mobile phones do NOT affect flight controls, that this information is erroneous. Some report has come out. Quote your source? I doubt whether there has ever been a likelyhood of mobile phones affecting the controls directly. However, it must be obvious that they are a source of electrical interference. Everybody is familiar with that bleeping noise on their hifi or PC when the phone rings. In fact, in view of the amount of interference they cause, it's remarkable they are approved to be used anywhere. The energy bursts that mobile phones radiate could cause interference on the voice channels used by pilots to communicate with ATC. A misunderstanding between pilots and ATC caused by interference could have fatal consequences. Also, they could potentially interfere with the instrument landing system. ILS uses groundbased transmitters operating in the MHz range. A receiver onboard detects the centre of the signal beam and sends signals to the autopilot to keep the aircraft centered on the beam. Interference could cause the system to work incorrectly and send the plane off course momentarily. If mobile phones can conceivably be a safety issue in planes, I think it is correct to err on the side of safety. T. Furthermore, I have also been told that the flight companies have always known it's not dangerous, but that they have PRETENDED that it's dangerous so that people don't use the expensive onboard phones that you get on long-haul flights (International Roaming is cheaper than these rip-off phones). I wonder whether all the flight companies knew it was a scam and clubbed together, or whether only a couple of them knew and the other companies simply followed suit. So I wonder whether in the light of all these revelations, whether we will now have all those announcements removed? Or will they try and brush it under the carpet and hope that not a lot of people find out about the little scam, and end up continuing with the subterfuge? Or will they come clean and let people use their private phones? Or will they come clean but give another reason for not using private phones (eg noise pollution)? Interesting isn't it! Also, will people who were fined for disobeying regulations, such as that guy who got arrested for texting "I love you" to his wife while on a flight, will be able to claim their money back.... Furthermore, will this see the price of onboard phones come down dramatically (it took me a while to come back from the shock when I got my credit card bill back after calling my wife from the Virgin phone in my seat when flying London to Jo'burg in 2001!) T'will be interesting!!! TRISTÁN |
#8
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Tristán White wrote:
I've been reading about this in various places, that they have found out that private cellular mobile phones do NOT affect flight controls, that this information is erroneous. Some report has come out. Quote your source? I doubt whether there has ever been a likelyhood of mobile phones affecting the controls directly. However, it must be obvious that they are a source of electrical interference. Everybody is familiar with that bleeping noise on their hifi or PC when the phone rings. In fact, in view of the amount of interference they cause, it's remarkable they are approved to be used anywhere. The energy bursts that mobile phones radiate could cause interference on the voice channels used by pilots to communicate with ATC. A misunderstanding between pilots and ATC caused by interference could have fatal consequences. Also, they could potentially interfere with the instrument landing system. ILS uses groundbased transmitters operating in the MHz range. A receiver onboard detects the centre of the signal beam and sends signals to the autopilot to keep the aircraft centered on the beam. Interference could cause the system to work incorrectly and send the plane off course momentarily. If mobile phones can conceivably be a safety issue in planes, I think it is correct to err on the side of safety. T. Furthermore, I have also been told that the flight companies have always known it's not dangerous, but that they have PRETENDED that it's dangerous so that people don't use the expensive onboard phones that you get on long-haul flights (International Roaming is cheaper than these rip-off phones). I wonder whether all the flight companies knew it was a scam and clubbed together, or whether only a couple of them knew and the other companies simply followed suit. So I wonder whether in the light of all these revelations, whether we will now have all those announcements removed? Or will they try and brush it under the carpet and hope that not a lot of people find out about the little scam, and end up continuing with the subterfuge? Or will they come clean and let people use their private phones? Or will they come clean but give another reason for not using private phones (eg noise pollution)? Interesting isn't it! Also, will people who were fined for disobeying regulations, such as that guy who got arrested for texting "I love you" to his wife while on a flight, will be able to claim their money back.... Furthermore, will this see the price of onboard phones come down dramatically (it took me a while to come back from the shock when I got my credit card bill back after calling my wife from the Virgin phone in my seat when flying London to Jo'burg in 2001!) T'will be interesting!!! TRISTÁN |
#9
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Tristán White wrote:
I've been reading about this in various places, that they have found out that private cellular mobile phones do NOT affect flight controls, that this information is erroneous. Some report has come out. Most planes aren't affected by mobiles, that is true. Some older planes are, however, so don't go using your phone on any and all flights just because you have read an article and think you know better. A problem that still affects the use of mobiles on planes is that the signal from a mobile high over land will reach a very broad area. Since the same frequency is re-used many times in that area, it means that several cells will be unable to use one of their frequencies. Secondly the phone will be travelling extremely fast and so the cells will have to handoff the call from cell to cell very quickly. That will overload some systems, especially if a lot of people do it. Thirdly the phone will have to pump up the output power to maximum to bridge the distance from plane to ground and to get through the metal skin of the plane. Your battery won't last very long. Some enterprising airlines are planning to install microcells in their planes that connect back to land via satellite or radio link. Mobiles in planes will be able to roam onto these cells thus using much lower power and solving the problem of blotting out frequencies across many cells on the ground or handing off from cell to cell too quickly. Unfortunately it also means that the airline can still set the pricing and get a cut of the call charges. http://theregister.co.uk/ has some details if you search. Steve. |
#10
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Tristán White wrote:
I've been reading about this in various places, that they have found out that private cellular mobile phones do NOT affect flight controls, that this information is erroneous. Some report has come out. Most planes aren't affected by mobiles, that is true. Some older planes are, however, so don't go using your phone on any and all flights just because you have read an article and think you know better. A problem that still affects the use of mobiles on planes is that the signal from a mobile high over land will reach a very broad area. Since the same frequency is re-used many times in that area, it means that several cells will be unable to use one of their frequencies. Secondly the phone will be travelling extremely fast and so the cells will have to handoff the call from cell to cell very quickly. That will overload some systems, especially if a lot of people do it. Thirdly the phone will have to pump up the output power to maximum to bridge the distance from plane to ground and to get through the metal skin of the plane. Your battery won't last very long. Some enterprising airlines are planning to install microcells in their planes that connect back to land via satellite or radio link. Mobiles in planes will be able to roam onto these cells thus using much lower power and solving the problem of blotting out frequencies across many cells on the ground or handing off from cell to cell too quickly. Unfortunately it also means that the airline can still set the pricing and get a cut of the call charges. http://theregister.co.uk/ has some details if you search. Steve. |
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