Experienced travelers who have repeatedly flown know that there are certain restrictions on the use of mobile phones in an airplane. However, numerous studies on this subject give the most vague results. Let’s find out if it’s possible to use a telephone in an airplane?
Etiology of prohibition
Why do passengers wonder if it’s possible to use mobile on an airplane? What is the reason for such an unusual ban?
Aircraft is an extremely complex system. A whole mass of communication and navigation devices are concentrated on its board, which operate at different frequencies. With the introduction of the widespread use of the first mobile phones, it became necessary to study their impact on aircraft equipment. Since the question presented was initially poorly studied, the airlines decided to hedge themselves by prohibiting the inclusion of such devices on board.
Cell phones have been present on the market for modern technology for several decades. Since their appearance, the equipment that is installed on board the aircraft has undergone significant changes. And if earlier the radio waves that reproduced the first mobile phones could potentially cause malfunctions in the operation of navigation systems, today it is almost impossible.
Despite the above, leading airlines still conduct research on the issue of whether it is possible to use a telephone and other electronic devices in an airplane. Such tests are aimed at identifying interference that various technologies can produce.
Why do individual airlines still continue to prohibit the use of mobile phones on board? There are several reasons for this, which we will consider later in the material.
Compulsory reinsurance
Almost weekly, new types of mobile devices appear on the market that are equipped with additional, previously unknown functionality. All this leads to a change in the protocols and operating standards of such devices. Therefore, their impact on aircraft equipment requires additional, thorough research. In conditions of regular changes, airlines resort to reinsurance in case of interference with the functioning of aircraft equipment under the influence of new microwaves emitted by portable devices used by passengers.
Distraction factor
The rules for using mobile phones during the flight are drawn up by airlines, as users must remain alert on board. This may be required in case of unforeseen circumstances during landing or take-off. It is extremely difficult for passengers to become aware of information about the behavior on board when most of them are passionate about images that unfold on the screen of personal devices.
Comfort requirements
Airlines are trying to provide passengers with complete comfort during the flight. If some people calmly endure being several thousand kilometers above the ground, others behave nervously. Therefore, in order not to panic, they need a calm atmosphere.
It is extremely difficult to provide it when people around everywhere are talking on cell phones. Therefore, in order not to create a nervous atmosphere for certain categories of passengers, owners of electronic devices should once again think about whether it is possible to use the phone on an airplane.
Extra income
Some passengers believe that airlines are forcing people to think about whether it is possible to use a telephone on an airplane because they want to earn extra money. And in fact, setting restrictions on access to the Internet from mobile devices and on conversations forces people to turn to paid services provided by flight attendants. Therefore, this option has the right to life.
Passenger Safety
The establishment of rules regarding whether it is possible to use a telephone on board an aircraft is partly due to the need to ensure safe flights for each individual passenger. Employees of some airlines insist not only on refusing to carry out negotiations on board, but even force people to hide portable devices after takeoff. The reason lies in the risk of injuring oneself and others with active body movements during playing games, falling out of the device, nervous behavior during conversations.
The practical side of the issue
So is it possible to use a telephone on an airplane? Officially, mobile devices are approved for use on board aircraft. Similar bans airlines of the world lifted back in 2014. However, in reality, employees of individual firms that provide flights are entitled to independently create rules that impose certain restrictions on the actions of passengers on board.
Given the official permission to use mobile devices in airplanes, the majority of airlines decided to find their middle ground regarding this issue. Therefore, when boarding, one can often hear explanations from stewardesses as to whether it is possible to use a cell phone in an airplane and what restrictions are imposed on such behavior.
In general, during take-off, passengers are advised to switch the phone to “flight mode”, which leads to blocking the functionality of the wireless modules of the portable device.
What do pilots think on this issue?
Is it possible to use a telephone in an airplane according to pilots? According to airborne workers who are at the helm of air transport, it is not worth using portable devices during take-off. In particular, it is not recommended to use the built-in cameras with flash during the acceleration of the aircraft along the runway. Flashes from the windows can cause suspicion of existing breakdowns or become a distraction for pilots who will be forced to make emergency braking.
Finally
So we found out whether it is possible to use a mobile phone in an airplane. As you can see, each airline has its own opinion on this, forming the appropriate rules for passenger behavior. Be that as it may, if the flight attendants are asked to disconnect or hide the portable device - in order to avoid trouble, it is better to silently follow the advice.