What happens if the phone is not turned off on an airplane?

The ban or permit the use of mobile phones on airplanes has been discussed a lot when the airline industry is trying to catch up with changing technologies every day. Before each flight, the attendant will ask the passenger to switch the phone to Airplane mode or turn it off completely to ensure safety. But what if the passenger does not follow the instructions?

According to TravelandLeisure, when flying at a distance of 10,000 feet (3,048m), the passenger phone will interact with multiple receivers broadcasting below the ground instead of a single column, and the phone signal is now available. Very strong emitting, can block the underground network. However, this is not what makes the plane fall.

Kenny Kirchoff, a former Boeing engineer, said: "Mobile phones are not the main cause of falling aircraft. The problem is that when passengers call, it can distract the pilot. In the two most important stages of flight is takeoff and landing, pilots must have a high concentration. "

Passenger calls can distract the pilot.

With the advancement of current technology, the risks posed by mobile phones have become obsolete. In 2014, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) declared electronic devices not a threat to flights. Of course, airlines also need to check and prove their electronic communication systems are not affected by mobile phone waves.

Many airlines have passed the mobile wave safety test, and they have allowed passengers to call on the plane. Two mobile telecommunications companies AeroMobile and On Air provide this service on flights of Emirates, Virgin, British Airways and more than 27 other airlines. On Air provides services on more than half of the Airbus A380 aircraft in the world.

Still limited in the US

However, in the US, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not yet allowed passengers to call on airplanes. Ms. Elizabeth Isham Cory, FAA communications officer, said: "Mobile communications are prohibited on flights by FAA and FCC (Federal Communications Commission) regulations. This ban is For safety reasons, FAA prohibits any device that generates intentional signals, including cell phones, because mobile phones may cause electronic interference. "

However, a study conducted by the FAA in 2012 concluded: "Civil aviation agencies reported that they did not see any impact of mobile phones on flights with base stations. waves on the cockpit ". These miniature broadcast stations are called "picocells". They allow passengers to call without affecting the electronic system of the aircraft.

"Today there are many modern devices (laptops, phones .) that are protected for continuous operation without interruption. We do not have magic gauges to know on a flight. The phone is connecting to a mobile network or Wi-Fi network without being turned off, " said safety expert Allison Markey.

Perhaps the main reason for prohibiting phone calls is at the request of passengers, not technical restrictions.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is aware that mobile phones may not jeopardize the flight, but the FCC has yet to decide when to ban the ban. The current FCC rules prohibiting the use of phones on airplanes have been approved for more than 20 years. Regulations are in place to protect mobile networks under the ground from interference by radio waves.

Allison said: "Modern technologies on airplanes today can prevent this interference. It has been deployed in many countries without causing any problems. The removal is completely one. If it is approved, it will allow airlines to provide mobile services on the flight at will. "

If the FCC removes current regulations, it is the airline's duty to work with customers to unify what services are deployed on the plane: data, text or audio? The FCC has expressed its view that many passengers will not like the phone call service.

Perhaps the main reason for prohibiting phone calls is at the request of passengers , not technical restrictions. Many passengers view calls on the flight as being more disturbing than a utility. Sitting next to a customer calling on the phone was even louder than being seated too much by the person sitting in front of him.