Phone on the plane

[GoldenMerc]

On monday im going to spain and i was wondering am i allowed to keep it on phone & txt people?
Not entirely sure :P
Ross

[GearsOfWar]

Gotta keep it off otherwise it messed with radio transmissions and stuff, if you wanna use a PSP or something on the plain tho wait till ur stable in air and you can take ur seatbelts off but make sure the lan is off ;)

[Andys]

No, you wont.

[today]

Even if the phone has "inflight system" you cannot have it on.

Its a extremely stupid idea having "flight mode" on phones when you cant use it but none the less.

[Dentafrice]

Weird, when I flew they let me keep mine on flight mode :S

[GoldenMerc]

i swear this rule was changing :(

[xxMATTGxx]

At this current stage, unless its changed without me knowing. All mobile phones should be switched off unless the airlines allow you to have it turned on in Flight Mode. (e.g British Airways)

[Adam!]

Your phone should be off, or in the flight mode (if permitted by the airline).

Even if you have your phone on, you'll loose your signal at 3000ft so it really makes no difference.

[VPSwow]

If you want your phone for music, games ect, you must alert the cabin crew BEFORE switching your phone and some will allow you to use it in flight mode only :)

[Adam!]

Most airlines totally prohibit using phones, flight mode or not.

Some airlines (BA, Virgin etc), which actually have sence realise there is nothing wrong with using a phone if its not radiating signals.

[Hazza]

I don't know why they have this rule because a friend of mine dad works on fixing the aircrafts and shizzle and he said there is no reason why you can't have it on - Its just for safety I think. Most rules are that you cannot use it. Hmmm, odd.

[GearsOfWar]

I don't know why they have this rule because a friend of mine dad works on fixing the aircrafts and shizzle and he said there is no reason why you can't have it on - Its just for safety I think. Most rules are that you cannot use it. Hmmm, odd.

It will mess up the radio transmittion and no one will be able to detect your plane, say you lose a signal and you're lost and don't know where to go, then you're pretty much screwed. You'll be flying around looking for a airport then you'll run out of petrol and that's not a good thing if that was to happen :P

[shizzle]

Weird, when I flew they let me keep mine on flight mode :S
My mum's Motorolla has flight mode which is basically "offline mode", I personally think it should be allowed.

[Hazza]

I'm only saying what an expert said. The planes fly themselves by the way, pilots are only there for safety (and take offs & landings).

[Recursion]

Actually, you won't loose the signal at 3000ft, you will get the best signal if you are over land as it is a clear path.

But because your moving so fast, it does put strain on the network as it gets confused.


And actually, it doesn't mess with the radar at all, radar is totally different. The phones actually don't interfere nowadays.

We have used all sorts with bluetooth, WiFi etc... still enabled with no problems.

[Hazza]

Actually, you won't loose the signal at 3000ft, you will get the best signal if you are over land as it is a clear path.

But because your moving so fast, it does put strain on the network as it gets confused.


And actually, it doesn't mess with the radar at all, radar is totally different. The phones actually don't interfere nowadays.
Thats what I was told! :)

[Recursion]

They mostly tell you to turn them off as you wouldn't want to here people shouting down the phone throughout the flight would you?

[Adam!]

It will mess up the radio transmittion and no one will be able to detect your plane, say you lose a signal and you're lost and don't know where to go, then you're pretty much screwed. You'll be flying around looking for a airport then you'll run out of petrol and that's not a good thing if that was to happen :P

Thats a little bit extreme... The worst case would be wrong indications from VOR/DME etc. As soon as the captain noticed and the device in question was turned off it would be sorted.

Pilots can fly an aircraft visually you know, they don't totally rely on instruments.


I'm only saying what an expert said. The planes fly themselves by the way, pilots are only there for safety (and take offs & landings).

Thats true, kind of, but pilots are of course able to fly without autopilot should it be required.


Actually, you won't loose the signal at 3000ft, you will get the best signal if you are over land as it is a clear path.

But because your moving so fast, it does put strain on the network as it gets confused.


And actually, it doesn't mess with the radar at all, radar is totally different. The phones actually don't interfere nowadays.

We have used all sorts with bluetooth, WiFi etc... still enabled with no problems.

Right... You try making a successful phone call at 3000ft after departure.. Landing is all fine and well, I've done it - But takeoff, you've got no chance :P

Someones being reading the VATUK forum ;)

[Dentafrice]

Actually, you won't loose the signal at 3000ft, you will get the best signal if you are over land as it is a clear path.

But because your moving so fast, it does put strain on the network as it gets confused.


And actually, it doesn't mess with the radar at all, radar is totally different. The phones actually don't interfere nowadays.

We have used all sorts with bluetooth, WiFi etc... still enabled with no problems.
They are afraid it would mess with the radio, not the radar, essentially a cell phone is a "radio" device, as it works in the same way as a two way radio, rx tx.

The thing is though cell phones use a "reuse" channel approach, which means it grabs onto any radio channel it can find to try and transmit the signal, which means my cell phone could go through your cell phone which could go through another cell phone just to reach the tower.

That way a whole seperate channel is not used just to connect to the tower.

Plus you would certainly loose signal, as cell phones work as their names imply.. in cells.. and that combined with the reuse technology, flying pretty fast over the ground, would make you connect to cell after cell after cell, not like a normal person driving.

The signal doesn't go straight up from the towers, if you have noticed the towers have angle deflectors on them to shoot the signal out in the specific areas of the cell, as well as to aim towards other towers to transmit the data.

Hence why you loose service going up mountains until you reach the radial point of another tower.

So all in all, at 3000 feet your not going to get a signal. Maybe on landing.. but not midflight.

[superfly-dan]

I don't think you can, however some airlines allow you to have your mobile in flight mode.

which also brings me on... does that mean I have to have the Wi-Fi on my iPod switched off when I go to Egypt next Sunday?

[e5]

Not during take off and landing for sure, but they say don't anyway because it COULD interfear with their electrics.

[Adam!]

I don't think you can, however some airlines allow you to have your mobile in flight mode.

which also brings me on... does that mean I have to have the Wi-Fi on my iPod switched off when I go to Egypt next Sunday?

Yes it does, however, why you'd want your Wifi turned on when they're are no wireless signals is beyond me anyway.

[today]

Weird, when I flew they let me keep mine on flight mode :S


At this current stage, unless its changed without me knowing. All mobile phones should be switched off unless the airlines allow you to have it turned on in Flight Mode. (e.g British Airways)

Its such a silly rule. Specially when some laptops can be used onflight.
:\

When i was on holiday, Thompson. They said all mobiles should be turned off however laptops, mps, ipods are alright to use. :\

[cocaine]

Its such a silly rule. Specially when some laptops can be used onflight.
:\

When i was on holiday, Thompson. They said all mobiles should be turned off however laptops, mps, ipods are alright to use. :\

yeah laptops are allowed if the wifi is off.. so hows that stupid?

[xxMATTGxx]

iPods don't transmit any signals though. Laptops can with wifi on, but theres no need for it when your like what 35,000ft in the air?

[Recursion]

Someones being reading the VATUK forum ;)

Wait wut? Who?


They are afraid it would mess with the radio, not the radar, essentially a cell phone is a "radio" device, as it works in the same way as a two way radio, rx tx.

The thing is though cell phones use a "reuse" channel approach, which means it grabs onto any radio channel it can find to try and transmit the signal, which means my cell phone could go through your cell phone which could go through another cell phone just to reach the tower.

That way a whole seperate channel is not used just to connect to the tower.

Plus you would certainly loose signal, as cell phones work as their names imply.. in cells.. and that combined with the reuse technology, flying pretty fast over the ground, would make you connect to cell after cell after cell, not like a normal person driving.

The signal doesn't go straight up from the towers, if you have noticed the towers have angle deflectors on them to shoot the signal out in the specific areas of the cell, as well as to aim towards other towers to transmit the data.

Hence why you loose service going up mountains until you reach the radial point of another tower.

So all in all, at 3000 feet your not going to get a signal. Maybe on landing.. but not midflight.

Try making one next time you are cruising in a plane! :P

But yes, it does mess up the network as you are jumping from cell to cell extremely quickly.

[Dentafrice]

Wait wut? Who?



Try making one next time you are cruising in a plane! :P

But yes, it does mess up the network as you are jumping from cell to cell extremely quickly.
But up in the air, you can't get any signal, so there is no jumping from "cell to cell" like there is on the ground.

So if more then once person has their cell phone on, it would try to connect through it, which would make the signal stronger, which would try to connect through another radio device.. the radio.

[ebay]

On monday im going to spain and i was wondering am i allowed to keep it on phone & txt people?
Not entirely sure :P
Ross

Soon you will be able to. British Airways are testing out the service this summer and Emirates.

[today]

yeah laptops are allowed if the wifi is off.. so hows that stupid?
That's the thing, he was on the internet on Messenger. :S The flight attenders didn't seem to be bothered. Or didn't notice, not sure.

[cocaine]

That's the thing, he was on the internet on Messenger. :S The flight attenders didn't seem to be bothered. Or didn't notice, not sure.

ooh oh dear, maybe there was wifi installed on planes? I think its virgin airways that are thinking of install wifi ports on their planes

[Adam!]

Wifi was trialed on a number of airlines, including Virgin Atlantic I believe? - I do know the vPort inflight entertainment system has internet capabilities, as far as I know it's just for email? - Perhaps it could be full internet :s

[prada]

when i went to Madrid with jet2 i was listening to my phone on flightmode then they said you arnt allowed it on, even on flightmode so i was just like ok lol : S always wondered why im not allowed, when im not even receiving signal?!

[Recursion]

It's because they can't tell if its in flight mode or not, if they allowed flight mode they would have to check them all... But some airlines are more relaxed.

[Adam!]

It's because they can't tell if its in flight mode or not, if they allowed flight mode they would have to check them all... But some airlines are more relaxed.
Why would they have to check them all? - They'd just trust passengers to be able to switch modes when they're asked.. It's all about social compliance you know! :)

[Kenneth]

Wifi was trialed on a number of airlines, including Virgin Atlantic I believe? - I do know the vPort inflight entertainment system has internet capabilities, as far as I know it's just for email? - Perhaps it could be full internet :s
Lufthansa also had wifi, not anymore though I think.

[Fugato]

Take your iPod Touch with SkySMS on it :D