quaxon

I am flying from SFO-JFK on united soon and since they dont have maps to follow along with i was wondering what the harm would be to turn the GPS on my iphone on every once in a while (using offline maps ive downloaded to locate me)? I figure if i do it when we are flying over farm country where ATC communication is minimal it shouldnt cause any problems. any one try this ever?

WineCountryUA

A properly certified GPS is OK -- of course with the standard requirement of all electronic devices are off during take-off and landing. A good GPS reference on this is http://www.gpsinformation.net/airgps/gpsrfi.htm and http://gpsinformation.net/airgps/airgps.htm

weero

Technically no harm - many airlines allow the use of GPS receivers. It's just that United announces that all devices which transmit or receive must stay turned off for the remainder of the flight.

If you can do it surreptitiously without switching on any transmit functions on the iPhone, there is little risk in doing so . As for ATC interference, keep in mind that the GPS satellites transmit all the time anyway, you are not adding anything to that carrier signal.

WineCountryUA

I have had no trouble using a GPS on UA - no need to hide. Have been asked if a certified Class B device and FA has accepted the answer. However only works on a window seat.

WineCountryUA

A couple of relevant FT threads

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...-security.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...-question.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...ng-flight.html

and a specific mention of UA allowing use http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/994213-post23.html

cepheid

Be aware that the iPhone uses Assisted GPS; if you are using it in airplane mode, it may take some time to acquire position because it won't have the assistance from the cell towers. Also, if you're using the Google Maps app, be aware that you won't have internet access to download the map... you'll need to cache the widest-zoom U.S. map ahead of time, and won't be able to zoom in or out. If you're using a map app that stores its maps locally (like the upcoming TomTom app), you should be fine.

UnitedF1RST

I charged up my garmin nuvi from my car and brought it onto a IAD-LAX flight with me and it worked pretty well. I turned it on and then turned it screen-down and put it on the armrest (i was in a window seat) and let it search for the satellite signal. After about 5 minutes it had my exact location, altitude, and speed. I took a screenshot to show everyone I had taken my GPS up to 475 miles an hour!

CAPT Tee

When I just got my Garmin Nuvi last year, I took it on a flight from IAD to FRA. We had some serious tail wind. While we were over New York, it showed we were doing 701 miles/per hour. The flight took less than 7 hours. I have not reset the max speed on my Garmin since then. It is still showing that as the max speed.

mvtm

quaxon,
As far as i know, GPS are fine. Unlike cellphones, they don't produce any interference to the plane as they can't transmit. My advice would be to read the airline's policy. I know some happily allow it, while others don't or don't state it. But that it is safe, it is safe.

For iPhone though, i am not quite sure how this works. iPhone 2G "GPS" works by triangulating tower signals. So, in my case when i switch it to airplane mode or leave it without. There's no way my old iPhone will work as it needs a network signal in order to work.

I haven't tried 3G or 3GS. These does have a true A-GPS and should work. But, since the iPhone its a cellphone device, i just prefer to turn it off or leave it on airplane mode. I think that if a FA sees you with your iPhone in use, she will politely ask you to turn it off.

Well.. maybe if you show her it is on airplane mode. It will do the trick.
I have to try this one yet.

Hey i did this too! And i also took screenshots! . It's a blast- take a look.

Nuvi 1
Nuvi 2
Nuvi 3

Of this i am not sure. Logically this should be as you said,but i've had luck at aisle too.

JadedTraveler

Very cool pic in 2nd post in this thread: Do Portable GPS units work on airplanes?

MileageAddict

I use my Garmin Nuvi on flights often. As my unit works in North America and Europe, I found it especially handy in Europe where I am not as familiar with the terrain I'm flying over.

As other have mentioned, it only works from the window seat.

My top speed is only 577 so far!

Allanf

Have you ever been successful in getting a position on an iPhone? I tried once or twice and gave up but maybe should have been more persistent.

weero

I remember this thread vividly. But I was asked to shut my GPS down by FAs whenever they noticed it. So the FA reality and the pilot reality are a fair bit different.

WineCountryUA

Because many FAs are unfamiliar with the rules & technology, just ask for them to check with the pilot (referencing FOM 8.100.7). I have had more than one FA say "I don't realize that." Of course, they do need to be shut down below 10K feet for take-off and landing.

cepheid

I've never tried on a plane. It works wonderfully on the ground.