Originally Posted by
LarryJ
And from that you conclude that they are all wrong. That is an unreasonable conclusion based on the data. It is clear that the possibility of interference exists.
The scientific method says that you make observations, create a hypothesis and then test your theory. You have observed something, created a belief and then failed to perform any tests. That is an unreasonable conclusion based on the real world observable data. I noticed you failed to post your own list of air crashes caused by cell phone interference.
Originally Posted by
LarryJ
The only evidence that I have of your behavior is that you admittedly ignore regulations with which you disagree.
You have evidence that I disregard one rule as a private citizen that is senseless and idiotic. That rule is disregarded my millions of others each and every day, 365 days a year, with absolutely no documented air crashes, no documented evidence of landing at the wrong airport due to "navigational interference", no documented evidence of any death or injury related to their use, no documented evidence of any security concern due to their being allowed in flight.
What you do not have is any evidence, other than your wild assumptions, that my personal activities carry over to my professional activities.
Originally Posted by
LarryJ
A mechanic should know better than that.
This Federally licensed aircraft mechanic does know better than you on this. You may understand how to fly, but you don't know how to fix or maintain or test these systems. Diagnostic self tests that can be done from the cockpit are always high level tests, they are not the end all be all of testing nor do they bring you to the actual root cause of any errors.
Originally Posted by
LarryJ
We don't wait for a crash before applying risk-management procedure. We apply risk-management procedures in an attempt to prevent an incident or accident from happening.
Well then, we should ban all sorts of items for which there is no evidence or proof that they cause any problems. According to you they may lead to an accident, so they should be banned. Where would you like to start? Point and shoot cameras? Many of them have bluetooth capabilities today. Laser pointers? They broadcast a focused beam of coherent light, they might cause a crash. There are many many examples of consumer products that have no history of causing air crashes, why not ban all of them as well?
Originally Posted by
LarryJ
1. There is no doubt that interference can, and sometimes does, occur.
Interference can occur, the point is that you have no evidence of what is causing it. Maybe its a solar flare? Maybe its electrical activity in the atmosphere? Lightning is only lightning once it is discharged with a flash, there is significant electrical build up in the atmosphere all the time.
The problem you have is fairly common, you are confusing correlation with causation. It would be just as easy to make the connection that every single commercial air crash has had at least one pilot on board. There is clear correlation between the presence of pilots and air crashes. But that does not mean that pilots cause crashes, just that they are always present. That is all you have, correlation, but no proof of causation.
Originally Posted by
LarryJ
There are a steady stream of reports of such interference in the industry database that is setup for just that type of report,
A steady stream of incorrect and unsubstantiated reports does not prove causation.
Originally Posted by
LarryJ
the mythbusters documented interference in their test, and many pilots, including myself, have seen it first hand.
Really? Mythbusters? They are your scientific evidence? What's next? A link to Wikipedia?
Originally Posted by
LarryJ
2. When interference occurs, regardless of its source, it has the potential to cash an incident or accident.
Please, list the air crashes caused by your assumed correlation. It should be easy, you seem fairly well wedded to your position.
Originally Posted by
LarryJ
3. Since cell-phone use is not required in flight, the safety action is to prohibit their use.
Underwear is not required in flight either. And, just as with cell phone use, underwear has not been proven to be related to any air crashes either. Should we also ban underwear?