Since we are NOT all electrical or radio engineers....
Originally Posted by
entropy
If Cell phones were actually harmful to navigation systems, then there would surely be many more disasters caused by cellphones left on. People leave them on all the time. Not to mention that the EU is allowing in-flight cellphone use.
DO all rules make sense? no. Are the reasons due to safety? no. For example, once you land, you're allowed to turn on your cell phone, but not your ipod. Yet in flight, ipod ok, phone not ok.
Lets let the Kari Byron Show provide the truth... (aka mythbusters)
From Episode 49:
The ban on cell phones on aircraft is designed to force passengers to use the expensive in-flight phones.
busted
It was found that cell phone signals, specifically those in the 800-900 MHz range, did intefere with unshielded cockpit instrumentation. Because older aircraft with unshielded wiring can be affected, and because of the possible problems that may arise by having many airborne cell phones "seeing" multiple cell phone towers, the FCC (via enforcement through the FAA) still deems it best to err on the safe side and prohibit the use of cell phones while airborne.