Electronic Devices After landing
 

Yesterday on my flight back from Glasgow we were taxiing on the runway for a long time and I turned on my ipad. They insisted that ALL electronics need to be turned off, computers etc, not just mobiles. I did it, but is that truly the rule? It felt a bit overzealous, but wondering what the true regulation says.

It's the official rule from the CAA

There was a long discussion here recently regarding this, I'll see if I can dig it out.

Yes, electronic devices must be off when engines are running on the ground, and during takeoff, approach and landing.

This was the thread I was thinking about. It's more about landing and taxiing but the points made by both sides still apply.

Not this old chestnut again; yeah its the "rules" on BA. You may or may not agree with them (I don't) but cabin-crew are just doing what they are asked. Take it up with customer services if you have a problem with it.

Some airlines allow you to watch their entertainment systems with "in-ear" earphones during all phases of flight. If memory serves, this was totally acceptable on Air Canada.

It's not BA's rules, it is the CAA. If BA start doing/allowing something different then they have their regulator all over them. As anyone working with government agencies/regulators will appreciate, you always want the least possible contact. :D

I believe it's down to the regulator in the country where the airline is registered, in this case the CAA, rather than individual airline's policies.

Edit: Swanhunter beat me to it.

I don't think it's a CAA rule. AA let you use your phone on the ground at LHR. If the CAA had it covered within a "CAP" document they wouldn't be permitted to allow this.

However rules are rules - and this is a very common one.

At BA the Captain has the authority to allow passengers to use mobiles and other devices with the engines running on the ground if there is likely to be an extended delay, i.e waiting for a parking stand. Luckily that rarely happens at T5 now.

It is entirely the Captains decision, so you'll just have to listen out for the announcement on the day if this was to be the case.

It's the FAA that regulates AA. But I think this is in fact a BA rule, maybe guided by the CAA.

It is all to do with the signals some devices give off interfering with the flight deck instruments and the radio. As mentioned the Captain can allow passengers to use devices if delayed on the ground with the engines still running.

Also, the word from the CAA on mobile phones is here, and the extract is as follows:

It was done to death on the other thread. I think that it's as much about triggering another device that might be on board as much as interfering with aircraft systems, geven the plethora of electrnic systems that are already on board. I suspect that the proliferation of smartphones has made this all the more tricky.

My understand was that the CAA issue BA's AOC (or whatever it is called). As they issues it, their rules apply to any BA flight anywhere in the world.

AA are regulated by the FAA so the US rules apply.

Paging someone who knows for sure!

See my post above.

The CAA also regulates UK airspace and everthing that happens in it. If the CAA has a more stringent requirement than the FAA then the US carrier must meet that requirement.

As an example to fly in IFR a CAA (EASA now) certified aeroplane needs an oldie worldie navigation aid called an ADF (basically an AM radio!). The FAA haven't required this for years. In order to operate in UK airspace the US carriers initially needed to have the ADF receiver installed to meet UK regulations. In this case there is now a formal exception to the UK rule so that US carriers don't have to meet that requirement. However, it's for the CAA to make the exception not for the US carriers not to comply.

The feature of aviation is regulation is different from state to state - all regulation applies to an aircraft/crew - in the case of a contradiction - the worst case applies.

The CAA has a "policy" on electronic devices - It's policy isn't within the realms of the Air Navigation Order - which means it's not law.

An afternoon spent at BAFT is most enlightening in terms of explaining, from a cold, hard statatistical point of view, why the use of any distracting or restricting equipment during ground manoeuvring is potentially compromising in an emergency situation.

http://www.ebaft.com/fsa/fsa.htm

Safety specialists seem to agree that the electronic interference rationale is one of the least compelling reasons to prohibit the use of phones/iPads/laptops etc at certain times. There are other, far more proven reasons which many airlines base their Standard Operating Procedures on.

The fact that some other carriers choose not to mandate the same SOPs is neither right nor wrong.

However, only one policy is safer.