Camera on Flight
 

I searched for an answer to this and couldn't find any. Today on the evening ERJ flight from CLE>ALB, I was told I could not take any pictures out the window by a very young FA. (because of (9/11) she said) Over the years I have used my digital camera many times during a flight and never heard of this. Does anyone know what CO's policy is?

that's a new one on me, did you get any shots of the very young FA? ;)

Cameras are considered 'portable electronic devices'. They may be used onboard the aircraft except during taxi, takeoff, landing, and all flight operations below 10,000ft. So, when they make the announcement that PED's are permitted, then you can use your camera. This info is located in the back of the Continental mag.

That may be, but I use my camera onboard all the time and I've never been told not to. This includes before, during, and after taxi and takeoff. FAs have certainly seen me. IMHO the FA was full of it. There are NO restrictions whatsoever on aerial photography. If the FA had meant to invoke the electronic devices rule she would have. The "Because of 9/11" excuse is probably the most absurdly overused excuse I've ever heard. It's the modern, "The dog ate my homework.

As a frequent flyer and aircraft enthusiast I snap along during most flights (exception being night flights).

Occasionally I have had an FA attempt to forbid me (never on CO though).

As no law forbids it I usually ask him/her to provide me with/quote the law that outlaws such practices :-)

If the "no electronics" rule is invoked, hey presto ! I whip out the letter I got from Canon stating that my cameras are flightsafe.

Up to now no more hassle was given after the latter were mentioned :-)

UTA

Where did you obtain this?

Hey Snake,

I was taking photos out the window and she was not attractive to me, so no no shots of her, but I might do that in the future when conditions warrant.

Just to keep the story accurate, when she told me I couldn't use it, we were parked at the gate and the cabin door was open.

Being french I contacted Canon France here :
http://www.canon.co.uk/contact_us/ca...ope/france.asp

It appears you're based in EWR which means you will probably need to talk to a NA customer rep; in essentia I asked for something stating that my 20D and 10D were flightsafe and did not emit any EMI, in return I got a letter with a Canon letterhead stating that their digital cameras were fully compliant with whatever EMI rule and they did not emit any hazardous interference or radio waves, etc...

UTA

Please post a copy of the letter or I would appreciate it if you emailed it to me.

UTA posted before I could get this written, I would still like to see a copy of the letter.

Okay -- so now you know she was full of it. Of course, you want to be polite when you tell her that so you don't get accused of disobeying crew instructions.

I basically called up Canon's French customer service, numbers which are available here :
http://www.canon.co.uk/contact_us/ca...rope/index.asp

Now I see that you are in EWR, you may want to contact Canon NA.

I basically got a letter stating that Canon products comply with the regulations on EMI and radio interference and that their products were flightsafe, quoting the relevant various technical norms/certifcations Canon products had been tested.

UTA (stupid browser lost my other post)

For NA :

Americas

Company
Canon U.S.A., Inc.

Address
One Canon Plaza
Lake Success , NY , 11042

Telephone
516-328-5000


UTA

The camera can be used inflight after the portable electronic devices announcement has been made. It may also be used while parked at the gate with the main cabin door open. After the door is closed, you may not used the camera again until the aircraft has reached 10k ft, and the portable electronic device announcement is made. Once descent has begun, and the announcement made to turn off PED's, the camera can't be used until we have parked and the aircraft door is opened. This info is also located in our inflight manual. The FAR's governing this are 91.21 and 121.306.

As for FA's not saying anything, I can't answer for that. The letter you carry does nothing if you are using the camera during one the prohibited periods mentioned. As long as you using when allowed, then there is no problem.

Good info, thanks. Quick question, it appears this happened at EWR. Any prohibitions against taking pictures of the EWR ramp, CO equipment, personnel etc.?