GPS on a plane?
May 23, 2007 | 10:36 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 127
GPS on a plane?
Howdy
i just got a bluetooth gps receiver with my pda. wondering if it works on a plane and should you use it during the flight??
searched the forums with no results
any tech heads care to enlighten??
kind regards
2sweetau
i just got a bluetooth gps receiver with my pda. wondering if it works on a plane and should you use it during the flight??
searched the forums with no results
any tech heads care to enlighten??
kind regards
2sweetau
May 23, 2007 | 10:43 pm
#2
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Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 15,788
It depends on the airline. Some allow it (above 10K ft.), others do not allow GPS at all.
If you have a window seat, and satellite geometry is favorable, GPS reception is quite possible on a commercial flight.
If you have a window seat, and satellite geometry is favorable, GPS reception is quite possible on a commercial flight.
May 23, 2007 | 10:52 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 127
heh... sounds great ... thinking about using it on lufthansa (since no on demand IFE )
how can i find out if they allow gps? i dont recall them saying anything during the safety percedures on board.
i dont want to be an idoit as this is a safety matter. just wondering if anyone else has tried it?
how can i find out if they allow gps? i dont recall them saying anything during the safety percedures on board.
i dont want to be an idoit as this is a safety matter. just wondering if anyone else has tried it?
May 23, 2007 | 11:01 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2005
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I just put mine against the window and wedged it in place by pulling the shade down on it. Put a pillow or blanket there and no one will know.
I knew it couldn't hurt, so I didn't feel bad being a tad sneaky.
I knew it couldn't hurt, so I didn't feel bad being a tad sneaky.
May 23, 2007 | 11:10 pm
#5
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Some airlines might allow a GPS receiver, but you could have a problem with the bluetooth, since it's transmitting a signal to the PDA. At least on domestic US flights, bluetooth and wi-fi are supposed to be turned off.
May 23, 2007 | 11:14 pm
#6
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May 23, 2007 | 11:17 pm
#7
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I don't know about Lufthansa. A casual search didn't turn up the information. You might try the "Miles & More (Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, and other partners)" forum.
Regardless of the avionics interference potential of personal GPS usage it is impolite to put the FAs in the position of having to enforce their airlines policy.
May 23, 2007 | 11:36 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 127
i dont really want to ask the FA'S in fear of rejecting the idea of using this device because they have no idea if its safe or not.
ill dig alittle deeper, and post some results from my selected airline lufthansa.
ill dig alittle deeper, and post some results from my selected airline lufthansa.
May 24, 2007 | 5:57 am
#9
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Their website doesn't address GPS, it only says
Use of the following equipment is permitted during the flight: Laptop (with CD-ROM/DVD-drive), Walkman, MP3 player, CD player, Mini Disc player, Game Boy and video camcorder. Use of the following is still not permitted: Mobile phones, radio equipment, radio remote control, wireless mouse, Mini Disc
Bluetooth though is not allowed, they specificailly said no bluetooth or wireless printers, keyboards, mice or any other devices on a flight earlier this week.
Use of the following equipment is permitted during the flight: Laptop (with CD-ROM/DVD-drive), Walkman, MP3 player, CD player, Mini Disc player, Game Boy and video camcorder. Use of the following is still not permitted: Mobile phones, radio equipment, radio remote control, wireless mouse, Mini Disc
Bluetooth though is not allowed, they specificailly said no bluetooth or wireless printers, keyboards, mice or any other devices on a flight earlier this week.
May 24, 2007 | 7:02 am
#10
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I know NWA allows is above 10K feet and pilots have the ultimate discretion. I pull it out, if they ask I show, if they question I point them to the section in their flight handbook that says I can. Never had to escalate beyond that.
I have it built into my BB 8800, I just kill the cell phone service and use it as a handheld GPS. Usually get 4-8 sats strong. I get a kick out of it
Granted my 8800 you have to know where you'll be going since you'll need to "trace" your route when you are on the ground with cell service and cache the maps, you can't just download and store maps to your phone yet
I have it built into my BB 8800, I just kill the cell phone service and use it as a handheld GPS. Usually get 4-8 sats strong. I get a kick out of it
Granted my 8800 you have to know where you'll be going since you'll need to "trace" your route when you are on the ground with cell service and cache the maps, you can't just download and store maps to your phone yet
May 24, 2007 | 8:37 am
#11
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Use of the following equipment is permitted during the flight: Laptop (with CD-ROM/DVD-drive), Walkman, MP3 player, CD player, Mini Disc player, Game Boy and video camcorder. Use of the following is still not permitted: Mobile phones, radio equipment, radio remote control, wireless mouse, Mini Disc
May 24, 2007 | 10:39 am
#12
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There's reason to the lists?
May 24, 2007 | 11:23 am
#13
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Clearly there is no reason to the list. Based on the above a "Mini Disc Player" is allowed but a "Mini Disc" is not. What genius! 
CO allows GPS use in flight. It works great! I need to try it with my external antenna wedged between the window shade and the window, as described above.
CO allows GPS use in flight. It works great! I need to try it with my external antenna wedged between the window shade and the window, as described above.
May 24, 2007 | 1:00 pm
#14
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,246
AA does not allow a GPS receiver in flight. Neither does JAL. I don't think I've ever been on an airline that fails to address is. Read the list of prohibited items in the seat pocket magazine.
May 25, 2007 | 5:36 am
#15
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Exeter. UK
Posts: 74
I've tried many times to use my GPS on Lufthansa and BA flights but never had any joy.
It is quite good HOLUX 236 and was working during whole flight on Piper and Cesna.
So I gave up trying- but next Friday I'm flying to Goa so I'd like to see where I am- and possibly will try one more time. It is night flight so GPS would be even more needed
Cheers
Chris
It is quite good HOLUX 236 and was working during whole flight on Piper and Cesna.
So I gave up trying- but next Friday I'm flying to Goa so I'd like to see where I am- and possibly will try one more time. It is night flight so GPS would be even more needed
Cheers
Chris