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-   -   Phone usage during flight (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travelbuzz/1140259-phone-usage-during-flight.html)

rjw242 Oct 31, 2010 11:25 pm


Originally Posted by Frozentech (Post 15050540)
IEEE 802.11 is pretty easy to quantify compared to the array of cell handsets out there, some with bluetooth, some with built in FM receivers, etc.


Originally Posted by Frozentech (Post 15050540)
You are not allowed to operate bluetooth on board aircraft

So... cell phones are expensive to certify because they have built-in Bluetooth and FM receivers. Wifi devices on the other hand are easy because people won't be using the built-in Bluetooth and FM capabilities of those specific devices? Still don't understand the argument.

LarryJ Nov 1, 2010 9:14 pm


Originally Posted by rjw242 (Post 15049582)
Not true. WiFi is allowed on equipped flights, and they most certainly didn't formally test every wifi-enabled device on every model of aircraft.

An installation of an in-flight wifi hotspot, or mobile phone cell, requires a supplemental type certificate (STC). During the STC process, the potential for interference is evaluated and the aircraft's systems are modified as necessary in order to meet certification requirements. Limitations are established prohibiting the use of such systems during departure and arrival, and procedures are developed for mitigating and dealing with any interference that does occur including the ability for the pilots to disable the system when interference occurs or is suspected.

The in-flight phone systems, which aren't (yet?) in use in the US AFAIK, are designed so that by having the "cell site" so close to the phone, the cell site can keep each phone's output power at it's lowest level--a function that is integral to the mobile phone systems. By contrast, a phone used in an airplane without such a system will ramp up to its highest transmit power setting due to the difficulty in establishing a connection at altitude and from within the metal fuselage.


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