[gps-talkusers] wireless on airplanes
- From: Michael May <mikemay@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 09 May 2006 20:41:10 +0200
Peggy,
There is some ambiguity with regard to GPS and the regulations on air flights.
The Bluetooth receiver both receives and transmits a weak signal 30 feet. This
is why you have to ask for permission on most airlines. I am sure southwest
wouldn't allow this unless they felt it was 100% safe to have a GPS receiver.
I hear more of the airlines saying things like make sure all WiFi devices are
turned off. Most people don't even realize their built in WiFi on their laptops
is transmitting while in flight and WiFi transmits a lot further than
Bluetooth. Some airlines like Singapore Air actually provide WiFi in flight.
Besides WiFi, just think of the one or two people who neglect to turn their
cell phones off in flight. I have heard phones ring a couple times in flight,
usually in people's bags overhead. I believe the navigation equipment has to be
impervious to stray signals. They certainly cannot ensure 100% compliance of
all devices turned off all the time.
Mike
At 06:19 PM 5/9/2006, you wrote:
>Andy,
> A pilot once explained to me that the main concern is the fact that the
> antennas used by the equipment are just beneath the skin of the aircraft in
> various spots. He also told me that the likelyhood of any actual
> interference from consumer radio receivers is tiny, but strictly speaking is
> a valid concern. A related concern is that cables that carry radio signals
> and data run just above and below the passenger cabin, essentially in the
> same RF field as the cabin itself. The cables are insulated, but leakage is,
> at least, theoretically possible. This pilot also admitted that even with
> significant interference, there would be relatively little problem during
> level flight. Take off and landing would be the time that a pilot might have
> to rely heavily on avionics as opposed to simply flying the plane straight.
>
> Peter
>----- Original Message ----- From: "Baracco, Andrew W" <Andrew.Baracco@xxxxxx>
>To: <gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>Sent: Tuesday, May 09, 2006 11:44 AM
>Subject: [gps-talkusers] Re: still working on airplanes?
>
>
>>Hi Peggy,
>>
>>Actually, receivers do send a weak reference signal as part of the
>>process of ocking onto the proper frequency. This is a very weak
>>signal, and I wouldn't think it would interfere with anything, but I was
>>told by someone who knows a lot about avionics, that, believe it or not,
>>the radio navagation systems on airplanes are not shielded from
>>extraneous RF signals. That really surprised me when I heard it, and I
>>wonder if it is still true after 9/11.
>>
>>Andy
>>
>>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: gps-talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>[mailto:gps-talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Peggy Kern
>>Sent: Monday, May 08, 2006 7:26 PM
>>To: gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>Subject: [gps-talkusers] Re: still working on airplanes?
>>
>>You know, this talk of the GPS on airplanes reminds me of my last trip
>>to Portland on Southwest. I had no intentions of using the GPS on the
>>plane, preferring to keep the battery ready for use on the ground. But
>>during the flight attendants' information about what could and couldn't
>>be used in flight, they said anything "that sends or receives a signal"
>>couldn't be used during a flight. Obviously, a receiver doesn't send,
>>but it does receive. I was wondering if the regulations have changed
>>and people are just going by what they used to be, or if perhaps our
>>flight attendant misinformed us. Just curious.
>>
>>Peggy
>>http://kernsac.livejournal.com/
>>----- Original Message -----
>>From: "Carl Simmons" <carlsimmons@xxxxxxxxxxx>
>>To: <gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>>Sent: Monday, May 08, 2006 8:18 AM
>>Subject: [gps-talkusers] Re: still working on airplanes?
>>
>>
>>>I just completed a business trip to Chicago to San Francisco last
>>Friday.
>>>I
>>>had a window seat, using the Holux I acquired satellites as soon as we
>>
>>>were
>>>allowed to turn on the equipment and maintained 5 to 9 satellites
>>until
>>>we
>>>had to turn off the equipment prior to landing. I had no problems
>>with
>>>any
>>>functions.
>>>
>>>Carl Simmons
>>>carlsimmons@xxxxxxxxxxx
>>>
>>> _____
>>>
>>>From: gps-talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>>[mailto:gps-talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of David
>>>Sent: Monday, May 08, 2006 4:22 AM
>>>To: gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>>Subject: [gps-talkusers] still working on airplanes?
>>>
>>>Hi, Despite more sensitive receivers I have had less success in
>>getting
>>>the
>>>GPS to work on airplanes lately. Has anyone else noticed this?
>>>Dave
>>>
>>>taxation WITH representation isn't so hot, either!
>>
>
>
Other related posts: