We all have them, and we all carry them and we are always using it…what is it? Our cell phone or other electronic devices of course. However, the use of electronic devices such as cell phones and iPods during the air plane take-off and landing can create dangerous consequences. Therefore it is important to be aware of the facts before you decide to turn your electronic device on while on air.
Cell Phone Usage & Air Plane Safety
According to an investigation by the New York Times, most electronic devices emit electromagnetic waves, which can interfere with an air plane’s electronics. Older air planes are more vulnerable as those flights may not have the best protection installed against latest electronic devices. Safety experts suspect that electronic interference has played a role in some airline accidents.
According to David Carson, an engineer with Boeing said, “Electronic devices do not cause problems in every case. However, it’s bad in that people assume it never will”. In 2003 an air plane crashed in New Zealand that was reported as an example of a cell phone usage causing the air plane’s navigational equipment to fail. In 2007, the pilot of a Boeing 737 air plane had realized the failure of navigational equipment caused by a passenger who had been using a hand-held GPS device.
Therefore, when we hear the flight stewardess announcing “Please make sure all your electronic devices are turned off…” before the air plane takes off, we should listen. I have seen some passenger totally ignore that and continue to text or be on their cell phone. These regulations are put on for a reason and as passengers we should obey them. However, I think air plane passengers are not given enough information about the risks involved as to what might happen when they use their cell phone or other electronic devices during the flight take off and landing.
Looking in to the future of air travel and cell phone usage in flights, there are airlines that are equipped with on-board cell phone systems allowing the passengers to use GSM cell phones. Emirates is the first airline to introduce cell phone usage in their flights. Other airlines such as Virgin Atlantic, Cathay Pacific and Qantas are looking in to similar options.
Bottom line is, make sure the air plane you are on-board allow cell phone and other electronic devices usage before using it. It could save your life and hundreds of others too.