Using an iPad on plane?

[seajay96]

The primary reason is they don't want people distracted during take-off and
landing... otherwise they wouldn't make you turn off your iPod (no radio),
but they don't ask you to take off your headphones if you're plugged into the
in-flight entertainment system (the intercom overrides the audio).

If interference issues were the primary concern, then they would inspect
devices to make sure they were turned off or they would have some sort of
method for RF detection. I've left my phone on in my bag plenty of times
and I'm sure I'm not the only one.

Oddly, the instructions for in-flight wifi on Delta include instructions
on how to connect with an iPhone... a device that does not let you turn off
the cell radio independent of the wifi radio.

Besides episode 49 of Mythbusters covered the "Cell phones disrupt airplane
navigation" myth

Well, you can believe what you want, but I'll stick with the actual references:

a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, no person may operate, nor may any operator or pilot in command of an aircraft allow the operation of, any portable electronic device on any of the following U.S.-registered civil aircraft:
(1) Aircraft operated by a holder of an air carrier operating certificate or an operating certificate; or
(2) Any other aircraft while it is operated under IFR.
(b) Paragraph (a) of this section does not apply to--
(1) Portable voice recorders;
(2) Hearing aids;
(3) Heart pacemakers;
(4) Electric shavers; or
(5) Any other portable electronic device that the operator of the aircraft has determined will not cause interference with the navigation or communication system of the aircraft on which it is to be used.
(c) In the case of an aircraft operated by a holder of an air carrier operating certificate or an operating certificate, the determination required by paragraph (b)(5) of this section shall be made by that operator of the aircraft on which the particular device is to be used. In the case of other
aircraft, the determination may be made by the pilot in command or other operator of the aircraft.

 

[afireintonto]

The last couple of times ive flown I just turned the screen of for the first and last ten minutes. I used the Internet the whole way, it was fantastic
Its so convenient to have in flight wifi!

 

[Don Kosak]

Yeah, most international flights, and a lot of domestic flights (longer than an hour or two) have WiFi in the cabin.

The iPad ROCKS on flights with WiFi. Boston -> San Francisco goes by in no time with an iPad and WiFi.

I travel with the "incase" book style case. Fits better on a tray table than my laptop, and holds the iPad at a good angle for typing, games, or movie viewing.

Haven't had any issues with security, or cabin crews. In fact, it's less hassle than a laptop.

 

[Pkaras]

I fly on an almost weekly basis and I can't imagine how I use to get through it without THE PAD!

Like others have said, 10 minutes at start and end of flight and the rest of the time its good to go. Normally load up enough games and movies (converted using xilisoft) to last my trip.

We're not lucky enough to have inflight wi-fi in Australia yet and I haven't been on a flight in the US which has offered it yet, but I'm sure its great! I could easily kill 6 hours surfing.

I've even found that the ipad keeps me happily distracted that I don't have to utilise the onboard AVOD systems in some planes.

I'm still mainly amused at the fact that both passengers and airline staff still marvel at the device and ask questions about it. I even passed it around a full row of people a few weeks back. Still not enough of them in public in australia to be boring yet!

If used for nothing else, its still a frequent flyer's dream. If only Air Video could access the files on my portable HDD while my laptop is off and with no wifi. I can wish can't I! ;P

PK

 

[coldsweat]

Thomas cook airlines tell you that you can't use any device that has wifi, even in flight mode - that includes iPhones, ipads, touches etc.

Their short hall flights don't even include any entertainment, so they then try to make you pay to hire a psp for £8 which ironically has wifi switched on!

I had a conversation (politely) with a member of cabin crew who told me that its basically because they don't want to have to physically check that every passengers phone is in flight mode - it's far easier to simply ban the lot!

 

[Pkaras]

Had a complete douche sitting across the aisle from me on a flight from NZ a few weeks ago and he was trying to impress some chick sitting next to him (looked like a work colleague) by playing some fishing game on his iphone. He had the sound on and was throwing it around like he was the only person to ever use an iphone.

I was getting pretty pissed off as the plane was taxi-ing and I'm a big believer of the "devices off during take-off/landing" procedure. Finally a stewardess sternly told him to turn it off and he did.

Plane takes off, we're in the air for a few minutes and the seatbelt sign goes off and he pulls it straight out, tapping her insistently to look at it.

I just smiled, reached into the back seat pocket and pulled out my ipad in its gorgeous leather case. As soon as he saw it, the grin from his face was gone! Most enjoyable.

Became even funnier about halfway through the flight when a guy a row in front started talking to me about the ipad and pulled out his iphone. I then pulled out my iphone and suddenly not only was he "behind the times" but he wasn't even "original".

I've never hoped for someone NOT to get laid so much. haha. good times.

 

[bniu]

If normal electronic devices could take down a plane then all our security checks are for naught. Just keep them off for the first 10 minutes, pay attention to the safety demonstration (for the 199th time) and then power on.

i'm sure that boeing and airbus would not allow cheap $500 devices to take down their quarter billion dollar machines.

 

[ClutchThese]

Well, you can believe what you want, but I'll stick with the actual references:

when was that FAR wrote? it doesn't cause ANYthing to mess up in flight. all the electronics do is cause distractions. portable electronics accept interferance to be certified by the FCC. When i fly on military cargo planes, we can have a freaking signal generator going and it wouldn't do anything. Fly-by-wire aircrafts are so redundant its crazy. i doubt that FAR will change, only due to the fact that the personal electronics devices distract "people" in emergencies. just my two pennies!

 

[iJordz]

Thomas cook airlines tell you that you can't use any device that has wifi, even in flight mode - that includes iPhones, ipads, touches etc.

Their short hall flights don't even include any entertainment, so they then try to make you pay to hire a psp for £8 which ironically has wifi switched on!

I had a conversation (politely) with a member of cabin crew who told me that its basically because they don't want to have to physically check that every passengers phone is in flight mode - it's far easier to simply ban the lot!

I think i'm still going to use my iPad on a thomas cook plane, as i'm traveling from manchester to mexico in september.

 

[MrTan]

I think i'm still going to use my iPad on a thomas cook plane, as i'm traveling from manchester to mexico in september.

I just came back from Egypt on Thomas Cook.

Used the iPad there and back in flight mode, got 1 look from an air hostess but no one said a word.

Used my iPhone in flight mode too, no one said anything.

Silly rule, if its in flight mode just let people use it!

Oh, I found it pretty hard to see much on either device when in the sun though!!

 

[iJordz]

I just came back from Egypt on Thomas Cook.

Used the iPad there and back in flight mode, got 1 look from an air hostess but no one said a word.

Used my iPhone in flight mode too, no one said anything.

Silly rule, if its in flight mode just let people use it!

Oh, I found it pretty hard to see much on either device when in the sun though!!

ahaha if their was sun, you could of pulled the shutter down, then again the sun from other peoples windows, but you could hide under a coat like a tent but then you would look a bit dodgy, like a terrorist.

But then again thomas cook probably only say not to use devices with aeroplane mode so they could make money from their own entertainment service.

 

[tod]

Like most folks who fly in corporate or private planes, I use electronic devices and mobile phones regularly, during take off and landing and during flight. Both the aeroplane manufacturer and the pilots are perfectly comfortable with this. I cannot believe that the electronics on a Gulfstream are any better shielded than a Boeing or Airbus. It is just another example of the airlines and the authorities trying to treat us passengers like cattle.

Yes, and people should stand up to that kind of treatment rather than just sit back and let "experts" dictate their behavior. I'm a private pilot and I've flown with many people who have used cell phones and stuff during flight, even during instrument flight. Never had any problems. Never will have any problems. A cell phone puts out a tiny amount of radiation compared to avionics, radios, transponder, etc. And it works on totally different frequencies. Have you ever known AM radio transmissions to interfere with FM? Of course not. It's silly.

 

[iJordz]

bad thing is , thomas cook does not have inflight wifi ;l

 

[Sinfire]

there is about .000001% chance that portable electronic devices today will cause interference in modern navigation systems....

however, the FAA is unwilling to spend the amount of time and money necessary to certify every single device for operation in every circumstance and every nav system configuration. if you read the federal regulations, it reads that all portable devices are banned EXCEPT where the carrier or the pilot in command has determined that they will not interfere.

so, ultimately, I think it is simply a matter of economics and caution that these devices are banned during takeoff and landing (the most critical phases) and during cruise flight, there are enough redundant navigation systems to mitigate that .000001% (assuming of course it is not the pilots using the portable devices )

Modern Navigation system? Most planes are old and were built over 10 years ago. Things were a lot different back then when it came to electronic devices.

Then again, I have yet to see a plane crash due to someone leaving their cellphone on. lol