Quote:
Originally Posted by mldavis2
LakeLoon's point is well taken, however, as I stated in an earlier post, with the plethora of new RF-emitting devices coming out every day or two, it is impossible if not economically unsound to attempt to create a list of every 'approved' device tested and found safe. Each individual device would have to be tested on each of dozens of commercial aircraft from dozens of different cabin locations at each of hundreds of IFR frequencies used by the various airports.
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Thanks, and I don't mean to downplay the practical difficulties. I'm just not convinced they are insurmountable, nor that there are no creative solutions that meet people halfway. For example, a rule that says "devices no larger than X, with an 'airplane mode' that shuts off all radios, and whose shielding meets FCC guidelines X,Y, and Z, can get certified with a relatively simple approval process. Devices bearing the logo for this certification can be used during taxi, ascent, and descent." would be a lot better than the current regime. Is it really impractical to develop functional guidelines that would not require exhaustive testing for each separate unit? I mean, we already have "category based" rules for cruising flight; it's not obvious why it would be impossible for the more "sensitive" portions of the flight.
Manufacturers would have the burden of getting the certifications, and would obviously be liable for false representations/branding . . . but this would be feasible, as opposed to saying "each manufacturer must shoulder the entire bill for testing their specific device under all variables."
This solution might not be ideal either. My point is, it's not necessarily all or nothing.