Quote:
Originally Posted by MovieBird
Actually, Boeing is saying that they have found ZERO correlation between reported PEDs and airplane issues.
|
They couldn't recreate the reported problem in each of the cases they analysed, however they also state that interference may still be a possibility.
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Boeing
However, susceptibility can occur in the airplane if an uncontrolled source of electromagnetic energy radiates emission levels above the susceptibility level to which the airplane system was tested or if the airplane system protection has been degraded.
|
Of the devices tested, two that they purchased from the passengers showed increased emission levels, although they were unable to recreate the reported interference (it may have simply been coincidence and another unrelated event caused the problems the crew had)
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Boeing
Consequently, some airplane systems that have not been reported as being susceptible to PEDs, such as the global positioning system, weather radar, and radio altimeter, may pick up energy from newer PEDs that operate in the high-frequency bands and whose harmonics or other noise may fall within one of these airplane systems’ operating bands.
|
I agree they did not find any correlation between the devices tested and the problems reported. But they also could not rule out interference as a concern with devices onboard the aircraft. Which is why they err'd on the side of caution to recommend the risk of interference be minimised during the most critical part of flight.
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Boeing
* Use of intentional transmitters should be prohibited at all times.
* Use of non-intentional transmitters should be prohibited during takeoff and landing (critical stages of flight).
* Operation of non-intentional transmitters should be allowed for use during noncritical stages of flight unless the operator of the airplane has determined otherwise.
|
If you read the part where they test the in-seat power, they say they tested 32-245 electronic devices and whilst no interference caused any ill effects during the tests they still state that noise up to 40DB above emission limits were found and that
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Boeing
Boeing has observed airplane antenna receiver susceptibility from "noisy" systems with levels significantly lower than those recorded by the laptop computers used in the tests.
|
tl;dr Despite the testing boeing has done for interference, they cannot say with any degree of certainty that interference is not a problem. Whilst there's no single case proving it can or will cause a problem, there's sufficient doubt for them to take a reasonable precaution and recommend no electronic device use during take-off/landing.
They designed and built the aircraft, if they have sufficient doubt to recommend a course of action, should we not heed that advise for the sake of 20-30 minutes inconvenience during take-off/landing?