FAA Reportedly Will Allow Expanded Use Of Electronic Devices.
The CBS Evening News reported that transportation safety analyst Mark Rosenker “fully expects the FAA to lift the ban on computer games, e-book readers, DVD players and many electronics during takeoff and landing.” Rosenker says that the FAA has
“only had anecdotal evidence that in any way shape or form that it somewhat interfered with the aircraft’s performance.” CBS notes that talking on cell phones will still not be allowed because phones emit strong signals that could interfere with planes.
NBC Nightly News reported that “the FAA is preparing to recommend that airlines allow a select number of devices to remain on during takeoff and landing” but will not allow the use of wifi below 10,000 feet or the use of cell phones or the transmission of text messages. NBC noted that the changes would be implemented some time next year.
USA Today (9/24, Jones) reports that the FAA advisory panel will meet today and tomorrow and will provide a report to the FAA by the end of the month. The FAA said in a statement Monday that “we tasked a government-industry group to examine the safety issues and the feasibility of changing the current restrictions. . . . We will wait for the group to finish its work before we determine next steps.” USA Today notes that the in-flight use of cell phones remains banned by the FCC. Meanwhile, Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) said in a statement that she was “not breaking out my iPad in celebration just yet. Today’s reports are good news only if they’re followed by a quick and logical timeline for implementation by the FAA, which I’m hopeful will be the case.”
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USA Today (9/23, Jones) also reports on the reaction by fliers to the news. Most fliers were in favor of the change, although some were concerned that their peers would be distracted before takeoff and would not pay attention to instructions given by flight attendants.
Bloomberg News (9/24, Levin, Keane) reports that four out of ten passengers surveyed by the Consumer Electronics Association wanted to use electronic devices during landings. Meanwhile, airlines have been split, with Delta endorsing a change while United “said it preferred no changes because they’d be difficult to enforce.”
Also reporting are The Hill (9/24, Laing), CNN (9/24), FOX News (9/23), Time (9/23, Newman), the Washington Times (9/24, Chasmar), the Daily Beast (9/24), AVweb (9/24, Grady), and other media sources.
Risk That Electronic Device Could Bring Down Airplane Reportedly Low.
CNN (9/24, Ahlers, Marsh) also reports that one-third of passengers have left an electronic device on during a flight according to a Consumer Electronics Association Survey. CNN reports that the experts they surveyed found that the risk that a phone could interfere with the functioning of a plane is low and that the NTSB “has never issued a recommendation about such devices on planes.” However, some worry that even if an electronic device can’t directly “bring down the plane,” interference from such a device could distract a pilot during a critical phase of the flight.