Using ebook readers on aeroplanes?

[Man Eating Duck]

Originally Posted by jocampo

There is no technical evidence that 3G signal, a cellphone or an ereader with wifi on, can affect in any way, an airplane's controllers.

Sounds very plausible. I frequently fly with friends, and whenever this discussion comes up I ask naysayers to explain why this is OK:

Launch of Europe's 1st Fleet Wide Inflight Mobile Phone Service

I've been on two flights where Ryanair played commercials positively nagging people to use their phones inflight on the expensive onboard network

That said, I don't use my Sony 650 under take-off and landing, for two reasons mainly:

1) Other passengers might have a fear of flying. Even if I know there's no possible way my reader could interfere with aircraft systems, I don't want to cause these people additional anxiety by blatantly using a banned device when told not to.

2) This is not the decision of the flight attendants. They probably know that it's perfectly harmless, but enforcing those rules is part of their job description. There are enough passengers that are annoying in every respect already, I'll happily save them having to ask me to comply as well. If you actually argue with them you are pretty... inconsiderate (to be polite), no matter if you're "right" or not.

Besides, I'm only losing 15 minutes of reading each flight. Big deal.

[SeaBookGuy]

I agree with your points above.

We have inflight computer access here in the States, but not mobile phone access. Most folks I've talked with about it do not want that either! Years ago, I was on a flight from New York to Los Angeles, where the fellow ahead of would use the Airfone service to call his office every half hour or so, and be routed among several others to check up on their work in his absence -- he must've racked up hundreds of dollars in phone charges! It was a horrible experience for my friend and I as a captive audience.

As for takeoff/landing restrictions, I find crew often announce "devices off now" a bit early; however, I have no problem with bringing along a print book for that purpose, as well as at meals on the trip in public places, where I can't leave my Sony at the table, nor want to bring it with me to the buffet or mens room!

[ProfCrash]

My understanding is that they don't want people using electronic devices during landing and take off so that they are more attentive incase of emergency. Landing and take off are the times that the plane is most likely to have a problem so they want you paying as much attention as possible.

This makes some sense to me when I think of using anything with headphones. Headphones would make it more difficult to hear an announcement and should be not allowed. So MP3 players, books on tape, video games, video players I understand. Reading a book does not interfer with my ability to hear what an announcement so they don't tell you to put away books.

The other reason I have heard is that they don't want a bunch of electronic projectiles in case of an emergency. Again, this makes some sense a laptop flying around could be pretty dangerous. But people are allowed to read hardback and paperback books which weigh more then most e-readers.

For the most part, I turn off my e-reader when the Flight Attendants do their checks and I turn it back on once they are seated.

[Shaggy]

Originally Posted by jocampo

There is no technical evidence that 3G signal, a cellphone or an ereader with wifi on, can affect in any way, an airplane's controllers.

I assume you're an avionics engineer?

[Shaggy]

Originally Posted by Man Eating Duck

Sounds very plausible. I frequently fly with friends, and whenever this discussion comes up I ask naysayers to explain why this is OK:

Launch of Europe's 1st Fleet Wide Inflight Mobile Phone Service

Is that service available during take-off and landing?

Also, note that when a cell/wireless device is talking to a local receiver, it operates under a much lower power mode than when it is attempting to broadcast to a remote tower. I assume that would make a big difference in the possibility of interference.

[ProfCrash]

I think most people who fly with their e-readers have the 3G/WiFi capability turned off during landing and take off. I rarely have my 3G turned on so it is a non issue for me.

[jocampo]

Originally Posted by Shaggy

I assume you're an avionics engineer?

Mechanical and Computer.

[Shaggy]

Originally Posted by jocampo

Mechanical and Computer.

So that's a "no"?

[Shaggy]

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

I think most people who fly with their e-readers have the 3G/WiFi capability turned off during landing and take off. I rarely have my 3G turned on so it is a non issue for me.

Mine stays off unless I specifically need it to, however, I would assume the average eReader owner probably doesn't even know how to turn off the 3G/WiFi capability.

[jocampo]

Originally Posted by Shaggy

So that's a "no"?

There is no technical evidence that 3G signal, a cellphone or an ereader with wifi on, can affect in any way, an airplane's controllers.

Because there are so many electronics devices out there and so many new gadgets, they don't want to take the risk and basically want everything off, no matter what.

There are tons of studies and experiments that show that. You don't even need to be an engineer to read or watch those.

It makes me really upset hearing people that leaving an ereader on or a cellphone, your plane will crash. As a person of science, I debate based on scientific evidence, and there is no a final documentation that explicitly says that. The electromagnetic radiation emitted by small electronics is not enough to affect any internal airplane device.

It looks like you are one of those that also turn your cell phone off while filling gas in order to avoid an explosion because the internal spark that it generates right?

[SeaBookGuy]

The number of folks who have neglected to turn off their phones, discovering that with a "messages waiting" tone on descent (where signals become available again) when they went to turn them on, would indicate that in and of themselves devices don't cause crashes.

[jocampo]

Originally Posted by Shaggy

I would assume the average eReader owner probably doesn't even know how to turn off the 3G/WiFi capability.

I am sorry, I would like to challenge that.

With Kindle 3 and Nook wifi, one of the things you can do to extend your battery life is turn wifi off. So it is also a fair assumption to say, that most users know how to turn wifi on and off. It is also mentioned in the manuals and one of the ways you have to download books from B&N or Amazon. It is off by default and you also need to put your access point information so the user must know how to deal with it anyway.

[ProfCrash]

Given that the Kindle ships with the 3G/WiFI off most people will quickly learn how to turn it on and off. It is the first option you see when you hit the button that says menu.

[Chi Cygni]

Originally Posted by Jellby

Yes, the screen is not a single pane, but it's composed of different layers. The outer layer is the one you see and touch, that's probably plastic and not easily breakable, but there is some inner layer (with the electrodes, I believe) which is typically made of very thin glass (though apparently there are new screens with this layer made of plastic too), and is therefore prone to cracking. When the glass layer breaks you usually see something like your photo.

I'm no expert either, but the above is what I've understood mainly from reading this forum

Jellby an Shaggy,

Thank you both for explaining. That I really didn't know - how the screen is built. It's a relief in a way that it is not the scanner, given how often I fly. Since it was my first toy of that kind I didn't know what to make of it.

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by Chi Cygni

Jellby an Shaggy,

Thank you both for explaining. That I really didn't know - how the screen is built. It's a relief in a way that it is not the scanner, given how often I fly. Since it was my first toy of that kind I didn't know what to make of it.

it sounds like your device was subjected to pressure or twisting through the scanner. make certain you are sending it through in one of those bins. also, unless otherwise specifically stated, ereaders can go thrrough the scanners inside your carry on giving it more protection