Sony Reader on an airplane - Page 3

Penforhire · 12-10-2007, 11:30 AM

Flight restrictions on electronics are archaic. Why can't they design modern aircraft to have properly shielded avionics from passenger devices? I'm thinking they generally do because they almost always survive the EMF pulses generated by lightning. That is far more powerful than all the personal electronics you can pack in the cabin, though the metal skin of the plane is a sort of Faraday cage.

NatCh · 12-10-2007, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Penforhire

Why can't they design modern aircraft to have properly shielded avionics from passenger devices?

I think they actually do, but most passenger planes in service are fairly elderly (don't look it up, it'll just ... disturb you) -- part of the reason for that is that it takes rather a long time to build each plane.

HarryT · 12-10-2007, 12:12 PM

Some reasons have nothing to do with the plane, per se.

Eg, the restriction on use cell phones on aircraft has nothing at all to do with the aircraft, but is because the cell phone network itself isn't designed to handle the situation where your phone is is "line of site" to hundreds of masts, as can be the case on an aircraft flying at 30,000 feet. Airliners full of such phones, all switched on, could crash the cell networks.

Astropin · 12-10-2007, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Some reasons have nothing to do with the plane, per se.

Eg, the restriction on use cell phones on aircraft has nothing at all to do with the aircraft, but is because the cell phone network itself isn't designed to handle the situation where your phone is is "line of site" to hundreds of masts, as can be the case on an aircraft flying at 30,000 feet. Airliners full of such phones, all switched on, could crash the cell networks.

I don't think it's the crashing of the networks that worries them.....rather that they have no way to track and bill a call made from a flying jet.

DaleDe · 12-11-2007, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Astropin

I don't think it's the crashing of the networks that worries them.....rather that they have no way to track and bill a call made from a flying jet.

It is the FCC that made the ruling. They don't care about billing. However, it would be tough to track and will likely get dropped if you don't have a national plan.

Dale

adinb · 12-12-2007, 01:48 AM

I just flew to SAT while reading my e-reader.

I have to admit that I didn't "turn it off" during takeoff & landing, simply because as long as I don't turn the page, it *is* off.

So when we start taxi, I don't pageflip -- activating the "sleep" mode would have a higher probability of triggering an interference event than just leaving the device on the current page. (especially since the "off" button really just clears the screen, but the device is just as powered as when it's displaying a page)

I am a retired AF flyer, so I'm not entirely clueless.

M0zza · 12-13-2007, 07:58 AM

I've just done a long weekend in the UK and for the flights in both directions I just kept on reading. No one asked me to switch the reader off (with it looking like a book and all).

Very happy that it only dropped two bars over two 7 hour flights.

sindget41 · 12-15-2007, 12:30 PM

Ummmm, some 'archic' discussion here... I worked on the technical design of Airphone, I worked with the FCC on technical issues. HarryT is correct, without some additional switching controls on the ground, traveling at air speeds requires too much cell tower handoffs, generating tremendous overhead. As I recall, JetBlue or Virgin, is about to offer cell phone use, however; but I don't know the specifics/limitations.

As far as RF-generating devices in the passenger compartments go, anything using just ocillators for CPU clock generation, memory refresh, etc., don't harm airplane avionics -- period! This would include our readers. Cell phones, and other devices with actual RF transmitters are another story....

I say... obey your flight attendent, on some airlines, their tolerance level is very low! But do keep this in mind -- When taking off, the attendents are trying hard to keep you listening to their saftey lecture -- It's probably a bigger factor, to them, then worrying about tiny amounts of RF leakage. (and yes, I sometimes continue to read my Sony after they have swept the cabin)

ahintz · 12-21-2007, 10:33 AM

I'm in Germany right now for the holidays, and I had no problem using my Reader traveling on Lufthansa during takeoff, but they did ask me to turn it off during landing - of course I complied. Having finished one book already with this flight, I am definitely enjoying having all my books on the Reader, rather then wasting space and weight in normal books!

kezza · 12-21-2007, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adinb

I just flew to SAT while reading my e-reader.

I have to admit that I didn't "turn it off" during takeoff & landing, simply because as long as I don't turn the page, it *is* off.

Yeah, I think just closing the cover and leaving it on your lap, or tucking it away somewhere is really the most compliant thing to do, and it makes it available to read right away when they call the all-clear.

RCR · 01-25-2008, 06:06 PM

What is it with this determination to read while the plane takes off or lands?

Even the recent Kindle reviewer says:

"...Who will stay away from the Kindle? Travelers who want to read on an airplane during takeoff and landing, when you can't use electronic devices..."

Look folks, I do my fair share of air travel. On take off and landing, I'm tightly buckled up, my lap is clear of all obstacles, my hand is on the seat belt release. My shoes are tightly laced so they don't come off in the crash.

My escape route is all planned: I've counted the number of seats to the exit. I've studied all the passengers between me and the exit. I know which ones will need to be trampled or pushed out of the way. And I know which ones, with their laps full of newspapers, paperback, I-pod, water bottle, sony playstation, will never get out of their seats before they turn into crispy critters.

I'm concentrating on the sounds the aircraft is making, its movements, any odd smells. The instant the plane crashes, I'm going to be out of my seat, and smack up against that exit door, swinging that lever.

The last thing on my mind is reading a few more paragraphs of Wuthering Heights!

tompe · 01-25-2008, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCR

What is it with this determination to read while the plane takes off or lands?

A take off (seat belt light on so no electronic) can take a very long time when you include the queueing to get a slot so of course you are reading.

RCR · 01-25-2008, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tompe

A take off (seat belt light on so no electronic) can take a very long time when you include the queueing to get a slot so of course you are reading.

Ah, now I get it. My experiences must be with less busy airports (MEL/BKK). Normally I get on, settle down, orange juice and hot towels are handed out... then we're trundling down the runway. Thanks.

NatCh · 01-25-2008, 06:28 PM

Wow, what airline are you flying? Orange juice and hot towels?

I'm doing good to get half a soda and a tiny bag of peanuts!

tompe · 01-25-2008, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCR

Ah, now I get it. My experiences must be with less busy airports (MEL/BKK). Normally I get on, settle down, orange juice and hot towels are handed out... then we're trundling down the runway. Thanks.

For some reason my trips often seems to include a transfer at Heathrow.

You really get anything to drink before take off?

01-25-2008, 06:06 PM	#41
RCR Addict Posts: 334 Karma: 992487 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Device: 2 x Sony 505, iPad, Samsung 7 Tablet, ASUS Transformer, Nexus 7	Reading on takeoff and landing What is it with this determination to read while the plane takes off or lands? Even the recent Kindle reviewer says: "...Who will stay away from the Kindle? Travelers who want to read on an airplane during takeoff and landing, when you can't use electronic devices..." Look folks, I do my fair share of air travel. On take off and landing, I'm tightly buckled up, my lap is clear of all obstacles, my hand is on the seat belt release. My shoes are tightly laced so they don't come off in the crash. My escape route is all planned: I've counted the number of seats to the exit. I've studied all the passengers between me and the exit. I know which ones will need to be trampled or pushed out of the way. And I know which ones, with their laps full of newspapers, paperback, I-pod, water bottle, sony playstation, will never get out of their seats before they turn into crispy critters. I'm concentrating on the sounds the aircraft is making, its movements, any odd smells. The instant the plane crashes, I'm going to be out of my seat, and smack up against that exit door, swinging that lever. The last thing on my mind is reading a few more paragraphs of Wuthering Heights!

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12-10-2007, 11:30 AM	#31
Penforhire Wizard Posts: 2,230 Karma: 7145404 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern California Device: Kindle Voyage & iPhone 7+	Flight restrictions on electronics are archaic. Why can't they design modern aircraft to have properly shielded avionics from passenger devices? I'm thinking they generally do because they almost always survive the EMF pulses generated by lightning. That is far more powerful than all the personal electronics you can pack in the cabin, though the metal skin of the plane is a sort of Faraday cage.

12-10-2007, 12:12 PM	#33
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Some reasons have nothing to do with the plane, per se. Eg, the restriction on use cell phones on aircraft has nothing at all to do with the aircraft, but is because the cell phone network itself isn't designed to handle the situation where your phone is is "line of site" to hundreds of masts, as can be the case on an aircraft flying at 30,000 feet. Airliners full of such phones, all switched on, could crash the cell networks.

12-12-2007, 01:48 AM	#36
adinb RSS &amp; Gadget Addict! Posts: 82 Karma: 67 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Albuquerque, NM Device: Sony PRS-500, iPod Touch, iPhone	I just flew to SAT while reading my e-reader. I have to admit that I didn't "turn it off" during takeoff & landing, simply because as long as I don't turn the page, it is off. So when we start taxi, I don't pageflip -- activating the "sleep" mode would have a higher probability of triggering an interference event than just leaving the device on the current page. (especially since the "off" button really just clears the screen, but the device is just as powered as when it's displaying a page) I am a retired AF flyer, so I'm not entirely clueless.

12-13-2007, 07:58 AM	#37
M0zza Geek... Apparently Posts: 211 Karma: 51260 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Herts, UK Device: Sony PRS-505 (Silver), ASUS Transformer TF300T, IPAD Air 2	I've just done a long weekend in the UK and for the flights in both directions I just kept on reading. No one asked me to switch the reader off (with it looking like a book and all). Very happy that it only dropped two bars over two 7 hour flights.

12-15-2007, 12:30 PM	#38
sindget41 Fanfic Idiot Posts: 19 Karma: 11 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Park City, Utah Device: Sony PRS 500, PRS 505, PRS 300, iTouch	Ummmm, some 'archic' discussion here... I worked on the technical design of Airphone, I worked with the FCC on technical issues. HarryT is correct, without some additional switching controls on the ground, traveling at air speeds requires too much cell tower handoffs, generating tremendous overhead. As I recall, JetBlue or Virgin, is about to offer cell phone use, however; but I don't know the specifics/limitations. As far as RF-generating devices in the passenger compartments go, anything using just ocillators for CPU clock generation, memory refresh, etc., don't harm airplane avionics -- period! This would include our readers. Cell phones, and other devices with actual RF transmitters are another story.... I say... obey your flight attendent, on some airlines, their tolerance level is very low! But do keep this in mind -- When taking off, the attendents are trying hard to keep you listening to their saftey lecture -- It's probably a bigger factor, to them, then worrying about tiny amounts of RF leakage. (and yes, I sometimes continue to read my Sony after they have swept the cabin)

12-21-2007, 10:33 AM	#39
ahintz Zealot Posts: 107 Karma: 322 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sacramento, CA Device: Kindle PW/iPhone5/iPad (3)/Nook ST	I'm in Germany right now for the holidays, and I had no problem using my Reader traveling on Lufthansa during takeoff, but they did ask me to turn it off during landing - of course I complied. Having finished one book already with this flight, I am definitely enjoying having all my books on the Reader, rather then wasting space and weight in normal books!

01-25-2008, 06:28 PM	#44
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	Wow, what airline are you flying? Orange juice and hot towels? I'm doing good to get half a soda and a tiny bag of peanuts!