Using ebook readers on aeroplanes?

[wyndslash]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The thing is, do you want someone saying to the stewardess that the device that person is using is safe and the stewardess saying.."Oh then that's OK, keep on using it" and then finding out it's not? They don't know about every electronic device and that means they all have to go off. Yes, I find it annoying knowing my Sony Reader is not an issue. But do I do it? Yes, I do it. I do it because I don't want someone else not doing it with a device that's not safe.

true. better to be safe than sorry.

[MissAnna]

I read this article from CNN back in January that suggested that it isn't even dangerous to use a cell phone on a plane. I guess if they ask you to turn it off you should, but if cellular signals don't interfere with cockpit instruments, that would lead me to assume that eBook readers don't either.

[SeaBookGuy]

You might get a flight crew who'd be willing to file a complaint for refusing to obey instructions - they assert that, leaving you to deal wiuth the charges. No thanks!

[wyndslash]

Originally Posted by SeaBookGuy

You might get a flight crew who'd be willing to file a complaint for refusing to obey instructions - they assert that, leaving you to deal wiuth the charges. No thanks!

i can understand the frustration of being stuck in a plane for hours in a day, dealing with all sorts of people i think i'd go crazy!

[Shaggy]

Originally Posted by Barcey

And yet the FAA OK's iPads for Pilots.

I would bet the pilots are required to turn them off during takeoff and landing.

[SameOldStory]

Hopefully they don't do this;

Portland bus driver caught reading Kindle while driving

[Shaggy]

Originally Posted by MissAnna

I read this article from CNN back in January that suggested that it isn't even dangerous to use a cell phone on a plane.

I don't see that suggested anywhere in the article. Quite the opposite. Most of the article talks about the lack of hard evidence either way, but that it's better to be safe than sorry. The one actual study they cited (from 2003) in the article concluded that they could find no evidence of an actual incident to date, but that it was likely more dangerous than most people think.

[MJK2111]

Originally Posted by AprilHare

It's all so very very silly. The only handheld gadgets that could possibly hurt a plane are a radio jammer or EM pulse device. Oh, and live ammunition..

Don't forget box cutters.

And shoe bombs.

And more than 3 ounces of liquid.
Any liquid.

And cricket bats.
Along with hockey sticks, lacrosse sticks, and ski poles. (would Poles whose names don't end in "ski" be OK???)

No to cattle prods, crowbars, and drills.

And finally, my personal favorite, no vehicle airbags!

[SameOldStory]

You left out country music.

[RolandD]

Originally Posted by Shaggy

FYI,



http://www.zdnet.com.au/wi-fi-proven...-339311113.htm

But,

Boeing confirmed to ZDNet Australia this afternoon that the issue does exist, but said that it has not delivered any planes suffering the fault.

and

A senior Boeing engineer stressed to ZDNet Australia that the levels of EMI required to affect a pilot's screen exceeds the levels produced by the normal operation of normal levels of Wi-Fi use.

and

"Boeing and Honeywell have concluded that actual EMI levels experienced during a flight where there is normal operation of a Wi-Fi system will not cause any blanking of a Phase 3 display. This is not a safety issue with currently operating 737s and 777s,"

and

Screens that blanked during testing restored themselves within an acceptable time frame during testing, said Honeywell Avionics in a statement, and posed no risk to aircraft operations.

The title of the article and the photo used are intentionally misleading and sensational.

[Pinecone]

One or two iPads in the cockpit can be tested and determined to not cause problems.

Potentially hundreds of various devices, in various locations in the plane, cannot be tested and assured of being safe.

The FAA approval for iPads is approval to NOT have paper charts in the cockpit. The aircraft operator still has to ensure that the iPads do not cause problems with the avionics and instruments.

[Shaggy]

Originally Posted by RolandD

But,

Boeing confirmed to ZDNet Australia this afternoon that the issue does exist, but said that it has not delivered any planes suffering the fault.

True, but the main point is that such interference is possible. Some on here would have us believe that it is only imaginary.

They found this problem because they were actually testing for it. Most consumer devices are not tested, which is the reason they fall under the "better safe than sorry" policy.

[wyndslash]

I just know that I'd hate for the plane to suddenly drop from the sky. Surely a few hours of not tinkering with our shiny devices won't kill us? (pun intended though it probably wasn't funny)

[RolandD]

Originally Posted by Shaggy

True, but the main point is that such interference is possible. Some on here would have us believe that it is only imaginary.

They found this problem because they were actually testing for it. Most consumer devices are not tested, which is the reason they fall under the "better safe than sorry" policy.

In our over cautious, zero tolerance, society of today, if there were even the slightest risk of a plane crashing due to electronic interference, these devices would not be allowed anywhere near a plane.

[Catz2.0]

Well since you are supposed to turn off all devices I always turn mine off. Whenever I fly I always see other people shutting theirs off as well so I would have to say yes you do need to turn your e reader off.