Comments on: Cell phones really do interfere with avionics

By: Oliver

Oliver — Mon, 03 Jul 2006 14:05:35 +0000

GSM phones are known to cause "buzzing" and "clicking" when they talk to the network and are placed near speakers. See http://blogs.chron.com/techblog/archives/2005/08/whats_the_buzz.html When I had a GSM phone, I could tell about a second before the phone would ring that a call was inbound, because my computer speakers would buzz and my computer monitor would show some weird noise signals.

By: Anton P. Nym

Anton P. Nym — Mon, 03 Jul 2006 13:11:34 +0000

I work in a call centre and I can vouch for that “clicking” interference in headsets. It’s very annoying and distracting. That alone is a good reason to disallow the use of cell transmitters aboard an aircraft; in our centre, where the consequences are far less dire, using your cell phone can get you disciplined.

— Steve

By: Mesapilot

Mesapilot — Mon, 03 Jul 2006 12:50:52 +0000

As an airline pilot, I can tell you that ihave never noticed interference from a cell phone in the jet that I fly, however, I do not believe that the ban should be lifted for several reasons.

First, most passengers pay no attention to the flight attendants during briefings. Also, people have lost respect for the flight attendants and see them as a waitress and not the person trained to make sure the passengers are safe. In the case of an emergency, the flight attendant needs everyone cooperation and attention. If passengers are on the phone calling loved onesto say goodbye they will most likely miss the important instructions that the flight attendant is giving which could save their lives.

Second, as a pilot I can tell you that some cell phones create a loud and annoying clicking noise in the headsets of the pilots. This can be very distracting during flight critical procedures.

Third, their are so many different types of avionics in the various jets in the ari right now, that I cannot say for a surety that there is no interference. This is my opinion, but if there is the slightest chance of interference than the ban should stay. In bad weather flying into airports with mountains around the slightest deviation could be fatal. I do not think that any phone call can be more important than all the lives of the passengers and crew.

By: Cell Antenna

Cell Antenna — Mon, 03 Jul 2006 06:30:00 +0000