- 33,220
- 12,365
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2006
Originally Posted by jimmybeanz
I'm calling bs on that. I find it hard to believe that neither Al-Qaida, Iran or Israel (or any other terrorist organization/country) has exploited this well known "weakness" if it was actually true. And to your "handful of cellphones" remark, I doubt it would be difficult to build some surcharged phone that actually looked like a computer if it would get the job done.Originally Posted by AyoDun
I watched an episode on mythbusters about this and they showed it does mess with the equipment in the cockpit.
The ban on cell phones on aircraft is designed to force passengers to use the expensive in-flight phones.
BUSTED
It was found that cell phone signals, specifically those in the 800-900 MHz range, did intefere with unshielded cockpit instrumentation. Because older aircraft with unshielded wiring can be affected, and because of the possible problems that may arise by having many airborne cell phones "seeing" multiple cell phone towers, the FCC (via enforcement through the FAA) still deems it best to err on the safe side and prohibit the use of cell phones while airborne.
I don't think a handful of cellphones is a problem. However if there was no ban every person on the plane would have a cell phone which would mean hundreds and possibly multiple for one person.
I've asked a pilot before. His explanation was on older planes the cell phones interfere with the equipment and can create static in his headset similar to when you leave your cell phone near a set of speakers (i think we all know that sound). Sounds exactly like the mythbusters explanation.
Now if that's just the standard taught explanation to give... haha