FAA PUBLISHES STUDY ON THE USE OF CELL PHINES ON PASSENGER AIRCRAFT
Today, the FAA published a study on the impact of the use of cell phones for voice communications in an aircraft during a flight in scheduled passenger air transportation. FAA recognized the industry needed assistance in determining if cell phone and other transmitting portable electronic devices (PEDs) would interfere with the aircraft communication, navigation, and other electrical and electronic systems.
In recent years, systems have been developed and installed on aircraft that allow passengers to use their personal cell phones to communicate through an on-board cellular base station. Currently, no U.S. airline operates with these systems; however, FAA identified non-U.S. civil aviation authorities having experience with air carriers that allow use of cellular telephones with on-board base stations. FAA sent a questionnaire to these authorities requesting information on their policies and air carrier experience with airborne cellular telephone use.
The non-U.S. civil aviation authorities who approved installation of on-board cellular telephone base stations reported that aircraft undergo extensive analysis, functional tests, ground tests, and flight tests to demonstrate that cell phone base stations do not interfere with aircraft systems. For aircraft with on-board cellular telephone base stations, the civil aviation authorities had no confirmed reports of cell phones affecting flight safety.
FAA invites interested persons to submit written comments related to the economic, environmental, energy or federalism impacts that might result from changes to its current policy. Comments are due on or before November 5, 2012. If you have any questions related to cell phone use on board passenger aircraft or would like help in preparation or submission of comments, please contact our office.