Cell Phone Plans

Cell Phones Won't End Up on Planes

July 15, 2005

The Federal Aviation Administration told lawmakers are Thursday, that even if the Federal Communications Commission lifted the ban of cell phone use during flight, that they will not.

"The FAA is not changing its rules," Nicholas Sabatini, the agency's associate administrator of aviation safety, said at a hearing of the House aviation subcommittee in Washington. Sabatini continued by saying that the FAA will continue to restrict the use of cell phones and other electronic devices on flights unless carriers prove the devices don't disrupt navigation and communication equipment. "If an air carrier is willing to take the time and incur the expense of testing and verifying that the cell phone usage presents no in-flight interference problems, our rules allow an air carrier to permit such devices."

The problem with testing cell phones is that each type phone would need to be tested since each phone is made up differently and offer different settings and features. A test is being done by the FAA to show that cell phones, laptops and Blackberry's pose an unacceptable risk to aircrafts and is expected to be released in 2006.

Until there is a study proving that wireless devices are safe for aircraft, the ban will remain. There are also several other issues regarding this issue, so don't expect a lift anytime soon.



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